Basic Concepts
The study of how people grow and change from conception to death.
What is lifespan development?
This side of the debate focuses on genetics and inheritance.
What is nature?
The fertilized egg stage lasting about the first two weeks.
What is the zygote?
This theorist created stages like sensorimotor and preoperational.
Who is Jean Piaget?
Small movements like writing or buttoning
What are fine motor skills?
This term refers to traits that stay the same over time versus those that change.
What is stability and change?
This side emphasizes environment and experience.
What is nurture?
The stage from 2–8 weeks when organs begin forming.
What is the embryo?
This theory focuses on social experiences across 8 stages of life.
What is Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
Large movements like running or jumping.
What are gross motor skills?
Development that happens gradually and smoothly over time.
What is continuous development?
Harmful substances that can damage a fetus during development.
What are teratogens?
The stage from 9 weeks to birth focused on growth and maturation.
What is the fetus?
Learning by watching others is known as this.
What is observational learning?
Knowing an object still exists even when you can’t see it.
What is object permanence?
Development that occurs in distinct stages with major shifts.
What is discontinuous development?
A condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth.
What is fetal alcohol syndrome?
The life stage typically from ages 12–20.
What is adolescence?
The gap between what you can do alone and with help.
What is the zone of proximal development?
The tendency for young children to see things only from their own perspective.
What is egocentrism?
The biological processes that enable growth according to a genetic plan.
What is maturation?
The idea that both genes and environment interact to shape development.
What is the nature-nurture interaction
The phase from about 18–25 focused on identity exploration.
What is emerging adulthood?
his theory explains how early bonds affect future relationships.
What is attachment theory?
Understanding that quantity stays the same despite shape changes.
What is conservation?