Psych Ch 12

the branch of psychology that studies the patterns of growth and change that occur throughout life

the issue of the degree to which environment and heredity influence behavior

a research method that investigates behavior as participants age

twins who are genetically identical

a research method that compares people of different ages at the same point in time

a research method that combines cross-sectional and longitudnal research by considering a number of different age groups and examining them at several points in time

rod-shaped structures that contain all basic hereditary information

the parts of chromosomes through which genetic information is transmitted

the new cell formed by the union of an egg and sperm

a developed zygote that has a heart, a brain, and other organs

a developing individual from 8 weeks after conception until birth

the point at which a fetus can survive if born prematurely

environmental agents such as a drug, chemical, virus, or other factor that produce a birth defect

a newborn child

unlearned, involuntary responses that occur automatically in the presence of certain stimuli

the decrease in the response to a stimulus that occurs after repeated presentations of the same stimulus

the positive emotional bond that develops between a child and a particular individual

parents who are rigid and punitive and value unquestioning obedience from their children

parents who give their children relaxed or inconsistent direction, and although they are warm, require little of them

parents who show little interest in their children and are emotionally detatched

parents who are firm, set clear limits, reason with their children, and explain things to them

basic, innate disposition

development of individual's interections and understanding of each other and of their knowledge and understanding of themselves as members of society

according to Erikson, the first stage of psychosocial development, occuring from birth to age 1 1/2 yrs, during which time infants develop feelings of trust or lack of trust

the period during which, according to Erikson, toddlers (1 1/2-3 yrs) develop independence and autonomy if exploration and freedom are encouraged, or shame and self doubt if they are restricted and overprotected

according to Erikson, the period during which children ages 3-6 yrs experience conflict between independence of action and the sometimes negative results of that action

according to Erikson, the last stage of childhood, during which children age 6-12 yrs may develop positive social interactions with others os may feel inadequate and become less social

the process by which a child's understanding of the world changes as a function of age and experience

according to Piaget, the stage from birth to 2 years during which a child has little competence in representing the environment by using images, language, or other symbols

the awareness that objects- and people- continue to exist even if they are out of sight

according to Piaget, the period from 2-7 yrs of age that is characterized by language development

a way of thinking in which a child views the world entirely from his or her own perspective

the knowledge that quantity is unrelated to the arrangement and physical appearance of objects

according to Piaget, the period from 7-12 yrs that is characterized by logical thought and a loss of egocentrism

according to Piaget, the period from age 12 to adulthood that is characterized by abstract thought

the way in which people take in, use, and store information

an awareness and understanding at one's own cognitive process

according to Vygotsky, the level at which a child can almost, but not fully, comprhend or perform a task on his or her own

th edevelopmental stage between childhood and adulthood

the period in which maturation of the sexual organs occurs, begining at about age 11or 12 for girls and 13 or 14 for boys

according to Erikson, a time in adolescence of major testing ti determine one's unique qualities

the distinguishing character of the individual: who we are, what our roles are, what we are capable of

according to Erikson, a period during early adulthood that focuses on developing close relationships

according to Erikson, a period in middle adulthood during which we take stock of our contributions to family and society

according to Erikson, a period from late adulthood until death in which we review life's accomplishments and failures

the period begining in the late teenage years and extending into the mid-20s

the period during which women stop menstrating and are no longer fertile

theories that suggest that human cells have a built in time limit to their reproduction and that they are no longer able to divide after a certain time

theories that suggest that the mechanical functions of the body simply stop working efficiently

a theory the suggest sthat aging produces a gradual withdrawal from the world onm physical, psychological, and social levels

a theory that suggests that the elderly who are most successful while aging are those who maintain the interests and activities they had during middle age

the process by which people examine and evaluate their lives

a progressive brain disorder that leads to a gradual and irrevesible decline in cognitive abilities