Question 1

The idea that biological maturation operates in interaction with the environment and the experiences it provides to children comes from

Accepted Answer

The idea that biological maturation operates in interaction with the environment and experiences comes from dynamic systems theory, which emphasizes the complex and reciprocal relationships between nature and nurture in shaping development. Ethology focuses on the study of animal behavior, while sociobiology examines the evolution of social behavior in animals. Behavioral genomics is a more recent field that studies the genetic basis of behavior.

Question 2

According to psychoanalytic theory, a person can be fixated at a stage because their needs were not adequately met at that stage or because they received so much gratification that the person is not willing to move on to another stage.

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, fixation can occur when a person either does not receive adequate gratification at a stage or receives too much that they are unwilling to move on to the next stage.

Question 3

A new understanding that has emerged from the research in neuropsychology is that

Accepted Answer

Research in neuropsychology has shown that biology does impact behavior, but environmental factors can also play a significant role. For example, stressful experiences can affect the functioning of the brain and even change the expression of certain genes. This understanding has implications for fields such as mental health, where a combination of biological and environmental factors may contribute to conditions like depression or anxiety.

Question 4

According to Freud, the genital stage is the stage in which a child's sex drive goes underground.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the genital stage (starting at puberty) is when the child's sex drive becomes focused on the genitalia and sexual desires are no longer hidden or unconscious. Therefore, the sex drive does not go underground but rather becomes more openly expressed.

Question 5

In ecological theory, the macrosystem consists of

Accepted Answer

The macrosystem in ecological theory refers to the cultural norms and values that guide the organizations and places that make up one's everyday life. It includes the broader social and cultural context in which the individual lives. This can include things like laws, customs, and societal trends that shape the microsystems and mesosystems in which the person interacts. Options A, B, and C refer to other levels of Bronfenbrenner's ecological model.

Question 6

Which of the statements reflect the focus that African culture has on the development of the child?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the statements reflect the focus...

Question 7

Stage theories are also considered to be:

Accepted Answer

Stage theories are often qualitative theories which describe a series of developmental stages that individuals progress through. They focus on the qualitative changes that occur in an individual's behavior, attitudes, and beliefs over time rather than on measurable quantitative changes.

Question 8

As a result of our growing understanding of how both the brain and genes function, we now recognize that

Accepted Answer

Our understanding of biology and genetics has led us to recognize that both nature and nurture play a role in shaping behavior and development. While our genes may provide a blueprint for certain traits and characteristics, environmental factors such as diet, stress, and social experiences can also impact our biological functioning. This understanding has led to a more nuanced understanding of how different factors interact to shape development over time.

Option B is also partially correct, as it highlights the importance of different aspects of development interacting with each other, but it does not take into account the role of biological factors. Option C is incorrect, as research has shown that both proximal and distal environments play a role in development, and it is not possible to say that one has a greater impact than the other. Option D is also incorrect, as the expression of genes is complex and can be influenced by a range of factors, including environmental experiences.

Question 9

A model that allows us to predict how children will behave is called a hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction about a phenomenon, typically based on limited evidence or incomplete knowledge. It is not a model that allows us to predict how children will behave.

Question 10

Bronfenbrenner would say that it is important that we understand the individual

Accepted Answer

Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory emphasizes that individuals must be understood in the context of their environments or systems, and that development is influenced by multiple interacting contexts. Therefore, it is important to consider all of the contexts that affect development, rather than just focusing on the individual or one or two specific factors.

Question 11

An explanation for why girls growing up in families that are conflictual, dysfunctional, or in which the father is absent go through puberty at an earlier age has come from the field of

Accepted Answer

The explanation for why girls growing up in conflictual, dysfunctional families or in which the father is absent go through puberty at an earlier age is given by the evolutionary developmental psychology field. This perspective suggests that early puberty in such conditions represents an adaptive response to increase the likelihood of reproduction in a stressful or unstable environment.

Question 12

Piaget believed that the primary difference between how children think and how adults think is a difference in how much each knows.

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that the primary difference between how children think and how adults think is not just about how much each knows, but also about how they organize, adapt, and use that knowledge to make sense of the world around them. Piaget focused on cognitive development, arguing that children progress through different stages of thinking as they grow and interact with their environment.

Question 13

The process of classical conditioning works on animals, but humans cannot be classically conditioned.

Accepted Answer

Humans can be classically conditioned, as demonstrated by the famous examples of Pavlov's dogs and Little Albert. Classical conditioning is a fundamental learning process that occurs in both animals and humans.

Question 14

According to the theory of sociobiology, you are more likely to protect, help, and give to relatives rather than to other people because

Accepted Answer

Sociobiology suggests that individuals are more likely to help their relatives because they share a greater proportion of their genes with them, therefore increasing the likelihood of passing on those genes to future generations. This concept is known as kin selection.

Question 15

Sociobiology is the study of

Accepted Answer

Sociobiology is specifically concerned with the social behaviors of animals and humans that are influenced by genetics and have evolved as adaptations to their environment. It focuses on how social behaviors, such as cooperation or aggression, are influenced by biological factors and natural selection.

Question 16

Ecological system theory has made a particularly important impact in the area of

Accepted Answer

Ecological system theory, developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner, focuses on the various layers of an individual's environment, including family, community, and culture. This theory has had a significant impact on social policy and action research, particularly in areas such as child development and education. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the various systems that influence an individual's behavior and development, and has led to the development of interventions and programs aimed at improving these systems to promote positive outcomes for individuals and communities. While the theory may also be relevant to other fields, such as sociobiology and neurobiology, its impact in these areas may not be as significant as its impact on social policy and action research.

Question 17

The study of the interaction of genes and behavior is called:

Accepted Answer

The study of the interaction of genes and behavior is specifically referred to as behavioral genomics. Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between behavior and neurological processes, dynamic systems refer to the study of how complex systems, such as behavior and cognition, change over time, and biopsychology encompasses the broader study of the biological bases of behavior.

Question 18

Italian parents are more likely to describe their child in which of the developmental competencies?

Accepted Answer

Research has found that Italian parents are more likely to emphasize their child's social and emotional competence, including their ability to regulate their emotions and establish relationships with others. This may reflect cultural values in Italy that prioritize the importance of social connections and emotional expressiveness in child development.

Question 19

What does developmental theory in non-Western cultures focus on?

Accepted Answer

Developmental theory in non-Western cultures often focuses on the role of the individual in relation to the social group, highlighting the importance of collectivism and interdependence in shaping development. This differs from Western theories, which tend to emphasize individualism and personal achievement.

Question 20

The understanding that newborn ducklings and goslings will imprint upon and follow their mothers immediately after birth came from early work in the field of

Accepted Answer

The concept of imprinting in newborn ducklings and goslings was first studied in depth by Austrian ethologist Konrad Lorenz in the mid-20th century. Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and is therefore the best choice for this question. Sociobiology is the study of how social behavior arises and is maintained in animals, but it is not directly related to imprinting in newborns. Ecological theory and information processing are also not directly related to this concept.

Quiz 2: Theories of Development