Question 1

The term used to describe the genetic or biological processes that lead to the naturally unfolding course of growth is

Accepted Answer

Maturation refers to the biological processes that lead to the naturally unfolding course of growth, such as physical changes and hormone fluctuations. Heredity refers to the passing down of genetic information from parents to offspring, while predestination and nature are more philosophical or theoretical concepts.

Question 2

Jordan is 17 years old and has been searching for an identity since he was about 13. He has joined-and quit-various school organizations and tried several after-school jobs in his attempt to find out what kind of a career would interest him. According to Erikson's theory, what might Jordan be at risk for if he does not eventually develop a stable definition of the self?

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory, if Jordan fails to develop a stable definition of self, he may experience role confusion. This is because during adolescence, individuals are in the stage of identity versus role confusion, where they must form a stable sense of self identity. Failing to do so may lead to feeling confused about one's role in society and having difficulty making important life decisions. The other options (A, B, and D) are not relevant to Jordan's situation as they correspond to earlier or later stages of Erikson's theory.

Question 3

Research by Michael Rutter and colleagues found that children who were raised in deprived settings, but were later adopted into healthy families, showed positive changes in their adjustment. This demonstrates that

Accepted Answer

Rutter's research indicates that positive changes in environment can lead to positive changes in a child's development, even after a period of deprivation. This suggests that disruptions in behavioral continuity, when they lead to improved conditions, can have beneficial effects on development.

Question 4

experiments with the bobo doll, Pat is likely to

Accepted Answer

The bobo doll experiments showed that children who observed adults behaving aggressively towards the bobo doll were more likely to imitate that behavior. Therefore, if Pat observed adults behaving aggressively towards the doll, it is likely that he would behave aggressively towards other children who are playing with toys that he wants.

Question 5

One of Freud's primary contributions to developmental psychology is that his theory brought attention to

Accepted Answer

Freud emphasized the importance of early experiences, particularly those related to childhood sexuality, in shaping later development. This idea is central to his theory of psychosexual development and has been influential in the field of developmental psychology.

Question 6

According to behaviorism theorists, adults can reinforce aggression in children simply by

Accepted Answer

According to behaviorism theory, attention is a reinforcing factor for behavior. Therefore, if adults pay attention to a child's aggressive behavior, it could unintentionally reinforce it. This is why it is important for adults to redirect attention towards positive behavior and address aggression through positive reinforcement of alternative behaviors. Spanking and ignoring aggression can also have negative consequences, and rewarding passive behavior is not necessarily the solution to addressing aggression.

Question 7

A cognitive process through which children's understanding of the world changes in an organized way is

Accepted Answer

The cognitive process through which children's understanding of the world changes in an organized way is called adaptation. This involves assimilation (incorporating new information into existing cognitive schema) and accommodation (modifying existing cognitive schema to fit new information).

Question 8

When development is viewed as consisting of a series of discrete, distinct steps, it is said to be

Accepted Answer

When development is viewed as consisting of a series of distinct, separate stages, it is called discontinuous development. This is in contrast to continuous development, which suggests that development is a gradual and ongoing process. Atypical and active are not appropriate terms to describe the viewing of development as consisting of discrete stages.

Question 9

According to Piaget, infants learn about the world with their

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that infants learn about the world through their sensory and motor abilities. They use their senses to explore and detect patterns in their environment, which helps them develop mental structures for understanding the world around them. These mental structures, or schemas, allow them to organize information and make sense of new experiences. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. The other options may play a role in a child's development, but they are not central to Piaget's theory of cognitive development.

Question 10

Miguel and his family recently returned from a vacation. On the airplane ride home, Miguel became sick with the flu. Ever since, Miguel says he will never fly in an airplane again because airplanes make him sick. Which theoretical notion can best account for Miguel's feelings?

Accepted Answer

Miguel's feelings can be explained by classical conditioning, where he associates flying with getting sick due to the timing of his illness.

Question 11

Your 2-year-old nephew is very proud of his abilities to do things his new baby sister cannot. He is pleased that he can feed himself and play with blocks and make his tricycle go without help. According to Erikson's theory, which stage of development is he in?

Accepted Answer

The stage of development described in the scenario is autonomy vs. shame and doubt, which is the second stage in Erikson's theory. In this stage, toddlers assert their independence and master new skills, such as feeding themselves and playing independently. The sense of pride and accomplishment they feel helps them develop a sense of autonomy, while failure to do so can lead to shame and doubt.

Question 12

The ego is the component of the personality that

Accepted Answer

The ego is the mediator between the id (which operates on the pleasure principle) and the superego (which represents societal values and the conscience). The ego's main function is to ensure that the needs of the individual are met through appropriate social behavior and in accordance with reality.

Question 13

The interactionist viewpoint stresses the idea that

Accepted Answer

The interactionist viewpoint emphasizes the role of both individual characteristics and contextual factors in shaping development. It recognizes that development is influenced by the interaction between the person and their environment, and that both factors are important. Therefore, option D is the best answer because it highlights the idea that individual characteristics interact with contextual factors during development.

Question 14

In trying to understand influences on development, today's developmental psychologists focus on

Accepted Answer

Today's developmental psychologists recognize that both biology and environment interact to influence development. Nature and nurture work together to shape how children grow and learn.

Question 15

Which of the following statements does NOT describe the structural-organismic perspectives of development of Freud and Piaget?

Accepted Answer

The structural-organismic perspectives of development of Freud and Piaget both focus on subjective experiences and internal processes rather than objective reality. Therefore, C is the statement that does NOT describe their perspectives.

Question 16

The field of child development seeks to

Accepted Answer

The field of child development seeks to uncover the processes that underlie developmental changes. While predicting outcomes, describing individual differences, and identifying stages of childhood are also important aspects of the field, the primary focus is on understanding the underlying processes of development.

Question 17

When Antonia grabs a handful of candy from a bowl on the table, her brother Leonard yells, "No! You're only supposed to take one piece!" According to Freudian theory, Leonard's reaction represents the

Accepted Answer

The superego represents the moral and societal values that are internalized by an individual, and it strives to control the impulses of the id. In this scenario, Leonard's response aligns with the values of fairness and following rules, which are characteristics of the superego.

Question 18

Erin initially appeared to cope with her parents' divorce well. Later, she exhibited problems with school and in her friendships. Her response to risk is an example of

Accepted Answer

The sleeper effect describes a situation where an individual initially seems unaffected by a traumatic or significant event, but begins to show negative reactions or behaviors after a period of time has passed. Erin's initial appearance of coping well, followed by later problems, is an example of this phenomenon.

Question 19

At dinner one night, your 4-year-old announces that she knows the difference between boys and girls. When you ask her what it is, she proudly states that girls sit when they go potty and boys stand, and she knows this because she was able to see into the boys' bathroom at preschool today. Your daughter's interest in differences between boys and girls probably indicates that she is in the

Accepted Answer

The interest in the differences between boys and girls, and the specific example given by the 4-year-old, suggests that she is in the phallic stage of psychosexual development, according to Sigmund Freud's theory. This stage occurs between the ages of 3 and 6 and is characterized by a child's growing awareness of their own and others' gender identity, and the development of the Oedipus complex or Electra complex. The child becomes curious about the differences between the sexes and may engage in gender-typical behaviors and attitudes.

Question 20

In addition to helping organize and integrate existing information into a meaningful whole, developmental theories also

Accepted Answer

Developmental theories lead to testable predictions about behavior. While theories themselves cannot prove which issues are factual, they can provide a framework for generating hypotheses and conducting research to test them. Developmental theories are not unchanging and may be revised or refined based on new evidence. While many theories are concerned with global aspects of development, they also address specific areas such as cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Quiz 1: Child Development: Themes, Theories, and Methods