Developmental Psychology Flashcards
developmental psychology
covers the entire life span, which is split into 4 main stages: prenatal development, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
3 stages of prenatal development
- Zygotes/germinal stage (0-2 weeks) - task is to survive
- Embryonic stage (3-8 weeks) - task is to diversify
- Fetal stage (9-40 weeks) - task is to grow
zygote
the fertilized ovum that embeds itself in the uterine wall, contains two halves of chromosomes from the father and mother’s sex cells
zygote cleavage
the cells in the zygote multiplying and differentiating to form organs that protect it
amniotic sac
fluid-filled reservoir wherein the embryo lives and acts as a cushion against outside pressure and as a temperature regulator
placenta
an organ that allows the exchange of nutrients between the embryo and mother while filtering out harmful material
umbilical cord
directly links the embryo to the placenta and transfers all material to the fetus
embryotic stage
when zygote attaches to uterus, major external and internal organs start forming
fetal stage
all major aspects of the baby are formed to increase its weight and to allow it to move, taste, and hear
fear paralysis reflex
protective mechanism that allows response to perceived threats
mono
instant arousal of survival systems
rooting reflexes
assist baby to find food (breastfeeding)
Palmar reflex
assists a baby’s grasp development
asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
assists baby thru birth canal and to develop cross-pattern movements
symmetrical tonic neck reflex
preparation for crawling
tonic labrynthine effect
head management and postural stability
spinal gaiant reflex
asissts baby with birth process, crawling, and creeping
Henry Harlow
conducted a study on attachment using a baby monkey, a place for food, and a terrycloth that simulated a parent monkey, finding that the baby spent more time with the “parent”
John Bowlby
proposed the attachment theory, which argues that separation from caregivers is distressing and leads to incomplete, harmful development
Mary Ainsworth
did an experiment called the “strange situation” in which a parent would leave the child with a stranger to assess its response
Ainsworth’s 4 attachment styles
- secure
- insecure-avoidant
- insecure-ambivalent
- insecure-disorganized
secure attachment style
caregiver is able to react quickly and positively to child’s needs; child is distressed when caregiver leaves, happy when they return, and seek comfort from them when distressed
insecure-avoidant attachment style
caregiver is unresponsive, uncaring, and dismissing; child shows no distress when caregiver leaves, happy when they return, and doesn’t seek contact with them
insecure-ambivalent attachment style
caregiver responds inconsistently; child is distressed when caregiver leaves but isn’t comforted by their return and may be aggressive in contact
insecure-disorganized attachment style
caregiver is abusive or neglectful and responds in frightening/frightened ways; child shows no attachment behaviour and often appears confused and apprehensive in caregiver’s presence
Waters et al.
did a longitudinal study on attachment styles, finding that they are stable and those with secure styles become insecure after trauma and loss
self-concept
one of the most important milestones in a child’s social development is learning about their own existence
mirror test
put a dot on the mirror and the infant either tries to wipe the dot off themselves or the mirror
Jean Piaget
most important contribution was to understanding cognitive development and the idea that it occurs in distinct stages that happen sequentially, in a way that allows the child to think about the world using new capacities
Piaget’s stages of cognitive development
- sensorimotor (0-2)
- preoperational (2-7)
- concrete operational (7-11)
- formal operations (above 11)
sensorimotor stage
coordination of senses with motor responses, sensory curiosity, language use for demands and cataloguing, object permanence is developed
preoperational stage
symbolic thinking, use of proper syntax and grammar to express concepts, imagination and intuition are strong but complex, abstract thoughts are still difficult, conservation is developed
concrete operational stage
concepts attached to time, space, and quantity are understood and can be applied but not as independent concepts