Developmental Theories
According to Erik Erikson, what is the primary psychosocial task of middle childhood?
Industry vs. Inferiority.
What age range is typically considered middle childhood?
Approximately ages 6–12.
What is the primary psychosocial developmental task during adolescence according to Erikson?
Identity vs. Role Confusion.
What parenting style is characterized by warmth, responsiveness, and clear expectations?
Authoritative Parenting.
What term describes the ability to adapt positively despite adversity or stress?
Resilience.
What theory emphasizes that children actively construct knowledge through interaction with their environment?
Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory.
What cognitive stage do most children enter during middle childhood according to Piaget?
Concrete Operational Stage.
What cognitive stage typically begins in adolescence that allows abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking?
Formal Operational Stage.
What environmental factor is strongly associated with academic success during childhood?
Parental involvement and support.
What are characteristics or conditions that increase the likelihood of negative developmental outcomes?
Risk factors.
Which theorist proposed that learning occurs through social interaction and guidance from more knowledgeable others?
Lev Vygotsky.
What skill improves significantly during middle childhood and helps children control impulses and regulate behavior?
Self-regulation.
What developmental concept explains adolescents’ belief that they are constantly being observed by others?
The Imaginary Audience.
What concept describes the expectations and behaviors associated with being male, female, or another gender identity?
Gender roles.
What are characteristics or conditions that reduce the impact of risk and support positive development?
Protective factors.
What concept describes the gap between what a child can do independently and what they can do with assistance?
The Zone of Proximal Development.
What role do peer groups begin to play in middle childhood development?
They provide opportunities for social comparison, friendship, cooperation, and identity development.
What term refers to adolescents’ belief that their experiences are unique and no one else understands them?
Personal Fable.
What term describes negative peer behavior involving repeated aggression or intimidation?
Bullying.
What school-based factor can serve as a protective influence for children facing adversity?
Supportive relationships with teachers and mentors.
According to life course theory, development is shaped by historical context, social relationships, and timing of life events. What is this concept called?
The Life Course Perspective.
According to ecological systems theory, what system includes interactions between a child’s family and school?
The Mesosystem.
According to research on adolescent brain development, which part of the brain responsible for impulse control and decision-making continues developing into early adulthood?
The Prefrontal Cortex.
According to the person-in-environment perspective, development is influenced by interactions between individuals and what broader social forces?
Social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts.
According to developmental research, why are supportive adult relationships considered one of the strongest protective factors for youth development?
They provide emotional support, guidance, stability, and modeling of positive coping skills.