Developing Through the Life Span - TypePad文档.pptx

Developing Through the Life Span(7-9% of the AP Exam)Research Methods in Developmental PsychologyResearch MethodsCross-sectional studies: a study in which people of different ages are studied at one time.Longitudinal studies: research in which the same people studied at different periods of their lives.PRENATAL DEVELOPMENTPrenatal DevelopmentOccurs at conception and ends at birthZygote – newly fertilized egg; genes direct the process of cell replicationEmbryo – after 14 days, zygote becomes embryo; has heartbeat and noticeable red blood cellsFetus – after 9 weeks embryo becomes fetusPhoto of a FETUSProblems During DevelopmentPlacenta – structure that allows oxygen and other nutrients to pass from mother to fetus; removes wastes from fetusTeratogens – substances that cross placental barrier and prevent the fetus from developing normallyFetal Alcohol Syndrome – condition that occurs when a mother consumes too much alcohol during pregnancyThe NewbornReflexes – automatic, unlearned responsesRooting reflex – when touched on the cheek, baby opens mouth and searches for nippleGripping reflex – babies will grasp anything placed in their palmMoro reflex – babies respond to sudden sounds by throwing their arms and legs out and their heads backTemperament – characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity; evident hours after birth!Differences in TemperamentThere appears to be 3 different types of temperament:1. Easy children – about 40%; happy, regular in sleep and eating, not readily upset.2. Slow-to-warm-up children – about 15%; less cheery and regular, slower in adapting to change3. Difficult children – about 10%; erratic in sleep and eating, irritable, resistant to changeOther 35% are mixture of these stages.HabituationHabituation – a decrease in responding with repeated stimulationThe more often a stimuli is presented, the weaker the response becomes.Studies indicate that in order for an infant to recognize the stimulus as different it must remember the initial stimulus