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Lifespan Development

Key Terms

Lifespan DevelopmentKey Terms

Key Terms

altruism
type of prosocial behavior involving acts of kindness even when at a cost
anxiety
disorder characterized by excessive and persistent fear and anxious feelings, and by related disturbances in behavior
average child
child who receives a smaller number of both positive and negative nominations
bullying
repetitive pattern of aggression in which a person with more power harms another with less
classroom climate
emotional culture of the learning environment
controversial child
child who receives a high number of positive and negative nominations
coping strategy
technique for overcoming stress
depression
mood disorder involving feelings of sadness that are disruptive and can make functioning difficult for individuals
emotional display rule
culturally and context-specific defined social rule for outwardly displaying emotion
empathy
complex emotional state requiring an understanding of the perspective and emotional states of others as well as caring about others and mirroring their emotions
externalizing behavior
behavior that is negative or harmful and external to a person, including aggressive behavior, rule breaking, and other negative behaviors that are more social or interpersonal
industry versus inferiority
Erikson’s fourth psychosocial stage of development, describing the way children construct their sense of success and accomplishment in work tasks, such as school
internalizing behavior
behavior that is negative or harmful and internal to a person, including feeling withdrawn or lonely, anxious or depressed, and/or having related physical health issues
peer-neglected child
child who receives a low number of both positive and negative nominations
physical aggression
inflicting of intentional harm on others or property, or the intimidation of or threat of harm to people and property
popular child
child who receives a high number of positive nominations, a low number of negative nominations, and is well liked in their classroom
positive youth development (PYD)
movement that aims to understand and promote predictors of well-being, thriving, and prosocial development in childhood and beyond
proactive aggression
aggression that is intentional and committed to harm others
reactive aggression
unplanned aggression that happens in response to either a real or imagined provocation
rejected child
child who receives a low number of positive nominations and a high number of negative nominations and might be actively excluded
relational aggression
behaviors that are intended to hurt social relationships such as intentional exclusion, spreading of rumors, betrayal of friendships, and manipulative control
resilience
ability to successfully adapt and respond to stressful events
social competence
skill used to understand and respond to the differing expectations of various contexts and audiences
sympathy
awareness of how the other might be feeling, in addition to a motivation to do something for the other person
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