3C - The process of psychological development Flashcards
(28 cards)
emotional development
changes in how a person experiences, intrprests and expresses the full range of emotions
- and their ability to cope with them appropriately
Attachment
a close, social bond between caregiver and infant
Insecure-resistant attachment
an anxious attachment that forms because of inconsistent responses to their needs from a caregiver
Insecure-avoidant attachment
a distant attachment that develops in children who do not experience sensitive responses to their needs from a caregiver
Social development
changes in a persons ability to interact with other people and function as a member of society
Observational learning
the acquisition of new behaviours as a result of observing the actions of other and the consequences of those actions
modellingq
a form of learning whereby we observe the behaviours of others then replicate it
Cognitive development
changes in an individuals mental abilities
Accomodation
involves changing new ideas or adjusting existing ideas to deal with new situations
Object permenace
an understanding that an object continues to exist even if it can be seen, touched or heard
Goal-durected behaviour
a planned series of actions with a purpose
symbolic thinking
a type of thinking that uses symbols
- words or images
- to problem solve
- talk about things that are not physically present
Animism
the belief that inanimate objects have feelings and intentions
Egocentrism
a limited ability to share or appreciate someone else’s point of view
transformation
the understanding that something can change from one state, form or structure to another
Reversibility
the understanding that actions can be undone or reversed
conservation
the understanding that certain qualities of an object remain the same even when its appearance changes
classification
the ability to sort objects into groups based on their features
Hypothetical deductive reasoning
a way of thinking that involves developing a hypothesis based on what might logically occur
Abstract thinking
a way of thinking that is of reliant on directly observing, visualizing, experiencing or manipulating something to understand it
John Bowlby
Bowlby believed attachment is an innate biological need for survival.
A strong bond with a caregiver provides a “secure base” for exploring the world.
Disruption of attachment in early years can lead to emotional and social difficulties later in life.
+ Strong evidence from cross-cultural studies; explains lifelong emotional patterns.
– Overemphasizes mother role; underplays role of other caregivers and social factors.
Harry Harlow
Baby monkeys preferred soft “mothers” over wire ones with food — comfort matters more than feeding.
Isolation caused severe emotional and social damage.
+ Strong experimental evidence for importance of emotional bonds.
– Ethical issues (animal cruelty); may not fully generalize to humans..
Mary Ainsworth
“Strange Situation” identified Secure, Avoidant, Resistant, (later Disorganised) attachments.
+ Useful in predicting later social and emotional outcomes; widely applied in clinical settings.
– Cultural bias (based on Western parenting norms); may not fit all family structures.
Albert Bandura
Learning through observation, imitation, and vicarious reinforcement (copying rewarded behaviors).
“Bobo Doll” showed kids imitate aggression seen in adults.
+ Explains learning without direct experience; real-world applications (e.g., media influence).
– Underestimates biological influences (e.g., genetics, innate aggression).
