Lesson 1: Introduction, Concepts, Theory, Methods Flashcards
What does developmental psychology primarily focus on today compared to the past?
Initially, it focused on infants and children, but now it encompasses adolescence, aging, and the entire lifespan.
What is a common assumption about early childhood experiences?
Early childhood experiences were once believed to dictate the future entirely, but now it is understood that growth and change occur throughout life.
How has the focus on adulthood changed in developmental psychology?
Adulthood is now seen as a dynamic period with continued cognitive, social, and psychological development.
What applied fields does developmental psychology inform?
Educational psychology, psychopathology, and forensic developmental psychology.
What basic research fields does developmental psychology complement?
Social psychology, cognitive psychology, and comparative psychology.
Why is the concept of lifespan development significant?
It highlights that development is continuous and influenced by multiple factors throughout life.
What are the principles of the lifespan perspective identified by Paul Baltes?
Development is lifelong, multidirectional, multidimensional, multidisciplinary, plastic, and multicontextual.
What does “multidimensional development” mean?
Development occurs across physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains, which influence one another.
How is plasticity related to development?
Plasticity refers to the ability to change and adapt, exemplified by the brain’s ability to learn from experience or recover from injury.
What are “normative age-graded influences” in development?
They refer to shared experiences and changes within specific age groups, like toddlers or seniors.
What are “normative history-graded influences”?
These are influences shaped by the historical time period and societal events experienced by a cohort.
What are “non-normative life influences”?
Unique experiences, such as losing a parent at a young age, that shape an individual’s development.
How does socioeconomic status (SES) influence development?
SES impacts lifestyles, stressors, parenting styles, and access to resources, affecting physical and psychological well-being.
What is the role of culture in human development?
Culture shapes behaviors, values, and traditions, influencing how individuals interact and grow within their society.
What is ethnocentrism, and how does it affect understanding development?
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s culture is superior, which can hinder understanding other cultural practices.
What is biological age?
Biological age reflects how quickly the body ages based on factors like nutrition, activity levels, and genetics.
What does psychological age encompass?
It includes cognitive capacity and emotional beliefs about one’s age compared to peers.
What is social age?
Social age is based on cultural expectations and social milestones, such as marriage or retirement.
Why is chronological age not the sole determinant of development?
Because physical, psychological, and social ages can vary, offering a more complex view of an individual.
How are cultural changes influencing social age relevance?
Milestones like education or starting families are shifting, making social age less prescriptive.
How does the concept of age influence self-perception?
Individuals may feel younger or older than their chronological age based on physical, emotional, or societal factors.
What are the key stages in Table 1.2?
Prenatal, Infancy and Toddlerhood, Early Childhood, Middle and Late Childhood, Adolescence, Emerging Adulthood, Early Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, Late Adulthood.
What characterizes infancy and toddlerhood?
Dramatic growth, development of senses, and mobility.
How is early childhood distinct?
It focuses on language development, self-awareness, and independence.
