psy chapter 9 Flashcards
developmental psychology
a field of psychology that examines age related physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes across the life span
physical development
involves maturation wherein the body follows a universal, biologically driven progression in a generally predictable pattern
cognitive development
includes changes in memory, problem solving, decision making, language, and intelligence that tend to follow a universal course early in life and considerably vary with age
socioemotional development
refer to social behaviors, emotions, and changes experienced in relationships, feelings, and overall disposition
biopsychosocial perspective
recognizes contributions and interplay of biological, psychological, and social forces shaping human development
what are the three debates
- nature and nurture
- stages and continuity
- stability and change
cross sectional method
examines people of different ages at a single point in time. garner a lot of information quickly but does not address cohort effects
longitudinal method
examines one sample of people over a period of time to determine age related changes. challenges include attrition, practice effects, expense, and time
cross sequential method
examines groups of people of different ages, following them across time. costly and requires participants
chromosomes
inherited threadlike structures composed of DNA
DNA
molecule that provides the instructions for the development and production of cells
gene
specified segment of a DNA molecule
monozygotic twins
identical twins develop from one egg inseminated at conception, which then splits into two separate zygotes
dizygotic twins
fraternal twins develop from two eggs inseminated by two sperm and are as genetically similar as any sibling pair
dominant gene
one of a pair of genes that has power over the expression of an inherited characteristic
recessive gene
one of a pair of genes that is overpowered by a dominant gene
genotype
an individual’s complete collection of genes
phenotype
the observable expression or characteristic of one’s genetic inheritance
germinal period
(conception to end of the 2nd week)
implanting in uterine wall; rapid growth
embryonic period
(3rd to 8th week)
- cell differentiation; formation of major organs and systems begin
- heart begins to beat; spinal cord and intestinal system develop by end of period
fetal period
(3rd month until birth)
- rapid weight gain; clear sleep wake cycles; all organs, systems, and structures fully developed at birth
- brain weight one quarter of adult size
synaptic pruning
- increase in neural connections is not uniform in brain
- unused synaptic connections eliminated
sensorimotor
object permanence
preoperational
egocentrism; conservation errors
concrete operational
logical thinking in reference to concrete objects and circumstances
formal operational
more logical and systematic thinking
temperament
characteristics differences in behavioral patterns and emotional reactions that are evident from birth
high reactive infants
exhibits much distress with unfamiliar stimuli
low reactive infants
do not respond to stimuli with great stimuli
easy temperament
follow regular schedules; easily soothed; transition easily; 40%
difficult temperament
erratic schedule; poor transitioning; irritable and unhappy; 10%
slow to warm up temperament
not fond of change; 15 %
harlows and their monkeys
infant monkey were put in cages alone, each with two artificial “surrogate” mothers.
erik eriksons’s psychosocial stages of development
proposed that human development is marked by eight psychological stages from infancy to old age
how is each stage marked?
by development task or emotional crisis to be resolved
erikson’s stages
(birth to 1 year) trust vs. mistrust
(1 to 3 years) autonomy vs shame and doubt
(3 to 6 years) initiative vs guilt
adolescence
the transition period between late childhood and early adulthood
puberty
the period of development during which the body changes and becomes sexually mature and capable of reproduction
formal operations (piaget)
-use of deductive reasoning and critical thinking begins
- characterized by abstract reasoning, classification, symbol use, thinking beyond moment, and considering many possibilities and hypothetical situations
adolescent egocentrism
- intense focus on self and feelings of immortality
- can lead to increased risky behaviors
physical development in EARLY ADULTHOOD
- muscular and cardiovascular abilities are sharp
- sensory systems may start to decline
- noise induced damage
- fertility related changes occur
physical development in MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
- genes influence height and bone mass
- exercise slows shrinking process
- wrinkles, sagging, and skin spots may appear
- hair thins and turns grey
- hearing loss continues and eyesight may decline
- bones weaken
- menopause and andropause
physical developments in LATE ADULTHOOD
- vision deteriorates (cataracts, impaired night vision)
- hearing declines; reaction time increases; information processed more slowly; memory deteriorates
- exercise fosters development of new neural networks
cognitive development in EARLY ADULTHOOD
- measure of aptitude remain stable from early to middle adulthood
- processing speed begins to decline
cognitive development in MIDDLE and LATE ADULTHOOD
- cognitive function does not necessarily decrease
- practical abilities seem to grow
- after age 70 decline is more apparent, some skills become more refined
- crystallized intelligence
- fluid intelligence
socioemotional development in YOUNG ADULTHOOD
positive resolution involves forming deep, meaningful relationships; failure results in experiencing isolation
(intimacy versus isolation)
socioemotional development in MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
positive resolution includes feeling like we have made an impact on the next generation; failure manifests as boredom, conceit, or selfishness
(generativity versus stagnation)
socioemotional development in LATE ADULTHOOD
positive resolution allows us to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction; failure leads to us feeling regret and dissatisfaction
(integrity versus despair)
