#AP Psychology Study Guide: Developmental Psychology 👶

Welcome to your ultimate review! This guide is designed to help you ace the AP Psychology exam, focusing on key concepts in developmental psychology. Let's get started!

#Conception and Prenatal Development

#Conception

• Conception is the moment a sperm fertilizes an egg. 🥚
• The fertilized egg (zygote) begins its journey to the uterus for implantation.
• Women are born with all their eggs, while men continuously produce sperm from puberty onwards.

#Prenatal Development

• Zygote: The fertilized egg. Fewer than half survive past two weeks.

• Cells rapidly divide and differentiate, taking on specialized roles (e.g., brain, heart).

• Placenta: Outer cells of the zygote that provide nourishment and oxygen.

• Embryo: The developing human organism after the zygote attaches to the uterine wall.

• Fetus: The developing human organism from nine weeks until birth, now unmistakably human.

  

  Caption: Stages of prenatal development from zygote to fetus. Note the rapid changes in the first few weeks.

#The Prenatal Environment

• Fetuses can hear and become accustomed to their mother's voice, showing preference after birth. 🗣️
• They may even cry with an accent! 🤯
• A mother's health and nutrition directly impact the fetus. Prenatal vitamins are crucial.
• Teratogens: Harmful substances (viruses, drugs) that can negatively affect development. 👾
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Caused by heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
  • Results in abnormal facial features, low birth weight, developmental delays, and cognitive impairments.

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