Glossary For Human Development

Question 1

Define growth

Answer 1

An increase in some measured quantity, such as weight and height

Question 2

Define development

Answer 2

Complex changes including an increase in skills, abilities and capabilities

Question 3

Define centile lines (percentiles)

Answer 3

Lines in a graph used to show average measurements of height, weight and head circumference. The lines represent the values of the measurements taking into account age and sex

Question 4

Define development norms

Answer 4

A description of an average set of expectations with respect to a young child’s development. For example, by the age of 12 months a child has the ability to stand alone

Question 5

Define milestone

Answer 5

An ability achieved by most children by a certain age. It can involve physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication skills, for example walking, sharing with others, expressing emotions, recognising sounds and talking

Question 6

Define gross motor skills

Answer 6

Large movement that involve using the large muscle of the body which are required for mobility, for example- Rolling over

Question 7

Define fine motor skills

Answer 7

Involves smaller movements that require more precise direction (dexterity) and use smaller muscles, for example- picking up a pencil

Question 8

Define adolescence

Answer 8

An important status change following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult

Question 9

Define menopause

Answer 9

The ending of female fertility, including the cessation of menstruation and reduction in production of female sec hormones

Question 10

Define life expectancy

Answer 10

An estimate of the number of years, on average, that a person can expect to live. Sometimes called longevity

Question 11

Define cognitive impairment

Answer 11

When a person has trouble remembering, learning new skills, concentrating or making decisions that affect their everyday life

Question 12

Define puberty

Answer 12

A period of rapid growth during which young people reach sexual maturity, and become biologically able to reproduce and secondary sexual characteristics develop

Question 13

Define hormones

Answer 13

Chemical substances produced in the body and transported in the blood stream that control or regulate body cells or body organs. For example, the sex hormones produced by the ovaries and testes are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in puberty

Question 14

Define abstract logical thinking

Answer 14

The ability to solve problems using imagination without having to be involved practically. This is an advanced form of thinking that does not always need a practical context in order to take place

Question 15

Define egocentric thinking

Answer 15

Not being able to see a situation from another persons point of view. Piaget thought that a young child assumed that other people see, heat and feel exactly the same as the child does

Question 16

Define concrete logical thinking

Answer 16

The ability to solve problems providing an individual can see or physically handle the issues involved

Question 17

Define equilibrium

Answer 17

A state of cognitive imbalance between experience and what is understood

Question 18

Define disequilibrium

Answer 18

A state of cognitive imbalance between experience and what is understood

Question 19

Define accommodation

Answer 19

Modifying schemas in relation to new information and experiences

Question 20

Define self concept (sense of identity)

Answer 20

An awareness formed in early childhood of being an individual, a unique person and different from everyone else

Question 21

Define emotional literacy

Answer 21

The ability to recognise, understand and appropriately express emotions. Emotional literacy is essential for forming positive social relationships

Question 22

Define empathy

Answer 22

The ability to identify with or understand another’s situation or feelings

Question 23

Define attachment

Answer 23

A strong emotional connection between a child and caregiver

Question 24

Define self image

Answer 24

The way an individual sees themselves, their mental image of themselves

Question 25

Define self esteem

Answer 25

How a person feels about themselves, self worth or pride

Question 26

Define stranger anxiety

Answer 26

When an infant becomes anxious and fearful around strangers

Question 27

Define deprivation

Answer 27

Being deprived of a caregiver to whom an attachment already exists

Question 28

Define privation

Answer 28

Being deprived of the opportunity to form an attachment

Question 29

Define separation anxiety

Answer 29

The fear and apprehension that Infants experience when separated from their primary caregiver

Question 30

Define nature

Answer 30

Genetic inheritance and other biological factors

Question 31

Define nurture

Answer 31

The influence of external factors after conception such as social and environmental factors

Question 32

Define maturation

Answer 32

A genetically programmed sequence of change, for example- the onset of menopause

Question 33

Define positive reinforcement

Answer 33

The behaviour is repeated because of personal satisfaction (intrinsic reinforcement) or rewards (extrinsic reinforcement)

Question 34

Define negative reinforcement

Answer 34

The behaviour is not repeated to avoid an adverse experience such as lack of satisfaction or to avoid being told off

Question 35

Define diathesis

Answer 35

A predisposition or vulnerability to mental disorder through abnormality of the brain or neurotransmitters

Question 36

Define genetic disposition

Answer 36

Inherited genes that determine physical growth, development, health and appearance

Question 37

Define congenital

Answer 37

Present at birth

Question 38

Define neural tube defects

Answer 38

Congenital defects of the brain, spine and spinal cord, such as spinal bifida

Question 39

Define susceptibility

Answer 39

An increased likelihood of acquiring a disease because of an individuals genetic make up

Question 40

Define pollutant

Answer 40

A substance that contaminates something such as air or water makes it unsafe

Question 41

Define respiratory disorders

Answer 41

Conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronch, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity

Question 42

Define cardiovascular problems

Answer 42

Any disorder or disease of the heart or blood vessels

Question 43

Define hypothermia

Answer 43

Excessively low body temperature, below 35 degrees

Question 44

Define dysfunctional family

Answer 44

A family that is not providing all of the support and benefits associated with being in a family

Question 45

Define parenting styles

Answer 45

A definition of the different strategies/ways that parents use to bring up their children

Question 46

Define median

Answer 46

The middle value In a list of numbers written in numerical order

Question 47

Define attitude

Answer 47

Assumptions that we use to make sense of our social experience

Question 48

Define secondary socialisation

Answer 48

The process of learning appropriate behaviour in society. Influenced include education, media, government and religion/ culture

Question 49

Define primary socialisation

Answer 49

The process of a child learning the norms, attitudes and values of the culture and society in which they are growing up

Question 50

Define values

Answer 50

Principles that we use to guide our thoughts and decisions

Question 51

Define lifestyle

Answer 51

How a person spends their time and money, a ‘style’ of living

Question 52

Define predictable events

Answer 52

Events that are expected to happen at a particular time. While expected they may have a positive or negative effect on a persons health and wellbeing

Question 53

Define unpredictable events

Answer 53

Events that happen unexpectedly and which may have serious physical and psychological effects on the individual. These effects can be positive or negative

Question 54

Define cartilage

Answer 54

The soft tissue that protects the surfaces of the bone

Question 55

Define vascular dementia

Answer 55

Symptoms include problems with language, memory and though processes caused by problems in the blood supply to the brain

Question 56

Define enabler

Answer 56

Someone who delivers person-centred care in a domiciliary (home) setting, which encourages independence