Question 1

The successful outcome of Erikson's stage of _____ results in a healthy sense of independence.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt occurs during the toddler years and involves children learning to do things for themselves and make choices. If they are successful in this stage, they develop a sense of independence and confidence. If they fail, they may feel ashamed or doubt their abilities.

Question 2

While maintaining that children actively construct their knowledge, Vygotsky focused on _____ in explaining child cognitive development.

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky placed a strong emphasis on social interaction and the role it plays in a child's cognitive development. He argued that children learn and construct knowledge through interactions with more knowledgeable individuals in their social environment.

Question 3

Which of the following is a central focus of the information-processing approach?

Accepted Answer

The information-processing approach is focused on how individuals process information, including how they store and retrieve information. The other choices (A, C, and D) are not central focuses of the information-processing approach.

Question 4

Nathan bites his hand frequently throughout the day. According to Skinner, the BEST way to solve this problem is to

Accepted Answer

According to Skinner's behaviorist approach, behavior can be modified through reinforcement and punishment. By showing disapproval responses whenever Nathan bites his hand and providing encouragement when he refrains from doing so, Nathan will learn that biting his hand results in negative consequences and not biting his hand results in positive reinforcement. This is the most effective way to change behavior according to the behaviorist approach. The other options, exploring early childhood experiences and determining expectations about success, are not directly related to changing behavior in the present moment. Administering an IQ test may provide information about cognitive potential but it is not directly related to modifying behavior.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is NOT true of a theory?

Accepted Answer

It is not advisable to choose only one developmental theory and disregard all others as this may lead to a narrow perspective and incomplete understanding of the phenomena being studied. It is important to consider multiple theories and their different perspectives to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Question 6

According to Erikson, a preschooler is in the _____ stage.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory outlines eight stages of psychosocial development, with each stage characterized by a particular challenge or crisis to be resolved. The preschooler (ages 3-5) is in the initiative versus guilt stage, where they develop a sense of purpose and autonomy by taking on new challenges and exploring their environment. However, they may also experience feelings of guilt or anxiety if they believe their actions have caused harm or disapproval from others. Choice A, trust versus mistrust, is the first stage that occurs during infancy, while choice C, industry versus inferiority, occurs during the school-age years. Choice D, identity versus identity confusion, is the fifth stage that occurs during adolescence.

Question 7

Which theory would provide the BEST support for your belief in using incentives and time-outs as ways to help children behave?

Accepted Answer

Skinner's behaviorism emphasizes the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior. Incentives and time-outs act as positive and negative reinforcement respectively, and can be used effectively to increase desired behaviors and decrease undesirable behaviors in children.

Question 8

Erikson's theory emphasizes which of the following stages of human development?

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory emphasizes the psychosocial stages of human development, which refers to the social and emotional challenges that individuals face throughout their lifespan. These challenges are based on the development of a sense of identity and the ability to form meaningful relationships with others. The theory includes eight stages, from infancy to old age, each with its own unique challenge and potential for growth.

Question 9

Which of the following theories is NOT a stage theory and claims that development is continuous rather than discontinuous?

Accepted Answer

The information-processing theory posits that development is continuous and gradual, without distinct stages. However, Erikson, Freud, and Piaget all proposed stage theories with distinct developmental stages.

Question 10

Who among the following is a cognitive theorist?

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky is a cognitive theorist who developed the sociocultural theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes the role of culture and social interactions in cognitive development. Freud and Erikson are psychoanalytic theorists who focus on unconscious motivations and developmental stages, respectively, and are not considered cognitive theorists.

Question 11

At the airport, 4-year-old Kelly's mom encourages her to help with dragging the bags off the luggage carousel. According to Erikson's stage theory, Kelly's mom is helping Kelly develop

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's stage theory, the age range from 3 to 6 years old is the stage of initiative vs. guilt. During this stage, children develop a sense of purpose and the ability to initiate and direct their own activities. By encouraging Kelly to help with dragging the bags off the luggage carousel, her mom is helping her to develop initiative and a sense of competence.

Question 12

Psychoanalytic theories stress what in development?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theories emphasize the significance of early experiences with parents, particularly in the first few years of life, in shaping a child's development and personality. These experiences can lead to the formation of unconscious mental representations or schemas that can influence behavior and relationships in later life.

Question 13

Carlos is just starting to learn about the world. According to Vygotsky's sociocultural cognitive theory, which of the following would be among the most important tools he will use to do this?

Accepted Answer

According to Vygotsky's sociocultural cognitive theory, language is one of the most important tools that children use to learn about the world. Language allows children to communicate with others and to receive information and knowledge that they might not have been able to acquire on their own.

Question 14

Ben has repressed his sexual urges and has started to develop social and intellectual skills. Ben is in the psychosexual stage called the _____ stage.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's psychosexual theory of development, during the latency stage (ages 6 to puberty), children repress their sexual urges and instead focus on developing social and intellectual skills. This is a period of relative calm in terms of sexual impulses and conflicts, compared to the preceding and following stages (oral, anal, phallic, and genital). Therefore, Ben's behavior is consistent with the latency stage.

Question 15

Behaviorism argues that we should only study scientifically that which can be _____ and _____.

Accepted Answer

Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior and emphasizes the importance of measurement and empirical evidence. Therefore, the correct options are observed and measured. Choice B is incorrect because not all observable behavior can be changed. Choice C is too broad and doesn't encompass the empirical and scientific approach of behaviorism. Choice D is incorrect because behaviorism is not solely based on reward and punishment, but rather emphasizes the importance of reinforcement in shaping behavior.

Question 16

Piaget theorized that children move through distinct stages of cognitive development, with each stage being qualitatively different from the one preceding. His theory reflects which aspect of developmental philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory of distinct stages of cognitive development that differ qualitatively reflects the discontinuity aspect of developmental philosophy, which suggests that development occurs in distinct stages with clear transitions between them.

Question 17

If you believe that development occurs in stages, and you focus on cognitive development in an attempt to explain how children actively construct their own view of the world, then you are mostly likely to believe the development theory of

Accepted Answer

The belief that development occurs in stages and that children actively construct their own view of the world through cognitive development is the basis of Piaget's cognitive development theory. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory focuses more on the role of social interaction and culture in development, while Erikson's psychosocial theory emphasizes the importance of social and emotional development across the lifespan. Freud's psychosexual theory is based on the idea that personality is formed through a series of stages based on sexual development.

Question 18

Each stage in Erikson's theory presents a crisis that must be resolved. These crises are

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory suggests that each stage in life presents both increased vulnerability and enhanced potentials, which can be referred to as developmental landmarks. The crisis in each stage is an opportunity for individuals to resolve conflicts and build on their strengths, leading to further developmental progress.

Question 19

Psychoanalytic theories hold that development primarily depends on

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theories, such as those of Freud, emphasize the importance of the unconscious mind in development, specifically the influence of early childhood experiences and the resolution of unconscious conflicts on later personality and behavior. Cognitive theories emphasize the role of thinking and reasoning, behaviorist theories focus on environmental influences, and evolutionary theories prioritize biology and genetics.

Question 20

Which of the following theories emphasizes that people manipulate and monitor information and strategize about it?

Accepted Answer

The information-processing theory emphasizes that people manipulate and monitor information and strategize about it. This theory views the mind as a computer-like system that processes information through different stages, including attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving. The other theories listed (ethological theory, Piaget's cognitive development theory, psychoanalytic theory) do not specifically focus on information processing and manipulation.

Quiz 1: Introduction