Physical development from conception through infancy (10.1) Flashcards
Developmental psychology
The study of human physical, cognitive, social and behavioral characteristics across the life span
Cross sectional design
Is used to measure and compare samples of people at different ages at a given point in time
Longitudinal design
Follows the development of the same set of individuals through time
Cohort effects
Differences among people that result from being born in dif time periods
Attrition
When participants drop out of a study for variou sreasons
Zygotes
The nuclei of egg and sperm fuse
Germinal stage
The first phase of prenatal development which spans from conception to two weeks
Embryonic stage
Spans two weeks through 8 during which time the embryo begins developing major physical structures such as the heart and nervous system as well as the beginnings of arms legs ands and feet
Fetal stage
Spans week eight through birth during which time the skeletal, organ, and nervous system become more developed and specialized
Teratogens
Substances such as drugs or environmental toxins that impair the process of development
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Abnormalities in mental functioning, growth, and physical development in the offspring of women who use alcohol during pregnancy
Reflexes
Involuntary muscular reactions to specific type of stimuli
Synaptogenisis
Describes the forming or new synaptic connections
Synaptic pruning
The loss of weak nerve cell connections
