Chapter 4: Development Flashcards
period of the zygote
time of conception to two weeks later; blastocyst implants into uterine lining, period of prenatal development mostly driven by genetic factors (rapid cell division)
blastocyst
hollowed out ball of cells that implants into the uterine wall, ultimately to become the developing organism and its support system
ectopic pregnancy
pregnancy that results from the implantation of the blastocyst into the fallopian tubes instead of the uterine wall - woman and zygote at risk
Why are ectopic pregnancies risky?
- uterus can expand (as zygote grows) and contract (to expel fetus)
- fallopian tubes cannot
- pregnancy is terminated to avoid death due to ruptured fallopian tube
What is the defining feature of the period of the zygote?
Rapid cell division
monozygotic
identical twins - one egg fertilized by one sperm and divided into two separate cells with identical DNA (100% shared genetics, same sex)
dizygotic twins
fraternal twins - woman’s ovaries will release more than one egg at a time; two eggs are fertilized by one sperm each (unique genetic makeup)
Many teratogens have been identified, including …
the use of tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy, the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications, and the occurrence of specific viruses or illnesses that can be transmitted from pregnant women to their developing infants
Effects of teratogens depend on…
- dose (how much exposure)
- timing (stage of gestation)
- cumulative effects (more than one teratogen)
Is maternal mental illness a teratogen?
No.
Challenge associated with determining whether an environmental agent acts as a teratogen…
it is unethical to randomly assign pregnant women to an experimental condition (e.g., exposure to teratogens) that might negatively impact their developing infant
When do teratogens exert most of their negative effects?
during the period of the embryo
Teratogens exert seemingly less influence during the period of the zygote, as…
the process of cellular division is largely constrained by biology
Another reason why teratogens exert their biggest effects early in pregnancy—between the second and eighth weeks of gestation—is because….
many women may not realize they are pregnant until after this important period of prenatal development has passed
Infants who have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy may be identified as having…
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
A recent meta-analysis estimates that approximately __% of women across the globe use alcohol during their pregnancies.
10
Is the dose and timing of alcohol use definitively linked to infant and child outcomes?
No, abstaining is recommended to stay prudent.
Effects of alcohol on developing infant:
- Damage to internal organs (resulting in heart or kidney problems as well as issues with vision or hearing)
- Altered physical characteristics (reduced head size, below-average height
- Smooth patch of skin between the nose and the upper lip
- Cognitive impairments (problems with hyperactivity and inattention, reduced intelligence, and challenges in school)
sleeper effects
issues experienced by infants with FASD that may not be identified until later (e.g., cognitive defects associated with FASD until preschool, such as visual-motor integration and child behaviour problems)
Seemingly for the first time, a child experiences difficulty concentrating in class, potentially as a result of prenatal exposure to alcohol. This is an example of a:
sleeper effect
Four major stages of cognitive development:
- sensorimotor period
- preoperational period
- concrete operational period
- formal operational period (may not be achieved by some)
Who came up with the four stages of cognitive development?
Jean Piaget
Can children skip a stage in cognitive development?
No! (according to Piaget)
Piaget’s theory describes cognitive development in ways that are easily ______ and ______.
accessible and observable
Does recent research conform Piaget’s findings?
Yes.
Children must progress through each stage in order: T/F?
True
No one reaches the highest level of cognitive functioning. T/F?
False; everybody does, but some later than others (adolescence).
First stage of cognitive development?
sensorimotor period
Sensorimotor period is a period that is marked by…
learning that occurs through a child’s sensory and motor interactions with the physical environment - learn about the world through their actions on it
What ages does sensorimotor period occur from?
Birth to age 2
In the first substage of the sensorimotor period, from birth to ________, children learn from the world using the _________.
1 month of age; reflexes they have available to them from birth
In the second substage, from ________, infants learn about the world by __________.
1 to 4 months of age; engaging in primary circular reactions
Primary circular reactions + example
In second substage of sensorimotor development (from 1 to 4 months), infants learn about the world by repeatedly engaging in actions on their own body.
- infant might routinely suck on different parts of her hand, ultimately learning that certain parts (such as her fingers) are easier to suck on than others (such as her palm)
In the third substage of the sensorimotor period, from _____ to ____ months of age, infant behaviors begin to _______.
4 to 8 months of age; move outward, focusing to a greater extent on items outside of their own bodies (secondary circular reactions).
secondary circular reactions
In Piaget’s third substage of sensorimotor development (from 4 to 8 months), infants learn about the world by repeatedly engaging in actions outside their own body
Infants might enjoy repeatedly dropping toys off the side of their high chairs - what is this an example of?
secondary circular reactions
object permanence - when does it exist?
an understanding that objects and individuals continue to exist even if they cannot be seen, a development that occurs at around 8 months of age
- at the age of 9 months, infants begin to get OP
When is object permanence acheived?
9 months - during the fourth substage
An infant drops a Cheerio off her high chair and looks to find it - what is this an example of?
object permanence
In the fourth substage of the sensorimotor period, from ___ to ___ months of age, infants…
8 to 12; combine secondary circular reactions so that they can make a sequence of events come to pass.
- children can find a toy hidden under a cloth; must move cloth and then grab toy (two motor tasks)
A-not-B task/error
infants with object permanence succeed at finding an object hidden at one location, but they experience difficulty shifting their attention when objects are first hidden at one location and then moved to another
In the fifth substage of the sensorimotor period, from ___ to ___ months of age, children engage in —
12 to 18; tertiary circular reactions
tertiary circular reactions
In Piaget’s fifth substage of the sensorimotor development (12 to 18 months), infants learn about the world through their activities as “little scientists” – they actively explore the world using different combinations of items to see how these changes affect their observed outcomes.
Bang on different objects with their hands or wooden spoons to hear the various sounds that result - what is this an example of
tertiary circular reactions
During the sixth and final substage from ___ to ___ months of age, children have the beginnings of ______
18 to 24; mental representation
mental representation
In Piaget’s sixth and final substage of sensorimotor development (18 to 24 months of age), infants REMEMBER AND REENACT situations and events that happened previously without any ongoing perceptual supports.
preoperational period + what is it marked by?
The second stage of cognitive development, according to Piaget, lasting from ages 2 to 7. This stage is marked by a child’s increasing ability to use symbols and engage in logical thinking.
- animism, egocentrism, conservation
The preoperational period is divided into two substage:
- preconceptual thinking (ages 2 to 4 years)
- intuitive thinking (4 to 7 years)
symbolic thinking (what is it and what is it marked by?)
the ability to use symbols (e.g., language) to stand for other things (e.g., complex feelings, ideas)
animism
preschooler believes that stuffed animals have feelings, sun or moon is following them
egocentrism + examples
difficulty of children adopting the perspective of another individual, as seen in children aged 2 to 7 in Piaget’s developmental model
- child might choose a birthday present for her friend that the child herself would want
conservation tasks
children do not yet realize that certain physical qualities of an object remain unchanged despite changes to its physical appearance.
- children may not yet understand that a ball of clay rolled into a long snake has the same amount of clay as when it was made into a ball