Chapter 12 - Development Flashcards
Developmental Psychology
the scientific study of systematic change across the lifespan
Cross-sectional Designs
compare people of different ages at the same point in time
Longitudinal Designs
repeatedly tests the same cohort as it grows older
Sequential Designs
mixes longitudinal and cross-sectional designs - repeatedly test several age cohorts as they grow older and determine whether they follow a similar developmental pattern
Prenatal development
time from conception until birth (8-9 months)
Period of the zygote/Germinal Stage
cell replication, 0-2 weeks post conception
Period of the embryo
bodily organs and systems begin to form, 2 - 8 weeks post conception
Period of the fetus
immense growth and weight gain, 8 weeks post conception to birth
Age of viability
point of where survival outside the womb is possible, approx 24 weeks
Teratogens
environmental agents that cause abnormal prenatal development
Sensitive/Critical Periods
a time during which the nervous system of the individual is highly sensitive to certain environmental stimuli
Rubella
Disease in adults that is similar to the measles, fetus may have heart or vision related issues, problems with brain and cortex development, learning disabilities, blindness, and may be terminal for the fetus
Thalidomide
treatment for morning sickness, affects development of limbs in infant
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
affects physical and psychological characteristics of child, central nervous system damaged
Eyesight of Infants
very nearsighted, visual acuity is 20/800 which is 40 times worse than normal adult acuity of 20/20
Preferential Looking Procedure
face preference - tend to track faces rather than patterns
Maturation
biological processes that govern our growth
Cephalocaudal Principle
the tendency for development to proceed in a head-to-toe fashion
Proximodistal Principle
states that development begins along the innermost parts of the body and continues toward the outermost parts
Which sound are infants especially attentive to?
voices (especially that of their mother)