PSYCH101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Synaptic Pruning, Moro Reflex

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Megan Mc Carthy

Document Summary

Development mental psychology: study of human physical/cognitive/social/behavioural characteristics during life. Cross sectional design: compare people of different ages at a point in time. Longitudinal design: development of same people through time. Sensitive period: exposure to a stimulation is needed for normal development of abilities. Fetal alcohol syndrome: abnormalities in development because mom consumed alcohol while pregnant. 1: germinal: 0 to 2 weeks, blastocyst implants in uterus, cellular division. 2: embryonic: 2 to 8 weeks, cells differentiate, major structures emerge, embryo attaches to placenta. 3: fetal stage: 8 weeks to birth, brain & systems develop, sex organs develop after 3 months. Rooting reflex: babies orient themselves toward the stimulation at the corner of the mouth = sucking. Moro reflex: babies reach outward when they"ve lost support of the head = protection. Grasping reflex: grip tightens around a palm stimulus = safety. Synaptic pruning: loss of weak nerve connections.