Deck 10: Human Development

Question 1

You are in the process of conducting a longitudinal study on lifestyle factors and health problems and notice that many of the women in your study have dropped out, but very few of the men have left. What type of problem are you experiencing with this research design?

A) Developmental effects
B) Cohort effects
C) Selective attrition
D) Longitudinal loss

Answer 1

Selective attrition

Question 2

Professor Sanchez is interested in studying development of motor skills. She collects data from 200 one-year-olds and follows and assesses them for a period of five years. What type of research design is Professor Sanchez using?

A) Cohort
B) Longitudinal
C) Correlational
D) Cross-sectional

Answer 2

Longitudinal

Question 3

__________ refers to heredity and __________ refers to environmental influences.

A) Nature; nurture
B) Cognition; emotion
C) Nurture; behavioural genetics
D) Cross-sectional; longitudinal

Answer 3

Nature; nurture

Question 4

Which research method is most suitable for studying how people change over time?

A) Observational
B) Longitudinal
C) Correlational
D) Cross-sectional

Question 5

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the longitudinal design?

A) Individuals of different ages are being compared to one another.
B) It is typically unethical.
C) It takes a shorter amount of time than a cross-sectional design.
D) Participants may drop out due to moving, loss of interest, or death.

Question 6

A researcher who selects a sample of people of varying ages and studies them at one point in time is, by definition, using the __________ method.

A) cohort
B) longitudinal
C) correlational
D) cross-sectional

Question 7

Which of the following is a main disadvantage of the cross-sectional design?

A) Individuals of different ages are being compared to one another.
B) It is seen as unethical.
C) It takes a longer amount of time than a longitudinal study.
D) Participants may drop out due to moving, loss of interest, or death.

Question 8

Dr. Spinella's research focuses on the effects of parenting practices on children's aggression levels. What type of psychologist is Dr. Spinella?

A) developmental
B) industrial/organizational
C) physiological
D) environmental

Question 9

The local health department of a small town has hired a research firm to study the development of cancer in residents in the town due to a suspected cancer-causing agent and environmental pollution. The researcher will compare data on the same participants at age 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and so on, to see if there are increasing rates of cancer in the town. This type of research study is called a

A) longitudinal design.
B) cross-sectional design.
C) cohort research design.
D) correlational research design.

Question 10

Professor Grant is interested in studying the development of a sense of humour. She collects data from groups of six-year-olds, 16-year-olds, 26-year-olds, and 46-year-olds. What type of research design is Professor Grant using?

A) Cohort
B) Longitudinal
C) Correlational
D) Cross-sectional

Question 11

The scientific study of the changes that occur in people as they age from conception to death is called

A) abnormal psychology.
B) gerontology.
C) human development.
D) maturational studies.

Question 12

When attempting to understand developmental transitions that people face throughout their life span, which of the following research designs would be most informative?

A) Longitudinal
B) Cross-sectional
C) Cohort
D) Correlational

Question 13

Which of the following statements is illustrative of the post hoc fallacy?

A) Believing that because someone is specially trained, he or she is more likely to become a professional athlete
B) Believing that because someone has benefitted from the best coaching, he or she will have a good chance of becoming a professional athlete
C) Believing that because someone is muscular in body type, he or she is more likely to become a professional athlete
D) Believing that because most professional athletes lift weights, weightlifting produces professional athletes

Question 14

A researcher has studied a group of patients who have a rare type of cancer and has found that they all were regular cranberry juice drinkers. He concluded that drinking cranberry juice led to the development of the rare cancer. In this case, the researcher has most likely made an error in judgment due to

A) bidirectional influences.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) cohort effects.
D) the post hoc fallacy.

Question 15

Dr. Brady studies parenting practices and childhood dispositions. He has found a relationship between the two variables and concludes that if parents treat their children with warmth and care, then their children will be well-adjusted and emotionally healthy. What problem would be associated with Dr. Brady's conclusion?

A) The naturalistic fallacy
B) Bidirectional influences
C) Cohort effects
D) Confirmation bias

Question 16

Which of the following is a myth concerning development?

A) Children often experience irreversible damage when subject to trauma at very early ages.
B) Newborns recognize and prefer their mothers' voices, because they hear it during gestation.
C) Children are remarkably resilient and can recover from very serious stressors.
D) Our brains develop and change in response to experience well into early adulthood.

Question 17

In a __________design, one group of participants is followed and assessed as the group ages.

A) cohort
B) longitudinal
C) correlational
D) cross-sectional

Question 18

Dr. Aragio is a pediatrician and is constantly advising parents to carefully monitor the early experiences their children have (especially within the first three years of life), as these are the most crucial in their psychological and physical development. Which view of development is consistent with Dr. Aragio's advice?

A) Childhood fragility
B) Infant determinism
C) Resiliency hypothesis
D) Constructivism

Question 19

Dr. Kiwanis is conducting a longitudinal study on the development of empathy in children. He samples children each year as they age but has found that, each year, his sample size is getting smaller because families are dropping out of the study. This is called

A) termination.
B) cohort effects.
C) attrition.
D) infant determinism.

Question 20

Dr. Smith believes people who are very aggressive have become so because of their life experiences. Dr. Goldberg believes people are more or less aggressive from birth because of genetic factors. Which of the following terms best describes an issue in human development that is highlighted by their disagreement?

A) Nature versus nurture
B) Cognition versus emotion
C) Classical conditioning versus operant conditioning
D) Cross-sectional studies versus longitudinal studies

Question 21

Each of the 10 children born to Ernest and Elvira Orangeburg has been born with red hair. Each child is also very intelligent and athletic. The Orangeburg's are expecting an 11th child, who is also likely to be born with the same traits because of the effects of __________

A) nurture.
B) nature.
C) environmental factors.
D) teratogens.

Question 22

Tameeka is at a point in her pregnancy during which she is experiencing muscle contractions and movement and kicks. Which period of prenatal development is Tameeka currently experiencing?

A) Blastocyst
B) Embryonic
C) Zygotic
D) Fetal

Question 23

The human brain begins to develop

A) 18 days after fertilization.
B) around the ninth week.
C) during the second trimester.
D) during the end of the sixth month.

Question 24

Which of the following is the correct order of development during gestation?

A) zygote; embryo; blastocyst; fetus
B) blastocyst; fetus; embryo; zygote
C) embryo; fetus; blastocyst; zygote
D) zygote; blastocyst; embryo; fetus

Question 25

During which stage of gestation do individual cells start to have specific functions, rather than just being an undifferentiated mass of cells?

A) fetal stage.
B) embryonic stage.
C) placental stage.
D) germinal stage.

Question 26

__________ refers to the process in which neurons begin to develop at an extremely high rate.

A) Mytosis
B) Synaptic pruning
C) Proliferation
D) Blastocytosis

Question 27

The prenatal period during which tremendous growth occurs and the organs continue to develop and become functional is called the __________ period.

A) blastocyst
B) embryonic
C) zygotic
D) fetal

Question 28

Which of the following describes the embryonic period?

A) The period during which the zygote moves down to the uterus and begins to implant in the lining
B) The period during which the major organs and structures of the organism first begin to develop
C) The period during which the umbilical cord develops
D) The period during which tremendous growth occurs and the organs become functional

Question 29

The heart, lungs, and brain begin to form during the __________ period of prenatal development.

A) blastocyst
B) embryonic
C) zygotic
D) fetal

Question 30

At fertilization, the chromosomes from the father's sperm unite with the chromosomes from the mother's egg, creating a new cell called the

A) blastocyst.
B) embryo.
C) zygote.
D) genome.

Question 31

Which of the following describes the fetal period (after ninth week)?

A) The period during which the zygote moves down to the uterus and begins to implant in the lining
B) The period during which the major organs and structures of the organism first develop but don't become functional
C) The period during which the umbilical cord develops
D) The period during which tremendous growth occurs and the organs become functional

Question 32

Sally has genes that predispose her to anxiety problems. However, she was not an anxious person until she was the victim of a mugging. This provides an example of the which phenomenon?

A) nature via nurture.
B) gene expression.
C) infant determinism.
D) gene-environment interaction.

Question 33

At what point in a pregnancy does the heart start beating?

A) By 18 days after fertilization
B) By the ninth week
C) By the second trimester
D) At the moment of birth

Question 34

At which stage of pregnancy does the zygote divide and double, forming a blastocyst?

A) Embryonic stage
B) Germinal stage
C) Zygotic stage
D) Fetal stage

Question 35

When Juan and Carlos were little, they were very similar. Juan was a bit more outgoing, and Carlos was a bit more shy, but they were otherwise alike. As they grew up, Juan went to more parties and made more friends. Carlos preferred to stay home to read, and had a couple of close friends. As adults, Juan is very social and Carlos is very reserved. Which of the following helps explain the change in their personalities over time?

A) Cohort effects
B) Nurture
C) Nature via nurture
D) Gene expression

Question 36

Which of the following is true concerning the nature-nurture debate?

A) Most researchers are either pro-nature or pro-nurture when describing the causes of human behaviour.
B) People with genetic predispositions for anxiety will eventually express this type of behaviour.
C) Gene expression is guaranteed in all environments.
D) Most researchers believe that genes and environment interact to influence human behaviour.

Question 37

In the process of fertilization, the __________ and __________ unite, resulting in a single cell.

A) sperm; egg
B) zygote; sperm
C) embryo; zygote
D) egg; fetus

Question 38

Tara is at a point in her pregnancy during which the major organs and structures of her baby are first developing. Which period of prenatal development is Tara currently experiencing?

A) Fetal
B) Embryonic
C) Placental
D) Germinal

Question 39

The term __________ refers to a ball of identical cells early in pregnancy that have not yet begun to take on any specific function in a body part.

A) embryo
B) blastocyst
C) fetus
D) neonate

Question 40

Longitudinal research on violent criminals and the gene that results in low levels of production of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) has revealed that

A) children who possess the gene later became violent criminals.
B) the gene was unrelated to antisocial behaviour.
C) high levels of MAO were related to prosocial behaviour but low levels were not predictive of criminal activity.
D) children with both the gene that results in low production of MAO and a history of maltreatment were at a heightened risk for criminal behaviours.

Question 41

The rooting reflex refers to a newborn's tendency to

A) open the mouth to seek food when touched on the cheek.
B) close the eyes when startled by loud noises.
C) cry when approached by unfamiliar people.
D) stand up and attempt to walk when placed on the knees.

Question 42

Androgens in females

A) induce physical growth and the growth of pubic hair.
B) promote the growth of breasts, vaginal maturation, and hip broadening.
C) promote increased muscle tissue, body hair, and broadening of the shoulders.
D) are not present as their maturation is guided by estrogens only.

Question 43

Which of the following is true concerning children's development of major motor milestones?

A) Children go through each of these milestones at specific times or set points in development.
B) All children must achieve each major motor milestone before proceeding to the next step in development.
C) While children differ in the rate and manner in which they achieve major motor milestones, they all acquire them in the same order.
D) Not all children achieve each major milestone, but those who do have better motor development and coordination later in childhood.

Question 44

Allison notices that when she gently touches her infant daughter's cheek, she opens her mouth and turns toward Allison's hand. This reflex is called the

A) sucking reflex.
B) rooting reflex.
C) accommodation reflex.
D) zygote reflex.

Question 45

Which of the following is true regarding sex hormones?

A) Testosterone is the male sex hormone and estrogen is the female sex hormone.
B) Androgens are present in both males and females, but estrogen is only present in females.
C) Androgens, such as testosterone, and estrogens are present in both males and females in varying proportions.
D) Testosterone is present in males only, whereas both sexes have varying levels of estrogens.

Question 46

Which of the following is the most common teratogen used by women during pregnancy?

A) Alcohol
B) Prescription drugs
C) Cigarettes
D) Ultrasounds

Question 47

Which of the following best explains why infants in different parts of the world tend to develop motor skills at different rates?

A) malnutrition
B) cultural differences in parenting
C) genetic differences in muscle maturation
D) stereotype threat

Question 48

The process of __________ is responsible for the remarkable rate of neural development in the fetal brain.

A) proliferation
B) neural plasticity
C) neural migration
D) germination

Question 49

Which of the following is an example of a teratogen during pregnancy?

A) the flu virus
B) an ultrasound
C) prescription medications
D) side effects of pregnancy, like heartburn

Question 50

Over the course of development, the absolute size of the head continues to __________, but changes at a __________ rate than the torso or legs.

A) decrease; slower
B) increase; slower
C) decrease; faster
D) increase; faster

Question 51

A newborn has facial deformities, a smaller than normal head, heart defects, impaired intelligence, learning difficulties, and delayed growth. If these defects can be traced to a teratogen used during pregnancy, which was the most likely cause?

A) Nicotine
B) Cocaine
C) Marijuana
D) Alcohol

Question 52

The viability point-the point in pregnancy at which infants can typically survive on their own-is around __________ weeks.

A) 18
B) 25
C) 36
D) 40

Question 53

The body's reproductive organs are called

A) thyroid glands.
B) primary sex characteristics.
C) secondary sex characteristics.
D) adrenal glands.

Question 54

Research on children's development of motor milestones suggests that

A) this process is primarily a biological one and reflects innately programmed changes consistent across cultures.
B) motor developments are dependent on physical maturation, which is guided by our biological changes.
C) motor development is purely an environmental process and is not limited by physiological constraints.
D) while there are physiological limits on development, parenting styles and culture shape the variations in motor development.

Question 55

Which of the following is more common for infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy?

A) Lethargy
B) Low birth weight
C) Severe hearing loss
D) Facial malformation

Question 56

__________ requires learning and practice, whereas __________ is a reflexive behaviour.

A) Rooting; standing
B) Walking; crawling
C) Crawling; rooting
D) Standing; crawling

Question 57

Which of the following terms is used to describe any substance, such as a drug, chemical, or virus, that can bring about a birth defect?

A) Teratogen
B) Critical period
C) Carcinogen
D) Biohazard

Question 58

Which of the following is proportionately much larger in an infant than in an adult?

A) hands
B) legs
C) feet
D) head

Question 59

Development of ________________ represents primary sex characteristics while development of _______________ represents secondary sex characteristics.

A) breasts; genitals
B) pubic hair; deeper voices
C) genitals; pubic hair
D) deeper voices; breasts

Question 60

Infant reflexes are

A) innate involuntary behaviour patterns.
B) voluntary behaviour patterns.
C) learned.
D) not used as a means for survival.

Question 61

During menarche adolescents experience

A) breast development.
B) the first ejaculation.
C) the start of menstruation.
D) voice changes.

Question 62

What is the best explanation for why the age of menarche differs across countries?

A) Advances in technology correspond to an earlier age of being able to carry an infant to term.
B) Evolutionary changes are linked to taller and more physically strong women that develop earlier.
C) The change is probably due primarily to better nutrition and health care.
D) The decrease reflects the revolving cycle where women are having children younger and, in turn, the age of reproduction of their children is younger, and so on.

Question 63

__________ tasks are more affected by aging in adulthood relative to __________ tasks.

A) Cognitive; motor
B) Simple; cognitive
C) Complex; simple
D) Motor; complex

Question 64

Researchers who study __________ examine how children learn, think, reason, communicate, and remember.

A) moral development
B) cognitive development
C) psychosocial development
D) emotional development

Question 65

Menopause refers to

A) the loss of sexual interest occurring in late adulthood.
B) the onset of puberty in early adulthood.
C) the loss of sexual potency in late adulthood.
D) the end of menstruation in middle adulthood.

Question 66

Overall physical maturity is most closely related to the onset of which of the following?

A) Spermarche
B) Menarche
C) Androgens
D) Secondary sex characteristics

Question 67

When do individuals reach their physical peak of strength, coordination, and physical flexibility?

A) Adolescence
B) Early twenties
C) Early thirties
D) Mid forties

Question 68

As men age, which of the following physical changes should be expected?

A) hot flashes.
B) sterility.
C) decline in sperm production.
D) menarche.

Question 69

Which is an example of a primary sex characteristic?

A) Voice change
B) Ovaries
C) Breasts
D) Pubic hair

Question 70

Piaget believed that cognitive change is marked by __________, which refers to maintaining a balance between our experience in the world and our thoughts about it.

A) assimilation
B) equilibration
C) accommodation
D) constructivism

Question 71

Puberty is associated with the onset of __________ in females.

A) generativity
B) menopause
C) menarche
D) dementia

Question 72

The cessation of menstruation and ovulation is called

A) empty nest syndrome.
B) menarche.
C) menopause.
D) equilibration.

Question 73

Which of the following generally indicates the first sign of sexual maturation in boys?

A) Development of facial and body hair
B) Deepening of the voice
C) Enlargement of the testicles and penis
D) Increases in muscle tissue, height, and broadening of shoulders

Question 74

Jean Piaget is best known for his pioneering work in the area of __________ development.

A) cognitive
B) social
C) identity
D) psychosocial

Question 75

Which of the following represents a 'domain-general' account of cognitive development?

A) That cognitive development is a continuous and gradual process
B) That development occurs in stages, with sudden changes in abilities.
C) That changes are genetically based
D) That when children advance in one ability, they tend to advance in other abilities at the same time.

Question 76

The period of five to ten years during which a woman's reproductive system begins to decline is called

A) empty nest syndrome.
B) dementia.
C) menopause.
D) equilibration.

Question 77

Which of the following would be most difficult for an elderly adult?

A) keeping a beat by tapping a finger on the table
B) learning to use all the functions in a new car
C) getting physical exercise each day
D) performing daily household routines

Question 78

Which is an example of a secondary sex characteristic?

A) Voice change
B) Ovaries
C) Breasts
D) Genitals

Question 79

Gail has just turned 53 and is beginning menopause. Gail is likely to begin experiencing

A) hot flashes.
B) depression.
C) a significant loss of appetite.
D) a significant loss of physical energy.

Question 80

Spermarche, or the first ejaculation, generally occurs around age __________ in boys.

A) 11
B) 13
C) 15
D) 17