Question 1

An alarming __________ percent of U.S. infants-who are not yet capable of complying with adult directives-get spanked or hit.
A) 25 to 35
B) 35 to 40
C) 35 to 50
D) 50 to 60

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that a significant percentage of U.S. infants, specifically between 35 to 50 percent, experience spanking or hitting, despite their inability to understand or comply with adult directives.

Question 2

Dr. Milo believes that moral behavior is acquired through reinforcement and modeling. Dr. Milo's view is consistent with
A) the biological perspective.
B) psychoanalytic theory.
C) the social learning perspective.
D) Piaget's theory of moral development.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Milo's view that moral behavior is acquired through reinforcement and modeling is consistent with the social learning perspective. This perspective emphasizes the role of the environment in shaping behavior, including the acquisition of moral values and beliefs.

Question 3

Longitudinal research shows that spanking is associated with a
A) high level of respect toward adults and other authority figures.
B) rise in behavior problems if parents are cold and rejecting.
C) decrease in behavior problems if parents deliver it when they are highly agitated.
D) decrease in antisocial behavior in girls but not boys.

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal research has consistently shown that spanking is associated with an increase in behavior problems in children, particularly if parents are cold and rejecting. Studies have found that children who experience high levels of physical punishment are more likely to exhibit aggressive, defiant, and delinquent behavior over time. It is also worth noting that while some studies have suggested that spanking may be effective in reducing behavior problems in the short term, these benefits tend to be short-lived and may be outweighed by the potential negative consequences over time.

Question 4

Children in Piaget's heteronomous morality stage
A) want to maintain the affection and approval of others by being a "good person."
B) view rules as unchangeable and requiring strict obedience.
C) base their moral understanding on reward, punishment, and the power of authority figures.
D) view the "right" action as what satisfies their needs or otherwise results in personal advantage.

Accepted Answer

Children in Piaget's heteronomous morality stage view rules as unchangeable and requiring strict obedience. They believe that rules are set in stone and cannot be modified to meet specific circumstances. They also believe that breaking the rules will result in harsh punishment. Children in this stage tend to see things in black and white terms and have a limited understanding of other people's perspectives.

Question 5

When inducing empathy-based guilt, parents must help children
A) deal with guilt feelings constructively by guiding them to make up for immoral behavior.
B) understand why harsh punishment is sometimes necessary to correct misbehavior.
C) understand why adults are always right and that their goal is to protect children.
D) understand that people sometimes behave inappropriately.

Accepted Answer

When inducing empathy-based guilt, parents should help children deal with guilt constructively by guiding them to make up for immoral behavior. This approach helps the child understand the consequences of their actions and empowers them to take responsibility for their behavior. It also promotes a sense of accountability and reinforces positive moral values that will serve them well throughout their lives. The other options are not relevant to inducing empathy-based guilt.

Question 6

Ethnographic evidence indicates that corporal punishment increases in societies with
A) a collectivist orientation.
B) an individualistic orientation.
C) autocratic political decision making.
D) low rates of poverty.

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic evidence suggests that corporal punishment is more prevalent in societies with autocratic political decision-making. In such societies, power is often centralized, and authority figures may use corporal punishment as a means to enforce conformity and obedience, reflecting broader societal norms around authority and discipline.

Question 7

Which of the following is a side effect of harsh punishment?
A) It models aggression.
B) It helps children distinguish between prosocial and antisocial behaviors.
C) It permanently stops children's misbehavior.
D) It encourages children to seek closeness with adults.

Accepted Answer

Harsh punishment models aggression as a way to solve problems, which can lead to children being more aggressive themselves. This can cause a cycle of aggression and punishment that is not productive in promoting positive behavior.

Question 8

Jelena had a temper tantrum, so she was sent to her room until she was ready to act appropriately. This technique is known as
A) time out.
B) withdrawal of privileges.
C) induction.
D) withdrawal of love.

Accepted Answer

Jelena was sent to her room for a period of time until she was ready to behave appropriately. This technique is commonly known as time out, where the individual is removed from the situation and given time to calm down and reflect on their behavior.

Question 9

Children's earliest moral understanding can be described as
A) an inner propensity to adhere to socially agreed-upon principles.
B) an understanding of intentions.
C) a superficial orientation to physical power and external consequences.
D) extensive moral imperatives.

Accepted Answer

According to research on the development of moral reasoning in children, their earliest understanding of morality is based on a superficial orientation towards physical power and external consequences, rather than an inner propensity to adhere to socially agreed-upon principles or extensive moral imperatives. Children at this stage tend to judge the rightness or wrongness of actions based on whether they result in punishment or reward. It is not until later in development that children begin to understand the intentions behind actions and the importance of moral values such as fairness and kindness.

Question 10

According to social learning theorists, operant conditioning is not enough for young children to acquire moral responses because
A) prosocial behaviors do not increase with positive reinforcement.
B) parents rarely provide reinforcement following a prosocial act.
C) many prosocial acts occur so rarely at first that reinforcement cannot explain their rapid development.
D) negative reinforcement does not decrease the likelihood of antisocial behavior.

Accepted Answer

Social learning theorists argue that operant conditioning alone is not sufficient to explain the development of moral responses in young children because many prosocial acts occur so rarely at first that reinforcement cannot explain their rapid development. Therefore, social learning theorists propose that children acquire moral responses through the observation and imitation of models and through the internalization of moral standards and values.

Question 11

Warmth and responsiveness, competence and power, and consistency between assertions and behavior are all
A) characteristics that affect children's willingness to imitate a model's behavior.
B) less likely to promote moral development than spankings and threats.
C) evident in primates, reinforcing the biological perspective of morality.
D) traits that develop around age 2 as precursors to moral development.

Accepted Answer

Warmth and responsiveness, competence and power, and consistency between assertions and behavior are all important factors that can influence a child's likelihood of imitating a model's behavior. These factors may also have an impact on the development of moral reasoning and behavior.

Question 12

A major criticism of theories that regard morality as entirely a matter of internalization of societal norms is that
A) the role of emotion is disregarded in the development of prosocial behavior.
B) they do not consider cultural influences on moral development.
C) they overemphasize biological contributions to morality.
D) prevailing standards sometimes may be at odds with important ethical principles and humanitarian goals.

Accepted Answer

The choice D is correct because theories that regard morality as entirely a matter of internalization of societal norms fail to consider that prevailing societal norms may conflict with ethical principles and humanitarian goals. Hence, morality cannot solely rely on internalizing societal norms as they can be at odds with justice and fairness. A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not address the fundamental problem of societal norms being in conflict with ethical principles.

Question 13

Dr. Kalpoe is a cognitive-developmental theorist. As such, Dr. Kalpoe probably believes that the major means by which children become moral is through
A) specific teaching by parents and caregivers.
B) modeling and reinforcement.
C) identification with parents.
D) construction.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-developmental theorists, including Dr. Kalpoe, believe that children construct their understanding of morality through their own cognitive processes and experiences, rather than relying solely on external influences such as modeling or reinforcement. This theory emphasizes the role of reasoning and decision-making in the development of moral understanding.

Question 14

Models of effective behavior are especially influential
A) in the early years.
B) in middle childhood.
C) in adolescence.
D) if they combine harsh punishment with frequent time outs.

Accepted Answer

Models of effective behavior are particularly influential in the early years, as young children are still developing their own sense of self and social skills. They are particularly likely to imitate and learn from the models they observe.

Question 15

Ursula has developed a firm conscience, displays empathy, behaves responsibly, plays fairly in games, and is exceptionally considerate of other's welfare. Ursula's mother probably used __________ as her primary form of discipline.
A) positive discipline
B) time out
C) corporal punishment
D) withdrawal of privileges

Accepted Answer

Ursula's development of a firm conscience, empathy, and considerate behavior towards others suggest that her mother used positive discipline, which focuses on teaching and guiding rather than punishment. Positive discipline techniques include praise, rewards, reasoning, and problem-solving discussions. This approach helps children understand the expectations of their behavior and learn how to regulate their emotions and actions in a healthy way.

Question 16

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, Caucasian-American parents, regularly use physical punishment with their son Max. Max will probably
A) develop respect for adults.
B) avoid delinquent peers.
C) show a decrease in aggressive behavior.
D) engage in aggressive and antisocial behavior.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that using physical punishment with children increases the likelihood of aggressive and antisocial behavior into adolescence and adulthood. This is particularly true in the case of frequent and harsh physical punishment. Therefore, it is likely that Max will engage in aggressive and antisocial behavior as a result of his parents' use of physical punishment.

Question 17

Viewing the child as a thinking moral being who wonders about right and wrong and searches for moral truth is the approach endorsed by
A) social learning theorists.
B) reinforcement theorists.
C) behaviorists.
D) cognitive-developmental theorists.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-developmental theorists, such as Jean Piaget, view children as active learners who construct their own understanding of the world around them. Piaget asserts that children go through stages of cognitive development, including a moral stage, in which they become aware of right and wrong, and begin to develop a sense of justice and fairness. This emphasizes the child's role in the learning process and views them as autonomous moral agents.

Question 18

More than one-__________ of physically punishing U.S. parents report having used a hard object, such as a brush or a belt.
A) fifth
B) fourth
C) third
D) half

Accepted Answer

According to the sentence, "More than one-fourth of physically punishing U.S. parents report having used a hard object, such as a brush or a belt."

Question 19

Empathy-based guilt reactions are associated with
A) anger, hostility, and future antisocial behavior.
B) stopping harmful actions and repairing damage caused by misdeeds.
C) fearful behavior, particularly toward adults.
D) prosocial behavior in girls and antisocial behavior in boys.

Accepted Answer

Empathy-based guilt reactions are associated with stopping harmful actions and repairing the damage caused by misdeeds. This means that a person who experiences empathy-based guilt will feel compelled to make amends for their actions and make things right. This is a prosocial behavior.

Question 20

Harshly treated children react with resentment and a chronic sense of being personally threatened, which prompts
A) timid, but more social, behavior.
B) a strong internalization of moral rules.
C) a focus on the self's distress rather than a sympathetic orientation to others' needs.
D) increased genetic risk for aggression.

Accepted Answer

Harshly treated children often develop a strong focus on their own distress, rather than developing a sympathetic orientation towards others. This can lead to self-centered behavior and a lack of concern for the needs of others.

Quiz 12: Moral Development

An alarming __________ percent of U.S. infants-who are not yet capable of complying with adult directives-get spanked or hit.

Dr. Milo believes that moral behavior is acquired through reinforcement and modeling. Dr. Milo's view is consistent with

Longitudinal research shows that spanking is associated with a

Children in Piaget's heteronomous morality stage

When inducing empathy-based guilt, parents must help children

Ethnographic evidence indicates that corporal punishment increases in societies with

Which of the following is a side effect of harsh punishment?

Jelena had a temper tantrum, so she was sent to her room until she was ready to act appropriately. This technique is known as

Children's earliest moral understanding can be described as

According to social learning theorists, operant conditioning is not enough for young children to acquire moral responses because

Warmth and responsiveness, competence and power, and consistency between assertions and behavior are all

A major criticism of theories that regard morality as entirely a matter of internalization of societal norms is that

Dr. Kalpoe is a cognitive-developmental theorist. As such, Dr. Kalpoe probably believes that the major means by which children become moral is through

Models of effective behavior are especially influential

Ursula has developed a firm conscience, displays empathy, behaves responsibly, plays fairly in games, and is exceptionally considerate of other's welfare. Ursula's mother probably used __________ as her primary form of discipline.

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, Caucasian-American parents, regularly use physical punishment with their son Max. Max will probably

Viewing the child as a thinking moral being who wonders about right and wrong and searches for moral truth is the approach endorsed by

More than one-__________ of physically punishing U.S. parents report having used a hard object, such as a brush or a belt.

Empathy-based guilt reactions are associated with

Harshly treated children react with resentment and a chronic sense of being personally threatened, which prompts