Unit 3 Flashcards
What is developmental psychology?
A branch of psychology that examines how people evolve from infancy through adulthood and old age, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development
Developmental psychology seeks to understand how and why people change or do not change over time.
What does the study of developmental psychology focus on?
Changes chronologically over time and enduring themes throughout lifespan
This includes examining both the continuity and discontinuity of development.
What is discontinuous development?
Age-specific periods of time
This concept suggests that development occurs in distinct stages.
What is continuous development?
Development is a gradual, even process with changes occurring over time
This perspective emphasizes a more fluid and ongoing process of development.
Define stability
Traits and behaviors remain relatively constant throughout life
This view suggests that certain characteristics are enduring.
Define change
Traits and behaviors are more fluid and flexible and can be influenced by experiences and environments
This perspective allows for the possibility of development and transformation.
What is cross-sectional design
Researchers compare different groups based on demographic variables such as age, socioeconomics, gender, etc.
This method allows for the examination of differences across various groups at a single point in time.
What is the typical duration of prenatal development?
Begins with conception and ends with birth (typical 40 weeks)
Prenatal development is divided into three main periods: germinal, embryonic, and fetal.
What are the three periods of prenatal development?
- Germinal Period: 0-2 weeks
- Embryonic Period: 3-8 weeks
- Fetal Period: 12-39 weeks
Each period has distinct developmental milestones and characteristics.
During which period is an embryo most susceptible to teratogens?
Embryonic Period (3-8 weeks)
What are examples of teratogens?
- Tobacco
- Drugs
- Chemicals
- Health conditions
- Infections
Exposure to teratogens can damage fetal cells and tissue.
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
Occurs when a pregnant mother consumes alcohol, leading to low birth rates, facial deformities, and limited intellectual abilities
What factors influence prenatal development?
- Duration of exposure
- Timing of exposure
- Genetic makeup of fetus
- Exposure to other environmental factors
These factors can significantly affect the health and development of the fetus.
List some conditions that can affect prenatal development.
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Genetic mutations (e.g., Down Syndrome)
- Hormonal imbalances
These conditions can lead to complications such as birth defects or miscarriage.
What are the age ranges for infancy?
Birth to 18 months
Infancy is characterized by rapid physical and cognitive development.
What does physical development in infancy typically include?
- Physical skills
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
Developmental timing can vary among children.
Define reflex in the context of infancy.
Involuntary physical response
Reflexes are critical for survival and development in newborns.
What is the grasping reflex?
0-4 months; infants curl their fingers around objects that touch their palms
This reflex is important for bonding and feeding.
What occurs during the rooting reflex?
0-5 months; babies turn their heads toward a stimulus when touched on the cheek
This reflex is typically followed by a sucking reflex.
What is the Moro reflex?
A sudden feeling of falling causing arms and legs to flail outward, then quickly pull back in
It is believed to be an unlearned fear response.
What are gross motor skills?
Voluntary movement and coordination of large muscles that perform full-body movement
Examples include running, sitting, and crawling.
What is the significance of hand-eye coordination in early childhood?
Improves drastically around 3-5 years old
This development is crucial for tasks requiring precision.
What is a critical period in development?
A specific window of time in development that cannot occur later
During this time, the brain exhibits heightened plasticity.
What happens to reproductive ability in women during midlife?
Menopause occurs, marking the end of a woman’s natural fertility
This transition can have various physical and emotional effects.
True or False: Hearing loss in aging adults can be caused by routine damage to the cochlea.
True
Hearing loss is a common issue as individuals age.
What does Piaget believe shapes cognitive development?
Biological maturation and life experiences
Piaget’s theory emphasizes the combination of innate biological processes and experiences in the environment.
What are schemas in Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory?
Frameworks of knowledge used to interpret the world
Schemas help children organize and understand new information.
Define assimilation in the context of Piaget’s theory.
Making sense of new situations by relating them to prior knowledge
Assimilation allows children to incorporate new experiences into existing schemas.
Define accommodation in Piaget’s theory.
Modifying prior knowledge to include new information
Accommodation occurs when existing schemas are adjusted to fit new experiences.
Sensorimotor Stage? (define)
0-2 years In this stage, movements are tied to sensory satisfaction.
In this stage, movements are tied to sensory satisfaction.
What characterizes Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
It is DISCONTINUOUS
Piaget proposed that cognitive development occurs in distinct stages rather than gradually.
Preoperational Stage? (define)
2-7 years Children in this stage exhibit one-dimensional thinking and egocentrism.
What is egocentrism in children?
Seeing the world ONLY through their own perspective
Egocentrism limits children’s ability to understand others’ viewpoints.
What is pretend play and its significance in the Preoperational Stage?
Play that helps build social and emotional skills
Pretend play allows children to explore different roles and scenarios.
Define animism as per Piaget’s theory.
The belief that inanimate objects have feelings and humanlike qualities
Animism is common in the Preoperational Stage.
What is Theory of Mind?
Children begin to understand that other people may see the world differently
This cognitive ability emerges during the Preoperational Stage.
Operational Stage (define)
7-11 years In this stage, children begin to demonstrate two-dimensional thinking.
Define conservation in Piaget’s theory.
Understanding that changing the shape of something doesn’t change the mass
Conservation is a key concept that develops in the Concrete Operational Stage.
What is reversibility in cognitive development?
The idea that actions can be reversed, returning to the original state
Reversibility is an important cognitive skill that develops in the Concrete Operational Stage.
What is the age range of the Formal Operational Stage?
12 years to adulthood This stage is characterized by abstract and hypothetical thinking.
What type of thinking emerges in the Formal Operational Stage?
Abstract and hypothetical thinking
Individuals in this stage can plan and strategize.
What role does culture play in Vygotsky’s Cognitive Development Theory?
Provides language and problem-solving strategies and educational tools
Culture is essential in fostering cognitive development according to Vygotsky.
What is the Zone of Proximal Development?
The difference between what a person can do with help and without help
This concept highlights the potential for learning with guidance.
How does cognitive development change after middle age?
Reduction in fluid intelligence and increase in crystallized intelligence
Fluid intelligence declines as fluid problem-solving abilities diminish, while crystallized intelligence, which includes accumulated knowledge, tends to increase.
What is fluid intelligence?
The ability to solve problems and think abstractly
Fluid intelligence is often associated with adaptability and reasoning capabilities.
What is crystallized intelligence?
Accumulated general knowledge, experiences, vocabulary that help with decision making
Crystallized intelligence tends to remain stable or increase with age.
What theory was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner to explain social development?
(Ecological Systems Theory) This theory emphasizes the connections between individuals and their social environments.
What are the five stages in the Ecological Systems Theory?
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, and Chronosystem
What are the characteristics of authoritative parents?
- Responsive to the input and needs of child
- Warm, communicative, open to discussion
- Compromise with children and adjust rules to maturity level and circumstances
- Set rules and expectations
What is the significance of parallel play in early childhood?
Children play alongside each other without directly interacting, developing social awareness
What is pretend play and its benefits during preschool age?
- Creating imaginary scenarios, roles, and narratives
- Develops social roles and norms
- Practices communication skills
- Learn cooperation and problem-solving
- Develops creativity
Define adolescent egocentrism.
The belief that one’s experiences are unique and others cannot understand
What are personal fables in adolescence?
Stories of their lives that are idealized or special, making them feel unique or invincible
What is the imaginary audience phenomenon?
The belief that one is constantly being watched or observed
What characterizes emerging adulthood?
- Transition time between adolescence and adulthood
- Identity exploration
- Self-focus
- Instability (financial, professional, personal)
What is Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory?
An 8-stage theory where each stage has a psychosocial conflict, building on the previous stages
What is the first stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Trust and Mistrust (birth to 1 year) - Learn how to depend on caregiver for support and comfort. Resolves with hope
What is the second stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Autonomy and Shame and Doubt, involve (1-3 years) Gaining a sense of independence; resolves with a sense of WILL
What is the third stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Initiative and Guilt (3 to 6 years) - Explore the world and gain independence. Resolves with a sense of purpose
What is the fourth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Industry and Inferiority (6-12 years) Understanding how others view them; resolves with a sense of being competent
What is the fifth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Identity and Role Confusion (12 to 18 years) - Understand what makes your unique. Resolves with a sense of fidelity
What is the sixth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Intimacy and Isolation (20-40 years) Looking for a potential life partner; resolves with a sense of LOVE
What is the seventh stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Generativity and Stagnation (middle adulthood) Reflecting on life and contribution; resolves with a feeling of CARE
What is the eighth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
Integrity and Despair (60+ years) - Reflection on life. Resolves with a sense of WISDOM
What is the first stage of Marcia’s identity theory?
Identity Diffusion - low exploration AND low commitment; Haven’t decided what they want and haven’t expored options.
What is the second stage of Maurica’s identiy theory.
Idenity Foreclosure- High commitment AND low exploration; adopts beliefs of parents/caregivers
What is the third stage of Marcia’s identity theory?
Identity Moratorium - LOW commitment and HIGH exploration; Dramtic change in life, option to explore diffrent selves.
What is the fourth stage of Marcia’s identity theory?
Identity acheivement- HIGH commitment AND HIGH exploration; explored and committed to identity
Conditioning
a process of learning where an individual forms connections between two events that occur together
Habituation
the process by which an organism becomes accustomed to a repeated stimulus, resulting in decrease in the response
Operant conditioning
A type of learning in which VOLUNTARY BEHAVIOR is modified by consequences that following the behavior
Law of Effect
any behavior followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated; any behavior followed by unpleasant consequences is likely to be reduced or stopped.
positive reinforcement
a pleasant consequence that increases likelihood of **repeating behavior **
Negative reinforcement
removal of an unpleasant consequence that **increases behavior **
Positive punishment
adding an unpleasant consequence to **reduce behavior **
Negative punishment
removal of a pleasant consequence to **decrease a specific behavior **
Fixed- Ratio
Reinforcement is giving after a nth number of repetitions.
Fixed-Interval
Reinforced after a set amount of time (Daily, Weekly, hourly, etc)
Variable Ratio
Reinforcement given after an inconsistent number of reps; constantly changing
Variable-Interval
Reinforced given after a random and inconsistent amount of time
(most random)
