3.2 Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Explain how physical development before birth applies to behavior and mental processes.

• T eratogens, maternal illness, genetic mutations, hormonal, and environmental factors can influence the major physical and psychological milestones that occur during prenatal development.
  • Exclusion: The stages of prenatal development (zygote, embryo, and fetus) are outside the scope of the AP Psychology Exam.

Explain how physical development in infancy and childhood apply to behavior and mental processes.

• Physical development in infancy and childhood happens in generally the same order, but the timing of the development can vary. The development of fine and gross motor coordination is among the major physical and psychological milestones that define infancy and childhood. These physical skills develop as children mature, allowing children to develop critical skills needed to become more independent.
• Infants possess reflexes, like the rooting reflex, that indicate on-track physical and psychological milestone development.
• Research using the visual cliff apparatus demonstrates an early ability in infants to perceive depth and an innovative way to assess infant responses.
• Research suggests that critical or sensitive periods in infancy and childhood have strong developmental effects, especially for skills such as language. Some non-human animals will imprint on the first object they encounter as a means of survival.

Explain how physical development in adolescence applies to behavior and mental processes.

• The main physical and psychological milestones that occur in adolescence are the adolescent growth spurt and puberty, in which reproductive ability develops. Adolescents develop primary and secondary sex characteristics during this time, such as menarche and spermarche.

Explain how physical development in adulthood applies to behavior and mental processes.

• Adulthood spans most of the lifespan and is characterized by a general leveling off and then a varying decline in reproductive ability (i.e., menopause), mobility, flexibility, reaction time, and visual and auditory sensory acuity.