Chapter 3 Flashcards
research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time
cross-sectional study
research that follows and retests the same people over time.
longitudinal study
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
chromosomes
a molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
DNA
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA
genes
the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring
heredity
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in the organism’s chromosomes
genome
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
interaction
the study of the molecular ways by which environments can influence gene expression
epigenetics
the fertilized egg; it enters a 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo
zygote
the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month
embryo
the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth
fetus
agents, such as chemicals or viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
teratogens
physical and mental abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking. In severe cases, signs include a small, out-of-proportion head and abnormal facial features
fetal alcohol syndrome
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus
reflex
a person’s characteristics emotional reactivity and intensity
temperament
biological growth processes leading to orderly changes in behavior, mostly independent of experience
maturation
a period early in life when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences is needed for proper development
critical period
a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information
schema
interpreting our new experiences in terms of existing schemas
assimilation
adapting our current surroundings (schemas) to incorporate new information
accommodation
In piaget’s theory, the stage (from birth to nearly 2 years of age) at which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities.
sensorimotor stage
the awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived (usually develop this by 8 months)
object permanence
in piaget’s theory the stage (from about 2 to 6 or 7 years of age) in which a child learns to use language but cannot yet perform the mental operations of concrete logic
preoperational stage
the principle (which piaget believed to be a part of concrete operational reasoning) that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in shapes.
conservation
In piaget’s theory, the preoperational child’s difficulty taking another’s point of view
egocentrism
in Piaget’s theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 7 to 11 years of age) at which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events.
concrete operational stage
in piaget’s theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) at which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts.
formal operational stage
in Vygotsky’s theory, a framework that offers children temporary support as they develop higher levels of thinking.
scaffold
people’s ideas about their own and others’ mental states- about their feelings, perceptions, and thoughts, and the behaviors these might predict.
theory of mind
the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age;
stranger anxiety
an emotional tie with others; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to caregivers and showing distress on separation
attachment
according to Erik Erikson, a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; said to be formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers.
basic trust
the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence
adolescence
the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing
puberty
our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent’s task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and blending various roles
identity
the “we” aspect of our self-concept; the part of our answers to “who am I” that comes from our group membership
social identity
in Erikson’s theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary development task in early adulthood.
intimacy
a period from about age of 18 to mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults
emerging adulthood
the end of menstruation. In everyday use, it can mean the biological transition a woman experiences from before until after the end of it.
menopause
the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.
social clock
