Question 1

Seventeen-year-old Alice drinks alcohol to deal with all the things that are difficult in her life. Which approach is most likely to decrease her alcohol use?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in therapy to learn more effective means of coping with stress is the best option as it addresses the root cause of Alice's alcohol use. Learning about alcohol use in school and practising strategies to resist peer pressure can be helpful, but may not address Alice's underlying reasons for drinking. Having her parents take parenting classes may not be relevant to Alice's situation if her parents are not a factor in her alcohol use.

Question 2

Which statement concerning cigarette smoking is true?

Accepted Answer

According to research, one of the main reasons why teens start smoking is because they believe that it is okay or socially acceptable to smoke. Therefore, statement D is true. Statements A, B, and C are not supported by current research.

Question 3

Which biological factor is not known to contribute to aggressive behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Circadian rhythms refer to the natural cycles of the body that regulate sleep and waking patterns, hunger, and other physiological processes throughout the day. While disruptions to circadian rhythms can lead to irritability and mood changes, they are not directly linked to aggressive behavior. Temperament, hormones, and heredity have all been found to contribute to aggressive behavior.

Question 4

If an individual gets the feeling that a friend is showing signs of being suicidal, they should

Accepted Answer

It is important to take any signs of suicidality seriously and seek help immediately. Contacting a mental health professional or hotlines such as Lifeline or SADAG can provide the necessary support and resources to prevent a tragedy. Ignoring or avoiding the topic can be dangerous and may increase the risk of suicidal behavior.

Question 5

Fifteen-year-old Mpho's parents are social drinkers who often stop at a bar after work. Research suggests that Mpho is

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that adolescents with parents who drink regularly are more likely to engage in alcohol use themselves, even if their parents do not encourage or condone their drinking. Mpho's regular exposure to his parents' social drinking may normalize the behavior to him and make him more likely to start drinking than his friend whose parents do not drink. However, it's important to note that not all individuals are influenced equally by their parents' behavior, and many other factors may also play a role in whether or not Mpho begins drinking.

Question 6

Which of these is not included in effective antismoking interventions in schools?

Accepted Answer

While increasing penalties for smoking on school grounds may be a component of an antismoking intervention, it is not the only or most effective strategy. The other options listed - providing information, giving effective responses to peer pressure, and implementing school and community initiatives - are all key components of effective antismoking interventions in schools.

Question 7

At age five, Lesego set a neighbour's house on fire. At age 10, he burned down a spaza shop. At age 20, he sets his old high school on fire. Lesego's behaviour best exemplifies

Accepted Answer

Lesego's pattern of repeated acts of arson starting at a young age and continuing into adulthood is characteristic of life-course persistent antisocial behaviour, which is defined as a developmental pattern of behaviour that starts in childhood and persists throughout one's life. This is different from adolescent-limited antisocial behaviour, which is temporary and typically ends by the age of 18. Learned helplessness and chronic status offenses do not explain Lesego's behaviour.

Question 8

Which of these is not a risk of smoking for adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Depression is not a directly proven risk of smoking for adolescents. However, smoking can increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and addiction which can lead to depression in the long run. The other options (A, C, D) are proven risks of smoking for adolescents.

Question 9

What is the third highest cause of death in adolescents in Africa?

Accepted Answer

Suicide is the third highest cause of death in African adolescents, following only lower respiratory infections and HIV/AIDS. According to the World Health Organization, suicide rates among African youth have been increasing in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support and suicide prevention initiatives in the region.

Question 10

Some teenagers experience negative life events and do not become depressed. Which teenager is less likely to become depressed when she experiences a negative life event?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a history of depression in a person's ancestry has been found to be a risk factor for developing depression. Therefore, Bonaani, who does not have such a history, is less likely to become depressed when experiencing a negative life event than the other options.

Question 11

Programmes to prevent adolescent violence and antisocial behaviour target

Accepted Answer

Programs to prevent adolescent violence and antisocial behavior often focus on developing academic and social skills in primary school children, as early intervention can be more effective in shaping positive behaviors and reducing future risks.

Question 12

What percentage of youth meet the criteria for life-course persistent antisocial behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What percentage of youth meet the criteria...

Question 13

An effective non-drug intervention for teenage depression focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Teaching teenagers to replace negative thoughts with more positive thoughts is an effective non-drug intervention for teenage depression. This approach is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is focused on changing negative thinking patterns that contribute to depression and helping adolescents develop more positive coping strategies. Instilling a sense of learned helplessness and suppressing adolescents' feelings toward their parents are not effective interventions for depression. Mapping the genetic history of the adolescent may help identify potential risk factors for depression but is not an intervention in and of itself.

Question 14

What is the defining characteristic of adolescent-limited antisocial behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Adolescent-limited antisocial behavior is characterized by engaging in minor criminal acts, such as theft or vandalism, over a short period of time. It is not consistently violent or specific to a certain type of sex act.

Question 15

The text indicates that many teenagers who smoke are convinced that cigarette smoking is harmless for healthy adolescents. Which concept does the best job of explaining this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The illusion of invulnerability is the best concept to explain why many teenagers who smoke believe that cigarette smoking is harmless for healthy adolescents. This concept refers to the belief that one is immune to the negative consequences of risky behaviors, such as smoking, and is a common phenomenon among adolescents.

Question 16

Mandla's parents often ask about his day at school, set reasonable rules, and provide guidance when he is having difficulty in school. How likely is Mandla to smoke cigarettes?

Accepted Answer

According to research, children with authoritative parents who are involved in their lives and provide guidance are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking.

Question 17

As a senior primary school learner, Chrissy often shoplifted cosmetics and sweets. By the time she was in high school, Chrissy had mended her ways and no longer shoplifted. Chrissy's pattern of behaviour is best described as

Accepted Answer

Chrissy's behaviour was limited to her adolescent years, as she no longer engaged in shoplifting after high school. This is characteristic of adolescent-limited antisocial behaviour, where individuals engage in delinquent behaviour during their teenage years but grow out of it as they mature. Life-course persistent antisocial behaviour, on the other hand, is a pattern of delinquency that persists from childhood into adulthood. Learned helplessness refers to a belief that one's actions do not matter and thus results in a lack of effort. Chronic status offenses refer to repeated acts that are offenses only because they are committed by a minor, such as truancy or underage drinking.

Question 18

About____ per cent of South African adolescents report drinking alcohol, and about _____ per cent report having been involved in binge drinking.

Accepted Answer

About 50 per cent of South African adolescents report drinking alcohol, and about 25 per cent report having been involved in binge drinking.

Question 19

Which parental behaviour is least likely to encourage aggressive and antisocial behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Enforcing many rules with supporting reasons is least likely to encourage aggressive and antisocial behaviour as it provides clear expectations and guidance for appropriate behaviour. This approach also helps foster self-regulation and responsibility in children.

Question 20

Effective interventions for teenage smoking include several components. Which is least likely to work?

Accepted Answer

While all of the components listed have the potential to be effective, enforcing a strict anti-tobacco discipline system throughout the school is the least likely to work. Punishments alone are not enough to change behavior and may even lead to resentment or rebellion. It is important to also provide education, support, and skill-building opportunities to help teenagers make healthier choices.

Quiz 9: Moving Into the Adult Social World: Socioemotional Development in Adolescence