Chapter 9 Flashcards
Developmental Psychology
Scientific study of how humans change over a life san, from conception to death, can be grouped in three ways
- physical
- socio-emotional
- cognitive
Longitudinal
One group of participants is studied over a long period of time
Cross-sectional
Several different age groups of participants are studied at one particular point in time
Cross-sequential design
Participants are first studied in a cross-sectional design, then followed, and assessed for a period of no more than six years
Nature
Genetic influence on our personalitly, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions
Nurture
Environmental influence on personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions
Behavioral Genetics
Focuses on nature and nurture interaction as it affects behavior
Epigenetics
Study of cellular mechanisms that control gene expression and ways gene expression affects health/behavior
Conception
Beginning of prenatal period
Zygote
Cell from union of sperm and an ovum: first two weeks after conception
Embryo
Third to Eighth week, major systems, organs, and body structures
Fetus
End to second month to birth
Monozygotic (maternal)
identical twins; one zygote splits into two and develop into there own embryo
Di-zygotic (faternal)
two eggs are fertilized by two different sperms
Critical areas for newborn
Respiration, Digestion, Circulation, Temperture
Teratogens
Harmful agents in the prenatal environment with devestating consequences during the embryo period
Drugs and Alcohol + Pregnancy
Linked to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, breathing difficulties, mental retardation, physical defects, fetal death
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Caused by maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy: crosses placental barrier, may match level in mothers blood
What effects does a kid have with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Mentally retarded, small head, wide-set eyes, short nose, behavioral abnormalities-short attention span
Brain Development
Infant Brain: 360 grams and or 0.80 pounds
Adult Brain: 1300-1400 grams and or 3 pounds
By the age of 2, 75 percent of adult and or 2.25 pounds
Age 5, 90 percent of adult and or 2.7 pounds
Temperament
Behavioral style of responding (nature) to the environment
Easy Children
Around 40 percent
- pleasant moods, adaptable
- approach new situations and people positively
Slow-to-Warm-Up Children
Around 15 percent
- tend to withdraw
- slow to adapt, and somewhat negative in mood
Difficult Children
Around 10 percent
- generally unpleasant moods
- reacted negativey to new situations and people
- intense emotional reactions, irregularity in bodiely functions Colic
