Developmental Psychology 2 Flashcards
Developmental Psychology
Study of how individuals grow, change, and remain the same throughout their lives.
Nature-Nurture Debate
The ongoing discussion about the relative importance of genetic factors (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) in shaping behavior.
Critical Period
Specific time during development when a particular event has its greatest impact and must occur for normal development.
Zygote
The fertilized egg formed by the union of sperm and egg during conception.
Embryo
The developing organism from two weeks to two months after fertilization.
Fetus
The developing organism from nine weeks after conception to birth.
Teratogens
Substances that can harm the developing fetus, such as drugs, alcohol, and certain infections.
Attachment
Emotional bond that forms between an infant and a primary caregiver, influencing the child’s emotional and social development.
Cognitive Development
The development of thinking, problem-solving, and memory abilities.
Sensorimotor Stage
Piaget’s first stage of cognitive development (birth to 2 years) characterized by sensory experiences and motor actions.
Object Permanence
The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen or heard.
Preoperational Stage
Piaget’s second stage of cognitive development (2 to 7 years) marked by the use of symbols and language.
Conservation
The understanding that certain properties of an object remain the same despite changes in its appearance.
Concrete Operational Stage
Piaget’s third stage of cognitive development (7 to 11 years) characterized by logical thought and conservation.
Formal Operational Stage
Piaget’s fourth stage of cognitive development (11 years and older) marked by abstract and hypothetical thinking.
Zone of Proximal Development
Vygotsky’s concept of the range between the child’s present level of knowledge and the level of potential development with the help of a more knowledgeable person.
Theory of Mind
The ability to understand that others have thoughts, beliefs, and desires different from one’s own.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Erikson’s second psychosocial stage (1 to 3 years) focused on developing a sense of personal control over physical skills.
Initiative vs. Guilt
Erikson’s third psychosocial stage (3 to 6 years) involving the development of a sense of purpose and the ability to initiate and direct activities.
Industry vs. Inferiority
Erikson’s fourth psychosocial stage (6 to 12 years) focusing on developing a sense of competence and mastery.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Erikson’s fifth psychosocial stage (adolescence) centered on the development of a clear and integrated sense of self.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Erikson’s sixth psychosocial stage (young adulthood) focused on forming close and meaningful relationships.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Erikson’s seventh psychosocial stage (middle adulthood) involving a focus on contributing to society and future generations.
Integrity vs. Despair
Erikson’s eighth psychosocial stage (late adulthood) centered on reflecting on one’s life and achieving a sense of fulfillment.
Kohlberg’s Moral Development
Theory proposing that individuals progress through stages of moral reasoning, from obedience to authority to abstract ethical principles.
Identity Achievement
The state of having a clear and well-defined sense of self and one’s values and beliefs.
Identity Foreclosure
The state of prematurely committing to an identity without adequate consideration of alternatives.
Identity Moratorium
The state of actively exploring and questioning various life choices and identities.
Identity Diffusion
The state of lacking a clear and defined sense of self and having little interest in exploring identity options.
Ego Integrity
Erikson’s concept of feeling complete and satisfied with one’s achievements and experiences in late adulthood.
Cohort Effect
The impact of shared cultural, historical, and social influences on individuals of the same age group.
Menarche
The onset of menstruation in females, marking the beginning of puberty.
Spermarche
The first ejaculation in males, marking the beginning of puberty.
Midlife Crisis
A period of anxiety and reevaluation of one’s life that may occur in middle adulthood.
Social Clock
Culturally determined norms or expectations for the timing of life events, such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.
Alzheimer’s Disease
A progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss.
Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief
The five stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) experienced by individuals facing terminal illness or death.
Senescence
The gradual physical decline associated with aging.
Cross-Sectional Study
A research design that compares different age groups at the same point in time.
Longitudinal Study
A research design that follows the same individuals or cohort over a period of time, often for many years.
Cognitive Reserve
The brain’s ability to operate effectively even when some areas are damaged.
Social Support
The aid and assistance exchanged through social relationships and interpersonal connections.
Life Review
The process of reflecting on and making sense of one’s life, often occurring in late adulthood.
Empty Nest Syndrome
A sense of loss and loneliness experienced by parents when their children leave home.
Sequential Designs
Research designs that combine elements of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. They involve studying different age groups over time, allowing for both age-related and cohort-related comparisons.”
Constructivism
A learning theory that emphasizes the active role of learners in building their understanding and knowledge through experiences, reflection, and the integration of new information with existing mental structures.
Temperament
Innate, biologically based behavioral and emotional patterns that are relatively stable across different situations and over time.
Attachment Theory
A psychological theory that emphasizes the importance of early relationships, particularly the bond between infants and caregivers, in shaping emotional and social development throughout the lifespan.
Mary Ainsworth
A developmental psychologist known for her groundbreaking work on attachment theory. She developed the “Strange Situation” procedure to assess the quality of attachment between infants and their caregivers.
Attachment Styles
Patterns of emotional and behavioral responses that infants develop in relation to their primary caregivers. The main attachment styles identified by Mary Ainsworth include secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-ambivalent/resistant.
Circle of Security
An intervention and assessment tool based on attachment theory, designed to enhance the caregiver-infant relationship. It focuses on providing a secure base for exploration and a safe haven for emotional support.
Parenting styles
Patterns of parental behaviors and attitudes that set the emotional climate in which the parent-child relationship unfolds.
Authoritative
A parenting style characterized by high warmth, responsiveness, and reasonable demands. Parents in this style encourage independence and self-control in their children.
Authoritarian
A parenting style characterized by high demands, low warmth, and strict discipline. Parents in this style value obedience and control over individuality.
Permissive
A parenting style characterized by high warmth and low demands. Parents in this style are indulgent and lenient, allowing considerable freedom and few rules.
Uninvolved/Neglectful
A parenting style characterized by low warmth, low demands, and little involvement in a child’s life. Parents in this style are often emotionally detached.
