Question 1

Raeann believes that babies are born with tendencies to form emotional bonds with their caregivers because it makes them more likely to survive. Raeann's beliefs fit most closely with __________ theory.
A) maturational
B) psychodynamic
C) learning
D) ethological

Accepted Answer

The belief that babies are born with innate tendencies to form emotional bonds with their caregivers fits most closely with the ethological theory, which emphasizes the biological basis of behavior and the importance of critical periods of development for the formation of social attachments.

Question 2

If parents believe that children are tabula rasas at birth, they are likely to
A) leave their children alone so their virtuous natures can unfold.
B) be very permissive with their children.
C) assume that nothing they do will have any influence on their children's development.
D) plan their children's experiences from the moment of their birth.

Accepted Answer

If parents believe that children are tabula rasas at birth, they are more likely to plan their children's experiences from the moment of their birth. This is because they believe that the experiences the child has will shape and mold their development. They would view their role in their child's life as crucial in determining the outcome of their child's development.

Question 3

An organized set of ideas that is designed to explain development is referred to as a
A) theory.
B) critical period.
C) tabula rasa.
D) case history.

Accepted Answer

An organized set of ideas designed to explain development is referred to as a theory.

Question 4

The view that development is a result of the unfolding of a specific and prearranged scheme or plan within the body is characteristic of
A) Konrad Lorenz's ethological theory.
B) Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic theory.
C) Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory.
D) Arnold Gesell's maturational theory.

Accepted Answer

Gesell's maturational theory suggests that development follows a genetically determined, prearranged plan or sequence.

Question 5

The French philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau, believed that
A) the human infant is born a tabula rasa.
B) infants were born with an innate sense of justice and morality.
C) experience molds each human into a unique individual.
D) parents should teach their children rationality and self-control.

Accepted Answer

Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that infants were born with an innate sense of justice and morality, which he called "natural goodness". He believed that society corrupted this natural goodness and that individuals should strive to return to a more natural state.

Question 6

Which of the following theories has a biological perspective?
A) Freud's psychosexual theory
B) Bandura's social cognitive theory
C) Gesell's maturational theory
D) Erikson's psychosocial theory

Accepted Answer

Gesell's maturational theory is a biological perspective theory that emphasizes that development is largely determined by biological factors and maturation, such as genes and the brain.

Question 7

__________________ uses developmental research to promote healthy development, particularly for vulnerable children and families.
A) Family policy
B) Applied developmental science
C) A quasi-experimental design
D) The Index of Social Health for Children and Youth (ISHCY)

Accepted Answer

Applied developmental science focuses on using research and methods from developmental science to inform practices and policies that promote positive development among children and families, especially those who are considered vulnerable.

Question 8

Gesell's maturational theory most closely fits with the ideas of
A) Jean Jacques Rousseau.
B) Erik Erikson.
C) John Locke.
D) John Watson.

Accepted Answer

Gesell's theory emphasizes the role of nature in child development, and Rousseau was a philosopher who believed that children are born with an innate sense of right and wrong. Both thinkers believed that children have an inherent developmental trajectory that is largely predetermined.

Question 9

An evolutionary perspective is most closely associated with which of the following theories?
A) psychosocial
B) psychodynamic
C) maturational
D) ethological

Accepted Answer

An evolutionary perspective is most closely associated with ethological theory, which focuses on the study of animal behavior to understand human development and behavior. Evolutionary theory suggests that behavior and psychological traits are the result of adaptation over time through the process of natural selection.

Question 10

When a particular type of learning can take place only during a specific time period, not before or after that period, there is a(n) ___________ for learning that behavior.
A) instinct
B) critical period
C) blank slate
D) emotional bond

Accepted Answer

A critical period is a specific time during development when the ability to learn a particular skill or behavior is greatly enhanced. Learning outside of this period is significantly more difficult or even impossible.

Question 11

Viewing infants as tabula rasas suggests that
A) infants will develop naturally unless the environment interferes.
B) experience will mold infants into unique individuals.
C) nature is more important than nurture.
D) infants are born with a sense of morality.

Accepted Answer

Tabula rasa is a philosophical term meaning "blank slate." This perspective suggests that infants are born with no innate knowledge or abilities and that their experiences will shape their development and individuality. Therefore, B is the best choice as it highlights the importance of experience in molding infants into unique individuals. A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the tabula rasa philosophy.

Question 12

The idea that the mind of the human infant is a tabula rasa at birth reflects the belief that
A) experience molds each person into a unique individual.
B) children should be left alone so that their good natures can unfold.
C) heredity plays a major role in an individual's development.
D) infants cannot think because their minds are blank.

Accepted Answer

The belief in tabula rasa suggests that individuals are shaped by their experiences and environment, therefore indicating that choice A is the best answer. The other choices do not accurately reflect the belief in tabula rasa.

Question 13

Jill was the first moving object a newly hatched chick saw. The chick later followed her around, just as if Jill were the chick's mother. The chick's behavior is a result of
A) maturation.
B) tabula rasa.
C) self-efficacy.
D) imprinting.

Accepted Answer

The chick's behavior is a classic example of imprinting, which refers to the process of animals forming strong attachments during a critical period early in life. In this case, the chick formed an attachment to the first moving object it saw after hatching, which happened to be Jill. This is a natural behavior that has been documented in many species. Maturation (A) refers to the biological development and changes that occur over time, but it is not relevant to this particular situation. Tabula rasa (B) is the idea that individuals are born with a blank slate and all behaviors are learned through experience rather than innate tendencies, but this does not apply here since the chick's behavior is instinctual. Self-efficacy (C) refers to an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in a particular situation, but it is not relevant to this situation either.

Question 14

___________ theory states that child development occurs according to a prearranged scheme or plan within the body.
A) Psychodynamic
B) Ecological
C) Maturational
D) Cognitive developmental

Accepted Answer

Maturational theory posits that development occurs according to a pre-determined, internal timetable, largely determined by genetics. This theory was proposed by Arnold Gesell and emphasizes the role of nature over nurture in development.

Question 15

Detailed, systematic observations of individual children are referred to as
A) blank slates.
B) baby biographies.
C) mental tests.
D) critical periods.

Accepted Answer

Baby biographies are detailed and systematic observations of individual children that provide a record of a child's growth and development over time. Blank slates refer to the idea that individuals are born with an empty mind, while mental tests assess a person's cognitive abilities. Critical periods refer to specific timeframes during development where certain experiences are crucial for proper development.

Question 16

__________________ based his ideas about child development on evolutionary theory and was interested in age-trends in children's beliefs and feelings.
A) John Locke
B) Jean Jacques Rousseau
C) G. Stanley Hall
D) Alfred Binet

Accepted Answer

G. Stanley Hall is known for developing the concept of recapitulation in child development, which suggests that children's development follows the same evolutionary sequence as the development of the human species. He was also interested in studying age-trends in children's beliefs and feelings. John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau were both influential philosophers, but their theories on child development were not based on evolutionary theory. Alfred Binet is known for developing the first intelligence test.

Question 17

Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic theory
A) emphasizes the influence of early experiences on later development.
B) suggests that learning is the key to understanding development.
C) suggests that behavior should be considered in context.
D) emphasizes the importance of maturation.

Accepted Answer

Freud's psychodynamic theory emphasizes the influence of early experiences (particularly in childhood) on later development, such as the importance of the development of the psychosexual stages, the role of the unconscious mind, and the impact of childhood experiences on personality development.

Question 18

Creating an emotional bond with the mother is sometimes called
A) self-efficacy.
B) adapting.
C) imprinting.
D) maturation.

Accepted Answer

Creating an emotional bond with the mother is known as imprinting. This term was coined by ethologist Konrad Lorenz, who studied animal behavior, particularly the behavior of birds. Imprinting refers to the process by which animals develop a strong emotional attachment to the first moving object they see after they are born or hatched. This bond is important because it helps to ensure that the young animal will receive the care it needs to survive. In humans, imprinting can be seen in the strong emotional attachment that infants develop with their primary caregivers, usually their mothers.

Question 19

According to ethologists, some behaviors can only be learned
A) when the behavior is reinforced and opposing behaviors are punished.
B) through observational learning.
C) during a critical period when the organism is biologically programmed to learn that behavior.
D) when the conflict between biological drives and society's standards is resolved.

Accepted Answer

Ethologists believe that some behaviors can only be learned during a critical period when the organism is biologically programmed to learn that behavior. This is often referred to as imprinting and is seen in young animals learning specific behaviors from their parents or other adults in their species. Once this critical period is over, it becomes much more difficult or impossible to learn that behavior.

Question 20

Heather believes her 12-month-old daughter will develop optimally if Heather gives her freedom to grow naturally and does not try to shape her development. Heather's beliefs about child rearing are most similar to those of
A) Sigmund Freud.
B) Erik Erikson.
C) John Locke.
D) Jean Jacques Rousseau.

Accepted Answer

Jean Jacques Rousseau believed in the concept of "natural man" and that children should be allowed to develop freely without adult interference or societal constraints. This viewpoint aligns with Heather's belief that her daughter should be allowed to grow naturally without being shaped or molded by external forces.

Quiz 1: The Science of Child Development

Raeann believes that babies are born with tendencies to form emotional bonds with their caregivers because it makes them more likely to survive. Raeann's beliefs fit most closely with __________ theory.

If parents believe that children are tabula rasas at birth, they are likely to

An organized set of ideas that is designed to explain development is referred to as a

The view that development is a result of the unfolding of a specific and prearranged scheme or plan within the body is characteristic of

The French philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau, believed that

Which of the following theories has a biological perspective?

__________________ uses developmental research to promote healthy development, particularly for vulnerable children and families.

Gesell's maturational theory most closely fits with the ideas of

An evolutionary perspective is most closely associated with which of the following theories?

When a particular type of learning can take place only during a specific time period, not before or after that period, there is a(n) ___________ for learning that behavior.

Viewing infants as tabula rasas suggests that

The idea that the mind of the human infant is a tabula rasa at birth reflects the belief that

Jill was the first moving object a newly hatched chick saw. The chick later followed her around, just as if Jill were the chick's mother. The chick's behavior is a result of

___________ theory states that child development occurs according to a prearranged scheme or plan within the body.

Detailed, systematic observations of individual children are referred to as

__________________ based his ideas about child development on evolutionary theory and was interested in age-trends in children's beliefs and feelings.

Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic theory

Creating an emotional bond with the mother is sometimes called

According to ethologists, some behaviors can only be learned

Heather believes her 12-month-old daughter will develop optimally if Heather gives her freedom to grow naturally and does not try to shape her development. Heather's beliefs about child rearing are most similar to those of