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Developmental Psychology 1
Chapters 1-7
96
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
02/11/2009

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Term
science of human development
Definition
the science that seeks to understand how and why people change or remain the same over time
Term
empirical
Definition
based on observation, experience, or experiment; not theoretical
Term
ecological-systems approach
Definition
a vision of how human development should be studied with the person considered in all the contexts and interactions that constitute life
Term
dynamic-systems theory
Definition
a view of human development as always changing; life is the product of ongoing interaction between the physical and emotional being; flux is constant and each change affects all others
Term
butterfly effect
Definition
the idea that a small effect or thing can have a large impact if it happens to tip the balance, causing other changes that create a major event
Term
cohort
Definition
a group of people who were born about the same time and thus move through life together, experiencing the same historical events and cultural shifts
Term
socioeconomic status (SES)
Definition
a person's position in society as determined by income, wealth, occupation, education, place of residence, and other factors
Term
ethnic group
Definition
people whose ancestors were born in the same region and who often share a language, culture, and religion
Term
race
Definition
a group of people who are regarded as genetically distinct from other groups on the basis of physical appearance
Term
social construction
Definition
an idea that is built more on shared perceptions than on objective reality; many age-related terms are social constructions (childhood, senior citizens)
Term
mirror neurons
Definition
brain cells that respond to actions performed by someone else, as if the observer had done that action
Term
scientific method
Definition
a way to answer questions that requires empirical research and data-based conclusions
Term
hypothesis
Definition
a scientific prediction
Term
replication
Definition
the repetition of a scientific study, using the same procedures on a similar group of participants, in order to verify the study
Term
scientific observation
Definition
a method of testing hypotheses by unobtrusively watching and recording participant's behavior in a systematic and objective manner
Term
experiment
Definition
a research method in which the researcher tries to determine cause and effect relationship between two variables by manipulating one of the variables
Term
independent variable
Definition
the variable that is introduced to see what effect it has on the dependent variable
Term
dependent variable
Definition
the variable that may change as a result of whatever new condition or situation the experimenter adds
Term
experimental group
Definition
a group of participants who experience some special treatment or condition
Term
comparison/control group
Definition
a group of participants in a research study who do not experience the experimental condition
Term
survey
Definition
a research method in which information is collected from a large number of people
Term
case study
Definition
a research method in which one individual is studied intensively
Term
cross-sectional research
Definition
a research design that compares groups of people who differ in age but are similar in other important characteristics
Term
longitudinal research
Definition
a research design in which the same individuals are followed over time and their development is repeatedly assessed
Term
cross-sequential research
Definition
a hybrid research method in which researchers first study several groups of people of different ages and then follow those groups over the years
Term
correlation
Definition
a number indicating the degree of relationship between two variables, expressed in terms of the likelihood that one variable will or will not occur when the other variable does or does not
Term
quantitative research
Definition
research that provides data that can be expressed with numbers such as ranks or scales
Term
qualitative research
Definition
research that considers qualities instead of quantities
Term
code of ethics
Definition
a set of moral principles that members of a profession or group are expected to follow
Term
developmental theory
Definition
a group of ideas that interpret the thousands of observations that have been made about human growth
Term
grand theories
Definition
comprehensive theories of psychology which have traditionally inspired and directed psychologist's thinking about child development (psychoanalytic theory, behaviorism, and cognitive theory)
Term
emergent theories
Definition
theories that bring together information from many disciplines in addition to psychology and that are becoming comprehensive and systematic; not yet established and detailed enough to be considered grand theories
Term
psychoanalytic theory
Definition
a grand theory of human development that holds that irrational, unconscious drives and motivates, often originating in childhood, underlie human behavior
Term
behaviorism
Definition
a grand theory of human development that studies observable behavior; also called learning theory because it describes the laws and processes by which behavior is learned
Term
conditioning
Definition
the processed by which responses become linked to particular stimuli and learning takes place; repetition
Term
classical conditioning
Definition
the learning process that connects a meaningful stimulus with a neutral stimulus that had no special meaning before conditioning
Term
operant conditioning
Definition
the learning process by which a particular action is followed by something desired or by something unwanted
Term
reinforcement
Definition
a technique for conditioning behavior in which that behavior is followed by something desired
Term
social learning theory
Definition
an extension of behaviorism that emphasizes the influence that other people have over a person's behavior
Term
modeling
Definition
the central process of social learning by which a person observes the actions of others and then copies them
Term
self-effiacy
Definition
in social learning theory, the belief of some people that are able to change themselves and effectively alter the social context
Term
cognitive theory
Definition
a grand theory of human development that focuses on changes in how people think over time; our thoughts shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
Term
cognitive equilibrium
Definition
in cognitive theory, a state of mental balance in which people are not confused because they can use their existing thought processes to understand current experiences and ideas
Term
sociocultural theory
Definition
an emergent theory that holds that developmental results from the dynamic interaction between each person and the surrounding social and cultural forces
Term
guided participation
Definition
in sociocultural theory, a technique in which skilled mentors help novices learn not only by providing instruction but also by allowing direct, shared involvement in the activity
Term
zone of proximal development
Definition
in sociocultural theory, a metaphorical are or zone surrounding a learner that includes all the skills, knowledge, and concepts that the person is close to acquiring but cannot yet master without help
Term
epigenetic theory
Definition
an emergent theory of development that considers both the genetic origins of behavior and the direct, systematic influence that environmental forces have over time on genes
Term
selective adaptation
Definition
the process by which humans and other organisms gradually adjust to their environment; the frequency of a particular genetic trait in a population increases or decreases over generations
Term
eclectic perspective
Definition
the approach taken by most developmentalists in which they apply aspects of each of the various theories of development rather than adhering to one theory
Term
nature
Definition
a general term for the traits, capacities, and limitations that each individual inherits genetically from his or her parents at the moment of conception
Term
nurture
Definition
a general term for all the environmental influences that affect development after an individual is conceived
Term
sexual orientation
Definition
a person's impulses and internal direction regarding sexual interest
Term
DNA
Definition
the molecule that contains the chemical instructions for cells to manufacture various proteins
Term
chromosome
Definition
one of the 46 molecules of DNA that each cell of the human body contains and that, together, contain all the genes
Term
gene
Definition
a section of a chromosome and the basic unit for the transmission of heredity, consisting of a string of chemicals that code for the manufacture of certain proteins
Term
genome
Definition
the full set of genes that are the instructions to make an individual member of a certain species
Term
gamete
Definition
a reproductive cell that can produce a new individual if it combines with a gamete from the other sex to make a zygote
Term
zygote
Definition
the single cell formed from the fusing of two gametes, a sperm and an ovum
Term
genotype
Definition
an organism's entire genetic inheritance, or genetic potential
Term
allele
Definition
a slight, normal variation of a particular gene
Term
23rd pair
Definition
the chromosome pair that, in humans, determine the zygote's sex
Term
XX
Definition
23rd pair of chromosomes that become a female
Term
XY
Definition
23rd pair of chromosomes that become a male
Term
spontaneous abortion
Definition
the naturally occurring termination of a pregnancy before the embryo or fetus is fully developed
Term
induced abortion
Definition
the intentional termination of a pregnancy
Term
phenotype
Definition
the observable characteristics of a person, including the appearance, personality, intelligence, and all other traits
Term
polygenic
Definition
referring to a trait that is influenced by many genes
Term
multifactorial
Definition
referring to a trait that is affected by many factors, both genetic and environmental
Term
human genome project
Definition
an international effort to map the complete human genetic code
Term
additive gene
Definition
a gene that has several alleles, each of which contributes to the final phenotype (such as skin color or height)
Term
dominant-recessive pattern
Definition
the interaction of a pair of alleles in such a way that the phenotype reveals the influence of one allele (dominant) more than that of the other (recessive)
Term
X-linked
Definition
referring to a gene carried on the x chromosome; girls are more likely to be carriers
Term
monozygotic (MZ) twins
Definition
twins who originate from one zygote that splits apart very early in development (identical twins)
Term
dizygotic (DZ) twins
Definition
twins who are formed when two sperate ova are fertilized by two sperate sperm at roughly the same time
Term
clone
Definition
an organism that is produced from another organism through artificial replication of cells and is genetically identical to that organism
Term
in vitro fertilization
Definition
fertilization that takes place outside a woman's body and inserted into the woman's uterus
Term
infertility
Definition
the inability to produce a baby after at least a year of trying to conceive via sexual intercourse
Term
assisted reproductive technology (ART)
Definition
a general term for the techniques designed to help infertile couples conceive and then sustain a pregnancy
Term
carrier
Definition
a person whose genotype includes a gene that is not expressed in the phenotype
Term
type 2 diabetes
Definition
a chronic disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin to adequately metabolize carbohydrates (glucose)
Term
mosaic
Definition
having a condition (mosaicism) that involves having a mixture of cells, some normal and some with an odd number of chromosomes or a series of missing genes
Term
down syndrome
Definition
a condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46 (three on the 21st position); typically have distinctive characteristics including facial features, heart abnormalities, and language difficulties
Term
fragile x syndrome
Definition
a genetic disorder in which part of the x chromosome seems to be attached to the rest of it by a very thin string of molecules, actual cause is too many repetitions of a particular part of a gene's code
Term
genetic counseling
Definition
consultation and testing by trained experts that enable individuals to learn about their genetic heritage, including harmful conditions that they might pass along to any children they may conceive
Term
phenylketonuria (PKU)
Definition
a genetic disorder in which a child's body is unable to metabolize an amino acid called phenylalanine; it must be eliminated from the child's diet
Term
germinal period
Definition
the first two weeks of prenatal development after conception, characterized by rapid cell division and the beginning of cell differentiation
Term
embryonic period
Definition
the stage of prenatal development from approximately the third through the eight week after conception, during which the basic forms of all body structures, including internal organs, develop
Term
fetal period
Definition
the stage of prenatal development from the ninth week after conception until birth, during which the organs grow in size and mature functioning
Term
blastocyst
Definition
a cell mass that develops from the zygote in the first few days after conception, during the germinal period, and forms a hollow sphere in preparation for implantation
Term
placenta
Definition
the organ that surrounds the developing embyro and fetus, sustaining life via the umbilical cord; attached to wall of uterus
Term
implantation
Definition
the process, beginning about 10 days after conception, in which the developing organism burrows into the placenta that lines the uterus, where it can be nourished and protected as it continues to develop
Term
embryo
Definition
the name for a developing organism from about the third through the eight week after conception
Term
fetus
Definition
the name for a developing organism from the ninth week after conception until birth
Term
age of viability
Definition
the age (about 22 weeks after conception) at which a fetus might survive outside the mother's uterus if specialized medical care is available
Term
teratogens
Definition
agents and conditions, including viruses drugs and chemicals, that can impair prenatal development and result in birth defects or even death
Term
behavioral teratogens
Definition
agents and conditions that can harm the prenatal brain, impairing the future child's intellectual and emotional functioning
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