Module 4A Development

Question 1

Embryo

Answer 1

multi-cellular organism in its early stages of development

Question 2

zygote

Answer 2

structure created when a sperm and egg merge at conception; begins as a single cell and rapidly
divides to form the embryo and placenta

Question 3

teratogen

Answer 3

biological, chemical, or physical environmental agent that causes damage to the developing embryo
or fetus

Question 4

temperament

Answer 4

innate traits that influence how one thinks, behaves, and reacts with the environment

Question 5

critical (sensitive) period

Answer 5

time during fetal growth when specific parts or organs develop

Question 6

sensorimotor stage

Answer 6

first stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from birth through age 2, a child
learns about the world through senses and motor behavior

Question 7

object permanence

Answer 7

idea that even if something is out of sight, it still exists

Question 8

preoperational stage

Answer 8

second stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from ages 2 to 7, children
learn to use symbols and language but do not understand mental operations and often think illogically

Question 9

conservation

Answer 9

idea that even if you change the appearance of something, it is still equal in size, volume, or
number as long as nothing is added or removed

Question 10

egocentrism

Answer 10

preoperational child’s difficulty in taking the perspective of others

Question 11

concrete operational stage

Answer 11

third stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from about 7 to 11 years
old, children can think logically about real (concrete) events

Question 12

formal operational stage

Answer 12

final stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development; from age 11 and up, children
are able to deal with abstract ideas and hypothetical situations

Question 13

secure attachment

Answer 13

characterized by the child using the parent as a secure base from which to explore

Question 14

avoidant attachment

Answer 14

characterized by child’s unresponsiveness to parent, does not use the parent as a secure
base, and does not care if parent leaves

Question 15

disorganized attachment

Answer 15

characterized by the child’s odd behavior when faced with the parent; type of
attachment seen most often with kids that are abused

Question 16

authoritarian parenting style

Answer 16

parents place a high value on conformity and obedience, are often rigid, and
express little warmth to the child

Question 17

authoritative parenting style

Answer 17

parents give children reasonable demands and consistent limits, express
warmth and affection, and listen to the child’s point of view

Question 18

permissive parenting style

Answer 18

parents make few demands and rarely use punishment