EXAM 2 Chapter 4 Part 1: Prenatal Development

Question 1

Developmental Psychology

Answer 1

Pattern of continuity and change in human capabilities that occurs throughout the lifespan

Question 2

Nature vs Nuture in Developmental Psychology

Answer 2

 How much do inherited characteristics influence or development?

vs

 How much do environmental factors influence our development?

Question 3

Issues in Developmental Psychology

Answer 3

Change v Stability: Do our personal characteristics change as we age? Do our personal characteristics remain stable throughout the lifespan?

Stages v Continuity: Do we see behavior change in discrete, sudden shifts(Stages) as we age? Do we see behavior change slowly along a gradual continuum as we develop?

Question 4

Cross Sectional Design in Developmental Psychology

Answer 4

several different age groups are studied at one time point; Compare memory study across age groups of 5, 10, and 15; Can conclude who performs what

Pros: cheaper and quicker
Cons: less powerful and Cohort effects

Cohort effects:
o 20 year olds and 70 year olds taking a memory test
o If 70 year olds do worse, assume that memory gets worse as you age
o Other effects could take place that are actually causing this, like using a computer where you have to choose the answer with a mouse quickly(motor skills and history with computers in daily life)

Question 5

Longitudinal Design

Answer 5

one group of participants are studies over a long period of time; Compare memory study of 5 year olds, and test their memory again every 5 years for an amount of time; Can ACTUALLY TRACK the change between individuals, since they are the SAME individuals

 Pros: more powerful and no cohort effects
 Cons: time and money; attrition

Question 6

Attrition

Answer 6

some people in the study will not be present again to complete the study about them; People move away, choose not to do it, die, etc.

Question 7

Prenatal Development

Answer 7

development of infant beginning with conception and ending with birth; Three stages are zygotic period, embryonic period, and fetal period

Question 8

Zygotic Period

Answer 8

first two weeks after conception, massive cell division; ends with implantation into uterine wall; Ball of cells floating around in fallopian tubes, identical cells keep multiplying(no special cells yet)

**”infant” not affected by anything yet, because just ball of cells

Anchor itself into wall, move onto next stage after this

Question 9

Embryonic Period

Answer 9

weeks 2-8 after conception; Massive cell DIFFERENTIATION(Cells starting to become different parts of an infant, but not really functional or anything yet, like muscle, tissue, neuron, etc.)

Nutrients through placenta; Connects into mother’s vascular system; Placenta is filter that takes certain things out(for protection), But not things like alcohol

Question 10

Fetal Period

Answer 10

End of month 2-9 months after conception
* Massive physical growth; Parts are becoming more functional(yet at different times)
o Before 27 weeks is seen as a risky time since lungs are not fully developed(survival rate goes way up after 27 weeks)
* Ends at 40 weeks with birth (but 36-40 is full term)

Question 11

Teratogens

Answer 11

any agent that can cause a birth defect, Can take many physical and mental forms; More susceptible to teratogens in different periods(zygotic not effected while other stages are effected); Embryonic period effects are MOST SEVERE, most susceptible to birth defects