IB Psychology Flashcards: Developmental Psychology
IB Psychology — Developmental Psychology Flashcard Deck
20 flashcards with spaced repetition. Press Space to flip, then rate your recall (1—4).
Key Concepts
Attachment Theory (Bowlby): Attachment is an innate, adaptive system that ensures infants stay close to caregivers for protection. Bowlby proposed that there is a critical period (first 2-3 years) for attachment formation — if attachment doesn’t occur during this window, the child may have difficulty forming relationships later (as seen in institutionalised Romanian orphans in the Bucharest Early Intervention Project). Early attachment patterns form an internal working model — a mental template for future relationships. Bowlby’s monotropy hypothesis suggests infants have one primary attachment figure (in most cases the mother), though later research showed multiple attachments are common.
Strange Situation (Ainsworth): A laboratory procedure to observe attachment quality in infants aged 12-18 months. The procedure involves eight episodes of separation and reunion with the caregiver and a stranger. Four types were identified: secure (Type B) — distressed by separation but comforted by reunion, explores confidently; insecure-avoidant (Type A) — shows little distress at separation, ignores caregiver at reunion; insecure-resistant (Type C) — extremely distressed at separation, ambivalent at reunion (both clinging and pushing away); and disorganised (Type D) — inconsistent, contradictory behaviour (approaching then turning away). Secure attachment is associated with sensitive, responsive caregiving and better social and emotional outcomes.
Cognitive Development (Piaget): Children progress through four qualitatively different stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor (0-2 years — understanding through senses and actions; development of object permanence); preoperational (2-7 years — symbolic thinking but egocentric and lacking conservation); concrete operational (7-11 years — logical thinking about concrete events; conservation, classification, seriation); and formal operational (11+ years — abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking, systematic problem-solving). Each stage builds on the previous one through the processes of assimilation (fitting new information into existing schemas) and accommodation (modifying schemas to fit new information).
Moral Development (Kohlberg): Three levels of moral reasoning, each with two stages: pre-conventional (punishment and obedience orientation; instrumental relativist — morality based on self-interest and consequences); conventional (good boy/nice girl orientation; law and order orientation — morality based on social approval and maintaining social order); and post-conventional (social contract orientation; universal ethical principles — morality based on abstract principles that may transcend laws). Each level has two stages, progressing from self-interest to abstract principles. Kohlberg’s theory has been criticised for being Western-centric and gender-biased (Gilligan argued it prioritises justice over care).
Intuition
Think of child development as building a house. Attachment is the foundation — without a secure base, the rest of the structure is unstable. Piaget’s stages are the floors — each must be completed before moving up. Kohlberg’s moral levels are like the furniture inside — starting with basic practical items (pre-conventional) and progressing to fine art (post-conventional). You can’t put fine art in a house with no foundation. The internal working model is like the architect’s blueprint — it shapes how every subsequent relationship is designed.
Why it matters: Developmental psychology reveals that early experiences have lasting effects on adult relationships, thinking, and moral reasoning. Understanding these patterns helps educators, parents, and clinicians support healthy development and intervene when development goes awry.
Common Pitfalls
- Confusing Piaget’s stages. Preoperational children cannot conserve; concrete operational children can but struggle with abstract ideas; formal operational thinkers can handle both. The stage boundaries are approximate, not rigid — development is continuous, even though Piaget described it as discrete stages. Some adults never fully achieve formal operational thinking.
- Assuming secure attachment always means the same parenting style across cultures. What constitutes “sensitive caregiving” varies culturally — independence is valued in some cultures, interdependence in others. The Strange Situation was developed in the US and may not be equally valid across all cultural contexts.
- Confusing Kohlberg’s levels with Piaget’s stages. Kohlberg describes moral reasoning; Piaget describes cognitive development. They are related but distinct theories — Kohlberg built on Piaget’s work but focused specifically on moral judgment rather than general cognitive ability.
- Forgetting that attachment type affects adult relationships. The internal working model predicts adult attachment styles (secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, fearful-avoidant) — early patterns tend to repeat unless consciously addressed through therapy or self-awareness.
Cross-References
- Cognitive: Cognitive psychology explores mental processes that develop according to Piaget’s stages — memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities change qualitatively with age.
- Biological: Biological psychology provides evidence for critical periods in brain development and the neurological basis for attachment (oxytocin system).
- Sociocultural: Sociocultural factors shape attachment patterns, moral development, and cognitive development — cultural norms influence what is considered “normal” development.
- Abnormal: Abnormal psychology applies developmental perspectives — insecure attachment is linked to later psychopathology, and developmental delays can indicate disorders.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.