AP Psychology Unit 6: Developmental Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span (womb -> tomb)

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

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

the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth

agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

a group of birth defects caused by the effects of alcohol on an unborn child

an organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it

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

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

a conceptual framework a person uses to make sense of the world

interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas

adapting one's current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information

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

the knowledge that an object exists even when it is not in sight

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from about 2 to 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

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

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

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

A disorder characterized by deficits in social relatedness and communication skills that are often accompanied by repetitive, ritualistic behavior

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

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

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

a relationship in which an infant obtains both comfort and confidence from the presence of his or her caregiver

an insecure attachment between infant and caregiver, characterized by indifference on the part of the infant toward the caregiver

an attachment type characterized by strong attachment and high anxiety. shown by high levels of stranger and separation anxiety and by resistance to be comforted at reunion

a pattern of attachment in which an infant seems confused or apprehensive and shows contradictory behavior, such as moving toward the mother while looking away from her

an optimal period shortly after birth when an organism's exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces proper development

the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life

the enduring emotional characteristics with which each person is born

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

our understanding and evaluation of who we are

the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy

a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females

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

our sense of being male or female

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

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

Identification with a gender that does not match one's biological gender

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

our sense of self

the part of the self-concept including one's view of self as a member of a particular social category

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

for some people in modern cultures, a period from the late teens to mid-twenties, bridging the gap between adolescent dependence and full independence and responsible adulthood

the sex chromosome found in both men and women

the sex chromosome found only in males

the most important of the male sex hormones

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

bodily structures that are directly involved in reproduction

nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair

the first menstrual period

first ejaculation

acquired immune deficiency syndrome; a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles

a person's romantic and emotional attraction to another person

gradual ending of menstruation

a study in which people of different ages are compared with one another

research in which the same people are restudied and retested over a long period

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

known for his theory of cognitive development in children

most famous for social development theory (of child cognitive development); zone of proximal development

developmental psychology; compared effects of maternal separation, devised patterns of attachment; "The Strange Situation": observation of parent/child attachment

Famous for his theory of moral development in children; made use of moral dilemmas in assessment

neo-Freudian, humanistic; 8 psychosocial stages of development: theory shows how people evolve through the life span

Erikson's first stage during the first year of life, infants learn to trust when they are cared for in a consistent warm manner

Erikson's stage in which a toddler learns to exercise will and to do things independently

Erikson's third stage in which the child finds independence in planning, playing and other activities

Erikson's stage between 6 and 11 years, when the child learns to be productive

Erikson's stage during which teenagers and young adults search for and become their true selves

Erikson's stage in which individuals form deeply personal relationships, marry, begin families

Erikson's stage of middle adulthood, in which individuals discover a sense of contribution to the world or feel a lack of purpose

Erikson's final stage in which those near the end of life look back and evaluate their lives

Kohlberg's moral development stage in which the morality of an action is primarily determined by its consequences for the actor

Kohlberg's moral development stage where your behavior is influence by peer pressure/society

Kohlberg's stage of moral development in which the individual considers universal moral principles which supersede the authority of the group

punishment and obedience, avoids physical punishment and defers to power

Individualism and Exchange; children recognize that different people have different viewpoints

interpersonal conformity, acts to gain approval of others, "good boy", " nice girl"

Maintaining Social Order; Individual becomes aware of rules of society so judgments are made to obey rules

Social Contract and Individual Rights; individual becomes aware that rules are for greater good but rules might not always be in best interest of all individuals

Universal Ethical Principles, going by one's own ethical code that may not agree with others