Studying Human Development
This method of studying development tracks the same individuals at different moments in time.
Longitudinal
This is decreased response to a repeated stimulus.
Habituation
These are units of knowledge that represent our experiences and guide our interpretations.
Schemas
This represents the broad system of mental representations associated with the self.
Self concept
This is the dominant framework for describing human personality.
Big 5
This term describes when people change in ways that are abrupt from one stage to the next.
Qualitative development
This common feature of early childhood means it is hard to imagine things from another person's perspective.
Egocentrism
This is the awareness that objects exist, even when out of sight.
Object permanence
This theory suggests that our personalities are shaped by observing and imitating others.
Social learning
This describes a resignation to a situation because of past experiences where you didn't have control.
Learned helplessness
This method of studying development compares people of different ages at the same point in time.
Cross-sectional
This is an increased response to a new stimulus.
Dishabituation
These are changes in mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.
Cognitive development
This term describes a belief that you can control outcomes (eg. if you study you will get an "A").
Outcome efficacy
According to this theory, well-being requires support through: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Self-determination theory
This terms describes when people change in ways that are gradual and continuous across time.
Quantitative development
These are harmful environmental factors that may disrupt early development.
Teratogens
This is when we revise our schemas to incorporate new information.
Accommodation
This perspective in psychology emphasizes inherent human value and promotes self-actualization.
Humanist perspective
This describes a painful awareness of limitations and things outside of our control.
Depressive realism
This is an effect or difference noticed due to members of the same age group having common life experiences.
Cohort effect
These are automatic motor responses triggered by specific sensory stimulation.
Reflexes
This is the stage where we become capable of using multiple perspectives and use imagination to solve complex problems.
Concrete operational stage
This term describes the belief that you can complete behaviors that might lead to success (eg. you can study well).
Self-efficacy
This is an approach to identifying the heritability of personality traits.
Behavioral genetics