Ch. 8 Development Flashcards
human development
scientific study of the changes that occur in people as they age from conception until death
nature vs. nurture
heredity, the influence of inherited characteristics on personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions VS. the influence of the environment on all of those same things (i.e. parenting styles, physical surroundings, economic factors)
cross-sectional design
diff participants of various ages are compared at one point in time to determine age-related differences
longitudinal design
same participants are studied at various ages to determine age-related changes
–>cohort effect
cross-sequential design
diff participants of various ages are compared to several points in time to determine age-related differences AND age-related changes
Behavioral genetics methods
study that focuses on nature vs nurture, established causal relationships b/ween genes and behavior
cohort effect
impact on development that occurs when a group of people share a common time period or common life experience
genetics
science of heredity
DNA
molecule containing genetic material, made up of sequences of amines (genes)
amines
organic structures that contain the genetic codes for building the proteins that make up organic life (hair coloring, muscle, and skin, for example) and that control the life of each cell.
chromosomes
tightly wound strands of DNA
–> 23 from each parent
–> 22 autosomes determine characteristics, 1 determines gender
dominant gene
gene that actively controls a trait’s expression
recessive gene
gene that only influences a trait expression when paired with an identical gene
polygenic inheritance
all traits controlled by more than one pair of genes
zygote
fertilized egg cell that divides into many cells and forms the baby
Monozygotic twins
formed when the zygote splits into two separate masses of cells, each of which will develop into a baby identical to the other.
Dizygotic twins
formed when the mother’s body releases multiple eggs and at least two are fertilized or when another ovulation occurs even though the mother has already become pregnant.
3 stages of prenatal development
germinal (first 2 weeks of pregnancy where cells move into uterus) , embryonic (2-8 weeks when vital organs and structures of the baby form), fetal (9 weeks-birth where tremendous growth occurs, length and weight increase, and organs continue to become fully functional)
4 critical areas of newborn adjustment
respiration, digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation
reflexes
innate involuntary behavior that allows infants to interact w/ the environment (grasping, startle/moro, rooting, stepping, sucking)
sensory development (most developed to least function)
touch, smell, taste, hearing, vision (poor color perception until 6 mos)
Synaptic pruning
unused synaptic connections and nerve cells are cleared away to make way for functioning connections and cells
Piaget’s 4 stages of cognitive development
Sensorimotor: Children form schemes (mental concepts) as they experience new situations and events
Preoperational: Assimilation—children learn new things in terms of schemes they already possess
Concrete operations: Accommodation
Formal operations: Altering and adjusting old schemes to fit new information and experiences
Vygotsky’s The Importance of Being There
Role of others in cognitive development
Emphasized on social interactions
Scaffolding –> more skilled learner gives help to a less skilled learner, reducing the amount of help as the less skilled learner becomes more capable