development Flashcards
what are genes
are a segment of DNA that encodes for a trait
define recessive
a gene whose characteristic will only be displayed if the paired gene is also recessive
define dominant
the gene that displays its characteristics rather than its paired gene
influence of Down Syndrome
intellectual disability, facial features, growth/motor skills impediments
influence of Fragile X Syndrome
mental retardation, delayed social skills
influence of Alzheimers disease
progressive brain deterioration - loss of memory and other cognitive abilities
define nature
hereditary involves the passing of characteristics from the biological parents via genes at the time of conception
define nurture
the environment is used to refer to the experiences, objects and events to which we are exposed to
interactionist approach
both hereditary and environmental factors interact to shape development - involves nature and nurture working together
stages of lifespan development
- 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+)
critical periods
narrow periods of time in development which the organism is pre-programmed for learning to occur
eg. development of vision
sensitive periods
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
physical development
changes in our bodies which impact psychological functioning. it involves the development of motor skills that leads to independence
eg. brain and body growth
cognitive development
the development of our mental abilities through the course of the lifespan- memories, language, thinking and problem solving
eg. communicating through language
social/emotional development
understanding of social rules and situations. develop the ability to regulate your emotions and how you express them
eg. development of self-identity
what are teratogens
any toxic substance that can cause harm to an unborn child
what is maturation
is a genetically programmed process that governs growth. it directs physical and biological development
what are inborn reflexes
babies are born with them- automatic responses to specific stimuli. they are not learned behaviours they are due to nature
what are developmental norms
indicate the average age that a certain behaviour or skill will be achieved- based on the mean age of a large sample
define attachment
the emotional bond or relationship between an infant and the mother or primary caregiver
define privation
when attachment never occurs- infant never forms a close relationship with anyone
Harlow’s study - ethical implications
the monkeys are taken away from their mums, they don’t develop normally
what was Harlow’s study
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
what was Ainsworth’s study
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
secure, insecure avoidant and insecure resistant attachment
- 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
twin and adoption studies
twin- explores nature
adoption- explores nurture
