ch 4.1-4.2 intro + prenatal stages

Question 1

define developmental psych

Answer 1

scientific study of how we change and develop throughout life

Question 2

list and describe the 2 main research methods for developmental psych

Answer 2

longitudinal
- one group, follow them over a period of time

cross sectional
- different ages, test if a variable changes

Question 3

what is the major question in developmental psych

Answer 3

is it continuous (occurs step by step gradually) or in stages (major transformations per stage)

thought to be both

Question 4

what are periods of plateau

Answer 4

• stage of development where not much happens

Question 5

what are critical/sensitive periods

Answer 5

period where we MUST be exposed to specific experiences, otherwise we may not develop properly or at all

Question 6

what is nature vs nurture

Answer 6

nature: hereditary, DNA

nurture: other non genetic factors (environment)

Question 7

where does conception take place

Answer 7

fallopian tubes

Question 8

what is the gestation period

Answer 8

duration of pregnancy from conception til birth

Question 9

list the 3 stages of the gestation period

Answer 9

1) germinal stage
2) embryonic stage
3) fetal stage

Question 10

describe the germinal stage + list the major events

Answer 10

• egg + sperm = zygote
• duration is 10-14 days

major stages:
- zygote divides and multiplies (hollows out in the centre to form blastocyte)
- travels from fallopian tubes to uterus
- implants into uterine wall

Question 11

define blastocyte

Answer 11

• hollowed out ball of cells that implants into uterine wall & becomes the organism

Question 12

what is an ectopic pregnancy and why is it dangerous

Answer 12

• blastocyte attaches to fallopian tube rather than uterus and grows there
• dangerous to mother (fallopian tube cannot expand to support zygote or contract during childbirth)

Question 13

describe the 2 types of twins

Answer 13

monozygotic: identical
- 1 egg + 1 sperm, egg splits into 2
- same sex + genetically similar

dizygotic: fraternal
- 2 separate eggs + 2 separate sperm
- 50% similar in genetics
- can be same or different sex

Question 13

describe the embryonic stage + major events

Answer 13

• weeks 3-8
• embryo

major events:
- placenta forms (nutrition, oxygen, protection, cleans waste)
- explosive growth (nervous system + organs begin to develop)

Question 14

describe the 2 ways in which development in the womb + later in childhood develops

Answer 14

• cephalocaudal (head to toes, brain)
• proximodistal (middle then out, heart then arms)

Question 15

describe the fetal stage + major events

Answer 15

• fetus in week 9-end

major events:
- further growth of organs + nervous system
- bones + muscles
- explosive growth of brain, folds begin forming

Question 16

describe sulci and gyri

Answer 16

sulcus: grooves, valley

gyri: bumps, hills