Chapter 7.1, 7.3, & 7.4

Question 1

developmental psychology

Answer 1

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

Question 2

nature-nurture issue

Answer 2

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

Question 3

twin study

Answer 3

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

Question 4

adoption study

Answer 4

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

Question 5

innate ability

Answer 5

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

Question 6

prenatal preiod

Answer 6

the developmental period before birth

Question 7

zygote

Answer 7

a fertilized egg

Question 8

embryo

Answer 8

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

Question 9

fetus

Answer 9

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

Question 10

placenta

Answer 10

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

Question 11

teratogen

Answer 11

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

Question 12

fetal alcohol syndrome

Answer 12

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

Question 13

neonatal period

Answer 13

in humans, period through the first month after birth

Question 14

mimicry

Answer 14

imitation of other people’s behavior

Question 15

synchronicity

Answer 15

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

Question 16

innate reflex

Answer 16

reflexive response present at birth

Question 17

infancy

Answer 17

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

Question 18

sensitive period

Answer 18

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

Question 19

synaptic pruning

Answer 19

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

Question 20

maturation

Answer 20

the process by which the genetic program manifests over time

Question 21

genetic leash

Answer 21

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

Question 22

contact comfort

Answer 22

stimulation and reassurance derived from the physical touch of the caregiver

Question 23

attachment

Answer 23

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

Question 24

imprinting

Answer 24

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

Question 25

secure attachment

Answer 25

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

Question 26

separation anxiety

Answer 26

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

Question 27

anxious-ambivilent attachment

Answer 27

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

Question 28

avoidant attachment

Answer 28

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

Question 29

psychosocial stage

Answer 29

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

Question 30

trust

Answer 30

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

Question 31

self-control

Answer 31

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

Question 32

executive function

Answer 32

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

Question 33

adolescence

Answer 33

a developmental period beginning at puberty and ending at adulthood

Question 34

rite of passage

Answer 34

social ritual that marks transition between developmental stages

Question 35

puberty

Answer 35

the onset of sexual maturity

Question 36

menarch

Answer 36

the onset of menstruation

Question 37

body image

Answer 37

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

Question 38

sexual orientation

Answer 38

the direction of one's sexual interest

Question 39

formal operational stage

Answer 39

Piaget's final stage, during which abstract thought appears

Question 40

stage of moral reasoning

Answer 40

Lawrence Kohlberg's distinctive way of thinking about moral problems

Question 41

identity

Answer 41

the sense of who one is

Question 42

revolution of aging

Answer 42

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

Question 43

intimacy

Answer 43

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

Question 44

emerging adulthood

Answer 44

a transition period between adolescent and adulthood

Question 45

peer marriage

Answer 45

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

Question 46

generativity

Answer 46

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

Question 47

transition

Answer 47

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

Question 48

ego-integrity

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Alzheimer's Disease

Answer 49

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

Question 50

selective social interaction

Answer 50

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