Question 1

Like any 4-month-old, Amelia depends on her parents to feed her and change her diapers. When Amelia cries, her devoted parents quickly respond to her needs. According to Erikson, Amelia is developing a sense of __________.

Accepted Answer

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development proposes that infants develop a sense of trust or mistrust in their caregivers based on their early experiences. When caregivers consistently meet the infant's needs and respond sensitively to their cries, the infant develops a sense of trust in their ability to rely on others. Therefore, in this scenario, since Amelia's parents are responding to her needs promptly, Amelia is likely developing a sense of trust in her parents.

Question 2

According to Erikson, if an elementary school child fails to succeed in learning new skills and knowledge, the result may be the development of a sense of __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, during the industry versus inferiority stage (ages 6-11), children are focused on developing new skills and knowledge. If they do not feel successful in these endeavors, they may develop a sense of inferiority.

Question 3

The reckless risk-taking found among many adolescents is most likely due to the effects of __________.

Accepted Answer

The personal fable is a common cognitive distortion among adolescents where they believe they are invincible and immune to harm. This can lead to reckless risk-taking behaviors.

Question 4

Between the ages of 5 and 12, children strive to develop a sense of competence arising from their work and effort. Erikson refers to this stage of development as __________.

Accepted Answer

Erikson refers to the stage of development between the ages of 5 and 12 as the industry versus inferiority stage. This stage is marked by the child's desire to develop a sense of competence and mastery in their work and effort.

Question 5

Fifteen-year-old Grayson is writing an impassioned novel about growing up in America. In his novel, he describes his experiences in a way that portrays them as unique, such that no one has ever thought such deep thoughts or experienced such ecstasy before. Grayson's writings most clearly reflect __________.

Accepted Answer

Grayson's portrayal of his experiences as unique and unprecedented is an example of the personal fable, a common cognitive distortion in adolescence where individuals believe they are special, exceptional, and invulnerable to harm. This is related to the broader concept of adolescent egocentrism, where teenagers believe that their experiences, thoughts, and feelings are more important and significant than those of others.

Question 6

Ginny is an adolescent who currently has a small pimple on her cheek that is causing her to be overly self-conscious. She is convinced that everyone she meets stares at and talks about her pimple. Ginny's behavior illustrates which concept?

Accepted Answer

Ginny's behavior illustrates the imaginary audience, which is the belief that others are constantly watching and evaluating us. This is a common phenomenon during adolescence when teens become more self-conscious and concerned with fitting in socially.

Question 7

Which of Erik Erikson's psychosocial crises revolves around the child's learning to direct his or her own behavior?

Accepted Answer

Erik Erikson's psychosocial crisis of autonomy versus shame and doubt revolves around the child's learning to direct his or her own behavior. During this stage, children learn to assert their independence and develop their own willpower, autonomy, and confidence. This is a critical stage in the development of self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Question 8

In Erikson's __________ stage of psychosocial development, preschoolers are challenged to control their own behavior.

Accepted Answer

In Erikson's initiative versus guilt stage, preschoolers are indeed challenged to control their own behavior, as they begin to assert power and control over the world through directing play and other social interactions. This stage typically occurs around the ages of 3 to 5 years.

Question 9

Most young adolescents, especially those who receive a formal high school education, are at the level of thinking that Piaget described as __________.

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory of cognitive development proposes that formal operations (the ability to think logically and systematically about abstract concepts and hypothetical situations) develops in adolescence. Therefore, most young adolescents who receive a formal high school education are likely operating at this level of thinking.

Question 10

The period of life from about age 13 to the early 20s, during which a young person is no longer physically a child but is not yet an independent, self-supporting adult, is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Adolescence is the period of life from about age 13 to the early 20s, during which a young person is transitioning from childhood to adulthood, both physically and psychologically. This period is marked by significant changes in the body and brain, as well as social and emotional development. Tweens typically refers to the pre-adolescent years, typically ages 10-12. Young adulthood is typically considered to be the period from the late teens to the mid-twenties, during which a young person is transitioning into greater independence and responsibility. Puberty refers specifically to the physical changes that occur during adolescence, including the development of secondary sex characteristics.

Question 11

In the average person, approximately how long does puberty last from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

Puberty typically lasts 4 years in both males and females, starting around age 8-13 and ending around age 12-16. It is important to note that puberty can vary in duration and timing for each individual.

Question 12

The development of formal operations in adolescence leads to __________.

Accepted Answer

The development of formal operations, a concept introduced by Jean Piaget, marks a stage where adolescents begin to think more abstractly and critically. This stage often leads to increased introspection, as they contemplate their thoughts, feelings, and identities more deeply. It also leads to what Piaget called the "imaginary audience" and "personal fable," aspects of adolescent egocentrism where teenagers believe their thoughts, feelings, and experiences are unique and under constant scrutiny by others.

Question 13

The growth spurt for boys typically begins at age __________.

Accepted Answer

The growth spurt for boys typically begins at age 12.

Question 14

The text defines puberty as the __________.

Accepted Answer

Puberty is defined as a period of physical changes that occur in the body as sexual development reaches its peak. This includes the production of hormones in the reproductive glands stimulated by the pituitary gland, but also encompasses the physical changes such as growth spurts, development of secondary sex characteristics, and the onset of menstruation or ejaculation. Puberty is not simply a time when a child becomes a teenager, as it can start earlier or later for different individuals. The stage of identity versus role confusion is a separate stage of development according to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, and is not synonymous with puberty.

Question 15

According to Erikson, which of the following stages of psychosocial development appears in adulthood rather than in childhood?

Accepted Answer

Erikson's ego integrity versus despair stage occurs in adulthood, typically during late adulthood, while the other options all occur during childhood or adolescence.

Question 16

At what age does the growth spurt for girls typically begin?

Accepted Answer

The growth spurt for girls typically begins around age 10, during the early stages of puberty.

Question 17

__________ babies in Ainsworth's study were clinging and unwilling to explore, very upset by the stranger regardless of the mother's presence, protested mightily when the mother left, were hard to soothe, and had mixed reactions upon the mother's return.

Accepted Answer

This description matches that of the ambivalent attachment style as defined by Ainsworth. Babies with secure attachment (choice A) feel comfortable exploring their environment, are upset by a stranger but can be soothed by the mother's return, and are easily comforted by the mother. Avoidant babies (choice B) may explore but don't seek comfort from the mother, and may show little reaction to the mother's return. Disorganized-disoriented babies (choice D) have inconsistent and unpredictable behavior, such as freezing or swaying when the mother returns, and may show signs of fear or confusion towards the caregiver.

Question 18

In Erikson's theory of social development, the period from ages 3 to 5, his third stage, is characterized by the major challenge of __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory, the period from ages 3 to 5, known as the third stage, is characterized by the major challenge of initiative versus guilt. During this stage, children start to develop a sense of purpose and take initiative in activities, but may also develop feelings of guilt if their initiatives are punished or deemed inappropriate.

Question 19

Mothers who were unresponsive, insensitive, and coldly rejecting were associated with __________ infants.

Accepted Answer

Avoidant infants are often linked to mothers who are unresponsive, insensitive, and coldly rejecting. This attachment style develops as infants learn to avoid seeking comfort from their caregivers because they expect their needs to not be met.

Question 20

If a child successfully navigates the __________ stage of psychosocial development, he or she will make decisions and act independently.

Accepted Answer

The autonomy versus shame and doubt stage occurs during the toddler years (18 months to 3 years) and is characterized by a child's increasing desire for independence and self-control. If the child successfully navigates this stage, he or she will develop a strong sense of autonomy and the ability to make decisions and act independently. If the child experiences too much criticism or control from caregivers during this stage, he or she may develop shame and doubt about their own abilities.

Quiz 8: Development Across the Life Span