Exam 1 Flashcards
Development
the growth of humans throughout the lifespan, from conception to death
Continuity
smooth and gradual. Measurable, quantitative
Heterotypic Continuity
looks different behaviorally but it stems from same place, same reason/cause (I am dysregulated so I bite in preschool and in middle I can’t pay attention, in high school I skip a lot because I can’t focus so I don’t want to be there, as an adult have trouble controlling self)
manifest differently because of developmental period or given moment (not always physically aggressive may do something else)
Homotypic Continuity
looks the same over development (physically aggressive in preschool, middle school, high school, bars)
Discontinuity
abrupt and unstable, made up of qualitative stages and changes
Endogenous
changes that come from within (puberty)
Exogenous
causes of development that arise from environment (parents)
Plasticity
The capacity for different areas (neurons) of the brain to take on new functions (re-organize the brain)
Dynamic Bi-Directional Interactions
mutual influences in both directions (parents impact me and I impact them)
Erikson
German psychologist who extended and refined Freud’s theory of development (Psychosocial theory). He believed we go through psychosocial crises that reflect a struggle between two conflicting personality characteristics. These crises represent critical periods in personality development.
o Trust vs. Mistrust: ability to predict and depend on one’s own behavior and the behavior of others (0-1)
o Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt: Ability to do things for oneself (2-3)
o Initiative vs. Guilt: High and realistic sense of ambition and independence (3-6)
o Industry vs. Inferiority: Active and satisfying involvement in activities (7-12)
o Identity vs. Identity Diffusion: Determination of one’s identity (12-18)
o Intimacy vs. Isolation: Ability to commit to another and establish a close, loving relationship (20s)
o Generativity vs. Stagnation: Incorporation of the needs of others into one’s personal life (20s-50s)
o Integrity vs. Despair: Healthy adjustment to aging and mortality (50s+)
Sensitive Period
periods of time that are important for development but not crucial, you can still possibly catch up (reading)
Critical Period
Periods of time during which a particular event or stimulus has to occur to have an impact on development (exposure to language to develop language, attachment)
Early Childhood
36 months-6 years
Emerging Adulthood
18-23/24 years
Nature
The inherited biological predispositions of the individual
Nurture
The influence of the social and cultural environment on the individual
Maturation
Developmental changes brought about by the unfolding of the genetic code
Ecological Validity
real world validity
Validity
the extent to which your measures, tests what it was designed to assess
External Validity
generalizability
Internal Validity
third-variable problem, no other variables account for cause
Reliability
the extent to which your measure produces the same information on repeat testing
Cohort
a group of people born around same time and/or share experiences.
Neonate
an infant in the first 1-2 months of life
Piaget
Swiss scientist who became interested in the question of how we come to know and understand the world around us. Cognitive Developmental Theory: children of different ages use different kinds of thought processes.
Piaget’s Stages
o Sensorimotor: child relates to objects and people through sense and motor skills. Motoric knowledge, lack of object permanence, present orientation (0-2 years)
o Pre-operational: think in symbols, which permit more flexibility and planning in their problem solving. Symbolic representation, planning, thinking and problem solving guided by perception and appearances, egocentric thinking (their own perception is shared by others) (2-7 years)
o Concrete Operational: logic used in problem solving, logic applied only to concrete objects and events (7-11 years)
o Formal Operational: logic applied to hypothetical and abstract problems, concern with concepts like justice, equality, and fairness (11+)
Object Permanence
objects continue to exist even when you cannot see them
Conservation
is an object the same of different than it was before (tall glass, wide glass, do they have the same amount?)
Zone of Proximal Development
distance between what I can do alone vs. what I can with help
Internal Working Model
view about self and others
Strange Situation
a procedure used to assess infants’ attachment behavior under conditions of increasing stress due to separations from caregivers and strangers
Types of Attachment: Secure
parent is responsive to needs. Cries when caregiver leaves and is easily comforted by caregiver’s return, is not easily soothed by a stranger, wary of stranger, look to caregiver for cues
Types of Attachment: Anxious/Ambivalent
conflicted about whether or not they want the caregiver to help and often it’s because not sure if they can trust caregiver (I might be hungry and not sure if you’re going to follow through establishes distrust) results from chaotic or inconsistent care. Child is trying to stay vigilant. Very wary of stranger but mother can’t soothe them.
Types of Attachment: Anxious/Avoidant
don’t visibly get upset as much, rejected so many times there’s no point in trying (it’s not worth getting upset because you haven’t responded to me and I don’t get what I need) Not wary of stranger, avoid caregiver at return.
Types of Attachment: Disorganized/Disoriented
bizarre behavior indicates abuse usually, confusing for child because there is a draw to caregiver for comfort but they are scary so conflicted, odd behaviors emerge (dissociating, breathing, etc.), don’t fit other categories, may have troubles in life due to dissociating, etc. Results from abusive, fearful or threatening parents.
Secure Base
secure infants use caregiver as secure base from unknown/strangers
Harlow
feeding is not the basis for attachment
Bowlby & Ainsworth
Attachment Theory
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model
Model explores the interplay between the child and his or her immediate and social/physical environment. ex: you are not just influenced by what happens to only you, you go home and your roommate had a terrible day, their jobs, classes, and life has nothing to do with you but you will be influenced because they are in a bad mood or want to go drinking or say something rude to you (it’s part of a larger system you are part of)
Developmental Niche
Emphasizes the links between child’s development and the community within which she/he was born (physical and social context)
• Including everything from child-rearing and educational practices of the society to the psychological characteristics of the parents
• Attempt to get a sense of the child’s opportunities and difficulties