The psychological specialty that studies

how organisms change over time as the

Developmental Psychology result of biological and environmental
influences.

The long-standing discussion over the

relative importance of nature (heredity)
Nature-Nurture Issue and nurture (environment) in their
influence on behavior and mental
processes.

A process by which forces work together

or influence each other- asin the
Interaction interaction between the forces of heredity
and environment.

The perspective that development is

Continuity View gradual and continuous-as opposed to
the discontinuity view.

The perspective that development

Discontinuity View proceeds in an uneven fashion.

Periods of life initiated by significant

Developmental Changes transitions or changes in physical or
psychological functioning.
 Zygote A fertilized egg.

In humans, the name for the developing

Embryo organism during the first eight weeks
after conception.

In humans, the term for the developing

Fetus organism between the embryonic stage
and birth.

The organ interface between the embryo

or fetus and the mother. It separates the
Placenta bloodstreams, but allows the exchange of
nutrients and waste products.

Substances from the environment,

including viruses, drugs, and other
Teratogens chemicals, that can damage the
developing organism during the prenatal
period.

In humans, it extends through the first

Neonatal Period month after birth.
 It spans the time between the end of the
neonatal period and the establishment of
Infancy language-usually at about 18 months to 2
years.

The enduring social-emotional

Attachment relationship between a child and a parent
or other regular caregiver.

A primitive form of learning in which

some young animals follow and form an
Imprinting attachment to the first moving object they
see and hear.

Stimulation and reassurance derived

Contact Comfort from teh physical touch of a caregiver.

The process by which the genetic

Maturation program manifests itself over time.

In Piaget's theory, mental structures or

Schemas programs that guide a developing child's
thought.
 A mental process that modifies new
Assimilation information to fit it into existing schemas.

A mental process that restructures

Accomodation existing schemas so that new information
is better understood.

The first stage in Piaget's theory, during

Sensorimotor Stage which the child relies heavily on innate
motor responses to stimuli.

The ability to form internal images of

Mental Representation objects and events.

The knowledge that objects exist

Object Permanence independently of one's own actions or
awareness.

The second stage in Piaget's theory,

Preoperational Stage marked by well-developed mental
representations and the use of language.
 In Piaget's theory, the self-centered
Egocentrism inability to realize that there are otehr
viewpoints beside one's own.

A preoperational mode of thought in

Animistic Thinking which inanimate objects are imagined to
have life and mental processes.