Development Flashcards
Environment
Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
Behavior Genetics
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
Chromosomes
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
Genes
The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein
Genome
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
Identical Twins
Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in 2, creating two genetically identical organisms
Fraternal Twins
Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sister, but they share a fetal environment
Temperament
A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
Heritability
The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. This may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studies
Interaction
The effect of one factor (such as environment) depend on another factor (such as heredity)
Molecular Genetics
The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principle of natural selection
Natural selection
The principal that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
Mutation
A random error in gene replication that leads to a change
Gender
In psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
Norm
An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. These prescribe proper behavior
Personal Space
The buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies
Individualism
Giving priority to one’s own goals over groups goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications
Collectivism
Giving priority to he goals of one’s group and defining one’s identity accordingly
Aggression
Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy
X Chromosome
The sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two of these, males have one. One of these from each parent produced a female child
Y Chromosome
The sex Chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produced a male child
Testosterone
The most important part of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional amount in males stimulates growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
Role
A set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
Gender Role
A set of expected behaviors for males and for females
Gender Identity
One’s sense of being male or female
Gender-Typing
The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
Social Learning Theory
The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarding or punished
Gender Schema Theory
The theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behaviors accordingly
Developmental Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the lifespan
Zygote
The fertilized egg. Develops into embryo
Embryo
The developing human organism from about 2 months after fertilization through the 2nd month
Fetus
The developing human organism from nine weeks after conception to birth
Teratogens
Agents they can reach the embryo or fetus and cause harm
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s haven drinking
Rooting Reflex
A baby’s tendency, when touched on the cheek, to turn toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the nipple
Habituation
Decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation
Maturation
Biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively i influenced by experience
Schema
A concept or framework that organized and interprets information
Assimilation
Interpreting one’s new experience in terms of one’s existing schemas
Accomodation
Adapting to one’s current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information
Cognition
All the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering and communicating
