NYSTCE FCS (072) key terms

A ranked model of human motivation placing basic survival needs first, then safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Family and consumer sciences uses it to explain why individuals and families prioritize resources as they do.

The view that a family is an interdependent unit in which each member's behavior affects every other member. Change in one part of the system produces adjustment elsewhere, and patterns repeat across generations.

A sequence of predictable stages a family passes through, from formation through child-rearing and launching to later life. Each stage brings distinct tasks, resource demands, and stresses that practitioners anticipate.

Skills and adjustments expected of a person at a given life stage, such as forming an identity in adolescence or establishing independence in young adulthood. Mastery supports later tasks; failure creates difficulty downstream.

Eight life stages defined by a central conflict, such as trust versus mistrust in infancy or intimacy versus isolation in young adulthood. Resolution of each crisis shapes personality and relationships.

The emotional bond an infant forms with a caregiver, which becomes a template for later relationships. Secure attachment develops when caregiving is consistent and responsive; insecure patterns affect trust and regulation.

Patterns of child-rearing described along warmth and control dimensions: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Authoritative parenting, combining warmth with clear expectations, is linked to the best outcomes.

Discipline teaches and guides behavior toward self-control, while punishment inflicts a penalty for a misdeed. Effective guidance is consistent, explains reasons, and targets the behavior rather than the child's worth.

Proactive strategies that prevent misbehavior and teach appropriate conduct, such as clear limits, modeling, redirection, and natural consequences. It emphasizes respect for the child and builds self-regulation rather than compliance through fear.

Observable skills most children reach within an approximate age range in physical, cognitive, language, and social domains. Ranges vary widely; persistent delay in one area warrants referral for screening.

Four stages of thinking: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. The model explains why young children reason concretely and why abstract instruction fails before adolescence.

Teaching young children with methods and expectations matched to their age, individual development, and social and cultural context. It favors hands-on experience, play, and concrete materials over abstract drill.

The study of how people behave according to the positions they occupy, such as parent, worker, or caregiver. Conflicting expectations between roles create strain that affects family functioning and resource decisions.

Strain arising when demands from paid work and family life compete for the same time, energy, or attention. It can be time-based, strain-based, or behavior-based and is eased by flexibility and boundary-setting.

The process of identifying, allocating, and using resources such as time, money, energy, and skills to reach goals. It involves planning, decision-making, implementing, and evaluating results.

The value of the best alternative given up when a choice is made. Recognizing it helps families compare trade-offs honestly, whether spending money, time, or attention on one option rather than another.

A structured sequence: identify the problem, gather information, list alternatives, weigh consequences, choose, act, and evaluate. Practitioners teach it so families make deliberate rather than impulsive choices.

A goal-setting check requiring objectives to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. The format turns vague intentions into plans that can be tracked and revised.

Needs are essentials required for survival and basic well-being; wants improve comfort or enjoyment but are optional. Distinguishing them is foundational to budgeting and consumer decision-making.

A written plan matching expected income to planned spending and saving over a period. A balanced budget spends no more than income; variance between plan and actual is reviewed and adjusted.

Money set aside to cover unexpected expenses without borrowing, commonly three to six months of essential living costs. It protects a budget from shocks such as job loss or medical bills.

Interest calculated on both the original principal and previously earned interest, causing balances to grow faster over time. The same mechanism makes carrying debt expensive.

A numeric summary of creditworthiness based mainly on payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. Higher scores reduce borrowing costs.

Fraudulent use of another person's personal information to obtain credit, goods, or services. Prevention includes protecting documents, using strong passwords, and reviewing statements and credit reports.

Government bodies that enforce fair-trade and safety laws, such as the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Product Safety Commission. They handle complaints, recalls, and deceptive-practice enforcement.

A seller's written promise about the condition or performance of a product and the remedy if it fails. Express warranties are stated; implied warranties arise automatically under law.

Evaluating competing products or services on price, quality, features, and terms before buying. Unit pricing and reading labels make comparisons accurate rather than impressionistic.

The cost per standard measure, such as per ounce or per sheet, displayed to allow fair comparison across package sizes. Larger packages are not always cheaper per unit.

A visual nutrition guide dividing a plate into fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy, with proportions suggesting relative intake. It replaces the food pyramid as a practical daily reference.

Federally issued, periodically updated recommendations on diet and physical activity for the general public. They emphasize nutrient-dense foods, limited added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.

Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, needed in large amounts to supply energy and building materials. Each provides a set number of calories per gram and serves distinct body functions.

Vitamins and minerals required in small amounts for regulation, growth, and disease prevention. Deficiency and excess both cause harm, so variety in the diet matters.

Practices preventing foodborne illness, including clean, separate, cook, and chill. Temperature control, handwashing, and avoiding cross-contamination are central, as is holding food out of the danger zone.

The temperature range roughly between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit in which bacteria multiply rapidly. Perishable food should not remain in this range for more than about two hours.

Transfer of harmful microorganisms from one food or surface to another, often via utensils, cutting boards, or hands. Separate boards for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods help prevent it.

A structured layout listing yield, ingredients in order of use, equipment, and step-by-step directions with times and temperatures. Consistent format supports costing, scaling, and quality control.

French for "put in place": preparing and arranging all ingredients and tools before cooking begins. It improves efficiency, accuracy, and safety in food preparation.

Textiles from plant, animal, or mineral sources, such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen. Their absorbency, strength, and care requirements differ from synthetics and guide fabric selection.

Fibers made chemically or regenerated from substances such as petroleum or wood pulp, including polyester, nylon, and rayon. They often add strength, elasticity, or wrinkle resistance.

Attached labels giving required washing, drying, ironing, and dry-cleaning instructions, mandated by federal rule. Following them preserves garments and voids fewer warranties.

The building blocks of visual composition: line, shape or form, space, texture, and color. Designers manipulate them to create pleasing and functional interiors and garments.

Guidelines for arranging the elements: balance, rhythm, emphasis, proportion, and harmony. They describe how a space or garment achieves order and visual appeal.

A circular arrangement of hues used to identify relationships such as complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes. It guides harmonious color selection in interiors and apparel.

Designing products and spaces usable by the widest range of people without adaptation, through features like wide clearances and lever handles. It benefits older adults, people with disabilities, and everyone else.

The degree to which an environment, product, or service can be used by people with disabilities, addressed by standards such as the ADA. Ramps, contrast, and captioning are common measures.

Designing tasks, tools, and workspaces to fit human physical capabilities and reduce strain. Proper chair height, lighting, and repetitive-motion limits are typical applications.