Glossary Chapter 4

Question 1

the principle that growth follows a
pattern that begins with the head
and upper body parts and then
proceeds down to the rest of the
body

Answer 1

cephalocaudal principle

Question 2

the principle that development
proceeds from the center of the
body outward

Answer 2

proximodistal principle

Question 3

the principle that simple skills
typically develop separately and
independently but are later integrated into more complex skills

Answer 3

principle of hierarchical
integration

Question 4

the principle that different body
systems grow at different rates

Answer 4

principle of the independence of
systems

Question 5

the gap at the connection between
neurons, through which neurons
chemically communicate with one
another

Answer 5

synapse

Question 6

the elimination of neurons
as the result of nonuse or lack of
stimulation

Answer 6

synaptic pruning

Question 7

the upper layer of the brain

Answer 7

cerebral cortex

Question 8

repetitive, cyclical patterns of
behavior

Answer 8

rhythms

Question 9

the degree of awareness an infant
displays to both internal and
external stimulation

Answer 9

state

Question 10

the unexplained death of a
seemingly healthy baby

Answer 10

sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS)

Question 11

a theory of how motor skills
develop and are coordinated

Answer 11

dynamic systems theory

Question 12

a measure designed to determine
infants’ neurological and
behavioral responses to their
environment

Answer 12

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral
Assessment Scale (NBAS)

Question 13

a disorder in which infants stop
growing due to a lack of stimulation and attention as the result of inadequate parenting

Answer 13

nonorganic failure to thrive

Question 14

the approach that considers how
information that is collected by
various individual sensory systems
is integrated and coordinated

Answer 14

multimodal approach
to perception

Question 15

options that a given situation or
stimulus provides

Answer 15

affordances