MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 7a Human Development Lifespan

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on 7a Human Development Lifespan, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for MCAT Psychological Social Foundations.

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: Which attachment style shows intense distress and ambivalence (seeks then resists comfort) on reunion?

Answer: Resistant (ambivalent) attachment. Ainsworth's classification for this style involves high anxiety from inconsistent caregiving, resulting in mixed reunion behaviors.

Flashcard 2: What is the main confound in a cross-sectional study that can mimic age effects?

Answer: Cohort effects. Generational differences can be mistaken for age-related changes.

Flashcard 3: What is the main practical drawback of longitudinal studies in lifespan development research?

Answer: Attrition over time. Participants drop out over time, potentially biasing results.

Flashcard 4: Identify the correct term: gradual decline in fluid intelligence with relative stability of crystallized intelligence in aging.

Answer: Fluid declines; crystallized remains relatively stable. Processing speed decreases while accumulated knowledge persists.

Flashcard 5: What is the term for focusing on one aspect of a situation while ignoring others (common in preoperational thought)?

Answer: Centration. Piaget identified this preoperational tendency where children fixate on a single feature, leading to errors in multi-dimensional judgments.

Flashcard 6: What Piagetian process changes a schema to fit new information?

Answer: Accommodation. Modifies existing mental frameworks when new information doesn't fit.

Flashcard 7: In attachment research, which pattern shows distress on separation and comfort on reunion?

Answer: Secure attachment. Child uses caregiver as safe base for exploration and seeks comfort when upset.

Flashcard 8: What is the parenting style that is high warmth, high control, and linked to best child outcomes?

Answer: Authoritative parenting. Baumrind's model highlights this style's balance of demands and support, fostering competence and self-regulation in children.

Flashcard 9: What is meant by the term "nurture" in the nature versus nurture debate?

Answer: Environmental influences on development. Refers to experiences and social factors shaping development.

Flashcard 10: What is scaffolding in Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive development?

Answer: Temporary support that is gradually withdrawn as mastery increases. Like training wheels, helps learners until they're independent.

Flashcard 11: What is the parenting style that is low warmth, high control, and emphasizes obedience and punishment?

Answer: Authoritarian parenting. Baumrind described this style as rigid and controlling, often leading to obedient but less independent children.

Flashcard 12: What term describes modifying existing schemas to incorporate new information?

Answer: Accommodation. Piaget's concept involves adjusting cognitive structures to better fit new information that doesn't align with current schemas.

Flashcard 13: In Vygotsky, what is the gap between what a learner can do alone versus with help?

Answer: Zone of proximal development. Skills achievable with guidance but not independently yet.

Flashcard 14: What is the term for age-related decline in fluid intelligence with relative preservation of crystallized intelligence?

Answer: Normal cognitive aging pattern. Aging research shows fluid abilities like processing speed decline, while accumulated knowledge remains stable or improves.

Flashcard 15: What is Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD)?

Answer: Tasks achievable with guidance but not yet independently. Gap between current ability and potential with expert help.

Flashcard 16: Which broad developmental research design compares different age groups at one time point?

Answer: Cross-sectional study. Compares different age groups simultaneously rather than tracking changes over time.

Flashcard 17: What is the Piagetian process of modifying schemas to incorporate new information?

Answer: Accommodation. Changing mental frameworks to fit new experiences that don't match.

Flashcard 18: What is the correct term for understanding that objects continue to exist when out of view?

Answer: Object permanence. This Piagetian milestone, emerging in the sensorimotor stage, reflects the cognitive understanding of continued existence beyond perception.

Flashcard 19: According to Piaget, what is object permanence and when does it typically emerge?

Answer: Knowing objects still exist when unseen; sensorimotor stage. Develops around 8-12 months as cognitive abilities mature.

Flashcard 20: Which developmental research design tests the same individuals repeatedly over time?

Answer: Longitudinal study. Tracks developmental changes within the same people across years.

Flashcard 21: In Piaget, which stage is characterized by object permanence and goal-directed behavior?

Answer: Sensorimotor stage. First Piagetian stage (0-2 years) where infants learn through senses and actions.

Flashcard 22: What is the term for a period when exposure has the greatest impact on later development?

Answer: Sensitive period. Optimal time for learning when brain is especially responsive to stimuli.

Flashcard 23: What is the key practical limitation of longitudinal developmental research that threatens validity over time?

Answer: Attrition (loss of participants). Participants dropping out over time can bias results and reduce sample size.

Flashcard 24: In Piaget, which stage is marked by egocentrism and failure on conservation tasks?

Answer: Preoperational stage. Second stage (2-7 years) with symbolic thinking but illogical reasoning.

Flashcard 25: Which developmental research design compares different age groups at one point in time?

Answer: Cross-sectional study. Compares multiple age groups simultaneously for quick age comparisons.

Flashcard 26: What is the term for a time window when a stimulus is required for normal development?

Answer: Critical period. Brief window when specific input is essential or development is impaired.

Flashcard 27: What is meant by the term "nature" in the nature versus nurture debate?

Answer: Genetic and biological influences on development. Refers to inherited traits and biological factors shaping development.

Flashcard 28: Which research design follows the same individuals over time to measure developmental change?

Answer: Longitudinal study. Tracks same people across multiple time points to observe changes.

Flashcard 29: In Piaget, which stage enables abstract reasoning and hypothetical-deductive thinking?

Answer: Formal operational stage. Final stage (11+ years) allowing abstract and systematic reasoning.

Flashcard 30: What is the Piaget stage in which object permanence first develops (approximately ages 0–2)?

Answer: Sensorimotor stage. In Piaget's theory, this stage focuses on sensory experiences and motor actions, leading to the milestone of recognizing hidden objects exist.

Flashcard 31: What is the Piaget stage marked by abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking (approximately age 12+)?

Answer: Formal operational stage. Piaget's final stage involves advanced cognitive abilities like deductive reasoning and considering possibilities not directly experienced.

Flashcard 32: In Erikson's theory, what is the primary psychosocial conflict of middle adulthood?

Answer: Generativity vs. stagnation. In Erikson's model, this middle-age crisis involves contributing to society and future generations or feeling unproductive.

Flashcard 33: In Vygotsky, what is the temporary support provided to help a learner master a task?

Answer: Scaffolding. Gradually reducing support as learner gains competence.

Flashcard 34: In Erikson's theory, what is the primary psychosocial conflict of young adulthood?

Answer: Intimacy vs. isolation. Erikson's theory positions this stage in early adulthood, focusing on forming close relationships versus emotional loneliness.

Flashcard 35: In Erikson's theory, what is the primary psychosocial conflict of adolescence?

Answer: Identity vs. role confusion. Erikson's psychosocial stages place this conflict in adolescence, where individuals explore and commit to personal identities.

Flashcard 36: What is the Piaget stage characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism (approximately ages 2–7)?

Answer: Preoperational stage. Piaget described this phase where children use symbols and language but struggle with perspective-taking and logical reasoning.

Flashcard 37: What Piagetian process incorporates new information into an existing schema?

Answer: Assimilation. Fits new experiences into existing mental frameworks without changing them.

Flashcard 38: Which parenting style is low warmth and low control, showing little involvement in the child's life?

Answer: Neglectful (uninvolved) parenting. Parents provide neither emotional support nor behavioral guidance.

Flashcard 39: What is the Piaget stage in which conservation and logical operations for concrete objects develop (ages 7–11)?

Answer: Concrete operational stage. Piaget noted this period involves mastering logical operations on tangible objects, including understanding invariance in quantity.

Flashcard 40: What is the term for a child's inability to understand that others can have different perspectives?

Answer: Egocentrism. In Piaget's preoperational stage, this limitation prevents children from considering viewpoints different from their own.

Flashcard 41: In attachment theory, which attachment style shows little distress at separation and avoids caregiver on return?

Answer: Avoidant attachment. Child appears independent but may struggle with intimacy later.

Flashcard 42: In Piaget's theory, which stage is characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism?

Answer: Preoperational stage. Ages 2-7, marked by language development but limited perspective-taking.

Flashcard 43: Which attachment pattern shows distress on separation and comfort-seeking on reunion?

Answer: Secure attachment. Child uses caregiver as safe base; most common and healthy pattern.

Flashcard 44: What is a critical period in development?

Answer: A narrow window when experience is essential for normal development. Missing experiences during this period causes irreversible deficits.

Flashcard 45: What is the term for understanding that quantity remains constant despite changes in shape or appearance?

Answer: Conservation. This Piagetian concept, mastered in the concrete operational stage, recognizes that properties like volume stay the same despite perceptual changes.

Flashcard 46: In Piaget, which stage is marked by conservation and logical reasoning about concrete events?

Answer: Concrete operational stage. Third stage (7-11 years) with logical thinking about physical objects.

Flashcard 47: In Erikson, which psychosocial conflict is central to infancy and consistent caregiving?

Answer: Trust vs mistrust. Infants learn whether caregivers are reliable and responsive.

Flashcard 48: Which Piaget stage is characterized by conservation failure and egocentrism?

Answer: Preoperational stage. Ages 2-7; symbolic thinking emerges but logic is limited.

Flashcard 49: What is the developmental concept that growth is continuous and involves quantitative change?

Answer: Continuous development. Development occurs gradually without distinct stages or sudden shifts.

Flashcard 50: What is the term for a stable internal organization of beliefs about the world in Piaget's theory?

Answer: Schema. Mental frameworks that organize and interpret experiences.

Flashcard 51: In attachment theory, which attachment style reflects distress at separation and comfort on return?

Answer: Secure attachment. Child uses caregiver as safe base for exploration.

Flashcard 52: Which term describes an infant behavior that is biologically programmed and triggered by stimuli?

Answer: Reflex. Infant reflexes are innate, automatic responses to specific stimuli, ensuring survival and development without learning.

Flashcard 53: Which Piaget stage is characterized by conservation and logical operations about concrete objects?

Answer: Concrete operational stage. Ages 7-11; children can think logically about physical objects.

Flashcard 54: Which parenting style is high warmth and low control, with few rules and little discipline?

Answer: Permissive parenting. Indulgent parents who avoid confrontation and set few boundaries.

Flashcard 55: In Piaget's theory, which stage is marked by conservation and logical operations on concrete objects?

Answer: Concrete operational stage. Ages 7-11, children understand reversibility and conservation principles.

Flashcard 56: Which attachment style shows little distress on separation and avoids caregiver on reunion?

Answer: Avoidant attachment. In Ainsworth's strange situation, this style reflects emotional independence, often due to unresponsive caregiving.

Flashcard 57: In Piaget's theory, what is the name for understanding that quantity stays the same despite shape change?

Answer: Conservation. Understanding that physical properties remain constant despite appearance changes.

Flashcard 58: Which Piaget stage is characterized by abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking?

Answer: Formal operational stage. Age 11+; enables scientific reasoning and philosophical thinking.

Flashcard 59: What is the term for age-linked behaviors and expectations that guide social development?

Answer: Social clock (age norms). Cultural expectations for when life events should occur (marriage, career).

Flashcard 60: Which Piaget stage is characterized by object permanence and goal-directed behavior?

Answer: Sensorimotor stage. Birth to 2 years; infants learn through senses and motor actions.

Flashcard 61: Which research design compares different age groups at one time point to infer development?

Answer: Cross-sectional study. Compares different age groups simultaneously to study development.

Flashcard 62: What is the parenting style that is high warmth, low control, and sets few rules or expectations?

Answer: Permissive parenting. In Baumrind's framework, this indulgent approach provides affection but little structure, potentially resulting in poor self-control.

Flashcard 63: What is the main limitation of cross-sectional studies when inferring age effects?

Answer: Cohort effects confound age differences. Different generations have unique experiences that affect development.

Flashcard 64: What is the Piagetian process of interpreting new experiences using existing schemas?

Answer: Assimilation. Fitting new experiences into existing mental frameworks without changing them.

Flashcard 65: What is a sensitive period in development?

Answer: A window when experience has maximal effect but is not strictly required. Optimal timing for learning, but development can occur outside it.

Flashcard 66: What term describes the process of fitting new information into existing cognitive schemas?

Answer: Assimilation. In Piaget's cognitive development, this process integrates novel experiences into pre-existing mental frameworks without alteration.

Flashcard 67: What is the parenting style that is low warmth, low control, and minimally involved in the child's life?

Answer: Neglectful (uninvolved) parenting. Baumrind's category for this detached style correlates with negative outcomes like behavioral issues due to lack of emotional and disciplinary involvement.

Flashcard 68: Which parenting style is low warmth and high control, emphasizing obedience and punishment?

Answer: Authoritarian parenting. Strict rules with little emotional warmth or explanation.

Flashcard 69: Which developmental research design follows the same individuals across multiple time points?

Answer: Longitudinal study. Tracks same participants over time to observe developmental changes.

Flashcard 70: In Erikson's theory, what is the primary psychosocial conflict of late adulthood?

Answer: Integrity vs. despair. Erikson's final stage in late life involves reflecting on one's life with satisfaction or regretting unfulfilled potentials.

Flashcard 71: In Piaget's theory, which stage involves abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking?

Answer: Formal operational stage. Begins around age 12, enabling scientific and philosophical thinking.

Flashcard 72: In Erikson's theory, which psychosocial crisis is central to adolescence?

Answer: Identity versus role confusion. Teens explore values and beliefs to form coherent self-concept.

Flashcard 73: Which attachment style involves distress on separation and comfort on reunion with the caregiver?

Answer: Secure attachment. Ainsworth's attachment theory describes this style as a healthy bond where the child uses the caregiver as a secure base for exploration.

Flashcard 74: Which parenting style is high warmth and high control, and is linked to the best child outcomes?

Answer: Authoritative parenting. Balances responsiveness with clear expectations and boundaries.

Flashcard 75: Which parenting style is high warmth and high control, and is linked to the best child outcomes?

Answer: Authoritative parenting. Balances responsiveness with reasonable expectations and boundaries.

Flashcard 76: What is the term for the ability to understand that others have beliefs different from one's own?

Answer: Theory of mind. Develops around age 4; crucial for social interaction and empathy.

Flashcard 77: In attachment theory, which attachment style shows intense distress and ambivalence on caregiver return?

Answer: Ambivalent (resistant) attachment. Child seeks closeness but resists comfort due to inconsistent care.

Flashcard 78: What term describes a rapid increase in vocabulary and language complexity during early childhood?

Answer: Language explosion. This developmental milestone around ages 2-3 reflects accelerated language acquisition as cognitive and social skills mature.

Flashcard 79: What is the term for age-related differences caused by being born in different eras?

Answer: Cohort effect. Historical context shapes each generation's development differently.

Flashcard 80: What is the key confound in cross-sectional developmental research that can mimic age effects?

Answer: Cohort effects. Different generations may differ due to historical context, not just age.

Flashcard 81: Which attachment style is characterized by inconsistent, disoriented behavior toward the caregiver?

Answer: Disorganized attachment. This attachment pattern, often linked to abuse or trauma, shows confusion and lack of coherent strategy in caregiver interactions.

Flashcard 82: In Erikson, which psychosocial conflict is central to adolescence and identity formation?

Answer: Identity vs role confusion. Adolescents explore who they are versus confusion about their role.

Flashcard 83: In Piaget's theory, what term describes difficulty taking another person's perspective?

Answer: Egocentrism. Inability to see situations from viewpoints other than one's own.

Flashcard 84: What is the developmental concept that change occurs in distinct stages with qualitative differences?

Answer: Discontinuous (stage) development. Development occurs in distinct phases with qualitatively different abilities.