Option 1 Key Terms

Zone of Proximal Development

The difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.

Scaffolding

The process of providing temporary support to a learner, which is gradually withdrawn as competence increases.

Violation of Expectation

A phenomenon where infants look longer at events that contradict their implicit expectations, indicating that the event violates their mental model.

Object Permanence

The concept that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight, a developmental milestone typically reached around 8–12 months.

Theory of Mind

The ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others and to understand that others may hold different beliefs.

Perspective‑Taking

The process of considering another person’s viewpoint, including their thoughts, feelings, and intentions.

Mirror neuron system

A set of neurons that activate both when performing an action and when observing the same action performed by another, thought to underpin action understanding and social learning.

Social cognition

The mental processes involved in perceiving, interpreting, and responding to the behaviour and intentions of others.