Unit 8 Flashcards
developmental psychology
the study of age related changes in behavior and mental processes from conception to death
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes
DNA
a complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up chromosomes
Heritability
the extent to which genes attribute to traits
genes
the biochemical units of heritability that make up the chromosomes
genome
the complex instructions from making an organism
temperament
an individual’s innate emotional reactivity level
testosterone
a male sex hormone
estrogen
female sex hormone
epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on gene expressions that occur without DNA
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and functions of genes
molecular behavior genetics
the study of how the structure and functions of genes interact with our environment
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind
adaptation and mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
social scripts
culturally modeled guide on how to act in certain situations
individualistic culture
give priority to one’s own goals over group goals
collectivistic culture
give priority to group goals over individual goals
transgender
changing genders that are different than at birth
gender
the characteristics by which people define male or female
gender identity
our sense of being male, female, or both
gender typing
the acquisition of a traditional male or female role
androgyny
displaying both traditionally male and female psychological characteristics
social learning theory
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and being rewarded or punished
gender schema theory
the theory to explain how individuals become gendered in society and how they are maintained
zygote
the fertilized egg within the first few weeks
embryo
the developing human organism 2weeks-2months
fetus
developing human organism 9weeks-birth
x chromosome
sex chromosome found in both men and women xx=women
y chromosome
sex chromosome found in men
teratogens
chemicals and viruses that can reach the embryo of the fetus and cause harm
fetal alcohol syndrome
issues to a baby caused because the mom is a heavy drinker during pregnancy
rooting reflex
a baby tends when touched on the cheek to open the mouth
habituation
decreasing response with repeated stimulation
maturation
biological growth pattern, determined by genetic makeup
newborn
a recently born child
motor development
more complex physical skills
prenatal development
time of change before birth
disorder of sexual development
conditions in which the reproductive organs don’t develop normal
plasticity
ability to change and adapt
schema
a concept of framework that organizes and interprets information
assimilation
interpreting one new experience in terms of one existing schemas
accommodation
adapting one news current understanding to incorporate new information
sensory-motor
birth - 2 years when infants know the world through senses and motor activities
object permanence
awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived
preoperational
2-7yts when a child learns the language but does not mentally understand the concrete logic
concrete operational
7-11yrs when a child can think logically about concrete events
formal operational
12+ years of thinking logically about abstract things
theory of mind
people’s ideas about their own and others’ mental states
overgeneralization of speech
language acquisition by children that isn’t accurate
conservation
mass and volume stay the same when put in different forms
egocentrism
inability to understad someone else point of view
autism spectrum disorder
when a child is impaired, the theory of mind
stranger anxiety
fear of strangers in infants
attachment
an emotional tie to another person
secure attachment
always want mother around, happier with mom
ambivalent attachemnt
intense distress
avoiding attachment
not much emotion toward mom
responsive parenting
a mother who notices their babies are doing well and responds to them
harry harlow
showed that children need physical touch for growth
critical period
an optional period shortly after birth when a baby needs to be exposed to certain stimuli for growth
imprinting
the process by which certian animals form attachment during a critical period very early in life
temperament
a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
social deprivation
not having the ability to empirical society and culture
self-concept
a sense of one’s identity and personal worth
authoritarian
parenting that imposes rules and expects obedience
authoritative
have rules and expectations but also listen
permissive
parents submit to their kid’s desires
basic trust
a child sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy
self-awareness
the ability to understand your mood and feelings
puberty
the period of sexual maturation, capable of reproduction
primary sex characteristics
the body structures that make reproduction possible
secondary sex characteristics
nonreproductive sexual traits
menarche
the first mental period
spremarche
first ejaculation
morality
the sense of right or wrong
pre-conventional morality
self-interest, obeying rules for reward or to avoid punishment
post-conventional morality
actions reflect beliefs in basic rights and self-defined ethnic principles
identity
one sense of self
intimacy
the ability to form close loving relationships
menopause
the natural stoppage of menstruation
life expectancy
how long do people expect to live
Alzheimer’s disease
an irreversible brain disorder where you lose memory
neurocognitive disorder
mental erosion of the brain due to numerous factors
cross-sectional studies
a research design conducted at a single point in time comparing groups
crystallized intellegence
One accumulated knowledge and verbal skills
fluid intelligence
one’s ability to reason speedily and abstractly
longitudinal study
a research design that examines how individuals develop by studying the same sample over a long period
social clock
the culturally preferred timing of social events
hospice
an organization who provides dying people special benefits
