Unit 1 Flashcards
Human Development
The multidisciplinary study of how people change and how they remain the same over time.
Nature-Nurture Issue
The degree to which genetic or hereditary influences (nature) and experiential or environmental influences (nurture) determine the kind of person you are.
Continuity-Discontinuity Issue
Concerns whether a particular developmental phenomenon represents a smooth progression throughout the life span (continuity) or a series of abrupt shifts (discontinuity).
Stability-Change Issue
Concerns whether there is one path of development or several.
Biopsychosocial Framework
Useful way to organize the biological, psychological, and sociocultural forces on human development.
Biological Forces
All genetic and health-related factors that affect development (eg. prenatal development, puberty, physical aging).
Psychological Forces
All internal perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and personality factors that affect development.
Sociocultural Forces
Interpersonal, societal, cultural, and ethnic factors that affect development.
Life-Cycle Forces
Differences in how the same event affects people of different ages.
Neuroscience
The study of the brain and the nervous system, especially in terms of brain-behavior relationships.
Methods may consist of using molecular analyses of individual brain cells to sophisticated techniques that yield images of brain activity
(Developmental) Theory
An organized set of ideas that explains development.
Psychodynamic Theories
Hold that development is largely determined by how well people resolve conflicts they face at different ages.
Psychosocial Theory (Erik Erikson)
Erikson’s theory that personality development is determined by the interaction of an internal maturational plan and external societal demands.
Composed of 8 stages.
Epigenetic Principle
Means by which each psychosocial strength has its own special period of particular importance.
Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
Occurs from birth to 1 year. To develop a sense that the world is safe, a “good place.”
Autonomy vs. Shame
1 to 3 years. To realize that one is an independent person who can make decisions and doubt.
Initiative vs. Guilt
3 to 6 years. To develop the ability to try new things and to handle failure.
Industry vs. Inferiority
6 years to adolescence. To learn basic skills and to work with others.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescence. To develop a lasting, integrated sense of self.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Young adulthood. To commit to another in a loving relationship.
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Middle adulthood. To contribute to younger people through child rearing, child care, or other productive work.
Integrity vs. Despair
Late life. To view one’s life as satisfactory and worth living.
Operant Conditioning
Technique in which the consequences of a behavior determine whether a behavior is repeated in the future.
Reinforcement
A consequence that increases the likelihood of the behavior that it follows.
Positive Reinforcement
Reinforcement that consists of giving a reward to increase the likelihood of a behavior recurring.