AP Psychology

Study Guide

Chapter 4 The Developing Person

I.Introducing the Developing Person (p. 135)

Key Terms

Developmental psychology

Questions:

  1. Briefly describe the work of developmental psychologists.
  1. Identify and briefly describe three major issues that pervade developmental psychology.

II. Prenatal Development and the Newborn (pp. 135-140)

Terms:

Zygote

Embryo

Fetus

Teratogens

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Rooting reflex

Habituation

Questions:

  1. Describe conception and outline the course of prenatal development.
  1. Discuss the possible effects of teratogens on the developing embryo and fetus.
  1. Describe the capacities of the newborn.

III. Infancy and Childhood (pp.140-159)

Terms:

Maturation

Assimilation

Accommodation

Cognition

Sensorimotor stage

Object permanence

Preoperational stage

Conservation

Egocentrism

Theory of mind

Autism

Concrete operational stage

Formal operational stage

Stranger anxiety

Attachment

Critical period

Imprinting

Basic trust

Self-concept

Questions:

  1. Describe the brain development that occurs from infancy through childhood, including its impact on memory.
  2. Describe the roles of nature and nurture in motor development through infancy and childhood.
  1. Discuss Piaget’s view of how the mind develops, and describe his cognitive stages.
  1. Discuss the development of theory of mind and the nature of autism.
  1. Discuss current views of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
  1. Discuss the origins and effects of early attachment and the role of familiarity and parenting in the development of attachment.
  1. Discuss how disruptions in attachment and day care affect child development.
  1. Explain how children’s behavior provides evidence of an emerging self-concept, and discuss the possible effects of different parenting styles on children.

IV. Adolescence (pp. 159-171)

Terms:

Adolescence

Puberty

Primary sex characteristics

Secondary sex characteristics

Menarche

Identity

Intimacy

V. Adults (pp. 172-188)

Terms:

Menopause

Alzheimer’s disease

Cross-sectional study

Longitudinal study

Crystallized intelligence

Fluid intelligence

Social clock

Questions:

  1. Identify the major physical changes that occur in adolescence.
  1. Describe developments in cognitive and moral reasoning during adolescence, focusing on Kohlberg’s theory and its criticisms.
  1. Describe how Erikson viewed adolescence and the nature of social relationships during adolescence, and explain adolescents’ changing relationships with parents and peers.
  1. Identify the major physical changes that occur in middle adulthood and later life.
  1. Describe the major cognitive changes that occur in adulthood and old age.
  1. Explain why stage theories of adult social development are controversial.
  1. Discuss the importance of family and career commitments in adult development, and describe the sense of well-being across the life span.

VI. Reflections on Two Major Developmental Issues (pp. 189-190)

  1. State current views of psychologists on the continuity vs. stage issue.
  1. State current views of psychologists on the stability vs. change issue.