Chapter 9

Question 1

Developmental Psychology

Answer 1

The study of age–related changes in behavior, mental processes, and stages of growth, from conception to death.

Question 2

Critical Periods

Answer 2

A time of special sensitivity to specific types of learning, which shapes the capacity for future development.

Question 3

Cross-sectional Design

Answer 3

A research technique that measures individuals of various ages at one point in time and provides information about age differences (Most popular study).

Question 4

Longitudinal Design

Answer 4

A research technique that measures individual or groups of individuals over an extended period and gives information about age changes (Best study).

Question 5

Cohort Effects

Answer 5

Differences that result from specific histories of the age group studied.

Question 6

Nature vs. Nurture

Answer 6

Ongoing dispute about whether nature (genetics) or nurture (environment, surrounding factors) influence development of a child.

Question 7

Stages vs. Continuity

Answer 7

Ongoing argument that suggests development occurs in stages that are discrete and qualitatively different from one to another, whereas others believe it follows a continuos pattern, with gradual, but steady and quantitative (measurable changes).

Question 8

Stability vs. Change

Answer 8

Psychologists who emphasize stability hold that measurements of personality taken during childhood are important predictors of adult personality; those who emphasize change disagree.

Question 9

Germinal Period (Zygote)

Answer 9

The first stage of prenatal development, beginning with ovulation and followed by conception and implantation in the uterus; the first two weeks of pregnancy.

Question 10

Embryonic Period (Embryo)

Answer 10

The second stage of prenatal development, which begins after the uterine implantation and lasts through the eighth week.

Question 11

Fetal Period (Fetus)

Answer 11

The third, and final stage of prenatal development (eighth weeks to birth); characterized by rapid weight gain in the fetus and fine detailing of bodily organs and systems.

Question 12

Conception

Answer 12

Women’s egg, or ovum unites with a man’s sperm.

Question 13

Proximodistal

Answer 13

Prenatal growth, as well as growth during the first few years after birth, is grown (near to far), with the innermost parts of the body developing before the outermost parts.

Question 14

Cephalocaudally

Answer 14

Growth from head to tail.

Question 15

Epigenetics

Answer 15

The study of heritable changes in gene function that are influenced by environmental factors rather than changes in the DNA sequence.

Question 16

Teratogens

Answer 16

An environmental agent that causes damage during prenatal development.

Question 17

Fetal-alchohol syndrome

Answer 17

A combination of birth defects, including organ deformities and mental, motor, and or growth retardation, that result from maternal alcohol abuse.

Question 18

Emerging Adulthood

Answer 18

Age period from approximately 18-25 in which individuals have left the dependency of childhood, but not yet assumed adult responsibilities.

Question 19

Ageism

Answer 19

Prejudice or discrimination based on physical age.

Question 20

Age-related positivity affect

Answer 20

A relative preference in older adults for positive over negative information in attention and memory.

Question 21

Schemas

Answer 21

The cognitive structures, framework, or “blueprints” of knowledge, regarding objects, people, and situations which grow and differentiate with experience.

Question 22

Assimilation

Answer 22

Applying existing mental patterns (schemas) to new information; new information is incorporated into existing schemas.

Question 23

Accommodation

Answer 23

The process of adjusting existing mental patterns (schemas) or developing new ones to better fit new information.

Question 24

Sensorimotor Stage

Answer 24

First stage of cognitive development (birth to 2 years), in which schemas are developed through sensory and motor activities.

Question 25

Object Permanence

Answer 25

An infant’s recognition that objects (and people) continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched directly.

Question 26

Pre-oporational Stage

Answer 26

Age (2 to 7 years), characterized by the ability to employ significant language and to think symbolically, but the child lacks operations, and thinking is egocentric and animistic.

Question 27

Egocentric

Answer 27

In cognitive development, the inability to take the perspective of another person.

Question 28

Concrete Operational Stage

Answer 28

The third stage of cognitive development, (7 to 11 years), in which the child can perform mental operations on concrete objects, but thinking is tied to concrete, tangible objects and events.

Question 29

Conservation

Answer 29

The understanding that certain physical characteristics remain unchanged, even though appearances may change.

Question 30

Formal Operational Stage

Answer 30

The fourth stage of cognitive development (age 11 and beyond), characterized by abstract and hypothetical thinking.

Question 31

Zone of Proximal Development

Answer 31

The area between what children can accomplish on their own and what they can accomplish with the help of others who are more competent.

Question 32

Attachment

Answer 32

A strong emotional bond with special others that endures over time.

Question 33

Imprinting

Answer 33

An inherited, primitive form of rapid learning in which some infant animals physically follow the form an attachment to the first moving object they see and/or hear.

Question 34

Animistic Thinking

Answer 34

In the pre-operational stage, believing objects such as the sun, trees, clouds, and bars of soap have motives, feelings, and intentions.

Question 35

Programmed Theory

Answer 35

Aging is controlled by genetics.

Question 36

Damage Theory

Answer 36

Cell and Organ damage causes death instead of genetics.

Question 37

Secure Attachment

Answer 37

Caregivers are sensitive and responsible.

Question 38

Anxious/Avoidant Attachment

Answer 38

Caregivers are aloof and distant.

Question 39

Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment

Answer 39

Caregivers are inconsistent.

Question 40

Disorganized/Disoriented

Answer 40

Caregivers are abusive and neglectful.

Question 41

Permissive/Neglectful Parenting

Answer 41

Parents make few demands, with little structure or monitoring, and show little interest or emotional support; may be actively rejecting.

Question 42

Permissive/Indulgent Parenting

Answer 42

Parents set few limits or demands but are highly involved and emotionally connected.

Question 43

Authoritative Parenting

Answer 43

Parents generally set and enforce firm limits, while also being highly involved, tender, and emotionally supportive.