development

Question 1

what are genes

Answer 1

are a segment of DNA that encodes for a trait

Question 2

define recessive

Answer 2

a gene whose characteristic will only be displayed if the paired gene is also recessive

Question 3

define dominant

Answer 3

the gene that displays its characteristics rather than its paired gene

Question 4

influence of Down Syndrome

Answer 4

intellectual disability, facial features, growth/motor skills impediments

Question 5

influence of Fragile X Syndrome

Answer 5

mental retardation, delayed social skills

Question 6

influence of Alzheimers disease

Answer 6

progressive brain deterioration - loss of memory and other cognitive abilities

Question 7

define nature

Answer 7

hereditary involves the passing of characteristics from the biological parents via genes at the time of conception

Question 8

define nurture

Answer 8

the environment is used to refer to the experiences, objects and events to which we are exposed to

Question 9

interactionist approach

Answer 9

both hereditary and environmental factors interact to shape development - involves nature and nurture working together

Question 10

stages of lifespan development

Answer 10

• infancy (0-2)
• early childhood (2-5)
• late childhood (5-12)
• adolescence (12-20)
• early adulthood (20-40)
• middle age (40-65)
• old age (65+)

Question 11

critical periods

Answer 11

narrow periods of time in development which the organism is pre-programmed for learning to occur
eg. development of vision

Question 12

sensitive periods

Answer 12

certain periods in development that is optimum for a developing individual to learn specific things
eg. sensitive period for humans to learn speech is during infancy

Question 13

physical development

Answer 13

changes in our bodies which impact psychological functioning. it involves the development of motor skills that leads to independence
eg. brain and body growth

Question 14

cognitive development

Answer 14

the development of our mental abilities through the course of the lifespan- memories, language, thinking and problem solving
eg. communicating through language

Question 15

social/emotional development

Answer 15

understanding of social rules and situations. develop the ability to regulate your emotions and how you express them
eg. development of self-identity

Question 16

what are teratogens

Answer 16

any toxic substance that can cause harm to an unborn child

Question 17

what is maturation

Answer 17

is a genetically programmed process that governs growth. it directs physical and biological development

Question 18

what are inborn reflexes

Answer 18

babies are born with them- automatic responses to specific stimuli. they are not learned behaviours they are due to nature

Question 19

what are developmental norms

Answer 19

indicate the average age that a certain behaviour or skill will be achieved- based on the mean age of a large sample

Question 20

define attachment

Answer 20

the emotional bond or relationship between an infant and the mother or primary caregiver

Question 21

define privation

Answer 21

when attachment never occurs- infant never forms a close relationship with anyone

Question 22

Harlow’s study - ethical implications

Answer 22

the monkeys are taken away from their mums, they don’t develop normally

Question 23

what was Harlow’s study

Answer 23

testing attachment in thesis monkeys by separating them from their mothers at birth- see whether food or close comfort were more important in the formation of attachment

Question 24

what was Ainsworth’s study

Answer 24

he created a laboratory testing technique known as the Strange Situation to measure attachment- infants experienced a sequence of events like separations, reunions and meeting strangers

Question 25

secure, insecure avoidant and insecure resistant attachment

Answer 25

• secure: play happily when caregiver present, very attached to caregiver, distressed by absence of caregiver
• insecure avoidant: rarely get upset when stranger enters, don’t cling to caregiver and no distress when they leave
• insecure resistant: more clingy, cry, don’t explore as much, extremely distressed when caregiver leaves

Question 26

twin and adoption studies

Answer 26

twin- explores nature

adoption- explores nurture