Question 1

Myelination

Accepted Answer

Myelination first occurs in the spinal cord and then progresses to other parts of the central nervous system.

Question 2

When visiting your sister, you notice that her infant enjoys watching a mobile that hangs over his head.Of the various objects hanging on the mobile, which ones are likely to get more of his attention?

Accepted Answer

Infants are most responsive to objects with bold black-and-white patterns, as these have the highest contrast and are most interesting to their developing visual system.

Question 3

You present an infant with two pictures-one of a boat and another of a tree.You time how long she looks at each of them.Over a 5-minute period, the infant looks at each of the pictures for the same amount of time.You can probably conclude that

Accepted Answer

Since the infant looked at both pictures for the same amount of time, we can conclude that the stimuli are similarly interesting to the infant. This suggests that the infant does not have a preference or special interest towards either the boat or tree picture.

Question 4

Jenna just learned to crawl.According to dynamic systems theory, Jenna likely achieved this developmental milestone due to

Accepted Answer

According to dynamic systems theory, development arises from the interaction of multiple factors, including the child's own motivation and exploration of their environment. Jenna likely achieved the milestone of crawling due to her own desire to explore and move around, rather than external reinforcement, observation of others, or cognitive development.

Question 5

Whereas early research on when children achieve developmental milestones focused on influences of genes and environment, dynamic systems theory emphasizes the role that genes and environment play in an infant's development.

Accepted Answer

Dynamic systems theory emphasizes the joint role of genes and environment in an infant's development, contrasting with earlier research that considered their influences separately or uniquely.

Question 6

Dynamic systems theory refers to the view that development is

Accepted Answer

Dynamic systems theory suggests that development is not determined solely by genetic factors or consistent environmental influences, but is instead a self-organizing process that emerges from the interactions between a child and their environment. This theory emphasizes that there are many factors at play in development, and that these factors interact in complex ways to shape a child's growth and learning over time. Choice B is incorrect because parenting is only one factor among many that can influence development, and is not the sole determinant of a child's outcomes. Choice C is also incorrect because dynamic systems theory suggests that interactions between a child and their environment are consistent, rather than inconsistent.

Question 7

Sean just said his first word, "Scruffy," the name of the family dog.How would a dynamic systems psychologist explain why this was his first word?

Accepted Answer

A dynamic systems psychologist would explain Sean's first word by saying that it emerged from his interactions with and perception of his environment. The dog's constant presence and interesting nature likely captured his attention, leading him to associate the word "Scruffy" with the dog. As he continued to interact with the dog and hear the word, he likely began to make connections between the sound of the word and the object it represents, eventually leading to the production of his first word.

Question 8

Your nephew Khalil has recently started to reach for objects in the mobile above his crib.These objects entertain him now, but according to dynamic systems theory he is likely to lose interest in them if

Accepted Answer

According to dynamic systems theory, infants are constantly exploring and learning about their environment. As they gain new skills and abilities, they become more interested in different objects and experiences. Therefore, it is likely that Khalil will lose interest in the mobile objects if he becomes more interested in another object in his environment.

Question 9

Visual acuity reaches adult levels in a typical child by the time they are of age.This development depends on the child's .

Accepted Answer

Visual acuity reaches adult levels in a typical child by approximately 1 year, which coincides with the integration of the visual cortex. The development of cones in the retina is important for color vision, but not specifically for visual acuity. Attachment style is not directly related to the development of visual acuity.

Question 10

Synaptic pruning is

Accepted Answer

Synaptic pruning is a natural process in which the brain eliminates connections between neurons that are not being used or reinforced. This allows for more efficient neural communication and strengthens important connections. It is a crucial part of normal brain development and is necessary for learning and memory.

Question 11

Very few synaptic connections between neurons will be made in the brain if

Accepted Answer

Synaptic connections in the brain rely on experiences and stimulation to form and strengthen. If a child is not adequately stimulated, then there will be a lack of synaptic connections between neurons. Myelination, being in the preoperational stage, and avoiding teratogens can impact brain development in other ways but are not directly related to the formation of synaptic connections.

Question 12

You would expect infants in Kenya and Thailand to reach developmental milestones

Accepted Answer

While infants are expected to reach developmental milestones in the same order, the pace at which they achieve these milestones can vary. Factors such as genetics, nutrition, and environmental stimulation can all impact the rate at which an infant reaches milestones. Therefore, it is likely that infants in Kenya and Thailand will reach developmental milestones in the same order, but at different paces.

Question 13

At birth, an infant will automatically turn and suck when a nipple or similar object is placed near her mouth.This reflex is called

Accepted Answer

The reflex described in the question is the rooting reflex, which is the automatic turning and sucking response of infants when a nipple or similar object is placed near their mouth. The other options, grasping, pruning, and orienting, do not refer to this specific reflex.

Question 14

A toy maker wants to determine which of three toy models infants like best.Which of the following methods would be best for assessing this preference?

Accepted Answer

The preferential looking technique is the best choice because it takes advantage of infants' natural tendency to look longer at objects they prefer or find interesting. The toy maker could present infants with three toy models and measure how long they look at each one, allowing them to determine which toy model the infants prefer.

Question 15

Shari just got her first tattoo at 17 years of age.Her mother is furious with her and cannot understand why she got this tattoo.Dynamic systems theory would explain Shari's behavior as

Accepted Answer

Dynamic systems theory emphasizes that behavior is a result of a complex interaction between an individual's desires, environmental influences, and the context of the situation. In this case, Shari's decision to get a tattoo is likely influenced by both her own desires and the fact that many of her peers also have tattoos. It is not just a simple act of rebellion, nor is it solely due to peer pressure.

Question 16

Comparisons across cultures regarding when children achieve particular developmental milestones indicate that

Accepted Answer

The achievement of developmental milestones shows a consistent general pattern across cultures, although the exact timing can vary due to cultural practices and environmental factors.

Question 17

Young children are able to perceive visual stimuli with the same precision as adults

Accepted Answer

Young children typically reach adult-like levels of visual acuity and perception around one year after birth, as their visual system matures.

Question 18

What types of objects would a dynamic systems theory psychologist predict are likely to be a child's spoken first words?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic systems theory emphasizes the child's active participation in the construction of language, viewing language acquisition as a complex and dynamic process that emerges from the interactions between the child and their environment. According to this theory, children's first words are likely to be related to the objects and actions in their environment that are of particular interest to them, rather than being limited to those that are easy to pronounce or related to their own name.

Question 19

Imagine you are designing a research study that is examining developmental milestones in young children from a dynamic systems theory perspective.Which of the following sets of measures and variables would you want to collect?

Accepted Answer

A dynamic systems theory perspective emphasizes the interactions between different factors in the child's environment, and how they shape the child's development over time. Therefore, it would be important to collect measures and variables that reflect these factors, such as the stimuli present in the home environment, cultural practices, and child factors such as attention. While the other options (A, B, and C) may also be important to consider, they do not specifically align with the focus of a dynamic systems theory perspective.

Question 20

Dynamic systems theory views development as arising from the interaction between a child and

Accepted Answer

Dynamic systems theory emphasizes the way in which a child's development arises from the interaction between their genetic makeup and environmental and cultural contexts. Thus, the best choice is D. While the child's personality may play a role, it is not emphasized in this theory as much as genetic and contextual factors.

Quiz 9: Human Development