Physical & Cognitive Development Flashcards
What is maturation?
Biologically based changes that follow an orderly sequence
What does the critical period concept suggest?
The brain is set to acquire functions during a limited period of time
What are sensitive periods?
Times that are particularly important but not definitive for subsequent development
What is the concept of developmental stages characterised by?
Relatively discrete steps through which everyone progresses in the same sequence
What is the concept of continuous development characterised by?
Steady and gradual change, rather than major transformations
What are the features of developmental stages?
Discontinuity, homogenous thinking, invariant sequences, no skipping, no regression
What do cross-sectional studies compare?
Groups of different ages at a single time (i.e. age differences)
What are cross-sectional studies not useful for examining?
Age changes (i.e. changes within the same individuals that occur with age)
What are cohort effects?
Differences among age groups associated with differences in the culture
What do longitudinal studies assess?
The same group at multiple time points (i.e. age changes)
What do sequential studies assess?
Different age groups longitudinally (i.e. combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal; minimise cohort effects)
What are the three stages of the prenatal period?
Germinal, embryonic and foetal periods
What occurs during the germinal period?
Fertilised egg becomes implanted in the uterus; rapid cell division (first 2 weeks after conception)
What occurs during the embryonic period?
Development of the CNS and organs (2 - 9 weeks)
What occurs during the foetal period?
Muscular development (9 weeks - birth)
What are the two ways in which foetal development can be disrupted?
Exposure to hazardous environmental influences & biological influences resulting from genetic disorders
What are teratogens?
Environmental agents that can harm an embryo/foetus, particularly during specific critical periods