Test Bank for Themes & methods in developmental psychology

Test Bank for Themes & methods in developmental psychology Developmental Psychology - ANSWERS the scientific study of how and why people change over the course of their life (cognitive, emotional, social, and physical domains nature & nurture - ANSWERS how do our genetic inheritance (nature) and our life experiences (nurture) interact to shape our development? continuity - ANSWERS continuity refers to developmental changes that are slow and steady, where each step builds directly on the previous steps stages - ANSWERS stage theories propose that development happens in specific, sudden shifts that clearly differentiate one phase from another stability & change - ANSWERS this area of study helps us understand how and why people remain the same in some ways but also evolve and adapt in there's as they go through different life stages cross-sectional research - ANSWERS studying different groups of people of various ages at the same point in time - allows researchers to compare differences and similarities across age groups to infer developmental stages longitudinal research - ANSWERS studying the same individuals over time, allowing for direct observation of how behaviors, traits, and abilities change and develop throughout life - this approach helps identify long-term trends and the effects of early life psychosocial development - ANSWERS theory that individuals progress through a series of stances, each characterized by a specific conflict that contributes to a major aspect of personality Trust vs. Mistrust (Erikson) - ANSWERS 0-1 years; infants learn whether or not they can trusts the world to meet their basic needs achieved through consistent and reliable care and affection from caregivers Positive: development of trust, security, and optimism Negative: explains how early interactions influence an individual's view of the world and form the foundation for future social and emotional development Significance: sets the foundation for future relationships and emotional health Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Erikson) - ANSWERS 18 months to 3 years; toddlers seek to do things on their own, encouragement and freedom to explore Positive: self-sufficiency and confidence Negative: feelings of shame and doubt Significance: Crucial for developing personal control and self-esteem Initiative vs. Guilt (Erikson) - ANSWERS 3 to 6 years; children begin to initiate actions and make decisions, encouragement of independent activity Positive: sense of leadership and ambition Negative: burden of guilt when failing or overstepping Significance: fosters early decision-making and leadership skills Industry vs. Inferiority (Erikson) - ANSWERS 6-12 years; children strive to demonstrate skills and abilities, reinforcement in school and play Positive: mastery and self-confidence Negative: Feelings of failure and inadequacy Significance: essential for confidence in abilities and social comparison Identity vs. Role Confusion (Erickson) - ANSWERS 12-18 years; Teenagers explore, and solidify their sense of self, experimentation with roles and identities Positive: well-defined personal identity Negative: confusion about personal identity and future roles Significance: vital for establishing a clear and stable sense of self Intimacy vs Isolation (Erickson) - ANSWERS 13-40 years; Establishing connections; adults seek to form close, committed relationships Positive: Meaningful relationships and commitments Negative: Loneliness and emotional isolation Significance: Critical for emotional depth and personal growth Generativity and Stagnation (Erickson) - ANSWERS 40-65 years; Nurturing the next generation; adults aim to contribute to the well-being of the next generation Positive: Sense of care and achievement Negative: Sense of stagnation and disconnection Significance: Ensures a lasting impact on others and personal fulfillment Integrity and Despair (Erickson) - ANSWERS 65+ years: reflecting on life, elders look back on life achievements and regrets Positive: wisdom and satisfaction Negative: regret and despair Significance: Important for achieving a sense of completeness and peace at life's end prenatal development - ANSWERS the process of growth and development within the womb, starting from conception and continuing until birth teratogens - ANSWERS harmful substances, such as drugs, alcohol, or infections, that can cause developmental abnormalities or birth defects when a fetus is exposed to them during prenatal development reflexes - ANSWERS automatic, instinctual responses that newborns are born with, aiding in their survival rooting reflex - ANSWERS automatic response in newborns where they turn their head towards a touch on the cheek, helping them locate and latch onto the mother's breast for feeding maturation - ANSWERS the biological growth process that leads to orderly changes in behavior, guided by genetics and largely unaffected by experience developmental milestones - ANSWERS key skills or behaviors that most children achieve by specific ages, such as walking, talking, and problem-solving, marking significant progress in physical, cognitive, and social development sensitive period - ANSWERS a critical time in early development when the brain is especially receptive to learning specific skills, such as language or motor skills, making it easier to acquire them during this phrase fine motor coordination - ANSWERS the ability to control small muscle movements, enabling tasks like writing, buttoning, and using utensils with precision gross motor coordination - ANSWERS the ability to control large muscle movements, enabling tasks like walking, jumping, and throwing with balance and strength visual cliff - ANSWERS an experimental setup used to study depth perception in infants, featuring a clear glass surface that creates the illusion of a drop-off to test whether infants can perceive and avoid the "cliff" puberty - ANSWERS the period of physical and hormonal changes during adolescence the at lead to sexual maturity and the ability to reproduce adolescent growth spurt - ANSWERS a rapid increase in height and weight that typically occurs during puberty, driven by hormonal changes and marking the transition from childhood to adulthood menopause - ANSWERS the natural biological process marking the end of a woman's menstrual cycles, typically occurring around age 50 and characterized by hormonal changes and the cessation of fertility sex - ANSWERS biological influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex