Question 1

If you subscribe to Paul Baltes' perspective of life-span development,which of the following statements would you NOT agree with?
A)Development is lifelong
B)Development is unidirectional
C)Development is plastic
D)Development is contextual

Accepted Answer

Paul Baltes' perspective of life-span development emphasizes that development is multidirectional, meaning that it involves both gains and losses in various domains of functioning throughout the lifespan. Therefore, option B, which states that development is unidirectional (i.e., it progresses in a single direction), would not align with Baltes' perspective.

Question 2

_____ means the capacity for change.
A)Elasticity
B)Plasticity
C)Contextuality
D)Tenacity

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences, learning, and injury. It is a key feature of neuroplasticity, which allows for cognitive improvement and recovery after brain damage. Elasticity refers to the ability of a material to stretch and return to its original shape, and is not relevant to this question. Contextuality refers to the influence of different contexts on behavior and decision-making, while tenacity refers to persistence and determination in the face of obstacles.

Question 3

_____ include biological processes such as puberty and menopause.They also include sociocultural,environmental processes such as beginning formal education and retirement.
A)Normative age-graded influences
B)Normative history-graded influences
C)Normative life events
D)Nonnormative life events

Accepted Answer

Normative age-graded influences are typical events and transitions that occur across cultures and time periods, such as biological processes like puberty and menopause, as well as social and cultural events like beginning formal education and retirement. Normative history-graded influences refer to events that are unique to a particular historical time period, while nonnormative life events are individualized and unpredictable events that occur at any point in a person's life.

Question 4

Tzu-Chiang is 55 years old and is currently enrolled in a college algebra course.He is pleasantly surprised that he is performing well in the course despite not taking a formal math class for over 30 years.Researchers would consider this an instance that illustrates how development is:
A)plastic.
B)multidisciplinary.
C)lifelong.
D)contextual.

Accepted Answer

Tzu-Chiang's success in the college algebra course despite not taking a formal math class in over 30 years illustrates how development is plastic, meaning that individuals can continue to learn and develop abilities throughout their lifetime. This is a key concept in the field of developmental psychology, which focuses on understanding how individuals change and grow over time. Tzu-Chiang's experience demonstrates the potential for individuals to adapt to new challenges and to continue to develop new skills and abilities, even in later stages of life.

Question 5

Many individuals become wiser as they age,but their performance on tasks that require speed in processing information starts to decline.This illustrates how throughout life,some dimensions or components of a dimension expand and others shrink,or how development is:
A)plastic.
B)contextual.
C)multidisciplinary.
D)multidirectional.

Accepted Answer

Multidirectional development theory suggests that as an individual grows older, some dimensions of development may expand while others may shrink. This theory can be seen in the scenario mentioned, where an individual may become wiser as they age (suggesting expansion in some dimensions of development), but their processing speed may decline (suggesting shrinkage in another dimension of development).

Question 6

The idea that no age period dominates development highlights the life-span perspective that development is:
A)plastic.
B)contextual.
C)multidimensional.
D)lifelong.

Accepted Answer

The life-span perspective emphasizes that development is lifelong, meaning that no single age period is more important than another in terms of development. This perspective views development as a continuous process that occurs throughout the entire lifespan, from birth to death.

Question 7

As people enter adolescence they start focusing more time on romantic relationships,and spend less time with friends as a result.This illustrates how development is:
A)plastic.
B)contextual.
C)multidisciplinary.
D)multidirectional.

Accepted Answer

The fact that adolescents spend less time with friends and more time on romantic relationships indicates a shift or change in their developmental trajectory, highlighting the multidirectionality of development.

Question 8

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." This old saying refutes Paul Baltes' life-span perspective that views development as being:
A)plastic.
B)multidisciplinary.
C)lifelong.
D)contextual.

Accepted Answer

Paul Baltes' life-span perspective emphasizes plasticity, which means that development is open to change and modification at any age. The saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" implies that learning and development are not possible in older individuals, which contradicts the idea of plasticity.

Question 9

The idea that people don't develop in isolation,but instead are influenced by the changing world of school,peers,and family life.This indicates how development is:
A)contextual
B)multidisciplinary
C)multidirectional
D)multidimensional

Accepted Answer

The statement that "people don't develop in isolation but instead are influenced by the changing world of school, peers, and family life" emphasizes the importance of context in development. Therefore, the best choice is A, which refers to the contextual nature of development. B, C, and D also describe important aspects of development (multidisciplinary, multidirectional, and multidimensional), but they are not as directly relevant to the idea presented in the statement.

Question 10

Development can be defined as the pattern of movement or change that:
A)begins at childhood and continues until adulthood.
B)begins at conception and continues until adulthood.
C)begins at birth and continues through the human life span.
D)begins at conception and continues through the human life span.

Accepted Answer

Development begins at conception and continues through the human life span, encompassing physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes across the lifespan.

Question 11

Dr.Tepper-Harmon believes that life-span development cannot be studied without considering biological,socioemotional,and cognitive dimensions.Dr.Tepper-Harmon believes that development is:
A)lifelong.
B)contextual.
C)multidimensional.
D)plastic.

Accepted Answer

Dr.Tepper-Harmon believes that life-span development cannot be studied without considering biological,socioemotional,and cognitive dimensions, thus indicating a multidimensional view of development. Option A, B, and D are true for life-span development, but only option C is directly related to Dr. Tepper-Harmon's view.

Question 12

The life expectancy in the United States is currently:
A)60 years.
B)79 years.
C)85 years
D)53 years.

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current life expectancy in the United States is 79 years.

Question 13

Life expectancy in the United States has increased by _____ years during the twentieth century.
A)22
B)12
C)32
D)52

Accepted Answer

Life expectancy in the United States increased by approximately 32 years during the twentieth century, from about 47 years in 1900 to around 79 years by the end of the century.

Question 14

Psychologists,sociologists,anthropologists,neuroscientists,and medical researchers all share an interest in unlocking the mysteries of development through the life span.This indicates how development is:
A)multidirectional.
B)plastic.
C)multidisciplinary.
D)multidimensional.

Accepted Answer

The fact that multiple fields of study are interested in studying development through the lifespan highlights the multidisciplinary nature of this area of research.

Question 15

When taking his psychology class,Professor Sharma emphasizes that developmental change occurs throughout adulthood as well as childhood.Professor Sharma is taking a(n)_____ approach to developmental change.
A)life-span
B)evolutionary
C)normative
D)constructivist

Accepted Answer

Professor Sharma's emphasis on developmental change occurring throughout adulthood as well as childhood suggests that he takes a life-span approach to developmental change, which emphasizes that development proceeds throughout the entire course of a person's life. The other options (evolutionary, normative, and constructivist) do not accurately describe this emphasis.

Question 16

The _____ approach to the study of development emphasizes extensive change from birth to adolescence,especially during infancy,little or no change in adulthood,and decline in old age.
A)prescriptive
B)constructivist
C)traditional
D)evolutionary

Accepted Answer

The traditional approach to the study of development emphasizes extensive change from birth to adolescence, little or no change in adulthood, and decline in old age. This approach believes that development follows a predetermined and universal sequence, with each individual hitting the same milestones at similar ages.

Question 17

The maximum life span of humans:
A)has increased over time.
B)has not changed since the beginning of recorded history.
C)has matched their life expectancy in recent times.
D)is about 65 years as the first decade of the twenty-first century draws to a close.

Accepted Answer

The maximum life span of humans has not changed significantly since the beginning of recorded history, remaining around 120 years. Life expectancy, however, has increased due to improvements in healthcare and living conditions.

Question 18

Two developmental psychologists are having a conversation.One believes in the traditional approach of developmental change,whereas the other believes in the life-span approach.The two are most likely to differ on:
A)whether developmental change starts at birth or at conception.
B)whether the tabula rasa or the innate goodness positions were correct.
C)whether most developmental change occurs from birth to adolescence or throughout adulthood as well as childhood.
D)whether the earlier theorists,such as Freud and Jung,were correct or whether the later theorists such as Piaget and Skinner were correct about developmental change.

Accepted Answer

The traditional approach of developmental change focuses on the changes that occur from birth to adolescence, while the life-span approach recognizes that developmental change occurs throughout adulthood as well as childhood. Therefore, the psychologists are most likely to differ on whether developmental change is limited to the early years or if it is a lifelong process. The other options are not directly related to the differences between the two approaches.

Question 19

"Individuals are changing beings in a changing world." Which characteristic of development is reflected in this statement?
A)Development is multidisciplinary
B)Development is contextual
C)Development is multidimensional
D)Development is multidirectional

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects that development is contextual, meaning it occurs within a set of circumstances or environment that influences the individual's growth and change.

Question 20

On your first day of class,Professor Red-Elk claims that for too long we have focused on the development of young children,especially infants.She argues that the development of adults and elderly people is just as important.This professor is articulating a(n)_____ approach.
A)evolutionary
B)constructivist
C)normative
D)life-span

Accepted Answer

The professor is advocating for a life-span approach, which emphasizes the importance of studying development across the entire life span, including adulthood and old age. This approach rejects the idea that development stops after childhood and highlights the importance of continued growth and change throughout life.

Quiz 1: Introduction

If you subscribe to Paul Baltes' perspective of life-span development,which of the following statements would you NOT agree with?

_____ means the capacity for change.

_____ include biological processes such as puberty and menopause.They also include sociocultural,environmental processes such as beginning formal education and retirement.

Tzu-Chiang is 55 years old and is currently enrolled in a college algebra course.He is pleasantly surprised that he is performing well in the course despite not taking a formal math class for over 30 years.Researchers would consider this an instance that illustrates how development is:

Many individuals become wiser as they age,but their performance on tasks that require speed in processing information starts to decline.This illustrates how throughout life,some dimensions or components of a dimension expand and others shrink,or how development is:

The idea that no age period dominates development highlights the life-span perspective that development is:

As people enter adolescence they start focusing more time on romantic relationships,and spend less time with friends as a result.This illustrates how development is:

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." This old saying refutes Paul Baltes' life-span perspective that views development as being:

The idea that people don't develop in isolation,but instead are influenced by the changing world of school,peers,and family life.This indicates how development is:

Development can be defined as the pattern of movement or change that:

Dr.Tepper-Harmon believes that life-span development cannot be studied without considering biological,socioemotional,and cognitive dimensions.Dr.Tepper-Harmon believes that development is:

The life expectancy in the United States is currently:

Life expectancy in the United States has increased by _____ years during the twentieth century.

Psychologists,sociologists,anthropologists,neuroscientists,and medical researchers all share an interest in unlocking the mysteries of development through the life span.This indicates how development is:

When taking his psychology class,Professor Sharma emphasizes that developmental change occurs throughout adulthood as well as childhood.Professor Sharma is taking a(n) _____ approach to developmental change.

The _____ approach to the study of development emphasizes extensive change from birth to adolescence,especially during infancy,little or no change in adulthood,and decline in old age.

The maximum life span of humans:

Two developmental psychologists are having a conversation.One believes in the traditional approach of developmental change,whereas the other believes in the life-span approach.The two are most likely to differ on:

"Individuals are changing beings in a changing world." Which characteristic of development is reflected in this statement?

On your first day of class,Professor Red-Elk claims that for too long we have focused on the development of young children,especially infants.She argues that the development of adults and elderly people is just as important.This professor is articulating a(n) _____ approach.