Question 1

At what point in the development of self-recognition does the present self emerge?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 2

What do many developmentalists,such as Meltzoff,believe about the sense of self at birth?

Accepted Answer

Many developmentalists, such as Meltzoff, believe that the sense of self at birth is rudimentary. While infants may have some basic sense of their physical existence and needs, they do not have a fully developed sense of self-awareness or self-identity. This develops over time through interactions with caregivers and experiences in the world.

Question 3

Suppose that you are conducting naturalistic research on the content of children's self-descriptions.You have gathered data from a group of children in kindergarten who were asked to describe themselves in a few short sentences at a school recital.Based upon current research,which of the following attributes would be mentioned most often?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

Anita just looked in the mirror and saw a smudge of dirt on her cheek.If Anita is 8 months of age,what is her most likely reaction?

Accepted Answer

At 8 months of age, babies begin to recognize themselves in mirrors but do not yet understand that the reflection is actually them. They might try to interact with their reflection as if it were another child, hence Anita is likely to try to rub the smudge off her cheek on the mirror, not realizing the reflection is her own.

Question 5

What terms do preschool children use most often to describe themselves?

Accepted Answer

Preschool children tend to describe themselves based on the activities they can perform and physical attributes such as "I can run fast" or "I have curly hair". They may not have a full understanding of psychological traits or social categories such as gender or age group. Comparing themselves to other children may occur, but it is not the most common way they describe themselves.

Question 6

Which of the following is the best description of what developmentalists refer to as false-self behaviour?

Accepted Answer

False-self behavior refers to behaving in a way that is not true to one's authentic self, but rather in a way that is designed to gain acceptance or approval from others. In the context of developmental psychology, false-self behavior is often seen as a coping mechanism that individuals may use to navigate the challenges of adolescence and the desire to fit in with peers.

Question 7

During which of the following developmental phases is the integration of conflicting self-perceptions,such as "I am popular" and "I am lonely" achieved?

Accepted Answer

The integration of conflicting self-perceptions is a process that occurs during middle to late adolescence, as individuals begin to develop a more complex and nuanced understanding of their own psychological makeup. During this time, adolescents become increasingly capable of holding opposing identities in their heads, recognizing that they can be both popular and lonely, for example, or smart and insecure. This ability to integrate and synthesize these conflicting aspects of the self is a key hallmark of healthy identity development, and can help individuals to feel more centered, self-aware, and confident in their own skin.

Question 8

Suppose that you are conducting naturalistic research on the content of children's self-descriptions.You have gathered data from a group of children in kindergarten who were asked to describe themselves in a few short sentences at a school recital.Based upon current research,which of the following statements would be typical of your participants?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose that you are conducting naturalistic research...

Question 9

Children who show self-recognition are more likely to be raised in cultures that emphasize which characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Children who show self-recognition are more likely to be raised in cultures that emphasize individual autonomy. This is because self-recognition involves an awareness of oneself as a separate individual with a unique identity, which is emphasized more in cultures that prioritize individualism over collectivism.

Question 10

Suppose you observe a young infant jerking her arm to cause a string to move a mobile over the crib.Based on current research,this behaviour indicates the development of which feature of the self?

Accepted Answer

The behaviour described indicates the development of personal agency, which refers to the ability to intentionally act on the environment and see oneself as the cause of those actions. It is demonstrated through actions such as reaching for objects, intentionally moving parts of the body (as in the example given), and exploring the environment. Person praise, personal comparison, and person perception are not related to this specific behaviour.

Question 11

Which type of self is most dependent on the development of autobiographical memory?

Accepted Answer

The extended self is most dependent on the development of autobiographical memory because it involves an individual's understanding of themselves across time, including past experiences and future aspirations. Autobiographical memory is crucial for maintaining a coherent and continuous identity over time, which is a key aspect of the extended self.

Question 12

Of the following,which would be the first characteristics to be incorporated into a toddler's self-concept?

Accepted Answer

Sex and age are two of the most salient and basic characteristics that toddlers may use to define themselves. They are also easily observable and are frequently discussed by caregivers and family members, which can reinforce their saliency in the child's mind. Pet ownership and hair colour are less likely to be incorporated into a toddler's self-concept at this stage of development.

Question 13

Eder studied children's self-concepts by asking them to choose between two descriptive statements.Do her findings support those obtained using the method of self-description?

Accepted Answer

Eder's findings suggest that younger children have a better understanding of their own characteristics than what is reflected in self-description. Therefore, option B which suggests self-description overestimates younger children's understanding of their own characteristics is incorrect. Option A is too broad as Eder's findings only apply to children's self-concept and not all aspects of their self-description. Option D is also incorrect as Eder's study did not specifically focus on elementary school-aged children. The correct answer is option C as it accurately reflects Eder's findings that self-description underestimates the understanding that younger children have of their own characteristics.

Question 14

Jessa is usually happy at school but she is always sad when she is at home with her parents.Despite these inconsistencies,she makes an extra effort to pretend to be happy whenever she is with her parents.How would a developmentalist view Jessa's change in behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jessa is usually happy at school but...

Question 15

According to Harter and Monsour,what is the basis for the integration and understanding of self-inconsistencies?

Accepted Answer

According to Harter and Monsour, the cognitive abilities achieved during the formal-operational stage, specifically the ability to understand abstract concepts and think logically, form the basis for the integration and understanding of self-inconsistencies. This stage typically begins around age 11-12 and continues into adulthood.

Question 16

Although Gary recognizes that he is generally relaxed and confident,it bothers him that there are times when he is nervous and lacking in self-confidence.He wonders why he can't be confident all the time.Based on this information,how old is Gary?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although Gary recognizes that he is generally...

Question 17

Griffin just looked in the mirror and saw a spot on the nose of his image.If Griffin is 2 years old,how will he react?

Accepted Answer

At 2 years old, children are beginning to develop self-awareness and may start to notice and react to their own reflections. Rubbing at the spot on his nose shows that Griffin has identified the image in the mirror as himself and is attempting to interact with it.

Question 18

On average,mirror self-recognition typically emerges at the same age regardless of culture.What does this imply about self-recognition?

Accepted Answer

The fact that mirror self-recognition typically emerges at the same age regardless of culture suggests that it is a result of maturational processes rather than learned experiences or cultural differences. This implies that self-recognition is a fundamental aspect of human development that emerges at a specific point in time due to biological factors.

Question 19

Which of the following best characterizes the timing of the development of an infant's sense of self?

Accepted Answer

The development of an infant's sense of self is a gradual process that begins at birth but becomes more refined over the first two years of life. Infants start to differentiate themselves from the world around them and show awareness of their own bodies and actions around 6 months of age, but a full sense of self that includes a concept of "me" and "not me" is not fully formed until the end of the second year of life.

Question 20

You are having dinner with your friend.When you arrive his daughter Brianne runs up and tells you proudly that she is a "big girl." According to most developmentalists,what accounts for Brianne's self-categorical statement?

Accepted Answer

Most developmentalists suggest that children develop an awareness of their categorical self around the age of 18 months. This means that they can begin to recognize themselves as belonging to particular categories, such as being a boy or girl, having certain physical attributes, or being a member of a certain family or culture. Brianne's statement of being a "big girl" suggests that she has developed this awareness of her own category or self-concept.

Quiz 13: Development of the Self and Social Cognition