Question 1

If we were to find out that differences among people were entirely environmental, would this show that genes are unimportant in development?
A) Yes because it shows that people are entirely shaped by the environment
B) Yes because it shows the importance of nurture over nature
C) No because genes could still account for similarities among people
D) No because nature and nurture are not separate entities

Accepted Answer

Even if differences among people were entirely environmental, it would not negate the fact that genes could still account for similarities among people. Genes play a role in development, and while environmental factors can shape outcomes, nature and nurture are not separate entities. So, genes would still be important, but environment would account for the differences.

Question 2

According to Baron-Cohen (2002) which of the following requires systemizing?
A) Recognising faces
B) Understanding mathematical systems
C) Understanding emotional states
D) Understanding what people think

Accepted Answer

Baron-Cohen (2002) argues that systemizing refers to the ability to identify rules governing a system and predict how the system works. Understanding mathematical systems involves identifying the rules governing numbers and the relationships between them, making it a task that requires systemizing. The other options listed require skills such as recognizing emotional expressions or understanding others' mental states, which do not necessarily rely on systemizing abilities.

Question 3

According to Karmiloff-smith, domain specific mental modules represent...
A) The starting point and the end point of development
B) Neither the starting point of development nor the end point
C) An end point of development rather than the starting point
D) The starting point of development rather than the end point

Accepted Answer

Karmiloff-Smith proposed that domain-specific mental modules are not innate structures present from birth but rather the end result of developmental processes. This suggests that such modules are an end point of development, as they emerge from more general cognitive processes through a process of differentiation and specialization.

Question 4

According to Johnson & Morton (1991), for babies, learning about faces involves:
A) Imprinting and learning
B) Domain specificity and learning
C) Domain specificity and imprinting
D) Conspec and conlearn

Accepted Answer

Johnson & Morton (1991) proposed the concepts of "conspec" and "conlearn" to describe the mechanisms by which babies learn about faces. "Conspec" refers to an innate mechanism that directs the newborn's attention to faces, and "conlearn" refers to the process by which infants learn the specifics of faces through experience.

Question 5

If learning can be shown to occur during a particular period but never before or after this period, we call this:
A) Imprinting
B) A crucial period
C) A sensitive period
D) A critical period

Accepted Answer

A critical period refers to a specific window of time during which certain experiences must occur for normal development to take place. Learning occurring during this period can have long-lasting effects, but if the opportunity for learning is missed during this time, it may not be possible to fully acquire that skill later on.

Question 6

Karmiloff-Smith suggests that the notion that children are born with innate modules has been:
A) Overstated
B) Understated
C) Supported by all the available evidence
D) Unsupported by all the available evidence

Accepted Answer

Karmiloff-Smith suggests that the notion that children are born with innate modules has been overstated. She argues that the evidence suggests that cognitive development is shaped by a complex interplay between genetics and experience, rather than being solely predetermined by innate modules.

Question 7

Tager-Flusberg and Sullivan (2000) suggest people with Williams syndrome have:
A) Preserved social cognition but impaired social perception
B) Impaired social cognition but preserved social perception
C) Impaired social cognition and impaired social perception
D) Preserved social cognition and preserved social perception

Accepted Answer

Tager-Flusberg and Sullivan (2000) suggest that people with Williams syndrome have impaired social cognition but preserved social perception. This means that they have difficulty understanding social cues and interpreting social situations but are still able to perceive social information accurately.

Question 8

Technically, what is heritability?
A) The probability that a particular trait is inherited by a person
B) The proportion of variation within population of a particular trait due to genes
C) The proportion of a particular trait that is inherited due to sexual recombination
D) The extent to which particular traits are explainable via nature rather than nurture

Accepted Answer

Heritability refers to the proportion of variation within a population of a particular trait that is due to genetic factors. It is a statistical estimate that ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating that genetic differences account for a larger proportion of the variations in a trait within a population. It does not determine the probability that a trait is inherited by an individual or the proportion of a trait that is inherited due to sexual recombination. Additionally, heritability does not suggest that a particular trait is solely determined by genetics and not influenced by environmental factors.

Question 9

Piaget's notion of the interaction between incoming information and the knowledge structures we possess has been labelled:
A) Programming
B) Imprinting
C) Constructivism
D) Cortical plasticity

Accepted Answer

Piaget's notion of the interaction between incoming information and the knowledge structures we possess is referred to as constructivism. This emphasizes the active role of the learner in constructing their own understanding and knowledge rather than just passively receiving information.

Question 10

The technique that allows particular brain regions to be temporarily 'knocked out' is known as
A) Magneto Encephalopathy
B) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
C) Ablation
D) Temporary Induced Haematoma

Accepted Answer

The technique that allows particular brain regions to be temporarily 'knocked out' is known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS involves using a magnetic field to generate electrical currents in a specific area of the brain, which can temporarily disrupt neural activity. Magneto Encephalopathy and Temporary Induced Haematoma are not valid techniques for temporarily knocking out brain regions. Ablation refers to the permanent destruction of brain tissue.

Question 11

According to Temple Grandin, compared to clinically normal individuals, people with autism have cognitions that are more similar to what?
A) Non-human animals
B) Children
C) Ancestral humans
D) People with Prada-Willi syndrome

Accepted Answer

According to Temple Grandin, people with autism have cognitions that are more similar to non-human animals.

Question 12

The knowledge that an object continues to exist independently of your ability to perceive it is known as:
A) Object permanence
B) Theory of Mind
C) Concrete operations
D) Formal operations

Accepted Answer

Object permanence is the knowledge that objects exist even when they are out of sight or not being directly perceived. The other choices (Theory of Mind, Concrete operations, and Formal operations) are all related to other stages of cognitive development and do not directly involve the concept of object permanence.

Question 13

If a trait develops later in life, which of the following can we dismiss
A) The trait is learned
B) The trait is produced by environment
C) The trait is innate
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a trait develops later in life,...

Question 14

What is the crucial diagnostic difference between autism and Asperger syndrome?
A) Asperger syndrome shows higher IQ than autism
B) Autism has higher IQ than Asperger syndrome
C) Autism has no delay in language acquisition, autism does
D) Asperger syndrome has no delay in language acquisition, autism does

Accepted Answer

The crucial diagnostic difference between autism and Asperger syndrome is that Asperger syndrome has no delay in language acquisition, while autism does. This means that individuals with Asperger syndrome do not have difficulty learning to talk or using language appropriately, whereas individuals with autism may experience delays or difficulties in language development. IQ levels can vary in both autism and Asperger syndrome, but are not a distinguishing factor between the two conditions.

Question 15

Clinically normal children generally become capable of passing the deceptive box (Smarties) Theory of Mind test when they turn:
A) One year
B) Two years
C) Four years
D) Six years

Accepted Answer

Clinically normal children generally become capable of passing the deceptive box (Smarties) Theory of Mind test when they turn four years old. This test is designed to assess the ability to understand that others can have false beliefs and can be deceived, indicating the development of theory of mind. Children under four years of age may not yet have developed this cognitive ability.

Question 16

Habituation means:
A) Learning not to attend to a stimulus
B) Learning to attend to a stimulus
C) Becoming imprinted
D) Learning a habit

Accepted Answer

Habituation is a form of learning in which an organism stops responding to a repeated stimulus. Therefore, the correct choice is A, as it describes the process of not attending to a stimulus through learned behavior. B is incorrect because it describes learning to attend to a stimulus, which is the opposite of habituation. C is incorrect because imprinting refers to a specific type of learning in which an animal learns to recognize and follow the first moving object it sees after hatching or being born. D is incorrect because habituation does not necessarily involve learning a habit, but instead involves a decrease in responsiveness to a stimulus over time.

Question 17

What did the research of Ruffman, Perner, Naito, Parkin and Clements (1998) show to be true about theory of mind and siblings?
A) Children with younger siblings tend to develop theory of mind earlier
B) Only children develop theory of mind earlier
C) Children with older siblings tend to develop theory of mind earlier
D) Siblings have no effect on the age at which children develop theory of mind

Accepted Answer

The research of Ruffman, Perner, Naito, Parkin and Clements (1998) showed that children with older siblings tend to develop theory of mind earlier.

Question 18

According to Baron-Cohen's (2002) which of the following is true?
A) Females are better at systemizing, males better at empathizing
B) Males are better at systemizing, females better at empathizing
C) People with autism are better at empathizing than systemizing
D) People with Williams syndrome are better at systemizing than empathizing

Accepted Answer

Baron-Cohen's theory suggests that males are more likely to be better at systemizing, while females are more likely to be better at empathizing.

Question 19

What is the typical cognitive profile of someone with Williams syndrome?
A) Deficits in spatial cognition with language and theory of mind preserved
B) Deficits in language with spatial cognition and theory of mind preserved
C) Deficits in spatial cognition and language with theory of mind preserved
D) Deficits in theory of mind with language and spatial cognition preserved

Accepted Answer

Williams syndrome is characterized by a unique cognitive profile where individuals often have significant deficits in spatial cognition while showing relative strengths in language skills and social perception, including theory of mind.

Question 20

Whiten and Byrne call the ability to manipulate and deceive others:
A) Emotional intelligence
B) Multiple intelligence
C) Machiavellian intelligence
D) Manipulative intelligence

Accepted Answer

Whiten and Byrne specifically use the term "Machiavellian intelligence" to refer to the ability to manipulate and deceive others, so option C is the correct answer. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and those of others. Multiple intelligence theory posits that there are multiple types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, etc. Manipulative intelligence is not a recognized term in the field of psychology or intelligence research.

Quiz 5: Cognitive Development and the Innateness Issue

If we were to find out that differences among people were entirely environmental, would this show that genes are unimportant in development?

According to Baron-Cohen (2002) which of the following requires systemizing?

According to Karmiloff-smith, domain specific mental modules represent...

According to Johnson & Morton (1991) , for babies, learning about faces involves:

If learning can be shown to occur during a particular period but never before or after this period, we call this:

Karmiloff-Smith suggests that the notion that children are born with innate modules has been:

Tager-Flusberg and Sullivan (2000) suggest people with Williams syndrome have:

Technically, what is heritability?

Piaget's notion of the interaction between incoming information and the knowledge structures we possess has been labelled:

The technique that allows particular brain regions to be temporarily 'knocked out' is known as

According to Temple Grandin, compared to clinically normal individuals, people with autism have cognitions that are more similar to what?

The knowledge that an object continues to exist independently of your ability to perceive it is known as:

If a trait develops later in life, which of the following can we dismiss

What is the crucial diagnostic difference between autism and Asperger syndrome?

Clinically normal children generally become capable of passing the deceptive box (Smarties) Theory of Mind test when they turn:

Habituation means:

What did the research of Ruffman, Perner, Naito, Parkin and Clements (1998) show to be true about theory of mind and siblings?

According to Baron-Cohen's (2002) which of the following is true?

What is the typical cognitive profile of someone with Williams syndrome?

Whiten and Byrne call the ability to manipulate and deceive others: