11.1-11.6: Studying Human Development & Development From Conception to Birth

Question 1

The scientific study of how people change physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally from infancy through old age

Answer 1

Developmental psychology

Question 2

Distinct segments of an organism’s life with sharp differences or discontinuities between them

Answer 2

Stages

Question 3

A series of biological growth processes that enable orderly growth, relatively independent of experience

Answer 3

Maturation

Question 4

A methodological approach to studying development that compares participants of different age groups to one another

Answer 4

Cross-sectional design

Question 5

A methodological approach to studying development that tracks participants across time and compares each participant at different time points

Answer 5

Longitudinal design

Question 6

A methodological approach to studying development that tracks multiple age groups across time and compares different age groups to one another, as well as compares participants to themselves at different time points

Answer 6

Sequential design

Question 7

A fertilized egg, formed by union of sperm and egg

Answer 7

Zygote

Question 8

An unborn, developing offspring, identified in humans between the 2nd and 8th week of pregnancy

Answer 8

Embryo

Question 9

An unborn, developing offspring, identified in humans between the 9th week of pregnancy and birth

Answer 9

Fetus

Question 10

A tubular structure formed early in the embryonic stage from which the brain and spinal cord develop

Answer 10

Neural tube

Question 11

A developmental disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities, delays in motor development, and increased risk for a range of health problems

Answer 11

Down syndrome

Question 12

Environmental agents that can interfere with healthy fetal development

Answer 12

Teratogens

Question 13

A developmental disorder that affects children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Its effects include a range of psychological problems and physical abnormalities

Answer 13

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Question 14

Automatic patterns of motor responses that are triggered by specific types of sensory stimulation

Answer 14

Reflexes

Question 15

A simple form of learning that involves a decreased response to repeated stimulation

Answer 15

Habituation

Question 16

An increase in responsiveness to something novel following a period of habitutation

Answer 16

Dishabituation