Chapter 7.1, 7.3, & 7.4 Flashcards

1
Q

developmental psychology

A

the specialty that focuses on how organisms grow and change over time as a result of biological and environmental influences

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2
Q

nature-nurture issue

A

the long-standing discussion on the importance of nature (biological) and nurture (environmental) in their influence on behavior and mental processes

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3
Q

twin study

A

means of separating the effects of nature and nurture by which investigators my compare identical to fraternal twins or compare twins separated in early life and raised in different environments

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4
Q

adoption study

A

method of separating the effects of nature and nurture by which investigators compare characteristics of adopted children with those of individuals in their biological and adopted families

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5
Q

innate ability

A

the capability of an an infant that is inborn or biologically based

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6
Q

prenatal preiod

A

the developmental period before birth

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7
Q

zygote

A

a fertilized egg

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8
Q

embryo

A

in humans, the developing organizm during the first 8 weeks of conception

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9
Q

fetus

A

in humans, the developing organism from the embryonic state to birth

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10
Q

placenta

A

organ interface between the embryo/fetus and the mother; separates bloodstreams, but allows exchange of nutrients and waste products

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11
Q

teratogen

A

substances from the environments (viruses or other chemicals) that can damage the developing organism during the prenatal period (HIV, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)

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12
Q

fetal alcohol syndrome

A

a set of physical and mental problems seen in children when their mothers drink excessively during pregnancy

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13
Q

neonatal period

A

in humans, period through the first month after birth

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14
Q

mimicry

A

imitation of other people’s behavior

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15
Q

synchronicity

A

the close coordination between the gazing, vocalizing, touching, and smiling of infants and their caregivers

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16
Q

innate reflex

A

reflexive response present at birth

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17
Q

infancy

A

in humans, usually from the neonatal period to about 18 months/2 years with the development of language

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18
Q

sensitive period

A

a span of time during which the organism is especially responsive to stimuli of a particular sort, like hormones and chemicals, or language and visual stimulation

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19
Q

synaptic pruning

A

the process of trimming unused brain connections, making neurons available for future development

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20
Q

maturation

A

the process by which the genetic program manifests over time

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21
Q

genetic leash

A

Edward Wilson’s term for the constraints placed on the development by heredity

22
Q

contact comfort

A

stimulation and reassurance derived from the physical touch of the caregiver

23
Q

attachment

A

the enduring socio-emotional relationship between a child and a parent or other regular caregiver

24
Q

imprinting

A

a primitive form of learning in which young animals follow and form an attachment to the first moving object they see and hear

25
Q

secure attachment

A

the attachment style of children who are relaxed and comfortable with their caregivers and tolerant of strangers and new experiences

26
Q

separation anxiety

A

a common pattern of distress in young children when separated from their caregivers

27
Q

anxious-ambivilent attachment

A

one of two primary response patterns seen in insecurely attached children in which a child wants contact with a caregiver, excess distress when separated, and difficult to console when reunited

28
Q

avoidant attachment

A

one of two primary response patters seen in insecurely attached children in which a child shows no interest in the caregiver, nor distress when separated, nor happiness when reunited

29
Q

psychosocial stage

A

Erikson’s theory - referring to eight major challenges that appear successively across the lifespan which require an individual to rethink their goals and their relationship to others

30
Q

trust

A

the major developmental goal during the first 18 months of life, the child must choose between trusting and not trusting others

31
Q

self-control

A

the ability to delay instant-gratification in pursuit of longer-range positive outcomes

32
Q

executive function

A

cognitive abilities in the frontal lobes necessary for complex thinking, planning, and goal directed behavior

33
Q

adolescence

A

a developmental period beginning at puberty and ending at adulthood

34
Q

rite of passage

A

social ritual that marks transition between developmental stages

35
Q

puberty

A

the onset of sexual maturity

36
Q

menarch

A

the onset of menstruation

37
Q

body image

A

an individual’s perception of and feelings about one’s physical appearance

38
Q

sexual orientation

A

the direction of one’s sexual interest

39
Q

formal operational stage

A

Piaget’s final stage, during which abstract thought appears

40
Q

stage of moral reasoning

A

Lawrence Kohlberg’s distinctive way of thinking about moral problems

41
Q

identity

A

the sense of who one is

42
Q

revolution of aging

A

a change in the way people think about aging in modern industrialized nations with increased longevity, better health care, and more lifestyle choices

43
Q

intimacy

A

Erikson’s theory - the main developmental tasks of early adulthood, involving the capacity to make full commitment to another person (sexual, emotional, moral)

44
Q

emerging adulthood

A

a transition period between adolescent and adulthood

45
Q

peer marriage

A

marriage in which couples see themselves as partners and friends, compared to husbands/wives

46
Q

generativity

A

the process of making a commitment beyond oneself to others (being generous)

47
Q

transition

A

a period of time in which an individual redefines or transforms a life role, goal, value, or lifestyle

48
Q

ego-integrity

A

Erikson’s theory - the developmental process later in life that allows one to look back in life without regrets and to enjoy a sense of wholeness

49
Q

Alzheimer’s Disease

A

degenerative brain disease that is first noticed by problematic failures of memory

50
Q

selective social interaction

A

choosing to restrict the number of one’s social contacts to those who are most gratifying