AP Psychology Flashcards: Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 36 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is a major focus for developmental psychologists studying the adult lifespan?
Developmental psychologists study how adults continue to develop socially over time.
Card 1 of 36
All Flashcards (36)
What is a major focus for developmental psychologists studying the adult lifespan?
Developmental psychologists study how adults continue to develop socially over time.
What key social-emotional task do adolescents work on?
Adolescents work to develop their sense of identity through various processes of exploration and commitment.
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
ACEs are traumatic or stressful events that occur during childhood and can have lasting negative effects.
What is identity achievement?
Identity achievement is a status where an adolescent has explored different identities and has made a personal commitment to one.
A society where people are expected to marry in their early twenties and have children by thirty is demonstrating the influence of what concept?
This society is demonstrating the influence of a culturally specific social clock.
What is the 'imaginary audience' in the context of adolescent egocentrism?
The imaginary audience is an adolescent's belief that their actions and appearance are constantly being watched and judged by others.
An adolescent believes that no one, especially their parents, could possibly understand the pain of their recent breakup. This is an example of what?
This is an example of the personal fable, a form of adolescent egocentrism.
What are the two components of adolescent egocentrism mentioned in the text?
The two components of adolescent egocentrism are the imaginary audience and the personal fable.
A college student is taking classes in many different subjects and has changed their major twice, trying to figure out what they want to do. Which identity status are they in?
This student is in a state of identity moratorium, as they are actively exploring options without having made a final commitment.
What is pretend play?
Pretend play is a form of peer engagement where children interact by creating and acting out imaginary scenarios.
What is the central idea of the stage theory of psychosocial development?
This theory proposes that individuals face and must resolve a series of psychosocial conflicts at each distinct stage of life.
What is parallel play?
Parallel play is a form of peer engagement where children play alongside each other but do not directly interact.
What is the long-term impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
ACEs can negatively affect an individual's relationships throughout their entire lifespan.
A child is playing with blocks near another child who is also playing with blocks, but they are not interacting. What type of play is this?
This is an example of parallel play, a common form of engagement among young children.
An infant who shows distress when their caregiver leaves but is easily soothed upon their return is likely exhibiting which attachment style?
This infant is likely exhibiting a secure attachment style.
According to the stage theory of psychosocial development, what is the first conflict an infant must resolve?
The first conflict to be resolved is trust vs. mistrust, which sets the foundation for future relationships.
What is the 'personal fable' in the context of adolescent egocentrism?
The personal fable is an adolescent's belief that their feelings and experiences are uniquely different from everyone else's.
What primary benefit do adult relationships provide?
Adult relationships are a key source of mutual support.
How can early life experiences influence relationships in adulthood?
An individual's childhood attachment style can significantly affect their attachment patterns and relationships in adulthood.
How does social development connect to the core subject matter of psychology?
Social development relates to psychology by influencing an individual's behavior and mental processes throughout their life.
What is Ecological Systems Theory?
This theory explores how various social environments, such as the microsystem and mesosystem, influence an individual's development.
What is separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is the fear and distress a child experiences when they are away from their primary caregiver or in the presence of a stranger.
How does the focus of social relationships change in adolescence?
During adolescence, individuals begin to rely more heavily on their peer relationships for social support and identity formation.
What is identity foreclosure?
Identity foreclosure is a status where an adolescent has committed to an identity without engaging in a period of exploration, often accepting a role prescribed by others.
What is identity diffusion?
Identity diffusion is a status where an adolescent has not yet explored identity options or made any commitments.
What is the 'social clock'?
The social clock is a culturally determined timeline for when major life events, such as marriage or retirement, are expected to occur.
What is identity moratorium?
Identity moratorium is a status where an adolescent is actively in the process of exploring different identities but has not yet made a commitment.
A parent sets firm rules but is also responsive and explains the reasons for their rules. Which parenting style is this?
This describes the authoritative parenting style, which is associated with positive child outcomes.
According to Ecological Systems Theory, what is a microsystem?
The microsystem is one of the social environments in Ecological Systems Theory, representing an individual's immediate surroundings like family and school.
What are the primary categories of infant attachment styles?
The primary infant attachment styles are categorized as secure and insecure.
Name the four identity statuses adolescents may experience while developing a sense of self.
The four identity statuses are achievement, diffusion, foreclosure, and moratorium.
What is the relationship between parenting styles and culture?
The effectiveness and prevalence of parenting styles (authoritarian, authoritative, permissive) can differ across various cultures.
What two factors can influence an infant's attachment style?
Infant attachment styles can vary based on the infant's temperament and cultural context.
What aspect of social interaction do developmental psychologists study over time?
Developmental psychologists study the evolution of peer relationships throughout the lifespan.
What did the monkey studies on attachment reveal about the formation of bonds?
These studies demonstrated that the need for comfort is more important than the need for food in the formation of attachment.
What are the three parenting styles that affect child outcomes?
The three parenting styles are authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive, and their effects can vary based on cultural differences.