Set 3: Developmental Psychology Flashcards
A job in psychology that studies that physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development throughout a human or animals lifespan.
Developmental physcologist
Darwin believed in survival of the fittest. Those traits that were best able to aid in survival were kept, those that weren’t were lost.
Natural Selection
The unethical process for selectively breeding for desired traits.
Eugenics
is a complete set of instructions for making an organism.
Genome
Genes
are biochemical units of heredity
Mutations
Occur when there is a random error in gene replication that leads to change.
Conception
A single ______ cell penetrates the outer coating of an _____ and fuses to form __________ _________ __________.
Sperm
Egg
One fertilized cell
This is a fertilized cell with 100 cells that become increasingly diverse.
Zygote
At about 14 days the zygote turns into
Embryo
At 9 months the embryo turns into a
Fetus
are chemicals or viruses that can enter the placenta and harm the developing fetus
Teratogens
which are physical and cognitive defects because of a mother’s heavy drinking while pregnant.
An example of the harm of teratogens can be seen with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Study different people across differing age groups to note changes in development. (Study at the same time).
Cross Sectional Study
Study the same group of people as they develop and note changes
Longitudinal Study
Infants are born with reflexes that aid in survival.
Reflexes
Baby turns head toward source of touch.
Nourishment
Rooting Reflex
Baby grasps on to object
Grasping Reflex
Arms and legs spring out, fists clench
Startle Reflex
Infants tend to pay attention to newer things for longer periods of time than older things
Habituation
Newborn to toddler
Infancy
Toddler to teenager
Childhood
The developing brain over produces neurons. Peaking around 28 billion at 7 months, these neurons are pruned to 23 billion at birth. The greatest neuronal spurt is in the frontal lobe enabling the individual to think rationally.
Developing Brain
The development of the brain unfolds based on genetic instructions, causing various bodily and mental functions to occur in sequence - standing before walking, babbling before talking
__________ sets the basic course of development, while experience adjusts it.
Maturation
Examples: Sitting up, walking, potty training, etc.
Motor development