Developmental Psychology Flashcards

What is 'temperament' in developmental psychology?

Answer: Biologically-based individual differences in reactivity and self-regulation

Temperament refers to innate, relatively stable individual differences in emotional reactivity, activity level, and self-regulation that appear early in life.

During Piaget's preoperational stage, egocentrism is best demonstrated by:

Answer: Assuming others see the world from their own perspective

Preoperational egocentrism is the child's difficulty recognizing that others may have different perspectives, as shown in the classic three-mountain task.

Which parenting style, identified by Baumrind, is associated with the best developmental outcomes in U.S. children?

Answer: Authoritative

Authoritative parenting — warm yet firm, with clear expectations and explanations — is associated with higher self-esteem, academic success, and social competence.

What does 'scaffolding' mean in the context of Vygotsky's theory?

Answer: Temporary support provided by a more skilled person to help a learner succeed

Scaffolding is the adjustable support given by a teacher or peer that is gradually withdrawn as the learner becomes more competent.

In Erikson's framework, the primary developmental challenge of adolescence is:

Answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's fifth stage, Identity vs. Role Confusion, occurs during adolescence, when individuals explore and commit to a coherent sense of self.

Which research method is best suited to studying age-related changes across time by following the same group of participants?

Answer: Longitudinal study

A longitudinal study follows the same cohort over time, allowing researchers to track genuine developmental changes in individuals.