Developmental Psychology Terms From Chapter 1 Of Child Development

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development

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physical and psychological changes in the individual over a lifetime

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developmental psychology

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systematic and scientific study of changes in human behaviors and mental activities over time

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theory

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set of ideas or propositions that helps to organize or explain observable phenomena

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social policy

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programs and plans established by local, regional, or national public and private organizations and agencies designed to achieve a particular social purpose or goal

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nature-nurture debate

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ongoing theoretical controversy over whether development is the result of the child's genetic endowment or the kinds of experiences the child has had

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stage

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developmental period during which the organization of thoguht and behavior is qualitatively different from that of an earlier or later period

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empiricism

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theory that environmental experiences shape the individual; more specifically, that all knowledge is derived from sensory experiences

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individual differences

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unique characteristics that distinguish a person from other members of a larger group

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learning

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relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of such experiences as exploration, observation, and practice

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behavior analysis

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learning theory perspective that explains the development of behavior according to the principles of classical and operant conditioning

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social learning theory

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theoretical approach emphasizing the importance of learning through observation and imitation of behaviors modeled by others

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observational learning

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learning that takes place by simply observing another person's behavior

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cognitive-developmental theory

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theoretical orientation, most frequently associated with Piaget, emphasizing the active construction of psychological structures to interpret experience

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adapation

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in Piagetian theory, the inborn tendency to adjust or become more attuned to conditions imposed by the environment; takes place through assimilation and accommodation

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organization

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in Piagetian theory, the inborn tendency for structures and processes to become more systematic and coherent

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scheme

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in Piagetian theory, the mental structure underlying a coordinated and systematic pattern of behaviors or applied across similar objects or situations

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assimilation

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in Piagetian theory, a component of adaptation; process of interpreting an experience in terms of current ways (schemes) of understanding things

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accomodation

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in Piagetian theory, a component of adaptation; process of modification in thinking (schemes) that takes place when old ways of understanding something no longer fit

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equilibration

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In Piagetian theory, an innate self-regulatory process that, through accommodation and assimilation, results in more organized and powerful schemes for adapting to the environment

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information processing

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theoretical approach that views humans as having a limited ability to process information, much like computers

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psychosocial theory of development

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Erikson's theory that personality develops through eight stages of adaptive functioning to meet the demands framed by society

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identity

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in Eriksonian psychosocial theory, the acceptance of both self and society, a concept that must be achieved at every stage but is especially important during adolescence

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ecological systems theory

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Bronfenbrenner's theory that development is influenced by experiences arising from broader social and cultural systems as well as a child's immediate surroundings

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microsystem

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in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the immediate environment provided in such settings as the home, school, workplace, and neighborhood

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mesosystem

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in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the environment provided by the interrelationships among the various settings of the microsystem

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exosystem

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In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, environmental settings that indirectly affect the child by influencing the various microsystems forming the child's immediate environment

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macrosystem

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In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, major historical events and the broad values, practices, and customs promoted by a culture

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chronosystem

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In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the constantly changing temporal component of the environment that can influence development

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sociohistorical theory

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Vygotsky's developmental theory emphasizing the importance of cultural tools, symbols, and ways of thinking that the child acquires from more knowledgeable members of the community

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dynamic systems theory

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theoretical orientation that explains development as the emerging organization arising from the interaction of many different processes

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ethology

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theoretical orientation and discipline concerned with the evolutionary origins of behavior and its adaptive and survival value in animals, including humans

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sensitive period

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brief period during whcih specific kinds of experiences have significant positive or negatiive consequences for development and behavior. Also called <i>critical period</i>.

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imprinting

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form of learning, difficult to reverse, during a sensitive period in development in which an organism tends to stay near a particular stimulus