Psychology 1000 Lecture Notes - Chromosome, Toilet Training, Visual Acuity

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Inverted u-shaped function: an ability that emerges after birth peaks, and disappears with age: u-shaped function: an ability that is present early in life, disappears temporarily, and emerges later. Cross-sectional design: compare people of different ages at the same point in time (test each person only once and compare how well the different age groups perform): drawback: cohorts (different age groups) grew up in different historical periods. Longitudinal design: tests the same cohort as it grows older. Sequential design: combines the cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. 28 weeks: attains the age of viability (it is likely to survive outside the womb in case of premature birth: fetal stage. The 23rd chromosome contains a specific gene, known as the tdf (testis determining factor) gene, that triggers male sexual development. 6-8 weeks after conception the tdf gene initiates the development of testes. Once formed, the testes secrete sex hormones called androgens that continue to direct a male pattern of organ development.