Deveopmental Psychology

Front 1

Amygdala

Back 1

This part of the brain is involved in our emotions, emotional learning, and memory. Each hemisphere contains its amygdala, shaped like an almond and located deep in the brain, near the inner surface of each temporal lobe.

Front 2

Axon

Back 2

The part of the neuron that transmits messages to other neurons, muscles, or glands of the body.

Front 3

Brain

Back 3

An oblong organ with folds, furrows, and a fissure or groove down the center. This groove separates the brain into two hemispheres.

Front 4

Brainstem

Back 4

The lower part of the brain that includes the medulla, pons, midbrain, and cranial nerves. It directs our reflexes, vital signs, and automatic control of the eye, face, and head. It also helps us interpret basic sensations involving taste, hearing, vision, and balance.

Front 5

Critical Period

Back 5

A developmental phase in which the brain requires certain environmental input or it will not develop normally.

Front 6

Doll's Eye Maneuver

Back 6

an eye movement reflex present in newborn babies that allows the eyes to remain focused forward when his/her head is turned in any direction.

Front 7

Emotional Competence

Back 7

: A child who is emotionally stable is self-motivated, can stick to a task, is capable of understanding others and can build trusting relationships, can cope with stress and is able to manage strong feelings.

Front 8

Exuberant Period

Back 8

The phase in which a child's number of synapses exceeds the number present in adulthood.

Front 9

Fontanel

Back 9

The diamond-shaped indentation on the front (and back) of the infant's skull where the unconnected bones come close to each other, but don't actually attach.

Front 10

Hippocampus

Back 10

This part of the brain is important in processing and storing long-term memories

Front 11

Limbic System

Back 11

Located deep within the brain, just above the brain stem. It plays an important role in human emotion, learning and memory.

Front 12

Lobes

Back 12

The four areas of the brain that are demarcated by major fissures

Front 13

Which lobe is primarily responsible for vision

Back 13

The occipital lobes, located in the back of the brain

Front 14

Which lobe is involved in higher sensory-motor coordination and language functions

Back 14

The parietal lobes, in the upper left and right sides of the brain

Front 15

Which lobe is involved in memory, hearing, language, and emotion.

Back 15

Temporal lobes located above and behind the ears on the left and right sides of the brain

Front 16

What lobe is in involved in movement, complex judgment, emotional regulation, problem solving, decisions, planning, and creativity

Back 16

The frontal lobes

Front 17

Moro Response

Back 17

In response to a slight drop of the head or elevation of the feet, the baby arches his back, flings his arms outwards, extends his legs, and opens his hands

Front 18

Plasticity

Back 18

The brain's ability to change as a result of experience or injury

Front 19

Pruning

Back 19

A process in brain development whereby unused synapses (connections among brain cells), are shed.

Front 20

Stepping Reflex

Back 20

Newborn babies reflexively "walk" when held upright with feet touching a flat surface, like a table.

Front 21

Windows of Opportunity or sensitive period

Back 21

when the brain is capable of learning most efficiently and thoroughly. During these sensitive periods, a child can benefit most from the learning he or she experiences through his or her five senses