EXAM

REVISION
Key Exam Terms to Understand
■ Describe: This is where you give some key features
and characteristics.
– Briefly describe the following features of Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment?

■ Define: This is where you give the exact meaning of

the term/concept
– What is the definition of obedience?
 Key Exam Terms to Understand
■ Identify/Name: Pick out and name
– Identify two situational factors that may have influenced the person who CALLED the
police to help

■ Explain: Put into your own words and use an example

– Explain the difference between the terms ‘status’ and ‘power’
– Explain how each of the following can help reduce prejudice…

■ In relation to ….
– Make sure you refer to the image/graph etc and use stats from it.
Unit 1 AOS 1: How does the Brain Function?
Brain/Neuro Imaging Techniques:
■ CT: Computerised Tomography; 2D X-rays that are a cross section of
the brain
■ MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; magnetic field and radio waves
that produce a still, 3D image of the brain areas and structures
■ fMRI: Functional MRI; detects changes in oxygen levels in brain blood
flow to produce a 3D representation of the active brain and its
functions
■ PET: Positron emission tomography; injection of radioactive glucose
into the bloodstream to track the flow of the blood.
Unit 1 AOS 1: How does the Brain Function?
Unit 1 AOS 1: How does the Brain Function?
Unit 1 AOS 1: How does the Brain Function?
■ Hindbrain:
– Cerebellum (voluntary movement/balance)
– Medulla (regulating internal bodily
systems/survival)
■ Midbrain:
– Reticular Formation (network of neurons
that are responsible for physiological
arousal and awareness)
■ Forebrain:
– Hypothalamus (regulation of body temp, sex ■ Corpus Callosum
drive, sleep) ■ Cerebral Cortex
– Thalamus (sensory info and passes on ■ Four lobes of the brain
around to right areas)
– Cerebrum (higher cognitive functions)
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ Maturation- the physical/biological growth and development of the
body, brain and nervous system at fairly predictable stages in the
lifespan
■ Developmental norms- a period of time in which the majority of people
develop certain skills and abilities
■ Sensitive periods is the ideal time in development in which to learn a
specific behaviour. During this time, a person’s brain is at its optimal
position to change due to experiences, so for optimal for developmental
plasticity to occur.
■ Critical periods are times of increased sensitivity to environmental
influences when conditions are optimal for certain capacities to emerge
in an organism. In simple terms, periods of time where learning has to
occur during this short window and at this time only.
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ Ainsworth and The Strange Situation and Types of Development
■ Secure attachment (Group B): An infant who has formed a secure attachment shows a balance
between dependence and exploration. The infant uses the caregiver as a safe base from which
to venture out and explore an unfamiliar environment, but shows some distress and decreases
exploration when the caregiver departs. Securely attached infants feels safe and are able to
depend on their caregivers. About 65% of 1 year olds are securely attached
■ Anxious attachment (Group C): The infant appears anxious even when their caregiver is near.
They become very upset when separated from the caregiver. When the caregiver returns the
infant approaches them, cries to be picked up, then squirms or fights to be free. This
attachment style is thought to result from caregivers who are not responsive to their infant’s
needs. About 12% of 1 year olds are in this category.
■ Avoidant attachment (Group A): The infant does not seek closeness or contact with the
caregiver and treats them like a stranger. The infant rarely cries when the caregiver leaves the
room and ignores the caregiver on their return. Research has shown that this attachment style
may be the result of a neglectful or abusive caregivers. About 20% of 1 year olds are in this
category
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ Piaget’s 4 Stages of Development
■ Concrete thinking refers to the thought processes that rely on
experiences in the real world.
■ Symbolic thinking refers to a cognitive skill that enables us to use
symbols, gestures or images to mentally represent people, objects
and events that may not be present
■ Assimilation refers to the aspect of Piaget’s theory where by the
application of existing mental patterns to new situations occurs
■ Accommodation refers to the aspect of Piaget’s theory where by the
modification of existing mental patterns to fit new demands
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ Piaget’s 4 Stages of Development
1. Sensorimotor stage (0-2 years)
2. Preoperational stage (2-7 years)
3. Concrete operational stage (7-11)
4. Formal operational stage (11 years +)
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ Erikson’s 8 Stages of Development
■ Erikson developed a theory around a concept called a psychosocial dilemma; that
is a conflict between personal impulses and the social world.
■ Stage 1- trust vs. mistrust (first year of life)
■ Stage 2- autonomy vs. shame and doubt (age 1-3)
■ Stage 3- initiative vs. guilt (age 3-5)
■ Stage 4- industry vs. inferiority (age 6-12)
■ Stage 5- identify vs. role confusion (adolescence)
■ Stage 6- intimacy vs. isolation (young adulthood)
■ Stage 7- generativity vs. stagnation (middle adulthood)
■ Stage 8- integrity vs. inferiority (late adulthood)
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ ATYPICAL PSYCH DEVELOPMENT
■ Typical Behaviour: is defined as behaviour that represents most people, or if
looking at an individual, the most likely behaviour displayed by that person.
■ Atypical Behaviour: relates to those behaviours that do not represent the
behaviour of the majority
■ Adaptive Behaviour: behaviour that allows for an individual to competently meet
and adapt to the demands of everyday life.
– We adapt as we age in order to grow and develop skills
– Involves both social and practical skills

■ Maladaptive Behaviour: behaviour that is potentially harmful and prevents an

individual from meeting and adapting to the demands of everyday life.
Unit 1 AOS 2: What influences Psych Dev?
■ ATYPICAL PSYCH DEVELOPMENT
■ 6 Approaches
■ Sociocultural
■ Functional
■ Historical
■ Situational
■ Medical
■ Statistical

■ Biopsychosocial model of health

Also….

■ Quantitative
■ Qualitative
■ Sampling
■ Schizophrenia: Delusions and Hallucinations