chapter 4 Flashcards
developmental psychology
the study of behaviour and mental processes across the lifespan
longitudinal research
studying the same people over long periods of time
pros: see impact of early experiences over time, examine personality stability
cons: expensive, high drop-out, time-consuming, cohort effect influences results
cohort-sequential design
examines different ages over long period of time, combines longitudinal and cross-section research
pros: beat cohort effect, since it’s separated over ages
maturation
the idea that genes determine development in a certain time frame i.e. sexual maturation by 18yo
cross-section research
study people at diff ages at same point in time
pros: time saving
cons: 3rd factor ignored that influences perception
cohort effect
people are influenced by significant cultural impacts of upbringing
epigenetic
change in gene expression independent of DNA sequence
events that alter genes can be passed on to future generations
quantitative research
gradual increases in development i.e. height, weight
qualitative research
development in stages that are qualitatively different i.e. behaviour
suggests all people move onto next stage when reach correct age
critical periods
time in development where stimuli is needed for brain functioning
individual is sensitive to environment
codominance
dominant and recessive traits both expressed
polygenic trait
traits that are expressed as a result of multiple genes i.e. skin colour
discrete trait
trait from one gene pairing i.e. 2 alleles
stages of prenatal development
germinal stage
embryonic stage
fetal stage
fetal stage
9-40 wks
organs still underdeveloped and cannot survive on own, rapid brain growth
germinal stage
ovulation to implantation 0-2 wks
egg goes to fallopian tube, is fertilized into zygote
zygote goes to uterus and is called blastocyte
formation of placenta occurs
embryonic stage
2-8 wks
organs start developing, extremely vulnerable to environment
spontaneous abortion/miscarriage may occur
teratogen
substance that can damage during prenatal stage i.e. alcohol
fetal alcohol syndrome
results in facial and brain abnormality, slow growth
partial FAS
fewer symptoms, related to paternal alcohol consumption
ARND
alcohol related neurological disorder
no physical abnormalities, but intellectual challenges
synaptic pruning
synapses are lost as child grows due unnecessary connections
allows stronger connections to be formed
synpase
connection between two neurons
senses in infants
strong sense of taste and smell
poor hearing due to amniotic fluid
poor vision
moro reflex
slap blanket w baby on it, will reach out to grasp mother
babinski reflex
stroke bottom of foot, spreads toes
shows integrated nervous system
accommodation
altering schemas to include new info, a way of acquiring knowledge
schema
category to understand the world
assimilation
grouping new info into existing schema to try to understand it
piaget’s stages
sensorimotor
preoperational
concrete operational
formal operations
formal operations
12+, though not all reach this stage and may stay at concrete operational
able to use hypothetico-deductive reasoning and abstract reasoning
preoperational
2nd stage, 2-7
egocentric, unable to see from others perspectives
only see one-way relationships
DONT understand law of conservation
sensorimotor
birth-2
develop object permanence, egocentric
concrete operational
3rd stage, 7-12
understand law of conservation
operations: can mentally manipulate objects
don’t understand abstract
info processing theory
how children learn and use information
violation of expectation
see if infants can understand subtraction by showing impossible situation
adolescent egocentrism
greater than children or adults
personal fable
believe no one experiences what they do, and their own morals don’t apply to them
imaginary audience
feel that others are watching them when they aren’t
lev vygotsky
scaffolding: adult makes adjustment to help child, but doesn’t spoonfeed
zone of proximal development: gap between what child can do by self and with help of adult
temperament
basic personality ingrained in genes
unique temperament
35%
a mixture of all 3 temperaments
easy temperament
40%
follows routine, easy to calm, cheerful and open to change
difficult temperament
10%
don’t respond well to change, irritable
slow-to-warm-up
15%
less responsive than others, withdraw to change
attachment
creation of emotional connection, typically to caregivers
anxious/ambivalent
upset when mother leaves and is conflicted between wanting closeness and pushing away
10%
disorganized/disoriented
have characteristics from other styles that are contradictory
15%
secure attachment
mother is secure base for child to come back to, upset but easily calmed when mom returns
60%
anxious/avoidant
child is indifferent when mother leaves and returns
15%
2 factors parenting style
demandingness: setting rules, discipline, monitoring
responsiveness: support, meet child’s needs
authoritarian
high demand low response
results in kid w low esteem, anxiety, aggressiom
permissive
low demand high response
impulsive child, low integrity, overdependence
uninvolved
low response and demand
anxious, antisocial, socially awkward child
authoritative
high demand high response
high self-esteem, self-control, communication
reciprocal socialization
two-way relationship b/w primary caregiver and child
secondary sex characteristics
non-reproductive events i.e. breast development
brain development adolescence
prefrontal cortex develops for decision making
myelination continues for fast connections
primary sex characteristics
reproductive system and organs
kohlberg moral development
preconventional: morals on what can get away with
conventional: morals focused on fitting into society and avoiding disapproval
postconventional: understand universal laws, and abstract ethics
erikson stages
8 stages of development, says if fail to meet one will be stuck or struggle in others
8 stages erikson definitions
trust vs mistrust: get needs from parent
autonomy vs shame: explore motor skills w encouragement
initiative vs guilt: initiate tasks on own w empowerment
industry vs inferiority: compare self to others
identity vs role confusion: find societal role, adolescents
intimacy vs isolation: make meaningful relationships
generativity vs self-absorption: find way to benefit future generations
integrity vs despair: feel satisfied with life
phys development in adults
menopause: loss of menstruation
hair loss, skin loosening, vision and hearing loss, memory loss, difficulty learning
free radical theory
free radicals (negative oxygen molecules) go into body and destabilize cells
wear and tear theory
body degrades with use
cellular clock theory
aging built into cells, which stop reproducing at a certain point
