Question 1

What physical change is most evident in terms of growth development in middle childhood?

Accepted Answer

The most evident physical change in middle childhood is overall muscle growth, as children become stronger and more coordinated. While growth in height and limb length may still occur during this period, it is not as rapid as during early childhood. Acne and foot growth typically occur during puberty, which is later in development.

Question 2

Though Mabel is unable to think in abstract terms, she is beginning to understand that because 3 + 5 = 8, 5 + 3 must also equal 8. According to Piaget, which stage of thinking is Mabel starting to exhibit

Accepted Answer

Mabel is exhibiting the concrete-operational stage, which is characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete objects and events, but not yet able to think abstractly or hypothetically.

Question 3

Larry notices that his son Tate is having a great time playing near the kitchen sink. When Larry asks Tate what he is doing, Tate responds, "It is fun to look at two different size glasses, imagine water pouring back and forth between them, while knowing that the amount of water stays the same even though the glass shapes differ." What do Tate's actions indicate that he has acquired?

Accepted Answer

Tate's actions indicate that he has acquired a mental operation, specifically conservation of quantity. This is the ability to understand that even though the appearance of objects may change, their quantity or amount remains the same. This is a key component of Piaget's theory of cognitive development.

Question 4

Which of the following components is more predominant in a girl's body than in a boy's body during middle childhood?

Accepted Answer

During middle childhood, girls tend to have a higher amount of body fat compared to boys. This is due to differences in hormonal levels and body composition, as girls begin to develop more fatty tissue in preparation for puberty and reproductive purposes. Boys, on the other hand, tend to have more lean muscle mass, which is influenced by higher levels of testosterone.

Question 5

According to your text, how many hours of sleep would Kikki, a vibrant and active 6-year-old, typically require?

Accepted Answer

Children aged 6 years old typically need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep per 24 hours, so 10 hours falls within this recommended range.

Question 6

At what approximate age does a child enter the concrete-operational stage of thinking?

Accepted Answer

The concrete-operational stage typically begins around age 7, according to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This stage is characterized by the development of logical thought and the ability to handle abstract concepts.

Question 7

At what age do most boys enter puberty?

Accepted Answer

Most boys enter puberty between the ages of 11 and 12. However, it can happen as early as age 9 or as late as age 14.

Question 8

Dee used to think that everyone else liked the same people she did and hated the same people she did. She now realizes that different people have different opinions toward others. What would Piaget suggest that Dee has recently become?

Accepted Answer

According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children in the concrete operational stage (ages 7-11) begin to understand that others may have different perspectives and opinions than their own. They are able to take the perspective of others in certain situations and are capable of logical reasoning, but still struggle with abstract and hypothetical situations. Dee's understanding that different people have different opinions toward others suggests that she has developed this ability, placing her in the concrete operational stage.

Question 9

What is working memory?

Accepted Answer

Working memory is a type of short-term memory that is temporary and limited in capacity. It is used to hold and manipulate information during complex cognitive tasks, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. The capacity of working memory is believed to be relatively small, holding only around 7 items of information at a time.

Question 10

Which of the following reflects a basic ability available only to a concrete-operational thinker?

Accepted Answer

A concrete-operational thinker is a child who is able to think logically about concrete events and objects that they can see, touch, or experience directly. They are not yet capable of abstract reasoning or hypothetical thinking, so options B, C, and D which involve hypothetical, experiential, and empathetic thinking respectively are not basic abilities of a concrete-operational thinker. Option A involves realistic, logical thinking about concrete situations, which reflects the basic ability of a concrete-operational thinker.

Question 11

Sherri has been eating a great deal, and she has been outgrowing most of her clothes. At what age do most girls like Sherri experience a middle childhood growth spurt?

Accepted Answer

The middle childhood growth spurt typically occurs between the ages of 8-12, with the peak commonly around 10 years old. Therefore, the best choice is C, 10 years old.

Question 12

Samantha is a typical 10-year-old girl. How many calories does she require in her daily diet for both growth and energy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Samantha is a typical 10-year-old girl. How...

Question 13

Zoe's parents are concerned about her nutritional health. They believe that she is consuming too many "empty" calories' worth of food. Which of the following is an example of "empty" calories?

Accepted Answer

A diet soda and a bag of potato chips are an example of "empty" calories because they do not provide any significant nutrients, just calories from sugar and fat.

Question 14

Who would be most likely to emphasize the important role that changes in memory efficiency plays in cognitive development?

Accepted Answer

Leonard, who is an information processing theorist, would be most likely to emphasize the important role that changes in memory efficiency plays in cognitive development. Information processing theorists focus on the ways in which individuals process, store, and use information, so memory efficiency would be a key area of interest for them.

Question 15

According to Piaget, what is responsible for a concrete-operational child's ability to reverse thought?

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that it is the child's acquisition of mental operations, such as the ability to mentally manipulate and reverse thoughts, that allows them to demonstrate concrete operational thinking. This includes the ability to understand conservation of quantity, class inclusion, and seriation, which are all based on the child's ability to mentally reverse actions and thoughts.

Question 16

According to Piaget, at approximately what age does the skill of thinking abstractly and hypothetically begin?

Accepted Answer

According to Piaget, the skill of thinking abstractly and hypothetically begins at approximately 11 years old or during the formal operational stage of cognitive development, which lasts from adolescence through adulthood.

Question 17

Who is most likely the formal-operational thinker?

Accepted Answer

Formal-operational thinking is characterized by the ability to reason abstractly and think hypothetically. Sherri, who understands abstract reasoning, is most likely the formal-operational thinker.

Question 18

Which of the following tasks uses a child's fine motor skills?

Accepted Answer

Handwriting requires the use of fine motor skills to manipulate a writing utensil and create small, precise movements. Mixing cookie dough and doing push-ups involve gross motor skills, while running a race involves a combination of gross motor skills and cardiovascular endurance.

Question 19

A concrete-operational thinker and a formal-operational thinker are given the following logical statements:1. If you drop a 20-kilogram bowling ball on your foot, it will tickle. 2. You drop a 20-kilogram bowling ball on your foot. What reaction would you expect?

Accepted Answer

A formal-operational thinker can understand hypothetical situations and abstract logic, so they might follow the logic of the given statements and conclude that "your foot would tickle," even if it contradicts real-world experience. A concrete-operational thinker, however, relies on concrete experiences and would likely not accept the hypothetical conclusion.

Question 20

Kerry's mom just instructed him to go to the corner store to pick up a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, and 2 litres of milk. In which part of Kerry's brain is this information now stored?

Accepted Answer

Kerry's working memory is responsible for temporarily storing information needed for immediate tasks, such as the specific items his mom asked him to buy at the store. The information may later be transferred to long-term memory if it is deemed important or relevant enough to remember in the future. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus are also involved in memory processing, but they are not the most appropriate answer in this scenario.

Quiz 7: Off to School