Deck 12: Sexuality During Childhood and Adolescence

Question 1

Which of the following is TRUE regarding research into childhood sexuality?

A) It is less dependent on retrospective data than research on adult sexuality.
B) Research in this area has little practical application.
C) It is difficult to obtain financial support for basic research in this area.
D) Federal guidelines have greatly encouraged research in this area.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT true of childhood sex play?

A) It is most likely to take place between the ages of 4 and 7.
B) Curiosity about the forbidden probably encourages early sexual exploration.
C) More intelligent children engage in this less.
D) This may normally occur with either the same or the other sex.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Sexual behaviors commonly reported in childhood include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) sex play with siblings.
B) masturbation.
C) intercourse.
D) sex play with members of the same sex.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Brenda walks by the room of her 4-year-old son, Zach, and sees him and his 4-year-old cousin, Justin, standing, facing each other, with their pants and underpants down. When Brenda asks Zach what's going on, Zach grins and replies, "We both wanted to see our things." Zach's behavior is:

A) common for children Zach's age, and thus not a cause of concern.
B) very unusual for children his age, and thus a major cause of concern.
C) a sure sign that Zach will prefer same-gender sexual partners in adulthood.
D) a sign that Zach will likely be an exhibitionist as an adult.

Question 5

Psychologists emphasize the importance of being touched and held in early childhood. This is commonly referred to as:

A) contact comfort.
B) sensate focus.
C) affectional conditioning.
D) tactile grounding.

Question 6

You are watching TV with your 5-year-old son and he begins masturbating. How would the authors of your book suggest that you respond to this?

A) Scold him and tell him to go to his room.
B) Contact his pediatrician.
C) Let him know that you understand that it's pleasurable. If he doesn't figure it out on his own, let him know that it is best done in the privacy of his own room.
D) Tell him calmly that it's unacceptable behavior and that nice boys don't do it.

Question 7

In Western societies, adolescence typically spans the period ______ years of age.

A) from 8 to 15
B) from 10 to 16
C) from 11 to 20
D) from 13 to 18

Question 8

Masturbation:

A) is not generally observed in children until after puberty.
B) is more common in adolescents who later report difficulties in sexual functioning.
C) has been observed in elementary-school-aged girls, but not in elementary school boys.
D) is commonly observed in early childhood.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) Sex play with friends of the same sex or other sex is a common part of growing up for many children.
B) By the age of 8 or 9, most boys and girls begin to play in gender-segregated groups.
C) Children of any age who display their genitals to other children should be seen by a mental health professional.
D) In the childhood years, both boys and girls engage in masturbation.

Question 10

George is 2 months old. Most likely, George:

A) experiences erections.
B) has learned that public masturbation is frowned upon.
C) frequently masturbates to orgasm.
D) displays nothing that resembles sexual behavior.

Question 11

In infancy and childhood:

A) only children with histories of sexual abuse display sexual behavior.
B) sexuality exists but is of no importance.
C) sexuality can best be described as dormant.
D) many experiences of this period have great impact on the future expression of adult sexuality.

Question 12

Which of the following is TRUE regarding childhood masturbation?

A) It is a normal part of childhood development and is harmless.
B) It should be discouraged so that the child does not become overly sexual.
C) It is harmful to the genitals because they are not fully developed.
D) There are vast differences among different ethnicities in the frequency of childhood masturbation.

Question 13

Based on research, if a child is rarely touched and held during the first few months and years of life, their behavior as an adult is MOST LIKELY affected in what way?

A) The person would be less likely to engage in violent behavior as an adult.
B) The person would be more likely to be intellectually focused as an adult.
C) The person would be more likely to want to touch and be touched than the average person.
D) The person would be more likely to have difficulty establishing intimate relationships.

Question 14

Lian, who works in a day care, is changing the diaper of a 2-year-old girl when she notices Bao, who is a 3-year-old boy, watching intently. According to the authors of your book, Lian:

A) should immediately tell Bao this behavior is inappropriate.
B) should warn Bao's parents, because this is a sign Bao may grow up to be a sexual predator.
C) should not have been exposing a female child in an area open to male children.
D) can safely ignore this behavior, which is common for a child Bao's age.

Question 15

_______ is an especially important phase of the life span in that it serves as a "foundation and catalyst of human development in the balance of the life course."

A) Infancy
B) Toddlerhood
C) Adolescence
D) Adulthood

Question 16

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) Male infants have been observed experiencing what appears to be an orgasm.
B) Female infants have been observed experiencing what appears to be an orgasm.
C) Some male infants have been observed ejaculating after stimulating themselves.
D) It is difficult to determine what early masturbatory behavior means to infants.

Question 17

Zafirah is a 9-year-old girl. Most likely, Zafirah:

A) has never engaged in a behavior that could be considered sexual.
B) has not yet learned that public masturbation is frowned upon.
C) spends more time with female peers than with male peers.
D) is not yet interested in topics such as sexuality and puberty.

Question 18

During childhood:

A) self-pleasuring is primarily observed in sexually abused children.
B) self-stimulatory behavior is rarely if ever observed.
C) responses to the child's expressions of affection help shape the way sexuality is expressed later in life.
D) most girls learn about masturbation from childhood friends.

Question 19

Which of the following is TRUE regarding childhood play with members of the same sex?

A) Children tend to socialize with children of their same sex but don't engage in sex play with them.
B) Engaging in sex play with a member of one's own gender in childhood often causes someone to be gay or lesbian in adulthood.
C) Children tend to socialize and engage in sex play with same-sex peers.
D) There is no correlation at all between sex play with friends of the same sex and later sexual orientation.

Question 20

The rhythmic manipulation of the genitals associated with adult masturbation generally does not occur until a child is at least:

A) 6 months of age.
B) 2½ to 3 years old.
C) 5 to 6½ years old.
D) 9 to 11 years old.

Question 21

The first menstrual period is called:

A) semenarche.
B) menarche.
C) prima privea.
D) pubertal discharge.

Question 22

All EXCEPT which of the following statements illustrate the effect of the sexual double standard on adolescents:

A) Steve brags to his male friends about the kind of sex he and his girlfriend have.
B) Jose proudly tells his friends that he is a virgin.
C) Emily tells her friends little about sex with her boyfriend, fearing they'll think she's a slut.
D) Raheem is worried that his classmates will look down on him because he seldom dates.

Question 23

Hormones that cause increased activity in the ovaries and testes are known as:

A) oxytocin.
B) lanugo.
C) gonadotropins.
D) menarche

Question 24

Gonadotropins in females act on the ovaries to:

A) suppress estrogen levels.
B) suppress progestin levels.
C) increase testosterone production.
D) elevate estrogen levels.

Question 25

The onset of puberty is approximately:

A) the same for girls and boys.
B) four years earlier for girls than for boys.
C) two years later for girls than for boys.
D) two years earlier for girls than for boys.

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT considered to be a secondary sex characteristic?

A) Body hair
B) Breast development
C) Descent of the testes
D) Deepened voice

Question 27

Riley is an 8-year- old girl. Riley:

A) may be able to conceive if she is sexually active.
B) most likely is significantly shorter than most boys her age.
C) does not yet experience sexual attraction.
D) most likely will not begin the process of puberty for another year or two.

Question 28

The brain coordinates the physical changes that occur during puberty and the ____ plays an especially important role in this process.

A) adrenal glands
B) hypothalamus
C) corpus callosum
D) amygdala

Question 29

Tuan is a 14-year-old boy. Tuan:

A) most likely will not begin the process of puberty for another year or two.
B) may be able to impregnate a partner if he is sexually active.
C) likely has a curvier and less muscular body now than when he was 10.
D) likely is not yet aware of masturbation.

Question 30

The growth spurt:

A) is the first sign of puberty in both sexes.
B) tends to begin at a younger age for girls.
C) generally begins at a younger age for boys.
D) involves the long bones but not the genital area for either sex.

Question 31

Gonadotropins in males act on the testes to:

A) suppress estrogen levels.
B) suppress progestin levels.
C) increase testosterone production.
D) elevate estrogen levels.

Question 32

Puberty comes from the Latin pubescere meaning:

A) "to be covered with hair."
B) "to mature rapidly."
C) "to increase hormone production."
D) "to increase in height."

Question 33

Kevin (a male) and his next-door-neighbor, Danielle (a female), are both 11 years old. Which of the following is likely to be true?

A) Kevin will begin the process of puberty one to two years sooner than Danielle.
B) Because children their age are generally not self-conscious, Danielle and Kevin will not even particularly notice as they go through the changes of puberty.
C) Danielle will experience significant self-consciousness if she goes through puberty before Kevin and her other peers.
D) Danielle and Kevin will go through the changes of puberty at the same time and the same rate as in about 90% of their peers.

Question 34

Menarche:

A) occurs earlier for girls with minimal body fat.
B) may but does not necessarily precede the onset of ovulation.
C) occurs at about the same age for most girls, regardless of health or ethnicity.
D) occurs significantly later for girls now than in the past.

Question 35

Girls who enter puberty earlier:

A) are more likely to be of Asian rather than Hispanic or black American descent.
B) are more likely to be underweight rather than overweight.
C) usually become sexually active later than girls who enter puberty when they are older.
D) engage in more sexually risky behavior.

Question 36

Tony and Tina are 13-year-old twins. They are both starting to grow hair under their arms, Tina is developing breast buds, and Tony's voice cracks on occasion. These are all examples of:

A) primary sex characteristics.
B) intersexed characteristics.
C) secondary sex characteristics.
D) postpubescence.

Question 37

Micala, who is black American, Katie, who is of German and English heritage, Sun-Hi, who is of Korean ancestry, and Paloma, who is Mexican American, are all in fifth grade. Statistically speaking, which girl is most likely to get her period first?

A) Micala
B) Katie
C) Sun-Hi
D) Paloma

Question 38

The first ejaculation in boys occurs:

A) when pubic hair has matured.
B) when the prostate and seminal vesicles begin functioning.
C) when the testicles have fully descended.
D) when the vas deferens is fully functioning.

Question 39

The earliest signs of puberty for a girl are usually:

A) a growth spurt and increase in vaginal secretions.
B) breast budding and growth of pubic hair.
C) an increase in vaginal secretions and change in vaginal acidity.
D) menarche and increased body fat.

Question 40

All of the following are hormonally influenced pubertal changes EXCEPT:

A) thickening of the vaginal walls.
B) shifting of the vaginal pH from acidic to alkaline.
C) enlarging of the uterus.
D) increase in cervical secretions.

Question 41

Sending sexually suggestive photos or text messages via the Internet, cell phones, or other electronic devices is known as:

A) sexting.
B) coitus.
C) noncoital sex.
D) posting.

Question 42

Mark, who is male, and Alyssa, a female, are both teens. Mark is sexually inexperienced, but Alyssa has had sex with a few different boys. Under the sexual double standard, how are Mark and Alyssa likely to be labeled?

A) Mark will be teased by his peers, and Alyssa will be considered "easy."
B) Mark will be respected for his decision, and Alyssa will be respected by her peers.
C) Alyssa will be seen much more positively than Mark.
D) As the sexual double standard has all but disappeared in the United States, it's hard to say how they would be labeled.

Question 43

A sex therapist would likely agree with all of the following statements about masturbation EXCEPT that:

A) it is a good way to relieve sexual tension.
B) it can provide information that may later be useful during sexual interaction with a partner.
C) it is a healthy way to learn about your body.
D) it may inhibit eventual sexual expression with a partner because of the self-focused nature of the behavior.

Question 44

Which of the following is TRUE regarding recent studies examining gender differences in the extent to which teens tend to link love and sex?

A) Adolescent males are increasingly more likely to engage in sex with a casual acquaintance or stranger.
B) Recent changes in the attitudes and behaviors of both sexes appear to show a merging of attitudes regarding sexual activity.
C) Adolescent girls increasingly believe that rather than having sex with someone for whom they feel affection short of love, they should "save themselves" for a love relationship.
D) Adolescent males rarely report engaging in romantic activities such as holding hands and kissing prior to beginning a sexual relationship with a partner.

Question 45

Compared to Kinsey's time, American adolescents are more likely to:

A) have early sexual experiences within the context of an ongoing relationship.
B) have coital experiences within the context of an ongoing relationship, but noncoital experience is likely to happen outside of a relationship.
C) have noncoital experiences within the context of an ongoing relationship, but coital experience is likely to happen outside of a relationship.
D) have their first sexual contacts with people they do not know well.

Question 46

Sexual double standard is defined as:

A) different standards of sexual permissiveness for women and men, with more restrictive standards almost always applied to men.
B) similar standards of sexual permissiveness for women and men, with less restrictive standards applied to women.
C) different standards of sexual permissiveness for women and men, with more restrictive standards almost always applied to women.
D) similar standards of sexual permissiveness for women and men, with more restrictive standards almost always applied to men.

Question 47

Reasons why oral sex is popular among teens include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) teens tend to see it as less of an emotional and health risk than intercourse.
B) teens universally agree that oral sex is "real sex."
C) teens may see it as more acceptable in dating situations.
D) teens may feel able to engage in oral sex and still claim to be virgins.

Question 48

All of the following are problems with defining "real-sex" as coitus EXCEPT:

A) it excludes lesbian-gay-bisexual (LGB) individuals from being able to have "sex."
B) it defines everyone who has engaged in some sort of sexual activity, but not coitus, as "technically virgins."
C) it would label a woman who was raped, but has never had coitus with anyone else, as a nonvirgin.
D) it would label a man who has masturbated alone as a nonvirgin.

Question 49

All of the following would be considered noncoital sex EXCEPT:

A) oral-genital stimulation.
B) kissing.
C) manual stimulation of your partner's genitals.
D) intercourse.

Question 50

Rudy and Elaine are involved in a relationship and both are seniors in high school. They engage in kissing, petting, oral sex, and mutual masturbation. They have not engaged in penile-vaginal intercourse and do not intend to until the point at which they make a permanent commitment-to each other, or someone else. How would the authors of your text describe this couple's sexual behavior?

A) They have chosen to be sexually active in ways that do not put them at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
B) They should refer to themselves as virgins.
C) They have chosen to be celibate prior to marriage.
D) They have chosen to refrain from adolescent coitus.

Question 51

Teenagers are MOST likely to be sexually intimate with:

A) casual acquaintances.
B) someone to whom they feel emotionally attached.
C) an older adult.
D) strangers they have met for the first time.

Question 52

Mariela, a 16-year-old girl, and her boyfriend, Ryan, have been dating for about a year but have not yet had sex. According to the sexual double standard, Mariela may face a dilemma in that if she has sex with her boyfriend:

A) he may be labeled as a slut.
B) she may be labeled as a slut.
C) she will be seen more favorably by her friends, but Ryan will not.
D) she will be seen more favorably by her parents and other adults, but Ryan will not.

Question 53

One investigation reported that the tendency to establish a secure base through romantic interactions prior to sexual sharing was:

A) less common now than in Kinsey's day.
B) observed for males but not for females.
C) observed across several ethnic groups, including Asian, white, Hispanic, and black adolescents.
D) rarely observed among adolescents as compared to adults.

Question 54

Oral-genital stimulation is:

A) more common among younger rather than older teens.
B) considered coital sex.
C) rarely reported by individuals younger than 20.
D) a common behavior of older teens.

Question 55

Which of the following is FALSE regarding efforts to have sexting declared a criminal offense?

A) There are child pornography laws that prohibit the production, possession, and sale of sexually explicit content involving minors.
B) Laws against sexting could not be used to prosecute sexual predators.
C) To date, legal scholars have focused primarily on sexting involving minors.
D) There is concern that defining sexting as an offense would sweep reckless but not criminal youth into the court system.

Question 56

Masturbation in adolescence:

A) increases in frequency in both sexes, but more girls engage in it than boys.
B) increases in frequency in both sexes, but more boys engage in it than girls.
C) is less common than partnered sexual activities.
D) decreases in frequency throughout adolescence.

Question 57

Recent studies indicate that the incidence of oral sex among teenagers has:

A) decreased slightly.
B) remained similar to the statistics Kinsey reported.
C) increased slightly.
D) increased significantly.

Question 58

Studies conducted in the United States have indicated that from early to late adolescence, the percentage of teens involved in romantic relationships:

A) ranges from 5% to 50%.
B) approximately doubles from about 30% to about 70%.
C) approximately doubles from about 20% to about 40%.
D) ranges from 10% to 100%.

Question 59

_______ is a safer form of sexual expression than many forms of partnered sexual activity.

A) Manual stimulation
B) Masturbation
C) Coitus
D) Oral-genital stimulation

Question 60

One way that gender-role expectations for males and females are revealed is through:

A) sexual interaction involving multiple simultaneous partners.
B) the existence of a sexual double standard.
C) noncoital sexual expression.
D) adolescent sexting.

Question 61

Bullying of LGB teens:

A) is very uncommon in the United States anymore due to very effective antibullying campaigns in the large majority of middle and high schools.
B) can cause depression and suicide in teens who are targeted.
C) rarely if ever leads to significant health, social, or economic effects for victims in adulthood.
D) cannot be successfully addressed by antibullying campaigns.

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT a possible negative effect of adolescent online social activities?

A) Reducing real-world interpersonal competence if online activities take the place of face-to-face interaction
B) Providing a platform for cyberbullying
C) Worsening depression in teens with self-esteem issues
D) Increasing the opportunity to find answers to their health questions

Question 63

Which of the following factors has NOT been empirically found to be associated with later onset of coitus?

A) Strong religious beliefs
B) High parental expectations
C) Poor athletic ability
D) Good school performance

Question 64

Ineffective or nonuse of contraception has been associated with all of the following EXCEPT:

A) teenage women who experience infrequent intercourse.
B) early age of intercourse.
C) teenage men with older female partners.
D) teenage women with older male partners.

Question 65

Teenagers who come out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual:

A) have less access to information about sexual orientation now than in the past.
B) rarely if ever experience negative reactions from family members anymore.
C) have fewer role models in the larger culture now than in the past.
D) may experience more social support now than in the past.

Question 66

Same-gender sexual contact in adolescence:

A) is usually coerced.
B) is nearly always indicative of a later gay or lesbian sexual orientation.
C) usually occurs between an adolescent and an older adult partner.
D) usually occurs between peers.

Question 67

Recent research indicates that the experience of first intercourse has become:

A) essentially nonexistent in adolescence.
B) more positive over time.
C) a safer sex practice.
D) less commonly reported by people with histories of sexual abuse victimization.

Question 68

Sexual contact with a member of the same sex during adolescence often does not reflect sexual orientation later in life because of many reasons. Which of the following is NOT one of those reasons?

A) Many heterosexual persons have had early same-gender sexual experiences.
B) Same-sex contact may be experimental.
C) Most gay or lesbian individuals do not become aware of their sexual orientation until adulthood.
D) Persons with a gay or lesbian orientation may not act on those feelings until they are adults.

Question 69

Which of the following is NOT true of an adolescent mother who keeps her children?

A) She will be expelled from school.
B) The decision is likely to have a negative impact on her education.
C) The decision is likely to have a negative impact on her financial well-being.
D) She is likely to be underemployed.

Question 70

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Sexual communication about topics such as condom use, HIV, and other STIs increases the likelihood of unprotected sex among adolescents, but as few as half of youth report they have discussed these safer sex topics with their partners.
B) Sexual communication about topics such as condom use, HIV, and other STIs reduces the likelihood of unprotected sex among adolescents, but as few as half of youth report they have discussed these safer sex topics with their partners.
C) Most adolescents are adequately informed about AIDS and as a result, have decreased the extent to which they engage in high-risk behavior.
D) Most adolescents are somewhat informed about AIDS to the extent they have decreased the degree to which they engage in intercourse, but participation in other high-risk behaviors has increased.

Question 71

Rates of adolescent sexual intercourse:

A) have consistently increased from the 1950s through the present.
B) have consistently decreased from the 1950s through the present.
C) have leveled off and even decreased somewhat over the last two decades.
D) decreased through the 1970s, then began to increase sharply at the turn of the millennium.

Question 72

LGBTQ adolescents are more likely than heterosexual youth to experience depression, substance abuse, and suicide attempts. Which of the following offers the MOST likely explanation for this?

A) There are negative societal attitudes toward homosexuality and sexuality in general.
B) The societal reinforcement of heterosexual adolescent sexuality leaves out LGBTQ adolescents.
C) Same-gender behavior is dysfunctional in adolescence and should not be explored until adulthood.
D) Same-gender sexual behavior itself is inherently dysfunctional at any age.

Question 73

Which of the following is FALSE regarding gay-straight alliances?

A) They may be opposed by social conservatives who believe they are intended to manipulate teens' beliefs about sexual orientation.
B) They are composed of both LGB and heterosexual students.
C) Their primary aim is to encourage teens to experiment with same-gender sexual behavior.
D) Part of their focus is changing antigay attitudes.

Question 74

Behaviors that put young people at risk for HIV infection include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) engaging in intercourse without condoms.
B) using alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs that impair judgment and reduce impulse control.
C) having sex with multiple partners.
D) deciding to wait to have sex until older.

Question 75

The rate of teen pregnancy in the United States:

A) is the highest among Western industrialized nations.
B) has steadily decreased over the last 40 years.
C) has steadily increased in the last twenty years.
D) is the lowest among all the industrialized nations.

Question 76

Compared to teens who begin having sexual intercourse when they are older, teens who experience intercourse at an early age:

A) are more likely to be involved with a same-age rather than an older partner.
B) are more likely to be of a lower socioeconomic status.
C) tend to have lower rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and fewer lifetime sexual partners.
D) are at increased risk for a variety of adverse health outcomes including substance abuse, depression, childbearing, and criminal convictions.

Question 77

Both Ellen and Aliyah are pregnant. Ellen is 15, and Aliyah is 24. Compared to Aliyah, Ellen is:

A) more likely to have a safe delivery.
B) more likely to lose her baby.
C) less likely to suffer from anemia during pregnancy.
D) at a lower risk for contracting a STI.

Question 78

Adolescent girls who are using birth control pills:

A) tend to have higher rates of condom use than girls not on the pill.
B) have no need to use condoms as well.
C) tend to have lower rates of condom use than girls not on the pill.
D) are rarely encouraged by family planning clinics to use condoms as well.

Question 79

The incidence of adolescent intercourse among very young teenagers:

A) is increasing.
B) has leveled off.
C) has decreased slightly.
D) has decreased dramatically.

Question 80

Compared to adolescents who have their first sexual experiences at a younger age, adolescents who choose to delay engaging in sexual intercourse until they are older:

A) are less likely to endorse the belief that they have one or more adults in their lives who care about them.
B) tend to have poorer relationship outcomes when they are older.
C) are more likely to report having good communication with their parents.
D) are more likely to report watching TV programs with a significant amount of sexual content.