Lifespan Development: Key Concepts and Theories

LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT is the field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in behavior that occur from conception through late adolescence.

Nature refers to traits, abilities and capacities that are inherited from one’s parents.

Every period of life contains potential for growth and decline in abilities

A “Critical period” is a point in development when organisms are particularly susceptible to certain kinds of stimuli in their environments, but the absence of those stimuli does not always produce irreversible results.

A “cohort” is an assistant who can take over directing the research if the hort becomes unable to do so.

Freud believed that behavior is motivated by inner forces, memories, and conflicts, some of which we may not be consciously aware of.

Urie Bronfenbrenner believed that development is unique and intimately tied to person’s social and cultural context; four levels of environment simultaneously influence individuals.

The “Information-processing approach” holds that information is stored in multiple locations throughout brain by means of networks of connections (connectionistic model).

The humanistic perspective maintains that while individuals have the ability and motivation to reach advanced levels of maturity, people naturally seek to reach their minimum potential.

John Watson believed that human development and behavior could be best explained by the principles of operant conditioning.

Correlational studies are an accepted way to establish cause-and-effect relationship between two or more variables.

A well-conducted scientific experiment can prove or disprove a theory.

A “double-blind” experiment is one in which both the researcher and the subjects are visually impaired.

In studying human development, “fraternal twins” provide the most valuable information in analyzing genetic vs environmental influences.

If the mother carries a recessive PKU gene and the father does not, if they have four children, no child will be afflicted with PKU.

Parent and child share a 50% genetic overlap on I.Q.

Teratogens are hormones that the mother provides the fetus in the 2nd trimester.

The fetal stage is from 8 weeks until birth.

In studying human development, “fraternal twins” provide the most valuable information in analyzing genetic vs environmental influences.

If the mother carries a recessive PKU gene and the father does not, if they have four children, no child will be afflicted with PKU.

Parent and child share a 50% genetic overlap on I.Q.

DNA consists of 4 chemical units, called acids, that are represented by the letters “T”, “A”, “G”, and “C”.

A worm has approximately 80% as many genes as does a human.

The most common autosomal disorder is Down Syndrome.

Teratogens are hormones that the mother provides the fetus in the 2nd trimester.

The fetal stage is from 8 weeks until birth.

Five months after conception the fetus’ head is 5/8 as large the body.

The blastocyst is typically joined to the uterine wall after approximately 10 days.

The male reproductive cell is called a(n) __________.

What is the name of the new cell formed by the process of fertilization?

Male and female reproductive cells are also known as __________.

A professor wants to examine the effectiveness of a new teaching approach. She has a theory about how this new approach will work, and will use a methodical approach to test her theory. Her 9:00 a.M. Class will be exposed to the new method of viewing teaching tapes while her 10:00 a.M. Class will be exposed to traditional lectures. She will assess the students’ progress after six sessions. What method is the professor using to conduct her experiment?

A researcher working with college-age football players is conducting a longitudinal study to examine an athlete’s decline in on-the-field performance as the athlete ages. What type of development would the researcher most likely be studying?

Researchers in the early learning department of a university are conducting a long-term study to see how problem-solving skills change over time as school-age students move from elementary school to high school to college. What type of development are the researchers most likely studying?

A student reads a flyer on the campus bulletin board that says a researcher is searching for students to volunteer for a long-term study. Participation includes completing testing that measures traits such as temperament, attitudes, and adaptability, as well as being available for follow-up for the next 10 years. The researcher who is developing this study is most likely interested in __________ development.