Module 13. Developing through the Life Span
Retrieval Practice
RP-1 Developmental researchers who emphasize learning and experience are supporting
continuity; those who emphasize biological maturation are supporting stages.
RP-2 What findings in psychology support (1) the stage theory of development and (2) the
idea of stability in personality across the life span?
○ (1) Stage theory is supported by the work of Piaget (cognitive development),
Kohlberg (moral development), and Erikson (psychosocial development). (2)
Some traits, such as temperament, exhibit remarkable stability across many
years.
RP-3 The first two weeks of prenatal development is the period of the zygote. The period of
the fetus lasts from 9 weeks after conception until birth. The time between those two
prenatal periods is considered the period of the embryo.
RP-4 Infants’ habituation to repeated stimulation helps developmental psychologists study
what infants can learn and remember.
Master the Material
1. How do cross-sectional and longitudinal studies differ?
a. (1) Stage theory is supported by the work of Piaget (cognitive development),
Kohlberg (moral development), and Erikson (psychosocial development). (2)
Some traits, such as temperament, exhibit remarkable stability across many
years.
2. The three major issues that interest developmental psychologists are nature/nurture,
stability/change, and continuity/stages.
3. Although development is lifelong, there is stability of personality over time. For
example,
a. temperament tends to remain stable throughout life.
4. Body organs first begin to form and function during the period of the ; within 6
months, during the period of the , the organs are sufficiently functional to provide a
good chance of surviving and thriving.
a. embryo; fetus
5. Chemicals that the placenta isn’t able to screen out that can harm an embryo or fetus
are called teratogens.
Module 14. Infancy + Childhood
Retrieval Practice
RP-1 The biological growth process called explains why most children begin walking by
about 12 to 15 months. Maturation
RP-2 Object permanence, pretend play, conservation, and abstract logic are
developmental milestones for which of Piaget’s stages, respectively?
○ Object permanence for the sensorimotor stage, pretend play for the
preoperational stage, conservation for the concrete operational stage, and
abstract logic for the formal operational stage.
, RP-3 Label each of the following developmental phenomena (i–vi) with the correct cognitive
developmental stage: (a) sensorimotor,
○ Formal Operant: Thinking about abstract concepts, such as “freedom.”
○ Preoperational: Enjoying imaginary play (such as dress-up).
○ Concrete Operational: Understanding that physical properties stay the same
even when objects change form.
○ Concrete Operational: Having the ability to reverse math operations.
○ Sensorimotor: Understanding that something is not gone for good when it
disappears from sight, as when Mom “disappears” behind the shower curtain.
○ Preoperational: Having difficulty taking another’s point of view (as when blocking
someone’s view of the TV).
RP-4 What does theory of mind have to do with autism spectrum disorder?
○ Theory of mind focuses on our ability to understand our own and others’
mental states. Those with autism spectrum disorder struggle with this ability.
RP-5 What distinguishes imprinting from attachment?
○ Attachment is the normal process by which we form emotional ties with
important others. Imprinting occurs only in certain animals that have a critical
period very early in their development during which they must form their
attachments, and they do so in an inflexible manner.
RP-6 For those who value children’s self-reliance, the four parenting styles may be
described as “too hard, too soft, too uncaring, and just right.” Which parenting style goes
with each of these descriptions, and how do children benefit from the “just right” style?
○ The authoritarian style would be described as too hard, the permissive style
too soft, the neglectful style too uncaring, and the authoritative style just right.
Parents using the authoritative style tend to have children with high self-
esteem, self-reliance, self-regulation, and social competence.
Master the Material
1. Stroke a newborn’s cheek and the infant will root for a nipple. This illustrates
a. a reflex.
2. Between ages 3 and 6, the human brain experiences the greatest growth in the frontal
lobes, which enable reasoning and planning.
3. Which of the following is true of motor-skill development?
a. The sequence, but not the timing, is universal.
4. Why can’t we consciously recall learning to walk?
a. We consciously recall little from before age 4, in part because major brain
areas have not yet matured.
5. Use Piaget’s first three stages of cognitive development to explain why young
children are not just miniature adults in the way they think.
a. Infants in Piaget’s sensorimotor stage tend to be focused only on their own
perceptions of the world and may, for example, be unaware that objects
continue to exist when unseen. A child in the preoperational stage is still
egocentric and incapable of appreciating simple logic, such as the reversibility
of operations. A preteen in the concrete operational stage is beginning to think
logically about concrete events but not about abstract concepts.
Retrieval Practice
RP-1 Developmental researchers who emphasize learning and experience are supporting
continuity; those who emphasize biological maturation are supporting stages.
RP-2 What findings in psychology support (1) the stage theory of development and (2) the
idea of stability in personality across the life span?
○ (1) Stage theory is supported by the work of Piaget (cognitive development),
Kohlberg (moral development), and Erikson (psychosocial development). (2)
Some traits, such as temperament, exhibit remarkable stability across many
years.
RP-3 The first two weeks of prenatal development is the period of the zygote. The period of
the fetus lasts from 9 weeks after conception until birth. The time between those two
prenatal periods is considered the period of the embryo.
RP-4 Infants’ habituation to repeated stimulation helps developmental psychologists study
what infants can learn and remember.
Master the Material
1. How do cross-sectional and longitudinal studies differ?
a. (1) Stage theory is supported by the work of Piaget (cognitive development),
Kohlberg (moral development), and Erikson (psychosocial development). (2)
Some traits, such as temperament, exhibit remarkable stability across many
years.
2. The three major issues that interest developmental psychologists are nature/nurture,
stability/change, and continuity/stages.
3. Although development is lifelong, there is stability of personality over time. For
example,
a. temperament tends to remain stable throughout life.
4. Body organs first begin to form and function during the period of the ; within 6
months, during the period of the , the organs are sufficiently functional to provide a
good chance of surviving and thriving.
a. embryo; fetus
5. Chemicals that the placenta isn’t able to screen out that can harm an embryo or fetus
are called teratogens.
Module 14. Infancy + Childhood
Retrieval Practice
RP-1 The biological growth process called explains why most children begin walking by
about 12 to 15 months. Maturation
RP-2 Object permanence, pretend play, conservation, and abstract logic are
developmental milestones for which of Piaget’s stages, respectively?
○ Object permanence for the sensorimotor stage, pretend play for the
preoperational stage, conservation for the concrete operational stage, and
abstract logic for the formal operational stage.
, RP-3 Label each of the following developmental phenomena (i–vi) with the correct cognitive
developmental stage: (a) sensorimotor,
○ Formal Operant: Thinking about abstract concepts, such as “freedom.”
○ Preoperational: Enjoying imaginary play (such as dress-up).
○ Concrete Operational: Understanding that physical properties stay the same
even when objects change form.
○ Concrete Operational: Having the ability to reverse math operations.
○ Sensorimotor: Understanding that something is not gone for good when it
disappears from sight, as when Mom “disappears” behind the shower curtain.
○ Preoperational: Having difficulty taking another’s point of view (as when blocking
someone’s view of the TV).
RP-4 What does theory of mind have to do with autism spectrum disorder?
○ Theory of mind focuses on our ability to understand our own and others’
mental states. Those with autism spectrum disorder struggle with this ability.
RP-5 What distinguishes imprinting from attachment?
○ Attachment is the normal process by which we form emotional ties with
important others. Imprinting occurs only in certain animals that have a critical
period very early in their development during which they must form their
attachments, and they do so in an inflexible manner.
RP-6 For those who value children’s self-reliance, the four parenting styles may be
described as “too hard, too soft, too uncaring, and just right.” Which parenting style goes
with each of these descriptions, and how do children benefit from the “just right” style?
○ The authoritarian style would be described as too hard, the permissive style
too soft, the neglectful style too uncaring, and the authoritative style just right.
Parents using the authoritative style tend to have children with high self-
esteem, self-reliance, self-regulation, and social competence.
Master the Material
1. Stroke a newborn’s cheek and the infant will root for a nipple. This illustrates
a. a reflex.
2. Between ages 3 and 6, the human brain experiences the greatest growth in the frontal
lobes, which enable reasoning and planning.
3. Which of the following is true of motor-skill development?
a. The sequence, but not the timing, is universal.
4. Why can’t we consciously recall learning to walk?
a. We consciously recall little from before age 4, in part because major brain
areas have not yet matured.
5. Use Piaget’s first three stages of cognitive development to explain why young
children are not just miniature adults in the way they think.
a. Infants in Piaget’s sensorimotor stage tend to be focused only on their own
perceptions of the world and may, for example, be unaware that objects
continue to exist when unseen. A child in the preoperational stage is still
egocentric and incapable of appreciating simple logic, such as the reversibility
of operations. A preteen in the concrete operational stage is beginning to think
logically about concrete events but not about abstract concepts.
