Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

• Embryonic Stage:

o 3 rd to 8 th week of gestation o Development of placenta o Underdeveloped cardiovascular system begins to function o Head begins to take shape o Cephalocaudal (head to toe) and proximodistal (spine to extremities) development occur o Differentiation leads to development of three tissue layers:  Ectoderm: outer layers  Mesoderm: middle layers  Endoderm: inner layers o Fetal membranes form, including the chorion and amnion o Umbilical cord begins forming o 9 th week until birth o Distinguished by humanoid appearance o Fetus begins to move o Organs begin to ‘function’ by the end of the 7 th month o After 24 weeks, the fetus is viable , which means there is an increased chance of survival outside of the womb

• Fetal Stage:

Teratogens: Teratogens are any substances, including food, alcohol, or drugs, which can contribute to or cause birth defects. Environmental triggers, such as maternal malnutrition, are also considered to be a teratogen. Below are a few of the more common and serious teratogens. - Diseases:

o Rubella (a form of measles) was the first recognized teratogen: If the mother has rubella while pregnant, the child may be born deaf, blind, or have cardiac and brain damage. o HIV: has no vaccine or cure. It destroys the body’s immune system, making the individual more vulnerable to disease. The transmission of HIV from mother to child can sometimes be prevented if the mother knows she is infected.

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