Question | Answer |
Child Development | Field of study in which researchers from many disciplines work to describe and understand the important changes that take place as children grow through childhood |
Physical Development | Component of development related to growth in size, strength, and muscle coordination |
Cognitive development | Component of development related to changes in how children perceive, think, remember, solve problems, and communicate |
Socioemotional development | Component of development related to changes in how children interact with other people (e.g., family members, peers, and playmates) and manage their emotions |
Nature | The biological forces (genetics) that govern development |
Nurture | the environmental conditions and supports that affect development |
Behavior Genetics | Field of study that compares the influence of genetics (nature) to the influence of learning and the environment (nurture), and examines how these forces interact to influence development |
reciprocal relationship | the idea that people influence children and their development, and children make choices and influence other people. Effects go both ways Example - a baby crying for water/food |
Theory | An explanation of how facts fit together, allowing us to understand and predict behavior |
Hypotheses | specific inferences drawn from theories; researchers test hypotheses by collecting scientific observations |
Psychoanalitic Theories | Theories that focus on the structure of personality and how the conscious and unconscious portions of the self influence behavior and development Sigmund Freud |
id | below the level of conscious awareness and represents the primitive sexual and aggressive instincts that humans inherited through evolution |
ego | the rational branch of personality; it tries to negotiate realistic ways to satisfy the id's impulses |
superego | represents the moral branch of personality and contains our ethical principles, ideals, and conscience |
Psychosocial theory | Erik Erikson composed of 8 stages, and was a revision to Freuds Psychoanalytical theory. Erikson's theory focused more on healthy child development, especially the development of ego identity. |
Cognitive Developmental Theory | Jean Piaget a theory that focuses on how children adjust their own understanding as they explore and learn about the world |
Sociocultural theory | Lev Vygotsky A theory that focuses on how language and culture influence the growth of thought in child |
Ethology | Konrad Lorenz - imprinting - goslings experiment An area of study focusing on the adaptive significance and survival value of behaviors |
Neuropsychology | An area of study that focuses on the brain and nervous system, often involving technologies such as CT scans, PET, and MRI |
Ecological Systems Theory | Urie Bronfenbrenner Theory focusing on the complex set of systems and interacting social layers that can affect children's development. Micro - family teachers Meso - School home Exo - Work government Macro - values laws customs Chrono - overall |
Dynamic systems theory | No direct author Theories that use models from mathematics and physics to understand complex systems of development |
scientific method | process by which researchers test hypotheses by making systematic observations |
descriptive methods | research methods that describe a behavior of interest, such as how often it occurs and under what conditions |
correlational method | research method that measures the degree to which two or more variables are related or associated |
experiment | mothod by which researchers systematically manipulate an independent variable to determine if it causes a difference in a dependent variable |
cross-sectional method | a type of research design that studies development by comparing groups of children of different ages against one another at the same point it time |
longitudinal method | a type of research design that studies development by measuring or observing the same children across time as they grow and mature |
Ethics in Research with Children | Risk Vs. Benefit = gain must be more worth the process Nonharmful procedures = can't be harmful Informed consent = explanation of process Unforeseen consequences = must correct any wrongs Confidentiality Implications of research |
chromosome | strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules that contain the genetic codes. |
DNA | two strands of molecules that twist around each other like a spiral staircase. Connected by a seris of nucleotide bases (adrenaline, thymine, guanine, cytosine) |
Gene | a segment of DNA that provides an instruction for a particular structure, function, or trait |
Human Genome Project | A multinational effort by governments and scientists to map the 3 billion pairs of nucleotide bases and the genes contained in human chromosomes |
fertilization | the union of the father's sperm cell with the mother's egg. yielding one fertilized cell with a unique combinations of genes along 46 chromosomes - 23 from father and mother |
allele | an alternative version of a gene; alleles operate in pairs across matched chromosomes |
zygote | term used to refer to the human organism after the fertilized egg cell begins to divide |
monozygotic (MZ) twins | Identical twins. These twins form when one zygote divides to make two zygotes |
dizygotic (DZ) twins | Fraternal twins. These twins form when two eggs are fertilized by two different sperm cells |
sex chromosomes | the 23rd pair of chromosomes (in humans), specialized to determine the sex of the child and other characteristics, M=XY F=XX |
dominant-recessive ralationship | relationship between genes in which the dominant allele will govern a particular trait, and the recessive alllele will be repressed. To express a recessive trait, the individual needs to inherit two recessive alleles - one on each chromosome |
X-linked (Sex-linked) traits | Traits that differ in rate of occurence between males and females, caused by dominant and recessive alleles on the X and Y Chromosomes |
Down Syndrome | Trisomy 21, a genetic disorder that occurs when there is an extra 21st chromosome. Lower IQ, Facial defects, heart problems, and shortened life span are characterisitic problems |
Abnormalities in sex Chromosomes | XXY - Klinefelter - small testicles; learning problems, shyness XYY - Tall Stature/learning problems Trisomy X or XXX - Tall stature Turner Syndrome or X - Short, broad shouldered... etc., XX - sex reversal in males (XY) XY Females - Sex reversal |
ultrasonography (ultrasound) | images of the fetus inside the mother's womb produced by sound waves. Ultrasound can be used to help physicians monitor fetal growth and detect physical defects |
Amniocentesis | Procedure used to detect chromosomal and genetic abnormalities in the fetus. A needle is inserted through the mother's abdomen and uterus and into the amniotic sac, and fetal cells are withdrawn from the amniotic fluid |
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | Procedure to detect chromosomal and genetic abnormalities in the fetus. A catheter (tube) is inserted into the uterus and cells are taken from the chorionic layer of the placenta around the fetus. |
GxE interaction | interacting effects of genetics and the environment on the development of traits and characteristics |
genotype | the gentic code a person inherits |
phenotype | observable trait a person shows, resulting in part from the genotype they inherit |
range of reaction | the range of possible phenotypes that exist for a particular genotype |
canalization | genetic limits on the effects of the environment. In experiential canalization, in contrast, it is the environment that limits the expression of genes |
niche-picking | the tendency to pick activites and environements that fit with our genetic predispositions |
probabilistic epigenesis | the likelihood that specific environmental conditions will activate specific genes that lead to particular traits or behavioral outcomes |
heritability | a mathematical estimate of the degree of genetic influence for a given trait or behavior |
shared environment | experiences and aspects of the environment that are common across all individuals who are living together |
nonshared environment | experiences and aspects of the environemt that differ across people |
twin studies | Comparisons between measurements of identical and fraternal twins, used to estimate the genetic contribution to traits and characteristics |
adoption studies | Comparisons between measurements of children and their adoptive and biological parents used to estimate the genetic contribution to traits and characteristics |
prenatal development | development of the organims that occurs before its birth |
ovulation | release of an egg from the female ovary |
differentiation | process that occurs during cell division in which each new cell, as it divides, is committed to becoming a particular structure and serving a particular function |
germinal stage | the first stage of prenatal development, from conception to 2 weeks |
implanation | process by which the zygote embeds itself into the inner ling of the mother's uterus |
embryonic stage | the second stage of prenatal development, weeks 3-8. The embryo forms tissue representing every system and major part of the body |
miscarriage | naturally occuring termination of a pregnancy before the baby is born alive |
Cephalocaudal pattern | pattern of growth whereby areas in the head and upper body tend to form and grow before the areas in the lower body |
proximodistal pattern | pattern of growth whereby areas closer to the center of the body tend to form and grow before the areas toward the extremities |
critical periods | segments of time during which structures are first forming and are most vulnerable to damage |
organogenesis | Organ formation: process whereby each major organ and system in the body differentiates within the embryo |
fetal stage | the third and final stage of prenatal development, lasting from 8 weeks after conception until birth |
teratogen | any substance or condition that might disrupt prenatal development and cause birth defects |
premature | refers to babies who are born earlier or smaller than they should be |
preterm birth | births that occur before 37 weeks of gestation |
low birth weight | Weight less than 5.5 pounds at birth |
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) | A syndrome of birth defects cause by prenatal exposure to alcohol. Includes growth deficiencies head and facial malformations, and central nervous system dysfunction |
Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) | Individual or multiple birth defects caused by prenatal exposure to alchohol. Lowered IQ, hyperactivity, growth deficiencies, and physical malformations can exist alone or in combinations but not in a way that indicates FAS |
Cesarean section | Surgical procedure in which the baby is removed through an incision made through the mother's abdomen and into the uterus |
prepared childbirth | classes or training that typically provides education about labor and delivery, selective relaxation and controlled breathing, and the assistance of a labor coach to help mothers with childbirth |
malpresentation | improper positioning of the fetus in the mother's uterus |
fetal distress | a condition that indicates that the fetus is at risk; usually includes a sudden lack of oxygen, a change in fetal heart rate, and or a change in fetal respiration |
apgar test | a breif assessment of the newborn conducted at 1 and 5 minutes after birth; used to identify newborns who are at risk and need medical attention |
infant mortality | deaths that occur between birth and one year of age |