AP PSYCH EXAM PREP 4 (Development and learning unit)
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
"3 thematic issues" in Dev. Psych: 1. Nature / Nurture
2. Continuous / Discontinuous
3. Stability / Change
what does the issue of Nature / Nurture mean in (genes or environment)
development
what does the issue of continuous and discontinuous (gradual dev over time or dev. In stages)
mean in development
what does the issue of stability/change mean in (traits persist, unchanging or traits change as we age)
development
CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY: ppl of different ages at the same point in time
advantages and disadvantages of cross sectional study Adv: inexpensive and quick
Disadv: can be differences due to
generational gap
LONGITUDINAL STUDY: studies same ppl over time
advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal study Adv: eliminates groups (cohort)
differences, lots of detail
o Disadv: expensive, time consuming, high
drop out rates
Teratogens: external agents that can cause abnormal prenatal development (alcohol,
drugs, etc)
prenatal development before birth
Maturation: natural course of development, occurs no matter what (walking)
Gross movement: large muscles, strength and coordination (walking) - develops first
Fine movement: small muscles, precision and controlled (writing)
Rooting reflex turning of face towards a finger when touched on the cheek (food response
moro reflex startle reflex (loud noises, etc)
babinski reflex toes spread when foot touched
, visual cliff babies have to learn depth perception, so they will cross a "cliff"
Critical period (sensitive period) limited time where something HAS to be developed or it won't happen
(language for humans)
Imprinting: birds believe the first thing they see after hatching is mom
Secondary sex characteristics: nonreproductive characteristics that dev (voice, hair)
Primary sex characteristics necessary structures for reproduction (ovaries, testicles, vagina, penis)
Menarche first period
spermarche first release of sperm
the following level off and then decline in adulthood: Mobility, flexibility, reaction time,
visual / auditory acuity, fertility
JEAN PIAGET's theory to cognitive development 4 stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal
operational
Sensorimotor Stage: (0-2), focused on exploring their world
o Lack (and gain) Object Permanence
Object Permanence Objects when removed from field of view
are thought to disappear (peek-a-boo)
Pre-operational Stage: (2-7 ) use pretend play and mental symbols, egocentric, lack conservation,
animism, lack (and start developing) theory of mind
Conservation: recognize that substances remain the same despite changes in shape, length,
or position
theory of people's beliefs, intentions, emotions are their own
mind:
animism: believe artificial objects have thoughts / feelings
Concrete Operational Stage: (7-11) use operational thinking, classification, and
can think logical in concrete context
Formal Operational Stage: 11-15 yrs: use abstract and idealist thoughts, hypothetical-deductive reasoning
Problems with Piaget's theory: stages too discrete, dev. differs b/w kids
VYGOTSKY'S THEORY: cognitive development is a social process too, need to interact w/ others
(scaffolding)
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
"3 thematic issues" in Dev. Psych: 1. Nature / Nurture
2. Continuous / Discontinuous
3. Stability / Change
what does the issue of Nature / Nurture mean in (genes or environment)
development
what does the issue of continuous and discontinuous (gradual dev over time or dev. In stages)
mean in development
what does the issue of stability/change mean in (traits persist, unchanging or traits change as we age)
development
CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY: ppl of different ages at the same point in time
advantages and disadvantages of cross sectional study Adv: inexpensive and quick
Disadv: can be differences due to
generational gap
LONGITUDINAL STUDY: studies same ppl over time
advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal study Adv: eliminates groups (cohort)
differences, lots of detail
o Disadv: expensive, time consuming, high
drop out rates
Teratogens: external agents that can cause abnormal prenatal development (alcohol,
drugs, etc)
prenatal development before birth
Maturation: natural course of development, occurs no matter what (walking)
Gross movement: large muscles, strength and coordination (walking) - develops first
Fine movement: small muscles, precision and controlled (writing)
Rooting reflex turning of face towards a finger when touched on the cheek (food response
moro reflex startle reflex (loud noises, etc)
babinski reflex toes spread when foot touched
, visual cliff babies have to learn depth perception, so they will cross a "cliff"
Critical period (sensitive period) limited time where something HAS to be developed or it won't happen
(language for humans)
Imprinting: birds believe the first thing they see after hatching is mom
Secondary sex characteristics: nonreproductive characteristics that dev (voice, hair)
Primary sex characteristics necessary structures for reproduction (ovaries, testicles, vagina, penis)
Menarche first period
spermarche first release of sperm
the following level off and then decline in adulthood: Mobility, flexibility, reaction time,
visual / auditory acuity, fertility
JEAN PIAGET's theory to cognitive development 4 stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal
operational
Sensorimotor Stage: (0-2), focused on exploring their world
o Lack (and gain) Object Permanence
Object Permanence Objects when removed from field of view
are thought to disappear (peek-a-boo)
Pre-operational Stage: (2-7 ) use pretend play and mental symbols, egocentric, lack conservation,
animism, lack (and start developing) theory of mind
Conservation: recognize that substances remain the same despite changes in shape, length,
or position
theory of people's beliefs, intentions, emotions are their own
mind:
animism: believe artificial objects have thoughts / feelings
Concrete Operational Stage: (7-11) use operational thinking, classification, and
can think logical in concrete context
Formal Operational Stage: 11-15 yrs: use abstract and idealist thoughts, hypothetical-deductive reasoning
Problems with Piaget's theory: stages too discrete, dev. differs b/w kids
VYGOTSKY'S THEORY: cognitive development is a social process too, need to interact w/ others
(scaffolding)
