U.1: Critical and Sensitive Periods

Question 1

define sensitive periods.

Answer 1

A period of time during development when an individual is more responsive (‘sensitive’) to certain types of environmental experiences or learning.

Question 2

when do sensitive periods occur?

Answer 2

Occur frequently during ante-natal development before birth when the individual is going through rapidly occurring changes in physical growth and development.

Question 3

What are sensitive periods described as?

Answer 3

Described as ‘windows of opportunity for learning’ because they are the optimal, or best possible, times for the relevant learning to occur.

Question 4

how do sensitive periods affect brain development?

Answer 4

A significant positive or negative environmental influence which occurs during a sensitive period can have long-lasting effects on the individual’s development. This does not mean, however, that if disruption to development occurs during a sensitive period, any damage will necessarily be permanent and can never be made up.

Question 5

define critical periods.

Answer 5

A specific period in development during which an organism is most vulnerable to the deprivation or absence of certain environmental factors.

Question 5

define imprinting

Answer 5

A type of learning in which a very young animal fixes its attention on or attaches to the first object which it has visual, auditory or tactile experience and thereafter follows that object and seems to form an attachment to that object.