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Psychology MPC-002: Developmental Psychology Key Concepts

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  • Prenatal Period Duration
    The prenatal period lasts about nine lunar months, each with 20-30 days, totaling approximately 266 days or 38 to 40 weeks.
  • Zygote Definition
    The first cell formed after fertilization, containing genetic instructions from both parents, is called the zygote.
  • Prenatal Period Stages
    The prenatal period is divided into three stages: germinal, embryonic, and fetal.
  • Embryonic Stage Characteristics
    From the 2nd week to the 8th week, the embryo undergoes rapid cell multiplication and tissue differentiation, making it highly vulnerable to damage.
  • Fetal Stage Key Features
    From the 9th lunar month to birth, all organs and structures develop fully; the fetus grows in size and weight, and features like eyelids and tooth buds appear.
  • Teratogens
    External agents like rubella, x-rays, and infections that can cause damage or defects during prenatal development.
  • Maternal Diseases Affecting Fetus
    Diseases such as rubella and cytomegalovirus in mothers can cause birth defects and mental retardation in the child.
  • Impact of Maternal Nutrition
    Proper maternal nutrition is critical for fetal development; deficiencies can lead to low birth weight and developmental problems.
  • Rh Factor Incompatibility
    When the father’s Rh factor differs from the mother’s, the mother’s immune system may attack fetal red blood cells, causing death or mental retardation.
  • Effects of Drugs and Substances During Pregnancy
    Drugs like alcohol and aspirin, and substances like tobacco, can cause birth defects, growth retardation, and organ abnormalities.
  • Radiation Exposure in Pregnancy
    Radiation can damage the fetus; no completely safe level exists, so exposure should be minimized.
  • Abortion in India
    Abortion is generally performed in hospitals or clinics before the fetus is viable, often influenced by social factors.
  • Adolescent Self-Concept Development
    During adolescence, self-concept becomes more abstract and complex, involving self-knowledge, beliefs, and self-relevant information processing.
  • Emotional Impact on Fetal Development
    Maternal emotions affect the autonomic nervous system and hormone release, influencing fetal development.
  • Lanugo
    Fine hair that develops on the fetus’s head during the second trimester.
  • Meconium
    Dark substance made in the fetal intestines, often due to fetal sucking.
  • Fetal Movement Detection
    Fetal movements can be felt by the mother and detected with a stethoscope around weeks 17 to 20.
  • Importance of Avoiding Teratogens
    Avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy is essential to prevent birth defects and developmental issues.
  • Genetic Contributions to Development
    Development begins with the zygote, which contains genetic material from both parents shaping growth.
  • Prenatal Tissue Differentiation
    During the embryonic stage, cells multiply and specialize to form different tissues and organs.