GCSE Psychology: Development & Attachment Revision

Development & Attachment is a core part of GCSE Psychology. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

AO1Assessment objective: knowledge and understanding.

AO2Assessment objective: application to scenarios.

AO3Assessment objective: analysis and evaluation.

VygotskySocial constructivist stressing culture and language.

Zone of proximal developmentGap between what a child can do alone and with help.

ScaffoldingAdult support gradually removed as a child learns.

ConservationKnowing quantity stays the same despite shape change.

Concrete operationalStage 7-11: logical thought about concrete objects.

Formal operationalStage 11+: abstract and hypothetical reasoning.

Hughes' policemanTask showing 90% of 4-year-olds are not egocentric.

Object permanenceKnowing objects exist when out of sight.

ReadinessIdea that children learn when biologically prepared.

SchemaA mental framework that organises knowledge about the world.

AssimilationFitting new information into an existing schema.

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Do babies attach only to whoever feeds them?✗ Yes, attachment forms only with the feeder. ✓ No — comfort and responsiveness matter more than feeding.

Can early attachment affect later relationships?✗ No, early experiences have no later effect. ✓ Yes — early attachment can act as a template for later relationships.

Practise Development & Attachment — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →

Development & Attachment

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Development & Attachment — free games

More GCSE Psychology topics