Developmental Psychology Flashcards
What is developmental psychology?
Changes that take place across development
What are the 4 ways to study development?
- Cross-Sectional Design
- Longitudinal Design
- Cohort Design
- Cohort Sequential Design
What is cross-sectional design?
Study individuals of different ages (e.g 2,4,6)
What is longitudinal design?
Study the same individuals over time (e.g at 2, at 4, at 6)
What is Cohort design?
Study individuals born in different years at the same age (e.g 2yo (2000), 2yo (2002) etc)
What is Cohort sequential design?
Study individuals born in different years over time (e.g child born in 2000 at 2,4,6 and child born in 2002 at 2,4,6..)
What are the four key issues of development?
- Nature vs Nurture
- Stability vs Change
- Qualitative vs Quantitative
- Critical and Sensitive Periods
When does the germinal stage occur?
Conception - week 2
When does the embryonic stage occur?
Week 2-8
When does the foetal stage occur?
Week 8-Birth
What happens during the embryonic stage?
Embryo is secured to the uterus
NS begins to function
Rapid growth of head and brain -(50% of length)
What happens during the foetal stage?
Organs differentiate and begin to work
What is the cerebral cortex associated with?
Memory
Language
Thinking
When does the cerebral cortex begin to develop?
The cerebral cortex develops from week 9 (specialised by mid pregnancy)
What are teratogens?
Any environmental agents that cause birth defects
What happens during the prenatal period?
- Brain development: Brain nearly doubles in size (wk 16-28)
- New behaviours: awake more, coordinate movement, control of bodily functions
- Aware of sensory input: distinguish between voices, remember songs and sounds, sensitive to light
What is transnatal learning?
Learning that occurs during prenatal period that is remembered in the postnatal period
What is a neonate?
An infant in the first 28 days after birth
Characteristics of a neonate?
- Head is large compared to body
* Posses fontanels (soft spot)
What are neonate reflexes?
Automatic, inborn behaviours that occur in response to stimuli
What is the rooting reflex?
Turn check and open mouth in response to stroke
What is the sucking reflex?
Infant will suck on something placed in mouth
What is the grasp (palmar grasp) reflex?
Fingers close on object placed in hand
What is the stepping reflex?
Infant attempts to walk when soles of feet touch flat surface
What is the Moro (startle) reflex?
Infant grabs at air in response to removal of support for head and neck
Why does the neonate have reflexes?
- Some have a survival value (rooting/Moro?)
* Allows for bonding between parent and child (sucking/grasping)
What size is the brain at 2 years old?
75% of adult brain size
What size is the brain at 5 years old?
90% of adult brain size
What is brain lateralisation known for?
- Language (often LH)
* Sex differences
What is a neonates visual acuity?
1/30th of adults
Why is the perception of faves necessary?
To form an emotional attachment to a specific person
What is infantile amnesia?
The unlikelihood of remembering many events before the age of 3
What is object permanence?
Understanding that objects exist when you can’t see them
