Chapter 3 Vocab Flashcards
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
Chromosomes
a molecule containing the genetic info. 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 that organisms chromosomes
genome
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to social support in later life
environment
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor
interaction
the study of environmental influences of gene expression that occur without a DNA change
epigenetic
the fertilized egg; it enter a 2 week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo
zygote
the developing human organism from about two weeks after fertilization through the second month
embryo
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical twins
identical twins
the developing human organism from 9 weeks after birth
fetus
an agent such as a chemical or virus, that can reach the embryo or fetus during the prenatal development and cause harm
teratogen
physical and mental abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant women heavy drinking’s, in severe cases signs include a small, out of proportion head and abnormal facial features
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
a simple, automatic responses to a sensory stimulus
reflex
a persons 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
all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
cognition
a concept for framework that organizes and interprets info
schema
interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas
assimilation
adapting our current understandings in terms of our existing schemas
assimilation
in P.’s theory, the stage in which a child learns to use language but cannot yet perform the mental operations of concrete logic
pre operational stage
the principle that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in shapes
conservation (Piaget)
In p.’s theory, the pre operational child’s difficulty taking another’s point of view
egocentrism
people’s ideas about their own and others’ mental states- about their feelings, perceptions, and thoughts, and behaviors these might predict
theory of mind
in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (6 or 7-11) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete evidences
concrete operational stage
in Piaget’s theory the stage of cog. develop. (normall beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts
formal operational stage
the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months
stranger anxiety
an emotional tie with another person, shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver 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 trusts
the transition period from child hood to adulthood, exending from puberty to independence
adolescence
the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing
puberty
in Erikson’s theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships, a primary developmental task in early adult hood
intimacy
a period from about age 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 every day use, it can also mean the biological transition a woman experiences from before until after the end of menstruation.
menopause
The culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage parenthood in retirement.
social clock
Branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the life span
Developmental psychology
