AP Psychology Flashcards: Physical Development Across The Lifespan

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Physical Development Across The Lifespan, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the primary hormone involved in female puberty?

Answer: Estrogen. Primary female hormone driving pubescent physical changes.

Flashcard 2: What is the average age range for children to start walking independently?

Answer: 12 to 15 months. Typical timeframe when toddlers achieve independent walking milestone.

Flashcard 3: Identify the term for the final stage of Erikson's psychosocial development.

Answer: Integrity vs. Despair. Erikson's eighth stage involving reflection on life's meaning.

Flashcard 4: What is the term for the rapid physical growth experienced during adolescence?

Answer: Growth spurt. Accelerated physical growth period during adolescent development.

Flashcard 5: Which Erikson stage focuses on the development of intimate relationships in early adulthood?

Answer: Intimacy vs. Isolation. Sixth psychosocial stage emphasizing close relationships and love.

Flashcard 6: What is the term for the developmental period characterized by identity exploration?

Answer: Adolescence. Developmental period from puberty to emerging adulthood.

Flashcard 7: Which Erikson stage involves the challenge of generativity in middle adulthood?

Answer: Generativity vs. Stagnation. Seventh psychosocial stage focusing on contributing to society.

Flashcard 8: Which part of the brain is responsible for decision making and continues developing into the mid-20s?

Answer: Prefrontal cortex. Brain region controlling executive functions, last to mature.

Flashcard 9: Identify the stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurring from age 11 onward.

Answer: Formal operational stage. Fourth cognitive stage enabling abstract and hypothetical thinking.

Flashcard 10: What is the average age range for the onset of the ability to crawl?

Answer: 7 to 10 months. Typical timeframe for developing coordinated crawling movement.

Flashcard 11: Identify the term for the age-related decline in physical capabilities.

Answer: Aging. Natural process of physical deterioration over time.

Flashcard 12: What is the average age for the onset of the ability to sit without support?

Answer: 6 months. Gross motor milestone requiring core strength and balance.

Flashcard 13: What is the average age range for a child's first spoken words?

Answer: 12 to 18 months. Typical age range for initial vocabulary development.

Flashcard 14: What is the average age range for females to begin menstruation?

Answer: 12 to 13 years. Average onset age for menarche in developed countries.

Flashcard 15: Which primary developmental task is associated with adolescence according to Erikson?

Answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Fifth psychosocial stage focusing on self-concept development.

Flashcard 16: Which primary developmental task is associated with adolescence according to Erikson?

Answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Fifth psychosocial stage focusing on self-concept development.

Flashcard 17: Which physical milestone is typically achieved by 9 months of age?

Answer: Crawling. Major gross motor milestone involving coordinated limb movement.

Flashcard 18: What is the primary developmental task during infancy according to Erikson?

Answer: Trust vs. Mistrust. First psychosocial stage where infants learn whether caregivers are reliable.

Flashcard 19: Identify the primary hormone involved in male puberty.

Answer: Testosterone. Androgen hormone that drives secondary sexual characteristics in males.

Flashcard 20: What is the term for the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength?

Answer: Sarcopenia. Age-related muscle deterioration affecting strength and mobility.

Flashcard 21: What is the average age range for a child's first spoken words?

Answer: 12 to 18 months. Typical age range for initial vocabulary development.

Flashcard 22: Identify the term for the final stage of Erikson's psychosocial development.

Answer: Integrity vs. Despair. Erikson's eighth stage involving reflection on life's meaning.

Flashcard 23: Which physical change is commonly associated with aging and affects bone density?

Answer: Osteoporosis. Age-related bone density loss increasing fracture risk.

Flashcard 24: Which physical milestone is typically achieved by 4 months of age?

Answer: Rolling over. Early gross motor skill involving trunk rotation.

Flashcard 25: What is the average age range for the onset of the ability to crawl?

Answer: 7 to 10 months. Typical timeframe for developing coordinated crawling movement.

Flashcard 26: Which type of motor skills involve small muscle movements, such as using utensils?

Answer: Fine motor skills. Small muscle control for precise movements like writing.

Flashcard 27: Which physical milestone is typically achieved by 4 months of age?

Answer: Rolling over. Early gross motor skill involving trunk rotation.

Flashcard 28: Which Erikson stage involves the challenge of generativity in middle adulthood?

Answer: Generativity vs. Stagnation. Seventh psychosocial stage focusing on contributing to society.

Flashcard 29: Identify the stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurring from 7 to 11 years.

Answer: Concrete operational stage. Third cognitive stage enabling logical thinking about concrete objects.

Flashcard 30: What is the term for the first menstrual period in females?

Answer: Menarche. Term for the first occurrence of menstruation.

Flashcard 31: Identify the type of motor skills that involve large muscle activities.

Answer: Gross motor skills. Large muscle groups control walking, jumping, and running movements.

Flashcard 32: Identify the stage of Erikson's psychosocial development during early childhood.

Answer: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Second psychosocial stage emphasizing independence and self-control.

Flashcard 33: What is the average age range for the onset of menopause?

Answer: 45 to 55 years. Typical age range for cessation of menstrual cycles.

Flashcard 34: Identify the stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurring from birth to 2 years.

Answer: Sensorimotor stage. First cognitive stage involving learning through sensory experiences.

Flashcard 35: What is the term for the permanent cessation of menstruation?

Answer: Menopause. Permanent end of reproductive cycles in females.

Flashcard 36: Identify the stage of Erikson's psychosocial development during early childhood.

Answer: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Second psychosocial stage emphasizing independence and self-control.

Flashcard 37: Identify the stage of Erikson's psychosocial development during adolescence.

Answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Adolescent psychosocial crisis involving personal identity formation.

Flashcard 38: What is the average age range for children to start walking independently?

Answer: 12 to 15 months. Typical timeframe when toddlers achieve independent walking milestone.

Flashcard 39: Which developmental milestone is typically achieved by 2 years of age?

Answer: Two-word sentences. Language milestone showing grammatical development and communication skills.

Flashcard 40: What is the primary developmental task during infancy according to Erikson?

Answer: Trust vs. Mistrust. First psychosocial stage where infants learn whether caregivers are reliable.

Flashcard 41: What is the primary developmental task in late adulthood according to Erikson?

Answer: Integrity vs. Despair. Final psychosocial stage focusing on life satisfaction versus regret.

Flashcard 42: What is the term for the rapid physical growth experienced during adolescence?

Answer: Growth spurt. Accelerated physical growth period during adolescent development.

Flashcard 43: Identify the stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurring from birth to 2 years.

Answer: Sensorimotor stage. First cognitive stage involving learning through sensory experiences.

Flashcard 44: What is the term for the developmental period characterized by identity exploration?

Answer: Adolescence. Developmental period from puberty to emerging adulthood.

Flashcard 45: Which physical change in late adulthood affects the elasticity of the skin?

Answer: Loss of collagen. Protein breakdown causing wrinkles and reduced skin elasticity.

Flashcard 46: What is the term for the decline of cognitive function that can occur in aging?

Answer: Dementia. Progressive cognitive decline affecting memory and reasoning.

Flashcard 47: Identify the stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurring from 7 to 11 years.

Answer: Concrete operational stage. Third cognitive stage enabling logical thinking about concrete objects.

Flashcard 48: What is the term for the first menstrual period in females?

Answer: Menarche. Term for the first occurrence of menstruation.

Flashcard 49: What is the term for the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength?

Answer: Sarcopenia. Age-related muscle deterioration affecting strength and mobility.

Flashcard 50: What is the primary hormone involved in female puberty?

Answer: Estrogen. Primary female hormone driving pubescent physical changes.

Flashcard 51: Which type of motor skills involve small muscle movements, such as using utensils?

Answer: Fine motor skills. Small muscle control for precise movements like writing.

Flashcard 52: Which physical change is commonly associated with aging and affects bone density?

Answer: Osteoporosis. Age-related bone density loss increasing fracture risk.

Flashcard 53: What is the term for the permanent cessation of menstruation?

Answer: Menopause. Permanent end of reproductive cycles in females.

Flashcard 54: Which part of the brain is responsible for decision making and continues developing into the mid-20s?

Answer: Prefrontal cortex. Brain region controlling executive functions, last to mature.

Flashcard 55: What is the term for the age-related physical decline starting in early adulthood?

Answer: Senescence. Gradual biological aging process beginning around age 30.

Flashcard 56: Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurs from age 2 to 7?

Answer: Preoperational stage. Second cognitive stage characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism.

Flashcard 57: What is the average age range for females to begin menstruation?

Answer: 12 to 13 years. Average onset age for menarche in developed countries.

Flashcard 58: Identify the stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurring from age 11 onward.

Answer: Formal operational stage. Fourth cognitive stage enabling abstract and hypothetical thinking.

Flashcard 59: Identify the type of motor skills that involve large muscle activities.

Answer: Gross motor skills. Large muscle groups control walking, jumping, and running movements.

Flashcard 60: Which physical milestone is typically achieved by 9 months of age?

Answer: Crawling. Major gross motor milestone involving coordinated limb movement.

Flashcard 61: What is the term for the age-related physical decline starting in early adulthood?

Answer: Senescence. Gradual biological aging process beginning around age 30.

Flashcard 62: Identify the primary hormone involved in male puberty.

Answer: Testosterone. Androgen hormone that drives secondary sexual characteristics in males.

Flashcard 63: Which developmental milestone is typically achieved by 2 years of age?

Answer: Two-word sentences. Language milestone showing grammatical development and communication skills.

Flashcard 64: Identify the stage of adulthood often associated with the 'midlife crisis.'

Answer: Middle adulthood. Life stage typically occurring between ages 40-65 years.

Flashcard 65: At what age do most infants begin to show a preference for one hand over the other?

Answer: Around 2 years. Age when handedness typically becomes established and observable.

Flashcard 66: What is the primary developmental task in late adulthood according to Erikson?

Answer: Integrity vs. Despair. Final psychosocial stage focusing on life satisfaction versus regret.

Flashcard 67: What is the average age for the onset of the ability to sit without support?

Answer: 6 months. Gross motor milestone requiring core strength and balance.

Flashcard 68: What is the term for the decline of cognitive function that can occur in aging?

Answer: Dementia. Progressive cognitive decline affecting memory and reasoning.

Flashcard 69: Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurs from age 2 to 7?

Answer: Preoperational stage. Second cognitive stage characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism.

Flashcard 70: At what age do most infants begin to show a preference for one hand over the other?

Answer: Around 2 years. Age when handedness typically becomes established and observable.

Flashcard 71: Which Erikson stage focuses on the development of intimate relationships in early adulthood?

Answer: Intimacy vs. Isolation. Sixth psychosocial stage emphasizing close relationships and love.

Flashcard 72: What is the average age range for the onset of menopause?

Answer: 45 to 55 years. Typical age range for cessation of menstrual cycles.

Flashcard 73: Identify the stage of Erikson's psychosocial development during adolescence.

Answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Adolescent psychosocial crisis involving personal identity formation.

Flashcard 74: Identify the term for the age-related decline in physical capabilities.

Answer: Aging. Natural process of physical deterioration over time.

Flashcard 75: Which physical change in late adulthood affects the elasticity of the skin?

Answer: Loss of collagen. Protein breakdown causing wrinkles and reduced skin elasticity.

Flashcard 76: Identify the stage of adulthood often associated with the 'midlife crisis.'

Answer: Middle adulthood. Life stage typically occurring between ages 40-65 years.