Critical Period Psychology Quiz & Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Define a sensitive period.

A sensitive period is a period of time during development when an individual is more responsive to certain types of experiences or learning.

When do sensitive periods occur?

Sensitive periods occur during prenatal development and during the postnatal period when developmental changes are not as rapid.

Explain sensitive periods.

Sensitive periods are the optimal times for the relevant learning to occur, such as oral language acquisition.

Skills and knowledge cannot be learned at a later time after a sensitive period has passed.

False Signup and view all the answers

When is the sensitive period for learning to speak our native language?

Up to the age of about 12 years, with a gradual closing from about the age of 7. Signup and view all the answers

What do sensitive periods indicate in terms of brain development?

Sensitive periods indicate specific times when synaptic connections are most easily made and neural pathways are formed. Signup and view all the answers

How long do sensitive periods last with respect to physical characteristics and psychological characteristics?

Sensitive periods tend to last for relatively short periods of time for physical characteristics and longer for psychological characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Define a critical period.

A critical period is a specific period in development during which an organism is most vulnerable to the deprivation or absence of certain environmental stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

When do critical periods occur?

Critical periods have identifiable starting and ending times, beginning and ending suddenly. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensitive and Critical Periods Overview

Sensitive periods are developmental phases when individuals are especially receptive to specific types of learning and experiences.
Occur during prenatal and postnatal development, characterized by gradual changes rather than rapid transitions.

Sensitive Periods in Learning

These are optimal times for acquiring skills, such as oral language, which can be learned more easily during these phases.
Though skills can be learned post-sensitive period, this usually requires more effort, time, and may yield less successful outcomes.

Language Acquisition

The sensitive period for learning a native language extends to around age 12, with peak receptivity up to age 7.
If a second language is learned before ages 5-7, proficiency may approach that of a native speaker.

Brain Development Implications

Sensitive periods correlate with stages in brain development, where certain neural connections form more readily with appropriate stimuli.
Synaptogenesis leads to a surge in synaptic connections early in development, preparing the brain for expected learning experiences.

Duration of Sensitive Periods

Sensitive periods for physical traits are generally short, while those for psychological traits tend to last longer.

Critical Period Definition

Critical periods denote specific times during development when an organism is particularly susceptible to the lack of essential environmental stimuli or experiences.
These periods have clear beginnings and endings, often occurring suddenly.

Description

Explore the concepts of sensitive and critical periods in human development with these flashcards. Understand the timing and implications of these periods for learning and responsiveness. This quiz is essential for anyone studying developmental psychology.