NATURE VS NURTURE
What is heredity?
•The transmission of characteristics via genes at the time of conception.
•Our genes influence our physical development, such as the rate at which our brain and nervous system will grow and mature.
•Our genes also influence our psychological development, such as intelligence and personality.
What are the three components of the biopsychosocial model?
Biological, psychological, and social factors.
What does secure attachment look like?
Distress when caregiver leaves, comfort on return, uses caregiver as a safe base
What is object permanence?
Knowing an object still exists even when unseen (sensorimotor stage)
What is adaptive behaviour?
Behaviour that helps a person effectively meet daily demands
What is environment in psychological development?
All experiences, objects and events a person is exposed to throughout life (e.g., schooling, culture, income)
Give one example of a biological, psychological, and social factor.
Biological: sleep/nutrition; Psychological: thoughts, emotions; Social: family relationships, cultural values.
What is the Strange Situation?
A procedure that tests attachment by introducing separation and reunion with the caregiver.
What is assimilation?
Fitting new information into existing schemas.
How can social norms classify behaviour as atypical?
If it violates shared expectations or unwritten rules (e.g., facing people in a lift)
Why do psychologists use twin studies?
To compare the influence of genes and environment by examining identical vs fraternal twins.
Why is the model considered holistic?
It considers the whole person and how biological, psychological, and social factors interact.
How does an insecure‑avoidant infant behave?
Shows little distress on separation and avoids caregiver on reunion.
Which cognitive limitation makes a child believe a tall glass has more water?
Lack of conservation (pre‑operational stage).
What is statistically rare behaviour?
Behaviour that deviates significantly from the average (e.g., extremely high IQ).
What is a genetic predisposition?
An increased likelihood of developing certain traits or disorders due to inherited genes.
What is the mental wellbeing continuum?
A range from high to low wellbeing that shifts based on life events and coping
What did Harlow discover about attachment?
Infant monkeys preferred contact comfort over milk.
What is accommodation?
Changing an existing schema or creating a new one to incorporate new information.
Why might a behaviour be atypical even without personal distress?
Because it may still violate social norms or impair functioning.
How does nature and nurture interact in terms of a child's intelligence?
A child may inherit a genetic predisposition for high intelligence, but whether this potential is reached depends on environmental factors such as educational opportunities and family support.
Who developed the biopsychosocial model and in what year?
George Engel in 1977
How did Harlow’s findings challenge previous theories?
They disproved the idea that feeding is the primary basis of attachment. Contact comfort mattered more.
What abilities develop in the formal operational stage?
Abstract thinking and hypothetical‑deductive reasoning.
What makes a behaviour maladaptive?
It interferes with daily functioning, such as neglecting hygiene or avoiding school.