#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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Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. A teratogen is BEST described as: a) a genetic mutation that causes developmental delays. b) any agent that can reach the fetus and cause it harm. c) a hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. d) a type of medication that prevents morning sickness.

2. Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)? a) abnormal facial features b) low birth weight c) increased muscle tone d) cognitive impairments

Free Response Question:

Explain how the prenatal environment can impact the development of a fetus. In your answer, be sure to:

• Define the term "teratogen" and provide one example.
• Describe two potential negative effects of teratogens on fetal development.
• Explain how a mother's health and nutrition can positively impact fetal development.

Scoring Rubric:

• Teratogen Definition (1 point): A clear definition of a teratogen as a harmful agent that can reach the fetus and cause harm.
• Teratogen Example (1 point): Providing a specific example of a teratogen (e.g., alcohol, certain drugs, viruses).
• Two Negative Effects (2 points): Describing two potential negative effects of teratogens on fetal development (e.g., physical abnormalities, cognitive impairments, developmental delays).
• Positive Impact of Maternal Health (1 point): Explaining how a mother's health and nutrition can positively impact fetal development (e.g., healthy weight gain, reduced risk of birth defects, proper brain development).

#Physical Development in Newborns

#Newborn Attention

• Newborns are hyper-aware of their environment, paying attention to novel stimuli. 💡
• Habituation: Infants become familiar with stimuli, and their responses decrease over time.
• Infants are more interested in human voices and faces than inanimate objects. They are wired for social interaction! 🗣️

#Newborn Reflexes

• Rooting Reflex: Turning head and opening mouth when cheek is touched (helps find food).

• Sucking Reflex: Enables drawing milk or fluids into the mouth.

• Swallowing and Breathing: Essential for survival and are innate reflexes.

• Babinski Reflex: Toes curl and fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked (evolutionary holdover).

• Moro Reflex: Startle reflex; arms and legs extend then retract (another evolutionary holdover).

  

  Caption: The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is a normal response in newborns.

• The presence and disappearance of reflexes indicate healthy neurological development. 👍

• Maturation: Orderly physical and cognitive development.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. An infant turns their head and opens their mouth when their cheek is touched. This is an example of the: a) Moro reflex b) Babinski reflex c) Rooting reflex d) Sucking reflex

2. What is the term for the process by which an infant's response to a stimulus decreases over time? a) Maturation b) Habituation c) Accommodation d) Assimilation

Short Answer Question:

Briefly describe two reflexes present in newborns and explain their significance for development.

Answer:

• Rooting reflex: This reflex occurs when an infant's cheek is touched, causing the infant to turn their head in that direction and open their mouth. This reflex helps the infant locate the source of food and enables them to feed.
• Moro reflex: This reflex, also known as the startle reflex, occurs when an infant is startled by a loud noise or sudden movement. The infant will throw out their arms and legs and then bring them back in towards the body. This reflex is thought to be an evolutionary holdover from when infants needed to protect themselves from predators.

#Cognitive Development in Newborns

#Brain Development

• Brain development begins in the womb and continues into adolescence. 🧠
• Infants are born with most of their brain cells, but neural networks (connections) are crucial for learning.
• Brain develops from the brainstem forward. Reflexive functions develop first, followed by higher-level processing in the cerebrum and forebrain.
• Association areas (memory, cognition, thinking) develop last.
• Pruning: Neural networks that are frequently used are strengthened, while unused ones shut down. ⛔️

#Neural and Motor Development

• Neural development fosters physical development. Muscle control develops as the nervous system matures.
• Motor development is fairly universal; babies learn to roll over, sit, crawl, and walk at similar ages, regardless of culture.
• Infantile Amnesia: Lack of memory for events before age 3. * Conscious (Explicit) Memory: Develops around age 4, though learning occurs long before.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which part of the brain is the last to fully develop? a) Brainstem b) Cerebellum c) Association areas d) Thalamus

2. The process by which unused neural connections are eliminated is known as: a) Myelination b) Synaptogenesis c) Pruning d) Neurogenesis

Free Response Question:

Explain how the brain develops from infancy through early childhood. In your answer, be sure to:

• Describe the general pattern of brain development from the brainstem forward.
• Explain the role of neural networks and pruning in brain development.
• Discuss the concept of infantile amnesia and its implications for memory development.

Scoring Rubric:

• Brain Development Pattern (1 point): Describing the general pattern of brain development from the brainstem forward, with higher-level processing areas developing later.
• Neural Networks and Pruning (2 points): Explaining the role of neural networks in learning and how pruning strengthens frequently used connections while eliminating unused ones.
• Infantile Amnesia (2 points): Discussing the concept of infantile amnesia as the lack of memory for events before age 3 and its implications for memory development.

#Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics: Prenatal development, teratogens, newborn reflexes, brain development, and memory formation.
• Common Question Types: Multiple-choice questions on key terms and concepts, short-answer questions on reflexes and brain development, and free-response questions that integrate multiple concepts.
• Time Management: Quickly identify the question type and allocate time accordingly. Don't get stuck on one question.
• Common Pitfalls: Misinterpreting key terms, not fully explaining concepts in FRQs, and running out of time. ⏰
• Strategies for Challenging Questions: Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use examples to support your answers. If you're unsure, make an educated guess rather than leaving it blank.