1What is developmental psychology?
The study of change and continuity across the lifespan
2What is continuity in development?
Gradual, quantitative change over time
3What is discontinuity in development?
Qualitative change through distinct stages
4What is stability in development?
Consistency in characteristics over time
5What is change in development?
A characteristic or behavior becoming different over time
6What are the two major influences on development?
Nature and nurture
7What does nature refer to?
Genetic and biological influences
8What does nurture refer to?
Environmental and experiential influences
9Do early experiences completely determine later development?
No, later experiences can also influence development
10What is a developmental trajectory?
The pattern of change in a characteristic over time
11What is gene–environment interaction?
The way genetic and environmental influences work together
12What is hCG?
A pregnancy hormone associated with maintaining early pregnancy
13When does morning sickness often peak, according to the lecture?
Around 10 weeks of pregnancy
14What do estrogen and progesterone help regulate?
Pregnancy and reproductive processes
15What hormone changes does the lecture associate with the period immediately before labor?
Estrogen and progesterone decline
16What is a teratogen?
An environmental agent that can harm prenatal development
17What is an example of a medication-related teratogen?
Thalidomide
18Which heavy metals can harm prenatal development?
Mercury and lead
19Which infections can harm prenatal development?
Rubella and herpes simplex virus
20Why is folic acid important during pregnancy?
It helps prevent neural tube defects
21When does the germinal period occur?
The first two weeks after conception
22What is the simplified “all-or-nothing” rule of the germinal period?
Severe damage may cause pregnancy loss; otherwise development may continue
23When does the embryonic period occur?
Weeks 3–8 after conception
24When does the fetal period begin?
Week 9 and continues until birth
25What factors affect the impact of a teratogen?
Timing, dose, duration, and genetic vulnerability
26How can maternal stress affect prenatal development?
It may influence fetal development through biological stress pathways
27What is epigenetics?
Changes in gene activity without changing the DNA sequence
28What is DNA methylation?
A chemical modification that can affect gene expression
29What are histone modifications?
Changes to DNA-associated proteins that can affect gene expression
30Does an epigenetic effect guarantee a particular developmental outcome?
No, outcomes depend on multiple influences
31What is one benefit of breastfeeding?
It provides nutrients and immune-related protection
32What is colostrum?
The nutrient-rich early breast milk produced after birth
33Can formula support infant growth?
Yes, properly prepared formula can meet infant nutritional needs
34What does “fed is best” emphasize?
Ensuring infants receive adequate nourishment
35What is prematurity?
Birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy
36What is kangaroo care?
Skin-to-skin contact between an infant and caregiver
37Why is kangaroo care used with premature infants?
It supports bonding and physiological regulation
38Why are quiet, dark incubator environments helpful for premature infants?
They reduce overstimulation
39What is an example of a comfort measure for premature infants during procedures?
Sucrose for procedural pain
40Why is breast milk often encouraged for premature infants?
It provides nutrition and protective components
41What is early intervention?
Support services for infants and children with developmental needs
42What are postpartum blues?
Short-term mood changes after childbirth
43How long do postpartum blues generally last?
Less than two weeks
44Approximately how common are postpartum blues?
- About 50–75%
- 5–10%
- 20–30%
- less than 1%
45What is postpartum depression?
A more persistent depressive condition following childbirth
46Approximately how common is postpartum depression?
About 1 in 7 mothers, though estimates vary
47What is postpartum psychosis?
A rare, severe postpartum mental health emergency
48Why does postpartum psychosis require urgent care?
It can involve severe changes in thinking and behavior
49Does postpartum depression automatically cause insecure attachment?
No, outcomes depend on caregiving and other supports
50What is the rooting reflex?
An infant turns toward a touch near the cheek
51What is the sucking reflex?
An infant sucks when the mouth is stimulated
52What is the grasping reflex?
An infant closes the hand around an object touching the palm
53What is the Moro reflex?
A startle response involving extension and then drawing in the limbs
54What is the stepping reflex?
An infant makes stepping movements when supported upright
55What is the Babinski reflex?
The toes fan when the sole of the foot is stroked
56What is the swimming reflex?
An infant makes swimming-like movements when placed in water
57What is the blink reflex?
Automatic closing of the eyelids in response to stimulation
58What is the gag reflex?
An automatic response that helps protect the airway
59What is the startle reflex?
An automatic response to a sudden stimulus
60How much does the infant brain grow in weight during the first year, according to the lecture?
It approximately triples in weight
61What is synaptogenesis?
The formation of connections between neurons
62What is myelination?
The development of insulating myelin around nerve fibers
63What is synaptic pruning?
The elimination of some neural connections
64What is neuroplasticity?
The brain’s ability to change with experience
65What are gross motor skills?
Movements involving large muscles, such as crawling or walking
66What are fine motor skills?
Small, precise movements, such as grasping objects
67Which develops earlier, receptive or expressive language?
Receptive language
68What is receptive language?
Understanding words and communication
69What is expressive language?
Using sounds, words, or gestures to communicate
70When do first words often appear, according to the lecture?
Around 10–14 months
71What did Noam Chomsky emphasize about language development?
Humans have an innate capacity for language
72What did Andrew Meltzoff study in infants?
Imitation and early social learning
73What is habituation?
A decreased response after repeated exposure to a stimulus
74What is classical conditioning?
Learning through associations between stimuli
75What is operant conditioning?
Learning through the consequences of behavior
76What is social learning?
Learning by observing others
77What did Carolyn Rovee-Collier study?
Infant memory using mobile-kicking experiments
78How did Rovee-Collier test infant memory?
Infants learned that kicking moved a mobile
79What can retrieval cues do for infant memory?
Help infants access previously learned information
80What is infantile amnesia?
Limited autobiographical memory for experiences from early childhood
81Before approximately what age are autobiographical memories generally scarce?
Around age 3
82Why can excessive screen time be a concern for infants?
It may displace face-to-face interaction
83What is temperament?
Early-appearing individual differences in emotional and behavioral responses
84Who developed the classic easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up temperament categories?
Thomas and Chess
85What percentage of children were classified as easy in the lecture’s temperament figures?
About 40%
86What percentage of children were classified as difficult in the lecture’s temperament figures?
About 10%
87What percentage of children were classified as slow-to-warm-up in the lecture’s figures?
About 15%
88What percentage were classified as mixed temperament in the lecture’s figures?
About 35%
89What did Jerome Kagan study about temperament?
Behavioral inhibition and uninhibited behavior
90What is behavioral inhibition?
A tendency to react cautiously to unfamiliar people or situations
91How stable was temperament described as being in the lecture?
Approximately 75% stability
92What is goodness of fit?
The match between a child’s temperament and the environment’s demands
93What is attachment?
A lasting emotional bond between a child and caregiver
94What is a secure base?
A caregiver who provides safety from which a child can explore
95Who developed attachment theory?
John Bowlby
96What are important ingredients of secure attachment?
Caregiver warmth, responsiveness, and reliable comfort
97What is the preattachment phase in Bowlby’s model?
Birth to approximately 6 weeks
98What is attachment-in-the-making in Bowlby’s model?
Approximately 6 weeks to 6–8 months
99What is clear-cut attachment in Bowlby’s model?
Approximately 6–8 months to 18–24 months
100What is the reciprocal relationship phase in Bowlby’s model?
Approximately 18–24 months onward
101What is the Strange Situation?
A procedure for observing infant-caregiver attachment behavior
102Who developed the Strange Situation?
Mary Ainsworth
103At approximately what age is the Strange Situation commonly used?
12–18 months
104What behavior is especially important in the Strange Situation?
The infant’s behavior during caregiver reunion
105What is secure attachment?
Using a caregiver for comfort and returning to exploration
106What percentage of infants were classified as securely attached in the lecture?
Approximately 60–65%
107What is avoidant attachment?
Showing limited visible distress and avoiding or ignoring the caregiver on reunion
108What percentage of infants were classified as avoidant in the lecture?
Approximately 20%
109What is ambivalent or resistant attachment?
Showing strong distress and difficulty being soothed after reunion
110What percentage of infants were classified as ambivalent or resistant in the lecture?
Approximately 10–15%
111What is disorganized attachment?
Showing contradictory, confused, or disoriented attachment behaviors
112What percentage of infants were classified as disorganized in the lecture?
Approximately 14–24%, depending on the sample
113What caregiving pattern is associated with secure attachment?
Sensitive and responsive caregiving
114What caregiving pattern is associated with avoidant attachment?
Caregiving that is often insensitive or rejecting
115What caregiving pattern is associated with ambivalent attachment?
Inconsistent caregiving
116What experiences may be associated with disorganized attachment?
Frightening or disrupted caregiving, abuse, neglect, or parental mental illness
117What did Harry Harlow’s monkey studies demonstrate?
Contact comfort can be more important than food alone for attachment behavior
118In Harlow’s study, which surrogate did infant monkeys prefer?
- The soft cloth surrogate
- The wire surrogate that provided milk
- Both equally
- Neither surrogate
119What is the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI)?
An interview examining adults’ state of mind regarding attachment
120What does the AAI assess?
How coherently adults discuss childhood attachment experiences
121What are Grice’s maxims?
Quality, quantity, relation, and manner
122What does Grice’s maxim of quality mean?
Provide information believed to be true and supported
123What does Grice’s maxim of quantity mean?
Provide an appropriate amount of information
124What does Grice’s maxim of relation mean?
Stay relevant to the topic
125What does Grice’s maxim of manner mean?
Communicate clearly and avoid unnecessary ambiguity
126What is secure-autonomous attachment in the AAI?
A coherent, balanced discussion of attachment experiences
127What is dismissing attachment in the AAI?
Minimizing the importance of attachment or idealizing caregivers without support
128What is preoccupied attachment in the AAI?
Showing ongoing entanglement or anger about attachment experiences
129What is unresolved attachment in the AAI?
Disorganized discussion related to loss or trauma
130How does the AAI differ from the Strange Situation?
The AAI assesses adults’ attachment narratives; the Strange Situation observes infant behavior
131What is a gene?
A DNA sequence that contributes to a biological product or function
132What is an allele?
A version of a gene
133What is DNA?
The molecule that carries genetic information
134What is RNA?
A molecule involved in using genetic information
135What is a protein?
A molecule that performs many structural and functional roles in the body
136What is a genotype?
An individual’s genetic makeup
137What is a phenotype?
Observable traits shaped by genes and environment
138What is heritability?
A population statistic estimating genetic variation’s contribution to trait variation
139Does heritability indicate how much of one person’s trait is genetic?
No
140What is the range of reaction?
The range of possible phenotypes a genotype may produce across environments
141What is human development?
The study of changes and continuities in humans over time
142What is embryology?
The study of development before birth
143What is neurobiology?
The study of the nervous system and its biological functions
144What is culture?
Shared practices, beliefs, values, and meanings within a group
145What is the basic flow of genetic information?
\$DNA ightarrow RNA ightarrow protein\$
146Do all genes directly code for proteins?
No
147What is a common misconception about genes and potential?
That genes strictly limit a person’s potential
148Why does a strong genetic influence not make the environment irrelevant?
Genes and environments interact in development
149Are nature and nurture independent influences?
No, they can influence one another
150Does genetic influence necessarily decrease with age?
No
151What is phenylketonuria (PKU)?
An inherited metabolic disorder that can cause harm without dietary management
152What inheritance pattern does PKU usually follow?
Autosomal recessive
153What is sickle-cell disease?
An inherited disorder affecting hemoglobin and red blood cells
154What inheritance pattern does sickle-cell disease follow?
Autosomal recessive
155What is Huntington’s disease?
An inherited disorder that causes progressive neurological decline
156What inheritance pattern does Huntington’s disease follow?
Autosomal dominant
157What advantage can sickle-cell trait provide?
Protection against severe malaria
158What does the sickle-cell example demonstrate?
Genetic effects can depend on the environment
159What is a multifactorial trait?
A trait influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors
160Which conditions can be multifactorial?
Heart disease, depression, and anxiety
161What is passive gene–environment correlation?
Parents provide both genes and an environment correlated with those genes
162What is evocative gene–environment correlation?
A person’s traits elicit particular responses from others
163What is active gene–environment correlation?
A person seeks environments that fit their tendencies
164What is niche-picking?
Selecting environments that match one’s interests or characteristics
165What is a shared environment?
Environmental influences siblings experience in common
166What is a nonshared environment?
Experiences that differ between individuals in the same family
167What is toddlerhood?
The developmental period from approximately ages 1–3
168What is autonomy in toddlerhood?
Growing independence in behavior and decision-making
169What is an enriched environment?
An environment offering varied stimulation, learning, and social interaction
170What is an impoverished environment?
An environment with limited stimulation or developmental resources
171What is a critical period?
A limited time when a particular experience is necessary for typical development
172What is a sensitive period?
A time when an experience has especially strong effects on development
173What did Walter Mischel’s marshmallow test study?
Children’s delay of gratification
174What is delay of gratification?
Resisting an immediate reward to obtain a later reward
175What can influence a child’s performance on the marshmallow test?
Self-regulation, trust, and environmental reliability
176Does the marshmallow test determine a child’s future?
No
177What risks are associated with physical punishment?
Greater aggression and potential emotional or mental health problems
178What is the “boomerang effect” of punishment?
Punishment may provoke resistance or unwanted behavior
179What is a preferable alternative to harsh physical punishment?
Consistent limits and positive reinforcement
180What is physical play?
Play involving bodily movement and physical activity
181What age range did the lecture associate with physical play?
Birth to approximately age 2
182What is symbolic or pretend play?
Using objects, actions, or roles to represent something else
183What age range did the lecture associate with symbolic play?
Approximately ages 2–7
184What is concrete play in the lecture’s broad age categories?
Play associated with the concrete operational years, approximately ages 7–11
185What is rule-governed play in the lecture’s broad age categories?
Play governed by explicit rules, approximately age 12 onward
186What is solitary play?
Playing alone
187What is onlooker play?
Watching other children play without joining
188What is parallel play?
Playing beside other children with little direct interaction
189What is associative play?
Playing with others while sharing materials or conversation without a common organized goal
190What is cooperative play?
Playing together toward a shared goal or organized activity
191What is unoccupied play?
Unfocused behavior without sustained play activity
192What is the social-play framework associated with Parten?
A classification of children’s social participation in play
193What play function did Hartley, Frank, and Goldenson describe?
Imitating adults and practicing roles
194How can role play support children?
It allows them to explore roles and relationships
195How can play help children express themselves?
It provides a way to express needs and release impulses
196How can reversing roles in play help children?
It allows them to explore another person’s perspective
197How can play support problem-solving?
It encourages creativity and experimenting with solutions
198How common are imaginary friends in the lecture’s estimate?
Approximately one-third of children
199Are imaginary friends usually a sign of a disorder?
No, they are generally a normal part of development
200What skills can imaginary friends support?
Imagination, language, and emotional expression
201Until approximately what age did the lecture describe imaginary friends as potentially normative?
After age 9, depending on context
202What did Jean Piaget propose about children’s cognitive development?
Children actively construct knowledge through interaction with the world
203What does “Action = Knowledge” emphasize in Piaget’s approach?
Children learn by acting on and exploring their environment
204What is a schema?
A mental framework for organizing and interpreting information
205What is assimilation?
Fitting new information into an existing schema
206What is accommodation?
Changing a schema to fit new information
207What is adaptation in Piaget’s theory?
Adjusting schemas through assimilation and accommodation
208What is organization in Piaget’s theory?
Arranging schemas into coherent systems
209What is Piaget’s sensorimotor stage?
Birth to approximately age 2
210What is Piaget’s preoperational stage?
Approximately ages 2–6/7
211What is Piaget’s concrete operational stage?
Approximately ages 7–11
212What is Piaget’s formal operational stage?
Approximately age 12 onward
213What is object permanence?
Understanding that objects exist even when out of sight
214In which Piagetian stage does object permanence develop?
Sensorimotor stage
215What is egocentrism in Piaget’s theory?
Difficulty understanding another person’s perspective
216What is animistic thinking?
Attributing life-like qualities or intentions to inanimate objects
217What is centration?
Focusing on one aspect of a situation while ignoring others
218What is conservation?
Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance
219What is reversibility?
Understanding that an action or transformation can be mentally reversed
220What are two criticisms of Piaget’s theory?
He underestimated some abilities and overstated the rigidity of stages
221What did Lev Vygotsky emphasize in cognitive development?
Social interaction and culture
222What are cultural mediators?
Tools, symbols, and practices that shape learning
223What is the zone of proximal development (ZPD)?
The range of tasks a learner can do with guidance but not yet alone
224What is scaffolding?
Temporary support that helps a learner complete a task
225What is private speech?
Self-directed speech children use to guide their behavior
226What can private speech become over time?
Internal thought or inner speech
227What is classical conditioning associated with?
Ivan Pavlov
228What is social learning theory associated with?
Albert Bandura
229What did Bandura’s Bobo doll study demonstrate?
Children can learn behaviors by observing models
230What is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory?
Development occurs within interacting environmental systems
231What is the microsystem?
The child’s immediate settings, such as family and school
232What is the mesosystem?
Connections between a child’s immediate settings
233What is the exosystem?
Settings that indirectly affect the child
234What is the macrosystem?
The broader cultural values, laws, and social structures
235What is the chronosystem?
The influence of time and historical changes on development
236What does ACE stand for in developmental research?
Adverse childhood experience
237What are examples of adverse childhood experiences?
Abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction
238What are ACEs associated with?
Higher risks of later health and developmental difficulties
239What did the lecture say about six or more ACEs and lifespan?
They may be associated with a lifespan reduction of up to 20 years
240Does experiencing ACEs guarantee poor outcomes?
No, outcomes vary and protective factors matter
241What is risk in developmental research?
A factor that increases the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome
242What is resilience?
Positive adaptation despite significant adversity
243What is positive adaptation?
Functioning or development that is favorable under the circumstances
244What is competence?
Effective functioning in a particular developmental domain
245Who is associated with the idea of “ordinary magic” in resilience?
Ann Masten
246What does “ordinary magic” mean?
Resilience often arises from common adaptive systems
247What does “competence begets competence” mean?
Success in one area can support later success
248What is an adaptive system?
A process or relationship that helps support healthy development
249What adaptive role can attachment relationships play?
They provide support, security, and regulation
250What is agency or mastery?
A sense of being able to act and influence outcomes
251How can intelligence support resilience?
It can help people understand and solve problems
252How can self-regulation support resilience?
It helps manage emotions, attention, and behavior
253How can meaning-making support resilience?
It helps people interpret and cope with difficult experiences
254How can cultural or spiritual traditions support resilience?
They can provide identity, meaning, and community support
255What is the compensatory model of resilience?
A protective factor directly counteracts the effect of risk
256What is the protective or moderating model of resilience?
A factor changes or weakens the effect of risk
257What is the challenge or inoculation model of resilience?
Manageable adversity may strengthen later coping
258What is the gene–environment interaction model of resilience?
Outcomes depend on how genetic differences interact with environments
259How can socioeconomic resources support resilience in a compensatory model?
They can offset some risks
260What is an example of a protective factor that reduces harm?
A supportive caregiver
261How is vaccination an analogy for the challenge model?
A manageable exposure can prepare the body for later threats
262What is a developmental cascade?
A change in one domain influences development in other domains over time
263What is a “snowball effect” in development?
Early effects accumulate and influence later outcomes
264What factors affect the impact of adversity?
Severity, duration, and timing
265Can development improve after earlier difficulties?
Yes, later support can lead to turnarounds
266What did Suniya Luthar emphasize about resilience?
Relationships lie at the roots of resilience
267Which relationships can support resilience?
Supportive adults and prosocial peers
268What is post-traumatic growth?
Positive psychological changes that may follow struggling with trauma
269Who developed the concept of post-traumatic growth with Richard Calhoun?
Lawrence Tedeschi and Richard Calhoun
270What are possible areas of post-traumatic growth?
Personal strength, closer relationships, appreciation of life, new possibilities, and spirituality
271Is post-traumatic growth the same as resilience?
No, growth refers to perceived positive changes after trauma
272What is the serotonin transporter gene commonly discussed in gene–environment research?
5-HTTLPR
273What does the rhesus monkey research associated with Stephen Suomi illustrate?
Gene–environment interactions in stress and development
274What can the 5-HTTLPR example demonstrate?
The effects of genetic variation may depend on rearing environment
275Which attachment classification involves using a caregiver as a secure base?
- Secure
- Avoidant
- Ambivalent
- Disorganized
276Which gene–environment correlation occurs when parents provide both genes and a matching environment?
- Passive
- Evocative
- Active
- Nonshared
277Which gene–environment correlation occurs when a child elicits responses from others?
- Evocative
- Passive
- Active
- Shared
278Which gene–environment correlation occurs when a person selects environments that fit their traits?
- Active
- Passive
- Evocative
- Shared
279Which Piagetian concept means fitting information into an existing schema?
- Assimilation
- Accommodation
- Conservation
- Scaffolding
280Which Piagetian concept means changing a schema to fit new information?
- Accommodation
- Assimilation
- Object permanence
- Egocentrism
281Which theorist emphasized learning through social interaction and culture?
- Vygotsky
- Piaget
- Bowlby
- Ainsworth
282Which system includes connections between home and school?
- Mesosystem
- Microsystem
- Exosystem
- Macrosystem
283Which model proposes that resilience often comes from everyday adaptive systems?
- Masten’s ordinary magic
- Strange Situation
- Classical conditioning
- Marshmallow test