Lifespan Psychology

Question 1

Developmental stages

Answer 1

Prenatal (0)
Infancy (0-1)
Childhood (1-12)
Adolescence (12-20)
Early adulthood (20-40)
Middle age (40-65)
Older age (65+)

Question 2

Adaptive Plasticity

Answer 2

The ability of neural connections in the brain to reorganise in response to learning new information.

Question 3

Developmental plasticity

Answer 3

The ability of neural connections in the brain to reorganise in response to sensory input from the environment.

Question 4

Stages of plasticity

Answer 4

1. Proliferation
2. Migration
3. Circuit formation
4. Synaptic Pruning
5. Myelination

Question 5

Assimilation

Answer 5

Integrating new information into existing schemata without schema being altered.

Question 6

Accomodation

Answer 6

Changing existing schemata to integrate new information.

Question 7

Equilibrium

Answer 7

The state experienced when existing schema can account for new information

Question 8

Disequilibrium

Answer 8

The state experienced when existing schemata are unable to account for new information.

Question 9

Stages and developmental changes

Answer 9

Sensori-motor (0-2)
Pre operational (2-7)
Concrete operational (7-11)
Formal operational (11+)

Question 10

Sensori motor

Answer 10

Object permanence (0-2)

Test: Invisible displacement

Question 11

Pre-operational

Answer 11

Egocentrism, animism, symbolic thinking (2-7)

Test: 3 mountain task

Question 12

Concrete operational

Answer 12

Conservation (7-11)

Test: Conservation of volume

Question 13

Formal operational

Answer 13

Abstract thinking (11+)

Test: Pendulum problem

Question 14

Attachment (Bowlby)

Answer 14

The strong emotional connection between an infant anf their main attachment figure (typically mother)

Question 15

Monotropy

Answer 15

Attachment with a primary attachment figure

Question 16

Critical period

Answer 16

2 - 2 and a half years. Can still monotropy during this stage.

Question 17

Sensitive period

Answer 17

Stage where monotropy must be formed, if not formed then can happen during critical period. (First 12 months)

Question 18

Maternal deprivation

Answer 18

The consequences an individual experiences when they are separated from their mother.

• Affects intellectual and emotional development
• Children may have difficulties forming social relationships with others

Question 19

Internal working model

Answer 19

IWM of others
IWM of the self
IWM of the relationship between self and others

Question 20

Types of attachment

Answer 20

Type A - Insecure avoidant attachment

Type B - Secure attachment

Type C - Insecure resistant attachment

Question 21

Schema

Answer 21

Experiences of the world organised as mental structures