PSY 350 Exam 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who is Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron?

Victor was a young boy of about twelve years who wandered into the French village of Aveyron in 1800, appearing intellectually stunted and unaware of society.

What was Itard hoping to learn by studying Victor?

Itard hoped to determine whether Victor's intellectual stunting was a result of a condition he was born with or due to his isolation from society.

How did developmental psychology emerge?

Developmental psychology emerged from theoretical and philosophical questions to practical applications regarding child development and welfare.

What are the four fundamental issues of developmental psychology?

The four issues are sources of development, plasticity, continuity/discontinuity, and individual characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'nature' refer to in developmental psychology?

Nature refers to the influence of our inherited characteristics on our personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'nurture' imply in the context of development?

Nurture asserts that an individual's development is shaped by their environment and circumstances throughout their upbringing. Signup and view all the answers

What are critical periods?

Critical periods are stages of development that must occur for further development to proceed successfully. Signup and view all the answers

What does qualitative mean in the context of change?

Qualitative refers to change happening gradually. Signup and view all the answers

What does quantative mean in the context of change?

Quantitative means for change to happen suddenly. Signup and view all the answers

What are developmental stages?

Developmental stages are periods in which observable patterns of qualitative change occur. Signup and view all the answers

What is phylogeny?

Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history of a species or group of related species. Signup and view all the answers

What is ontogeny?

Ontogeny focuses primarily on the development of a person throughout their lifetime. Signup and view all the answers

What is a theory in scientific terms?

A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychodynamic theory?

Psychodynamic theory was developed by Freud and explores how children's behavior is driven by a need to satisfy their sex drives. Signup and view all the answers

What does social learning theory focus on?

Social learning theory focuses on how experiences such as reward and punishment can influence behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is constructivist theory?

Constructivist theory, developed by Piaget, emphasizes the role that children play in their own cognitive development. Signup and view all the answers

What does sociocultural theory establish?

Sociocultural theory, developed by Vygotsky, establishes the zone of proximal development, emphasizing assistance from more experienced individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is evolutionary theory concerned with?

Evolutionary theory analyzes how human behavior has been shaped by past actions essential for survival. Signup and view all the answers

What does information processing theory focus on?

Information processing theory is concerned with the flow of information through a child's mental system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron

Victor was a boy around twelve years old who appeared in Aveyron, France in 1800, exhibiting a lack of social awareness and seeming intellectual limitations.

Itard's Research Goals

Itard aimed to understand if Victor's apparent intellectual issues resulted from inherent conditions or from his prolonged isolation.

Emergence of Developmental Psychology

Initially rooted in theoretical and philosophical inquiries, developmental psychology evolved to address practical aspects of child development.
Influential philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in the innate purity of children, while Alfred Binet's Stanford-Binet test exemplified more pragmatic applications.

Fundamental Issues of Developmental Psychology

Key issues include:
- Sources of development: The roles of genetics versus environmental factors.
- Plasticity: The potential for developmental change, both intentional and unintentional.
- Continuity/Discontinuity: The balance between gradual evolution and sudden changes in development.
- Individual characteristics: The development and permanence of unique traits.

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature: Refers to the impacts of inherited traits on personality, growth, and social interactions.
Nurture: Suggests individuals are shaped by their environmental circumstances and experiences.

Critical Periods

Essential developmental stages that must occur for successful progression in later development.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Change

Qualitative: Indicates gradual change over time.
Quantitative: Indicates sudden transitions in development.

Developmental Stages

Defined periods where observable patterns of qualitative changes take place.

Phylogeny and Ontogeny

Phylogeny: The evolutionary history of a species or related groups.
Ontogeny: Focuses on individual life development, with debates on whether it occurs in stages or continuously.

Theories in Developmental Psychology

Theory: A well-supported hypothesis based on extensive data.
Psychodynamic Theory: Founded by Freud, later developed by Erikson, emphasizing the influence of unconscious drives on behavior.
Social Learning Theory: Explored by B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura, highlights the role of rewards and punishments in behavioral influence.

Constructivist and Sociocultural Theories

Constructivist Theory: Developed by Piaget, suggests children are active participants in their cognitive growth, evolving through four specific stages.
Sociocultural Theory: Proposed by Vygotsky, introduces the concept of the zone of proximal development, which emphasizes cooperative learning with more skilled individuals.

Evolutionary and Information Processing Theories

Evolutionary Theory: Examines how past survival behaviors shape human actions today.
Information Processing Theory: Analyzes how children process, store, and manipulate information within their mental systems.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards for PSY 350. The cards cover key concepts, including the case of Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron, and Itard's educational experiments. Perfect for exam preparation and enhancing your understanding of psychology.