Psychology
Unit 1:
Psychological development:
How a person’s social, emotional and cognitive capabilities change over time and is influenced by range of factors
such as heredity factors (which come from a person’s internal environment- such as their DNA, that can influence
their development) and environmental factors ( factors which originate from a persons external environment which
influences their development).
Biopsychosocial Model:
Is a framework used to categorise all the biological, psychological and social factors that can influence a person’s
psychological development and mental wellbeing.
Internal factors are factors affecting psychological development and wellbeing that originates within the individual
and typically consist of biological and psychological factors
External factors are factors affecting psychological development and wellbeing that originates outside the individual
and typically consists of social factors.
Biological factors are factors relating to physiological functioning that originates from within the body.
Psychological factors are factors relating to mental processes that originates or occurs within the individual.
Social factors are factors relating to interactions with others and the environment that originates from outside
the individual.
Harlow’s Theory of Attachment:
Harlow’s theory of attachment states that having some form of contact comfort is more important than receiving
food and nourishment.
Ainsworth’s Theory of Attachment:
Secure Attachment: the infants feel safe and confident because they feel they can rely on their caregivers, allowing
them to explore and be more social.
Insecure avoidant attachment: these infants are protective of themselves and remain distant from others
Insecure Resistant Attachment: these infants appear anxious and have an overall negative temperament. they cling
to caregivers but also resist their contact.
Disorganised attachment: these infants do not feel safe or reassured by the presence of a caregiver. they display
inconsistent or conflicting patterns of behaviour towards the caregiver.
, Typical and Atypical Behaviour:
Typical behaviour is behaviour that would be expected or is consistent with what is usually shown by a specific
person in a particular situation, or behaviour that conforms with standards deemed acceptable for that situation.
Atypical behaviour is behaviour that is unexpected or inconsistent with what would generally occur within a
particular situation or circumstance.
Cultural perspectives is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to what would be
expected in line wth the beliefs and values of a given culture.
Social Norms are an informal rule or standard which is understood by members of a society.
Statistical rarity is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to how prevalent that
behaviour is within the population.
Personal distress is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to whether the behaviour
results in an overall pleasant or unpleasant emotional state.
Maladaptive Behaviour is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to whether the
behaviour is useful or detrimental to the organism performing the behaviour.
Adaptive behaviour is a behaviour that allows a person to successfully cope in their environment.
Normality and Neurotypicality
Normality is a term that describes behaviour and thinking consistent with that shown by most people in the
general population.
Neurotypicality is a term used to describe brain development and function that is aligned with what would be
considered normal or typical for most individuals within society.
Neurodiversity refers to the differences in brain functions that exist among the population in regards to
psychological development and function.
Neurodivergence is where a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours are not aligned with those of a person who
is considered to be neurotypical.
Adaptivity and Maladaptivity
Adaptivity is a term used to describe something when something is considered beneficial for survival or functioning
such as brushing our teeth.
Maladaptive is a term used to describe when something is considered detrimental for survival or functioning such
as not brushing teeth on a regular basis.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
neurodevelopmental disorder is a condition which affects the development of the nervous system, causing variations
in brain function that may affect processes involved with emotion, learning, motor control and memory.
Unit 1:
Psychological development:
How a person’s social, emotional and cognitive capabilities change over time and is influenced by range of factors
such as heredity factors (which come from a person’s internal environment- such as their DNA, that can influence
their development) and environmental factors ( factors which originate from a persons external environment which
influences their development).
Biopsychosocial Model:
Is a framework used to categorise all the biological, psychological and social factors that can influence a person’s
psychological development and mental wellbeing.
Internal factors are factors affecting psychological development and wellbeing that originates within the individual
and typically consist of biological and psychological factors
External factors are factors affecting psychological development and wellbeing that originates outside the individual
and typically consists of social factors.
Biological factors are factors relating to physiological functioning that originates from within the body.
Psychological factors are factors relating to mental processes that originates or occurs within the individual.
Social factors are factors relating to interactions with others and the environment that originates from outside
the individual.
Harlow’s Theory of Attachment:
Harlow’s theory of attachment states that having some form of contact comfort is more important than receiving
food and nourishment.
Ainsworth’s Theory of Attachment:
Secure Attachment: the infants feel safe and confident because they feel they can rely on their caregivers, allowing
them to explore and be more social.
Insecure avoidant attachment: these infants are protective of themselves and remain distant from others
Insecure Resistant Attachment: these infants appear anxious and have an overall negative temperament. they cling
to caregivers but also resist their contact.
Disorganised attachment: these infants do not feel safe or reassured by the presence of a caregiver. they display
inconsistent or conflicting patterns of behaviour towards the caregiver.
, Typical and Atypical Behaviour:
Typical behaviour is behaviour that would be expected or is consistent with what is usually shown by a specific
person in a particular situation, or behaviour that conforms with standards deemed acceptable for that situation.
Atypical behaviour is behaviour that is unexpected or inconsistent with what would generally occur within a
particular situation or circumstance.
Cultural perspectives is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to what would be
expected in line wth the beliefs and values of a given culture.
Social Norms are an informal rule or standard which is understood by members of a society.
Statistical rarity is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to how prevalent that
behaviour is within the population.
Personal distress is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to whether the behaviour
results in an overall pleasant or unpleasant emotional state.
Maladaptive Behaviour is a criterion used to classify behaviour as typical or atypical according to whether the
behaviour is useful or detrimental to the organism performing the behaviour.
Adaptive behaviour is a behaviour that allows a person to successfully cope in their environment.
Normality and Neurotypicality
Normality is a term that describes behaviour and thinking consistent with that shown by most people in the
general population.
Neurotypicality is a term used to describe brain development and function that is aligned with what would be
considered normal or typical for most individuals within society.
Neurodiversity refers to the differences in brain functions that exist among the population in regards to
psychological development and function.
Neurodivergence is where a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours are not aligned with those of a person who
is considered to be neurotypical.
Adaptivity and Maladaptivity
Adaptivity is a term used to describe something when something is considered beneficial for survival or functioning
such as brushing our teeth.
Maladaptive is a term used to describe when something is considered detrimental for survival or functioning such
as not brushing teeth on a regular basis.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
neurodevelopmental disorder is a condition which affects the development of the nervous system, causing variations
in brain function that may affect processes involved with emotion, learning, motor control and memory.
