Deck 1: The Study of Human Development

Question 1

Julianna is interested in studying how family relationships affect development. Julianna is probably most interested in studying ____ influences.

A) psychological
B) sociocultural
C) non-normative
D) biological

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Viviana notices that children seem to mature socially much faster in Costa Rica than in the Canada. Viviana is most likely to support a ____ position regarding human development.

A) nature
B) discontinuous
C) context-specific
D) continuous

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Your friend David has decided to start studying human development because he hates studying biology. According to your text, will David find happiness in his new area of interest?

A) Yes, because he can focus on psychological factors and ignore sociocultural and biological factors.
B) Yes, but only if he enjoys studying sociocultural factors.
C) No, because studying biological influences is a necessary component in understanding development.
D) No, because normative age-graded influences are all biological.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Daisy and Rose are identical twins who were separated at birth. Daisy was raised in the United States, whereas Rose spent her childhood in Austria. Which force would likely explain most of the differences between their behaviors as teens?

A) psychological
B) nature-based
C) biological
D) sociocultural

Question 5

Lotte is listening to a lecture in which her professor states, "Genetic and cultural factors are important, but they alone cannot explain the development of human beings." Lotte's professor seems to be supporting the

A) biopsychosocial framework
B) position that development is continuous
C) notion of universality
D) concept of discontinuity

Question 6

Dr. Kim takes a strong nature position with regard to the origins of intellectual disabilities. Therefore, she would most likely hypothesize that her son's intellectual disability (formally known as mental retardation) is due to

A) her parenting style
B) his genes
C) his exposure to a toxic chemical prior to birth
D) his exposure to Rubella prior to birth

Question 7

The notion that development is best described in terms of a series of abrupt shifts in behavior best fits with the ____ approach.

A) nature
B) nurture
C) continuity
D) discontinuity

Question 8

Because Dr. Bryant is interested in researching how people of different ages are affected by events, it would be most accurate to say that Dr. Bryant is most interested in studying ____ forces.

A) psychological
B) biological
C) life-cycle
D) sociocultural

Question 9

Cleo, a director of a daycare, uses terms like "pre-K," "K-3," and the "upper-elementary." These ideas are most compatible with a ____ view.

A) context-specificity
B) hereditary
C) continuity
D) discontinuity

Question 10

When Clarisse says, "It doesn't matter if they are French, Swedish, or Chinese, kids are kids," she is espousing a ____ position concerning human development.

A) discontinuous
B) universal
C) nurture
D) context-specific

Question 11

Which item does not constitute a "psychological force"?

A) perception
B) intelligence
C) personality
D) heredity

Question 12

Marcelia has been promoted and is moving her family to a new city in a different part of the country. Though four-year-old Fernando is very happy and makes the transition easily, 12-year-old Jorge is unhappy and has a very difficult time adjusting to the move. Both children generally adapt well to change. Which single set of factors best explains the different responses of Fernando and Jorge to the move?

A) biological factors
B) sociocultural factors
C) personality factors
D) life-cycle factors

Question 13

The field of ____ gives us information about how the four developmental forces interact with each other.

A) biology
B) neuroscience
C) anthropology
D) sociology

Question 14

Which term does not belong in this group?

A) experiential
B) nurture
C) environmental
D) hereditary

Question 15

Dr. Fletcher is attempting to determine whether adult criminals were rule-breakers throughout their childhood or whether they suddenly turned to a life of crime. Her research is most concerned with which issue of human development?

A) nature versus nurture
B) universal versus context-specific development
C) biological versus sociocultural forces
D) continuity versus discontinuity

Question 16

When asked why her sister Yvonne ended up in jail, Penny says, "She was always a mean, aggressive person. She really liked hurting people." Penny is relying on ____ forces to explain Yvonne's development.

A) sociocultural
B) normative age-graded
C) normative history-graded
D) psychological

Question 17

Mustafa is interested in determining whether children develop virtually the same way in Algeria as they do in other parts of the world. Mustafa's research deals primarily with the ____ issue of human development.

A) psychological versus biological forces
B) universal versus context-specific development
C) nature versus nurture
D) continuity versus discontinuity

Question 18

The scientific study of human development can best be described as

A) multidisciplinary
B) focused on groups rather than individuals
C) non-theoretical
D) emphasizing stability over change

Question 19

What is a problem encountered by researchers assessing the effects of sociocultural forces?

A) the lack of genetic distinction between individuals from different racial backgrounds
B) culture appears to have little impact on cognitive development
C) changing ethnic labels (e.g., black American to African American)
D) the inability to apply results to the population being studied

Question 20

Benoit is interested in studying the effects of various biological forces on human development. Which topic is probably of least interest to him?

A) cognition
B) brain maturation
C) menopause
D) exercise

Question 21

An effective punishment

A) causes some physical pain
B) follows a reinforcer
C) reduces the likelihood that a behavior will occur in the future
D) eventually becomes ineffective

Question 22

In operant conditioning theory, reinforcement is to punishment as

A) increasing is to decreasing
B) giving is to taking
C) unwanted is to wanted
D) good is to bad

Question 23

Zhang is attempting to alter the behavior of his son by controlling the consequences of his son's actions. Zhang is practicing

A) social learning theory
B) negative reinforcement
C) operant conditioning
D) ecological theory

Question 24

Imitation is most closely related to the concept of

A) positive reinforcement
B) life-cycle forces
C) selective optimization
D) observational learning

Question 25

Even though Bonita was never reinforced directly for doing so, she increased the frequency of her studying after she saw her friend Hemma get a lot of attention when she studied. This is most likely an example of

A) observational learning
B) operant conditioning
C) punishment
D) self-efficacy

Question 26

Nemo wishes to leave home and begin an adventure that will challenge his skills as a person and lead to a better understanding of himself. According to Erik Erikson, Nemo is in which stage of psychosocial development?

A) generativity vs. stagnation
B) identity vs. identity confusion
C) autonomy vs. shame
D) basic trust vs. mistrust

Question 27

When asked to explain why teenage gang membership is rising, Dr. Yale responds, "Generally speaking, these children are driven by conflicts between what they wish to do and what society wishes them to do." It is most likely that Dr. Yale would be a proponent of ____ theory.

A) psychodynamic
B) social cognitive
C) ecological
D) cognitive-developmental

Question 28

Which statement best exemplifies the basic premise of life-cycle forces?

A) Biological forces play a small role once a person reaches puberty.
B) Unconscious desires are the basis for most human behavior.
C) Early experiences may influence behavior throughout one's development.
D) The forces that influence human behavior are too complex to identify through empirical research.

Question 29

Morticia finds that whenever she talks to her daughter about her obnoxious behavior, the obnoxious behavior increases in frequency. Apparently, Morticia's talks are ____ her daughter's obnoxious behavior.

A) punishing
B) reinforcing
C) suppressing
D) having no effect on

Question 30

How would Erik Erikson respond to the statement, "A midlife crisis is a normal part of the human life-cycle"?

A) He would agree.
B) He would disagree and point out that there is no "normal" progression of human development.
C) He would disagree and point out that "crises" are not a normal part of human development.
D) He would say nothing since he focused on development between birth and adolescence.

Question 31

The epigenetic principle is a key component of ____ theory.

A) social cognitive
B) ecological
C) information-processing
D) psychosocial

Question 32

When Alfonso says, "It would have been tough to be a father at age 21, but being one at age 28 is super," he is noting the important role that ____ factors play in human development.

A) biological
B) life-cycle
C) sociocultural
D) psychological

Question 33

Psychodynamic theories place the least emphasis on the ____ portion of the biopsychosocial framework.

A) life-cycle
B) psychological
C) sociocultural
D) biological

Question 34

Jamaal is a second-grade teacher who notices that his students behave differently from the fourth-graders during recess. He comes up with several connected ideas to explain why the two groups behave differently. Jamaal 's ideas would best be described as a(n) ____.

A) experiment
B) theory
C) study
D) mesosystem

Question 35

The argument that each psychosocial strength has its own special age period of specific importance is the cornerstone of ____ theory of development.

A) Bandura's
B) Erikson's
C) Skinner's
D) Vygotsky's

Question 36

After completing his history assignment, Nico is excused from having to wash the dishes, a task he detests. Nico's parents are attempting to use ____ to increase Nico's studying.

A) positive reinforcement
B) punishment
C) extinction
D) negative reinforcement

Question 37

Who is most associated with psychosocial theory?

A) Erikson
B) Bandura
C) Watson
D) Freud

Question 38

Dr. Gauche likes to make fun of student comments in class. She finds that every time she does this, students make fewer comments the rest of the class period. Apparently, Dr. Gauche's jokes are ____ the students for talking in class.

A) punishing
B) negatively reinforcing
C) positively reinforcing
D) imitating

Question 39

Lynne always wants to visit her grandparents because they give her new toys when she visits. The grandparents have ____ her visiting behavior.

A) reinforced
B) extinguished
C) punished
D) extinguished

Question 40

The basic premise of ____ is that the consequences of a behavior determine the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future.

A) the life-span perspective
B) the epigenetic principle
C) universal development
D) operant conditioning

Question 41

What is the correct order of Piaget's stages of development?

A) sensorimotor, concrete operational, preoperational, formal operational
B) preoperational, formal operational, concrete operational, sensorimotor
C) sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational
D) preoperational, sensorimotor, formal operational, concrete operational

Question 42

Who would have the least amount of interest in children's thinking?

A) an information-processing theorist
B) a Skinnerian theorist
C) a Vygotskian theorist
D) a Piagetian theorist

Question 43

Whose theory of development is best exemplified by the idea that children construct their own knowledge and that this constructed knowledge changes with age/experience?

A) Piaget
B) Bronfenbrenner
C) Erikson
D) Skinner

Question 44

Melissa is doing a study in which lacrosse players are interviewed about their role on the team and perceived capabilities for playing in Saturday's game. Melissa seems to be assessing the ____ of the lacrosse players.

A) life-cycle forces
B) exosystems
C) internal maturational plans
D) self-efficacy

Question 45

What type of theorist would most likely describe human cognitive development using the analogy of "mental software"?

A) an information-processing theorist
B) a Freudian theorist
C) an operant conditioning theorist
D) a social learning theorist

Question 46

Rutger believes that, rather than progressing through a sequence of stages, mental processes gradually get more complex and efficient. Rutger is most likely a proponent of

A) Piaget's theory
B) Kohlberg's theory
C) information-processing theory
D) Erikson's theory

Question 47

When describing the development of his son Pitt, Brad says, "The best way to describe it is in terms of a slow computer with a small memory getting a faster processor and more storage space." This type of description would suggest that Brad adheres to a(n) ____ approach to development.

A) operant conditioning
B) ecological theory
C) Piagetian
D) information-processing

Question 48

Who would most likely explain a child's maladaptive behavior by saying, "They probably saw some TV character do that"?

A) Blake, who is a behaviorist
B) Adam, who is a social learning theorist
C) Alicia, who is a Freudian theorist
D) Gwen, who is a Piagetian theorist

Question 49

Social cognitive theory and operant conditioning are similar in that they both

A) view the individual as an active processor of information
B) believe that experience is important in determining behavior
C) place a greater emphasis on nature than on nurture
D) stress discontinuity

Question 50

According to ecological theory, the people closest to a developing child represent his or her

A) microsystem
B) macrosystem
C) mesosystem
D) exosystem

Question 51

Mary has only one child, three-year-old Shelly, and she has stayed home for most of Shelly's life. From an ecological perspective, Mary is best thought of as part of Shelly's

A) mesosystem
B) exosystem
C) macrosystem
D) microsystem

Question 52

Which theorist is best associated with an ecological approach to human development?

A) Freud
B) Piaget
C) Erikson
D) Bronfenbrenner

Question 53

When Dr. R. Carson is asked to explain troubled adolescents, she says, "The only way to explain the problems of adolescents is to study them in relation to their parents and the culture that surrounds them." Dr. R. Carson is most likely a proponent of ____ theory.

A) psychodynamic
B) cognitive developmental
C) ecological
D) social cognitive

Question 54

Alberto believes he can successfully ski down a steep mountain. Most likely Alberto has

A) reached formal operations
B) high self-efficacy
C) resolved the industry vs. inferiority stage
D) been negatively reinforced

Question 55

Dr. Link tries to help his students learn how to be independent learners by having them watch how other students can be successful by researching answers to possible test questions on their smartphones. Dr. Link is using principles of ____ to help his students.

A) social learning theory
B) operant conditioning
C) cognitive-developmental theory
D) psychosocial theory

Question 56

The biggest difference between Vygotsky's approach to development and that of Piaget and the information-processing approach is that Vygotsky placed more emphasis on

A) the impact of culture
B) stages of development
C) thinking
D) unconscious thoughts

Question 57

Louis discovers that the experiences he has in his developmental psychology class help him to deal with the children he works with at a daycare center. This relationship is best described by Bronfenbrenner's notion of a(n)

A) mesosystem
B) exosystem
C) macrosystem
D) microsystem

Question 58

Dr. Sefky says, "Sure, reinforcement and punishment are important, but how people interpret reinforcement and punishment is even more important." Given this statement, Dr. Sefky's view is most likely to agree with

A) operant conditioning
B) social cognitive theory
C) psychosocial theory
D) psychodynamic theory

Question 59

Dr. Bach is a developmental psychologist who is interested in Vygotsky's theory. What sort of forces are probably of most interest to Dr. Bach?

A) biological
B) psychological
C) life-cycle
D) sociocultural

Question 60

Brandon's developmental psychology teacher believes human development is best conceptualized as progressing discontinuously through several qualitatively different stages of thinking. His instructor is likely a(n)

A) Piagetian
B) social learning theorist
C) ecological theorist
D) behaviorist

Question 61

Marcia is 80 years old and is learning how to speak French and play the guitar for the first time. This new skill development is a good example of

A) multiple causation
B) historical context
C) plasticity
D) multidirectionality

Question 62

The selective optimization with compensation model is primarily associated with the ____ perspective.

A) cognitive-developmental
B) ecological
C) psychodynamic
D) life-span

Question 63

Police shootings have dramatically influenced race relations in the early 21st century. From an ecological perspective, this influence is best thought of as part of the culture's

A) mesosystem
B) exosystem
C) macrosystem
D) microsystem

Question 64

Orlaith is interested in studying the impact of growing up during the Great Recession on the saving and spending habits of individuals. Orlaith's perspective is best described as a ____ perspective.

A) life-course
B) life-span
C) social cognitive
D) psychosocial

Question 65

Whose theory is best associated with a life-span perspective emphasizing research on adult development?

A) Bandura
B) Baltes
C) Bronfenbrenner
D) Piaget

Question 66

Lisa is getting ready to apply for graduate school. To focus on this goal, she is resigning from her posts as editor of the campus newspaper and president of her sorority. These changes in Lisa's life are examples of

A) compensation
B) elective selection
C) loss-based selection
D) self-efficacy

Question 67

Eddie's knowledge of guitar playing has grown over the years, while at the same time his ability to play guitar has deteriorated. Eddie's experience best exemplifies

A) multiple causation
B) historical context
C) plasticity
D) multidirectionality

Question 68

Which research method must always occur in a real-life setting?

A) experiment
B) structured observation
C) naturalistic observation
D) systematic observation

Question 69

Harry wonders if the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016 will impact the career goals of individuals who were adolescents at the time of the Cubs victory. This kind of question is one that best reflects a(n) ____ perspective.

A) cognitive-developmental
B) life-course
C) social cognitive
D) operant conditioning

Question 70

Patti studies the behavior of preschool children by watching them play at a local daycare center. While doing this, she is careful to find a spot where she will be completely unnoticed by the individuals she is observing. Patti is most likely using a ____ approach to studying the children.

A) structured observation
B) correlational
C) self-report
D) naturalistic observation

Question 71

Carrie is most interested in studying adolescent behavior occurring at a high school prom. Which method is most likely to help her accomplish this goal?

A) structured observation
B) naturalistic observation
C) self-report
D) experiment

Question 72

The fact that 45-year-old George is worried about how the election of the new U.S. president will impact his current job status is best associated with

A) individual timing of life events in relation to external historical events
B) the synchronization of individual transitions with collective familial ones
C) the impact of earlier life events on current conditions
D) history determining the outcome of life

Question 73

Which research study would you most expect to see from a researcher with a life-course perspective?

A) the effect of smoking on neurotransmitter systems and memory
B) how memory processes change from infancy to old age
C) growing up in the 1960s and its influence on political activism in middle adulthood
D) sex differences in marital satisfaction

Question 74

Millie finds herself unable to adjust to her new job because she doesn't seem to have the work skills necessary to keep her strict boss happy. Millie's predicament would probably best be explained by

A) psychosocial theory
B) Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory
C) the competence-environmental press theory
D) Kohlberg's theory of moral development

Question 75

The notion of "balancing" work and home responsibilities is best associated with

A) individual timing of life events in relation to external historical events
B) the synchronization of individual transitions with collective familial ones
C) the impact of earlier life events on current conditions
D) history determining the outcome of life

Question 76

Tina is given a huge salary increase and is now able to get things for her children that they have always needed and move into a nicer home. Bronfenbrenner would state that this increase in the mother's salary is an example of the impact of the children's

A) exosystem
B) mesosystem
C) macrosystem
D) microsystem

Question 77

Professor Linwood always makes a point of learning the names of all the students in her class. She used to be able to do this in her head but has recently found that she needs note cards to help her remember. This change in behavior is best described as

A) loss-based selection
B) elective selection
C) compensation
D) the epigenetic principle

Question 78

Multidirectionality, plasticity, historical context, and multiple causation are all key features of the ____ perspective.

A) life-span
B) cognitive-developmental
C) psychosocial
D) ecological

Question 79

The fact that a teen growing up when Pearl Harbor was attacked will develop in a different manner from a teen growing up when the World Trade Center was attacked is best explained in terms of

A) multidirectionality
B) multiple causation
C) plasticity
D) historical context

Question 80

A researcher who wants to study how state welfare programs influence parenting behaviors would be primarily studying

A) microsystems
B) exosystems
C) mesosystems
D) operant conditioning