Psych ch4 Flashcards
developmental psychology
the scientific study of how humans change over the life span, from conception through infancy childhood adolescence and adulthood.
physical
growth of the body and changes in the brain, sensory and motor skills, and levels of hormones
cognitive
how our mental processes and abilities to think and communicate change over time.
socio-emotional
changes in how we understand ourselves, interact with other and experience and regulate emotions.
Human prenatal growth 3 major periods
germinal period, embryonic period, fetal period
germinal period
the period in prenatal development from conception to two weeks after conception when the zygote divides rapidly and implants in the uterine wall.
embryonic period
the period in prenatal development from 3 to 8 weeks after conception when the brain, spine, major organs, and bodily structure begin to form in the embryo.
fetal period
the period in prenatal development from 9 weeks after conception until birth, when the brain continues developing bodily structures are refined and the fetus grows in length and weight and accumulates fat in preparation for birth.
teratogens
environmental substances that can harm prenatal development.
Maturation
Physical development of the brain and body that produces growth and enables physical and psychological functioning
Neural pruning
Connections not used in the neural systems will decay and disappear
Rooting reflex
Baby turns and opens the mouth for food.
Sucking reflex
Closing mouth on nipple and being to suck to eat.
Grading reflex
Infants finger automatically curl around a finger if it’s placed in their palm.
Attachment
An enduring emotional connection that can motivate care protection and social support
Secure attachment
The attachment style for infants who are confident enough to play in an unfamiliar environment as long as the caregiver is present and who are readily comfortable by the return of caregiver.
Avoidant attachment
The attachment style for infants who do not look at the caregiver when the caregiver leaves or returns and who play happily with the stranger in the caregiver absence.
Ambivalent attachment
The attachment style for infants who seem to have mixed feelings about the caregiver they cry when the caregiver leaves the room but they both seek out and reject the caregiver upon the caregiver’s return.
Assimilation
The process we use to incorporate new information into existing schemas (ways of thinking about how the world works)
Accommodation
The process we use create new schemas (ways of thinking about how the world works) or drastically alter existing schemas to incorporate new information that otherwise would not fit.