Developmental Psychology – Lifespan Growth, Stages & Theories

    Master this deck with 21 terms through effective study methods.

    A clear, structured guide to developmental psychology covering prenatal growth, childhood milestones, adolescence, and adulthood. Learn key concepts like nature vs. nurture, heritability, epigenetics,...

    Created by @End

    What is the primary focus of Robert Siegler's research in mathematics instruction?

    Robert Siegler's research primarily focuses on the examination of arithmetic strategies in children, including how they learn to add through various methods such as memorization and counting on fingers, and how these strategies evolve over time.

    How do children demonstrate strategic changes in arithmetic as the school year progresses?

    Children show strategic changes in arithmetic by incorporating new strategies, identifying more efficient strategies, executing strategies more effectively, and making adaptive choices among different strategies throughout the school year.

    What are the stable individual differences noted in children's strategy choice?

    Stable individual differences in children's strategy choice refer to the consistent preferences and tendencies that different children exhibit in selecting specific arithmetic strategies, even though they typically use multiple strategies at various assessment points.

    What role does perception of causality play in children's learning?

    Perception of causality helps children understand the relationship between events, such as when one object collides with another and causes it to move, which is crucial for their cognitive development and understanding of the physical world.

    What is the significance of object unity in child development?

    Object unity is significant in child development as it refers to the understanding that two visible parts of an object are still one whole, which is essential for cognitive processing and understanding of physical objects.

    What are the key concepts associated with neuroconstructivism as discussed by Westermann et al.?

    Neuroconstructivism emphasizes the interplay between biological processes and cognitive development, suggesting that cognitive abilities emerge from the interaction of neural development and environmental experiences.

    What are the main characteristics of the concrete operations stage in Piaget's theory?

    In the concrete operations stage, children become capable of solving problems related to the physical world, but they still struggle with abstract reasoning and possibilities, which limits their cognitive abilities.

    How does the formal operations stage differ from the concrete operations stage?

    The formal operations stage differs from the concrete operations stage in that adolescents can reason abstractly, manipulate variables, and engage in hypothetical thought, allowing them to explore possibilities and engage in complex discussions.

    What types of questions do adolescents typically engage with during the formal operations stage?

    During the formal operations stage, adolescents engage with abstract questions such as the existence of God, the necessity of politics, the ethics of abortion, and the meaning of life, reflecting their advanced cognitive abilities.

    What is the nature-nurture issue in the context of cognitive development?

    The nature-nurture issue in cognitive development refers to the debate over the relative contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) in shaping cognitive abilities and behaviors.

    What is the role of observational learning in child development?

    Observational learning plays a crucial role in child development as it allows children to learn behaviors and skills by watching others, facilitating social learning and the acquisition of new knowledge.

    What is the significance of the critical period in cognitive development?

    The critical period is significant in cognitive development as it refers to a specific time frame during which certain skills or abilities must be acquired for normal development to occur, highlighting the importance of timely experiences.

    How does constructivism influence educational practices?

    Constructivism influences educational practices by promoting the idea that learners construct their own understanding and knowledge through experiences, encouraging active learning, exploration, and critical thinking.

    What are conservation tasks, and what do they reveal about cognitive development?

    Conservation tasks are experiments designed to assess a child's understanding that certain properties of objects remain constant despite changes in form or appearance, revealing their cognitive development stage and understanding of logical reasoning.

    What is the cephalocaudal trend in physical development?

    The cephalocaudal trend refers to the pattern of physical development where growth and motor control progress from the head down to the feet, indicating that infants gain control over their head and upper body before their lower body.

    What is the significance of the ego in psychological development?

    The ego is significant in psychological development as it represents the rational part of the personality that mediates between the desires of the id and the constraints of reality, playing a crucial role in decision-making and behavior regulation.

    What is the difference between the Oedipus complex and the Electra complex?

    The Oedipus complex refers to a child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent, while the Electra complex is a similar concept for girls, involving their feelings towards their father and competition with their mother.

    How do dynamic systems theory and cognitive development intersect?

    Dynamic systems theory intersects with cognitive development by emphasizing that development is a complex, adaptive process influenced by multiple interacting factors, including biological, environmental, and social elements.

    What are microgenetic studies, and what do they contribute to understanding cognitive development?

    Microgenetic studies are research methods that involve intensive observation of cognitive processes as they unfold over short periods, contributing to a deeper understanding of how children learn and develop cognitive skills in real-time.

    What is the role of maturation in cognitive development?

    Maturation plays a critical role in cognitive development as it refers to the biological growth processes that enable children to develop cognitive abilities and skills in a predictable sequence, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

    What is the importance of functional invariants in cognitive development?

    Functional invariants are important in cognitive development as they refer to the underlying cognitive processes that remain consistent across different contexts and tasks, providing a framework for understanding how children learn and adapt.