Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology - AP Psychology
- Name the first stage in Erikson's psychosocial development.
- Trust vs. Mistrust. Occurs in infancy when babies learn whether caregivers are reliable.
- Identify an example of a teratogen.
- Alcohol. Harmful substance that can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
- What concept explains why infants develop stranger anxiety?
- Attachment theory. Infants prefer familiar caregivers and show wariness of strangers.
- What is the term for a child's ability to understand the feelings of others?
- Empathy. Critical for prosocial behavior and healthy social relationships.
- What does the term 'nature vs. nurture' refer to in developmental psychology?
- The debate over genetic vs. environmental influences on development. Central debate examining heredity versus environment in shaping behavior.
- What is the main focus of the attachment theory?
- The bonds between infants and their caregivers. Essential for emotional development and later relationship patterns.
- What is a sequential research design?
- Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Allows researchers to separate age effects from cohort effects.
- Which theory emphasizes stages of psychosocial development?
- Erik Erikson's theory. Features eight stages with specific psychosocial crises to resolve.
- What concept did Lev Vygotsky introduce to developmental psychology?
- The Zone of Proximal Development. The gap between what a child can do alone versus with help.
- Identify the research method that involves manipulation of variables.
- Experiment. Allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships in development.
- Name a method used to study infant perception.
- Habituation method. Measures decreased attention to familiar stimuli, indicating learning has occurred.
- What is a cohort effect?
- Differences due to the unique experiences of a particular age group. Historical events shape generations differently, confounding age effects in research.
- What is the main principle of the ecological systems theory?
- Human development is influenced by different environmental systems. Bronfenbrenner's model showing nested environmental influences on development.
- What is the main focus of lifespan development?
- Development from birth to death. Emphasizes that development continues throughout the entire human lifespan.
- Define 'resilience' in developmental psychology.
- The ability to recover from adversity. The capacity to bounce back and thrive despite facing challenges.
- Who conducted the famous Bobo doll experiment?
- Albert Bandura. Demonstrated how children learn aggressive behaviors through observation and imitation.
- What is the main critique of Piaget's theory?
- Underestimation of children's cognitive abilities. Research shows children can think more sophisticatedly than Piaget proposed.
- What is a longitudinal study?
- A study that follows the same group over a long period. Tracks changes over time but can be time-consuming and costly.
- In which stage of Piaget's theory do children learn conservation?
- Concrete operational stage. Ages 7-11 when logical thinking develops for concrete objects.
- Define 'object permanence'.
- Understanding that objects continue to exist when not seen. Key milestone typically achieved during Piaget's sensorimotor stage.
- What is the main critique of Kohlberg's theory of moral development?
- Cultural bias and gender insensitivity. Theory primarily reflected Western male perspectives on moral reasoning.
- What is the significance of the 'critical period' in development?
- A specific time when certain skills or abilities are most easily learned. Missing this window may make later learning more difficult or impossible.
- What are the three major domains of developmental psychology?
- Physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. These domains encompass all aspects of human development and maturation.
- What does the term 'scaffolding' mean in Vygotsky's theory?
- Support provided to help a child achieve a task. Temporary assistance that's gradually removed as competence increases.
- Which stage of prenatal development is the longest?
- Fetal stage. Spans from 9 weeks to birth, when major organ development occurs.
- Who proposed the theory of moral development in children?
- Lawrence Kohlberg. Identified six stages of moral reasoning from childhood to adulthood.
- What is the focus of the preoperational stage in Piaget's theory?
- Symbolic thinking and egocentrism. Children ages 2-7 can use symbols but struggle with logic.
- What is an example of a primary sex characteristic?
- Development of the reproductive organs. Directly involved in reproduction, like ovaries and testes.
- What is the 'strange situation' method used to assess?
- Attachment style in infants. Mary Ainsworth's procedure revealing secure, avoidant, or anxious attachment.
- Define 'cross-sectional study' in developmental research.
- A study comparing different age groups at one point in time. Quick snapshot but can't show individual changes over time.
- What are secondary sex characteristics?
- Non-reproductive traits like hair growth and voice changes. Physical changes during puberty not directly related to reproduction.
- What is the focus of developmental psychology?
- The study of how humans grow and change over time. Examines changes from conception through death across all life domains.
- What is the primary focus of behavioral genetics?
- Understanding genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Studies how genes and environment interact to shape individual differences.
- Identify the key figure associated with cognitive development theory.
- Jean Piaget. Famous for his four stages of cognitive development theory.
- What is a teratogen?
- An agent causing birth defects during prenatal development. Environmental factors like drugs, diseases, or toxins affecting fetal development.
- Which cognitive development stage involves abstract thinking?
- Formal operational stage. Final stage in Piaget's theory, developing around age 11-12.
- Define 'assimilation' in Piaget's theory.
- Integrating new information into existing schemas. Fits new experiences into existing mental frameworks without changing them.
- What does 'egocentrism' refer to in child development?
- Difficulty seeing perspectives other than one's own. Common in preoperational children who assume others share their viewpoint.
- What is the primary concern of behavioral developmental theories?
- Observable behaviors and their environmental determinants. Focus on measurable behaviors rather than internal mental processes.