Unit 1: Glossary

Question 1

Define growth

Answer 1

An increase in a measurable quantity.

E.G. Height or weight.

Question 2

Define development

Answer 2

Complex changes in skills and capabilities that an individual experiences as they grow.

Question 3

Define nature

Answer 3

Genetic inheritance and other biological factors.

Question 4

Define nurture

Answer 4

The influence of external factors after conception such as social and environmental factors.

Question 5

Define maturation

Answer 5

A genetically programmed sequence of change.

For example: the onset of the menopause.

Question 6

Define positive reinforcement

Answer 6

The behaviour is repeated because of personal satisfaction (intrinsic reinforcement) or rewards (extrinsic reinforcement).

Question 7

Define negative reinforcement

Answer 7

The behaviour is not repeated to avoid an adverse experience such as lack of satisfaction or to avoid being told off.

Question 8

Define diathesis

Answer 8

A predisposition or vulnerability to mental disorder through abnormality of the brain or neurotransmitters.`

Question 9

Define genetic predisposition

Answer 9

Inherited genes that determine physical growth, development, health and appearance.

Question 10

Define centiles lines

Answer 10

Lines on a graph used to show average measurement of height, weight and head circumference.
The lines represent the values of the measurements taking into account age and sex.

Question 11

Define development norms

Answer 11

A description of an average set of expectations with respect to a young child’s development.
For example: By the age of 12 months, a child has the ability to stand alone.

Question 12

Define milestone

Answer 12

An ability achieved by most children by a certain age.
It can involve physical, social, emotional cognitive and communication skills.
For example: Walking, sharing with others, expressing emotions, recognising familiar sounds and talking.

Question 13

Define gross motor skills

Answer 13

Large movements that involve using the large muscles of the body, which are required for mobility.
For example: Rolling over.

Question 14

Define fine motor skills

Answer 14

Smaller movements that require more precise direction (dexterity) and use of smaller muscles.
For example: Picking up a pencil.

Question 15

Define adolescence

Answer 15

An important status change following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.

Question 16

Define puberty

Answer 16

A period of rapid growth during which young people reach sexual maturity and become biologically able to reproduce and secondary sexual characteristics develop.`

Question 17

Define hormones

Answer 17

Chemical substances produced in the body and transported in the bloodstream that control or regulate body cells or body organs.
For example: Sex hormones produced by the ovaries and testes are responsible for the development for the development of sexual characteristics in puberty.

Question 18

Define menopause

Answer 18

The ending of female fertility, including the cessation of menstruation and reduction in production of female sex hormones.

Question 19

Define life expectancy

Answer 19

An estimate of the number of years, on average, that a person can expect to live.
This is sometimes referred to as longevity.

Question 20

Define cognitive impairment

Answer 20

When a person has trouble remembering, learning new skills, concentrating or making decisions that affect their everyday life.

Question 21

Define abstract logical thinking

Answer 21

The ability to solve problems using imagination without having to be involved practically.
This is an advanced form of thinking that does not always need a practical context in order to take place.

Question 22

Define egocentric thinking

Answer 22

Not being able to see a situation from another person’s point of view.
Piaget thought that a young child assumed that other people see, hear and feel exactly the same as the child does.

Question 23

Define concrete logical thinking

Answer 23

The ability to solve problems providing an individual can see or physically handle the issues involved.

Question 24

Define equilibrium

Answer 24

A state of cognitive balance when a child’s experience is in line with what they understand.

Question 25

Define accommodation

Answer 25

Modifying schemas (concepts) in relation to new information and experiences.

Question 26

Define emotional literacy

Answer 26

The ability to recognise, understand and appropriately express emotions.
Emotional literacy is essential for forming positive social relationships.

Question 27

Define empathy

Answer 27

The ability to identify with or understand another’s situation or feelings.

Question 28

Define attchment

Answer 28

A strong emotional connection between a child and caregiver.

Question 29

Define self-image

Answer 29

The way an individual sees themselves, their mental image of themselves.

Question 30

Define self-esteem

Answer 30

How a person feels about themselves, self-worth or pride.

Question 31

Define self-concept

Answer 31

An awareness formed in early childhood of being an individual, a unique person and different from everyone else.

Question 32

Define deprivation

Answer 32

Being deprived of a caregiver to whom an attachment already exists.

Question 33

Define privation

Answer 33

Being deprived of the opportunity to form an attachment.

Question 34

Define separation anxiety

Answer 34

The fear and apprehension that infants experience when separated from their primary caregiver.

Question 35

Define stranger anxiety

Answer 35

When an infant becomes anxious and fearful around strangers.

Question 36

Define susceptibility

Answer 36

An increased likelihood of acquiring a disease because of an individual’s genetic makeup.

Question 37

Define congenital

Answer 37

Present at birth.

Question 38

Define neural tube defects

Answer 38

Congenital defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord.

For example: Spina bifida.

Question 39

Define pollutant

Answer 39

A substance that contaminates something such as air or water and may make it unsafe.

Question 40

Define respiratory disorders

Answer 40

Conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity.

Question 41

Define cardiovascular problems

Answer 41

Any disorder or disease of the heart of blood vessels.

Question 42

Define disequilibrium

Answer 42

A state of cognitive imbalance between experience and what is understood.

Question 43

Define hypothermia

Answer 43

Excessively low body temperature below 35°C (normal body temperature is 37°C).

Question 44

Define dysfunctional family

Answer 44

A family that is not providing all of the support and benefits associated with being in a family.

Question 45

Define parenting styles

Answer 45

A definition of the different strategies/ ways that parents use to bring up their children.

Question 46

Define median

Answer 46

The middle value in a list of numbers written in numerical order.
For example: 5 is the median of 2, 3, 3, 5, 9, 9, 11.

Question 47

Define attitude

Answer 47

Assumptions that we use to make sense of out social experience.

Question 48

Define secondary socialisation

Answer 48

The process of learning appropriate behaviour in society.

Influences include education, media, government and religion/ culture.

Question 49

Define primary socialisation

Answer 49

The process of a child learning the norms, attitudes and values of the culture and society in which they are growing up.

Question 50

Define values

Answer 50

Principles that we use to guide our thoughts and decisions.

Question 51

Define lifestyle

Answer 51

How a person spends their time and money, a ‘style’ of living.

Question 52

Define predictable events

Answer 52

Events that are expected to happen at a particular time. While expected they may have a positive or negative effect on a person’s health and wellbeing.

Question 53

Define unpredictable events

Answer 53

Events that happen unexpectedly and which may have serious physical and psychological effects on the individual. These effects can be positive or negative.

Question 54

Define cartilage

Answer 54

The soft tissue that protects the surfaces of the bone.

Question 55

Define vascular dementia

Answer 55

Symptoms include problems with language, memory and thought processes caused by problems in the blood supply to the bain.
For example: Through stroke.

Question 56

Define causal link

Answer 56

Whether one thing is responsible for causing the other thing.