Unit 9 - Developmental Psychology

Question 1

prenatal period

Answer 1

9 months - period from conception to birth during which a fertilized egg grows into a human baby (fastest, most rapid growth)

Question 2

embryonic period

Answer 2

2 weeks after conception
During this period, cells are firmly implanted on uterine wall and turns into a human embryo

Question 3

fetal period

Answer 3

begins at 8 weeks after conception and lasts until birth

Question 4

infancy and toddlerhood

Answer 4

(birth to 2 years of age)
At birth babies cannot hold up their own heads, eat solid food, or sleep through the night. No social relationships. By age 2, babies have learned to walk, talk, eat, and sleep through the night. They also form emotional bonds with their parents.

Question 5

early childhood

Answer 5

2-6 Children grow taller stronger, conscience, and self control. Thinking and language skills surge, and pretend play emerges during preschool years. They make friends outside of family.

Question 6

middle childhood

Answer 6

6-11 Friendships become more significant, thinking and reasoning capabilities continue to grow. Increased physical coordination and strength. Self understanding becomes more complex.

Question 7

adolesensce

Answer 7

(11 or 12 to 18 or 20)
Transitions of puberty transform children’s bodies into adult ones. Social roles change - teenagers define their own goals. Adolescents become capable of idealistic and abstract thought. School - preparation for adulthood

Question 8

developmental psychology

Answer 8

examines our physical, cognitive, and social development across the lifespan with focus on three major issues:

Question 9

three major developmental psych issues

Answer 9

1. Nature vs. nurture
   How our genetic inheritance interacts with our experiences
2. Continuity and stages
   What parts of development are gradual and continuous and what parts are abrupt and sudden
3. Stability and change
   What traits persist through life and how do we change as we age

Question 10

Universality and Diversity

Answer 10

Those who advocate the universal view see the sequence of development as being the same everywhere to everyone
Diversity - more likely to note connections between development and the contexts or cultures

Question 11

zygote

Answer 11

the fertilized egg; it enters and 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo

Question 12

embryo

Answer 12

developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month

Question 13

fetus

Answer 13

the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception until birth

Question 14

teratogens

Answer 14

teratogens (literally, “monster maker”) agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm.

Question 15

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Answer 15

physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking. In severe cases, signs include a small, out-of-proportion head and abnormal facial features.

Question 16

apgar test

Answer 16

quick physical test given to every newborn at birth (1-5 mins after birth)
Score of 7-10 considered normal
Appearence, Pulse, grimace, activity, respiratory

Question 17

habituation

Answer 17

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner

Question 18

maturation

Answer 18

biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience

Question 19

cognition

Answer 19

all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

Question 20

adaptation

Answer 20

involves the joint operation of assimilation and accommodation.

Question 21

accomodation

Answer 21

adapting our current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information.

Question 22

assimilation

Answer 22

interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas.

Question 23

schema

Answer 23

a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information.

Question 24

Jean Piaget

Answer 24

development psychologist (swiss and uses his own children as experiments)
Focused on the natural cognitive processes
Came up with four different stages in their development
Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational

Question 25

sensorimotor stage

Answer 25

in Piaget’s theory, the stage (from birth to about 2 years of age) during which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities.

Question 26

object permenance

Answer 26

the awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived.

Question 27

preoperational stage

Answer 27

in Piaget’s theory, the stage (from about 2 to about 6 or 7 years of age) during which a child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic.

Question 28

conservation

Answer 28

the principle (which Piaget believed to be a part of concrete operational reasoning) that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects.

Question 29

egocentrism

Answer 29

in Piaget’s theory, the preoperational child’s difficulty taking another’s point of view.

Question 30

theory of mind

Answer 30

people’s ideas about their own and others’ mental states—about their feelings, perceptions, and thoughts, and the behaviors these might predict.

Question 31

autism spectrum disorder

Answer 31

a disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, and by rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors.

Question 32

concrete operational stage

Answer 32

in Piaget’s theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 6 or 7 to 11 years of age) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events.

Question 33

formal operational stage

Answer 33

in Piaget’s theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts.

Question 34

stranger anxiety

Answer 34

the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age.

Question 35

attachment

Answer 35

an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation.

Question 36

critical period

Answer 36

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development.

Question 37

imprinting

Answer 37

the process by which certain animals form strong attachments during an early-life critical period.

Question 38

sociocultural theory

Answer 38

a theory of development proposed by lev vygotsky that emphasizes the interaction of persons with social and cultural aspects of their environments

Question 39

Key influence was the culture or social group in which a child develops (vygotsky)

Answer 39

Children were solidary or independent learners (piaget)

Question 40

scaffolding

Answer 40

support provided by elders for the efforts of a child to participate in an activity that would otherwise be out of the child’s reach

Question 41

In Harry Harlow and Margaret Harlow’s best-known studies, infant monkeys were reared with surrogate mothers.

Answer 41

One surrogate was made of wire, with a bottle attached, through which the infancy monkeys were fed. The other was also made of wire, but covered with soft terry cloth. It did not provide food, but it did provide a cozy place to cuddle. Harlow’s results show that infant monkeys approached the wire surrogate only when hungry. The infant monkeys spent all their time clinging to the cloth surrogate, even though it never provided food. If frightened, the monkeys would retreat and cling to the safety of the cloth mothers.

Question 42

Mary Ainsworth and The Strange Situation

Answer 42

Mary Ainsworth proposed that differences in the security of attachment are crucial to our understanding of personality, both in infancy and beyond. To assess the security of attachment relationships among 12 month old infants. Ainsworth designed a laboratory study based on the assumption that in an unfamiliar situation, infants who have developed secure attachment relationships with their parents should respond in predictable ways. Ainsworth expected that toddlers would use the attachment figure as a secure base from which to explore, would resist separation from the attachment figure, and would greet the attachment figure with pleasure after brief separation.

Question 43

Strange Situation

Answer 43

a lab procedure designed by Mary Ainsworth to assess security of attachment in about 12 to 18 months olds;

Question 44

secure attachment

Answer 44

a relationship characterized by infants’ sense of security that the attachment figure (usually the parent) will protet and provide for them.

Question 45

avoidant attachment

Answer 45

a type of insecure attachment relationship characterized by belief that the parent will not protect or provide for the child or infant and that the parent does not generally serve as a safe haven suring stressful circumstances.

Question 46

ambivalent attachment

Answer 46

a type of insecure attachment relationship characterized by uncertainty about whether the parent will protect or provide for the infant child, and about whether the attachment figure can be trusted to serve as a haven of safety under stressful circumstances.

Question 47

disorganized attachment

Answer 47

An insecure attachment relationship characterized by a disordered pattern of behavior that may include odd or bizarre actions, and that is not clearly organized around an attachment figure. This is the most disordered attachment classification.

Question 48

temperament

Answer 48

a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Question 49

easy temperament

Answer 49

according to Thomas and Chess, easy infants are generally happy, establish routines easily, and adapt quickly to change.

Question 50

difficult temperament

Answer 50

according to Thomas and Chess, difficult infants show intense negative reactions, have difficulty adjusting to family routines, and resist change.

Question 51

slow to warm up temperament

Answer 51

according to Thomas and Chess, these infants are relatively inactive, negative in mood, and adjust slowly to change.

Question 52

basic trust

Answer 52

according to Erik Erikson, a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; said to be formed during infant by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers.

Question 53

basic mistrust

Answer 53

in Erikson’s theory, the infant’s belief that people cannot always be trusted to provide for his or her needs and that world is not necessarily a safe place.

Question 54

self-concept

Answer 54

all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I?” - the attributes that people believe characterize themselves.

Question 55

authoritarian parenting

Answer 55

parents who impose rules and expect obedience: “Don’t interrupt.”Keep your room clean.” “Don’t stay out late or you’ll be grounded.” “Why? Because I said so.” Combines high standards with strict punishments with low levels of communication, nurturance, and warmth.

Question 56

permissive parenting

Answer 56

parents who submit to their child’s desire. They make few demands and use little punishment. Combines little control or guidance of children with high levels of communication, nurturance, and warmth. A permissive parent dotes on their children and lavish them with praise. Even when their children are not behaving as they wish, permissive parents are likely to be supportive and encouraging.

Question 57

authoritative parenting

Answer 57

parents who are both demanding and responsive. They exert control by setting rules and enforcing them, but they also explain the reasons for rules. And, especially with older children, they encourage open discussion when making the rules and allow exceptions. This style of parenting is one in which parents are warm and appreciative with their children, by they also provide guidance and control. These parents are very much in communication with their children, offering clear expectations, explaining rules, encouraging and praising children when their behavior conforms to the desired patterns.

Question 58

gender

Answer 58

the socially constructed roles and characteristics by which a culture defines male and female.

Question 59

aggression

Answer 59

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.

Question 60

gender role

Answer 60

a set of expected behaviors for males or for females.

Question 61

role

Answer 61

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to Behave.

Question 62

gender identity

Answer 62

our sense of being male or female.

Question 63

social learning theory

Answer 63

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished.

Question 64

gender typing

Answer 64

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.

Question 65

transgender

Answer 65

an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth sex.

Question 66

adolescence

Answer 66

adolescence the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence.

Question 67

formal operational thought

Answer 67

in piaget’s theory, the new period of cognitive development is called this

Question 68

Lawrence Kohlberg

Answer 68

studied moral development by interviewing children about their responses to moral dilemmas Found that the type of reasoning followed a predictable age related pattern

Question 69

preconventional level of moral reasoning

Answer 69

10-12 children at this level make moral judgements as individuals, without considering their membership in communities or other groups

Question 70

conventional level of moral reasoning

Answer 70

12-14 individuals at this level make moral judgements mainly by attempting to live up to their obligation as members of communities or other groups

Question 71

postconventional level of moral reasoning

Answer 71

14-16 individuals at this level evaluate moral questions on the basis of self chosen high values, even though they recognize their obligations as members of communities and other groups

Question 72

Erik Erickson's stages of psychosocial development Part 1

Answer 72

Infancy to 1 year Trust vs. mistrust (if needs are met - trust) Toddlerhood Autonomy vs, shame and doubt (do things for themselves or doubt abilities) Preschool Initiative vs. guilt (carry out plans or feel bad about efforts of independence) Elementary school Competence vs. inferiority (apply themselves to tasks, or feel inferior)

Question 73

identity

Answer 73

our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent’s task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles.

Question 74

social identity

Answer 74

our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent’s task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles.

Question 75

Erik Erickson's stages of psychosocial development Part 2

Answer 75

Adolescence Identity vs. role inclusion (Teenagers work at refining a sense of self by testing roles and then integrating them to form a single identity, or they become confused about who they are.) Young Adulthood Intimacy vs. isolation (Young adults struggle to form close relationships and to gain the capacity for intimate love, or they feel socially isolated.) Middle adulthood Generativity vs. stagnation (In middle age, people discover a sense of contributing to the world, usually through family and work, or they may feel a lack of purpose.) Late adulthood Integrity vs. despair (Reflecting on his or her life, an older adult may feel a sense of satisfaction or failure.)

Question 76

intimacy

Answer 76

in Erikson’s theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary developmental task in late adolescence and early adulthood.

Question 77

emerging adulthood

Answer 77

the period of life 18 to 25 Bridging the gap between adolescent dependence and full independence and responsible adulthood

Question 78

x and y chromosomes

Answer 78

x - females have 2 y - only found in males

Question 79

puberty

Answer 79

period of sexual maturation when someone becomes capable of reproducing

Question 80

primary sex characteristics

Answer 80

the bodily structures that makes reproduction possible

Question 81

secondary sex characteristics

Answer 81

non reproductive traits such as hips breasts, voice quality, and body hair

Question 82

menarche

Answer 82

first menstrual period

Question 83

aids

Answer 83

acquired immune deficiency syndrome - life-threatening, STD infection caused by HIV

Question 84

sexual orientation

Answer 84

enduring sexual attraction toward members of eithor one’s own sex or the other sex, or both sexes

Question 85

menopause

Answer 85

natural cessation of menstruation, ability to reproduce declines

Question 86

cross-sectional study

Answer 86

people of different ages are compared with one another

Question 87

longitudinal study

Answer 87

research in which ppl are restudied overtime

Question 88

social clock

Answer 88

culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage parenthood and retirement