Question 1

Which of the following pairs of theoretical perspectives assert that certain basic cognitive abilities are biologically built into, or prewired into, the neural makeup of humans?

Accepted Answer

The theoretical perspectives that assert that certain basic cognitive abilities are biologically built into human beings are nativist and evolutionary perspectives. Option A (humanistic and evolutionary) is incorrect because humanistic approach focuses on the potential for growth and self-determination, and evolutionary approach studies how species have evolved over time. Option C (humanistic and behavioral) is incorrect because the behavioral approach studies environmental influences on behavior, rather than biological influences. Option D (nativist and behavioral) is incorrect because the behavioral approach focuses on learning and environmental experiences as determinants of behavior.

Question 2

What is the typical difference in the age of onset for the adolescent growth spurt, between males and females?

Accepted Answer

The typical difference in the age of onset for the adolescent growth spurt between males and females is that it occurs about two years earlier in females than in males.

Question 3

Zack is an infant in a research study. The researchers have shown Zack a picture of the same toy over and over again, on a computer screen. What can you expect if Zack's response to this procedure is typical?

Accepted Answer

In typical habituation, an infant's heart rate and respiration rates will decrease as they become less interested in the repeated stimulus. Therefore, Zack will most likely have decreased heart rate and respiration rates and will stop looking at the picture. Option A is incorrect because typical habituation does not lead to distress. Option B is incorrect because dishabituation usually occurs when a new stimulus is presented, not when the same stimulus is repeated. Option C is incorrect because an increase in heart and respiration rates is not typical during habituation.

Question 4

The timing of puberty has changed over the past few generations. What does this trend likely reflect?

Accepted Answer

The trend of earlier puberty is likely due to improvements in nutrition and medical care, which have allowed children to grow and develop at a faster rate. There is no evidence to suggest that pollution or changes in sexual activity are the cause, and while genetics may play a role, it is unlikely to be the sole explanation for this trend.

Question 5

In habituation-dishabituation studies examining infant cognitive abilities, how did researchers present the addition or subtraction "problems" to the infants?

Accepted Answer

Habituation-dishabituation studies typically use a visual habituation paradigm in which infants are shown a repeating stimulus until they become habituated to it, and then a new stimulus is presented to assess their level of attention or discrimination. In the case of addition or subtraction "problems," researchers would typically show the infants groups of objects that are covered and uncovered by a screen to assess their ability to discern changes in quantity.

Question 6

At which level of moral development do individuals tend to use a personal code of ethics to guide their moral reasoning and behaviour?

Accepted Answer

At the postconventional level of moral development, individuals tend to use their own personal values and principles as a guide for their moral reasoning and behavior. They reject conventional rules and laws that do not align with their own personal code of ethics, and instead, they base their decisions on universal ethical principles, such as justice, equality, and human rights.

Question 7

Which of the following reflects criticism of Lawrence Kohlberg's model based on issues of bias?

Accepted Answer

Critics of Kohlberg's model argue that his stages are based on masculine moral values, often overlooking the values and experiences of women and girls. This gender bias has been pointed out as one of the major limitations of Kohlberg's theory.

Question 8

Which of the following is a primary sex characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Primary sex characteristics are physical characteristics that are directly involved in reproduction. Growth of the penis is a primary sex characteristic in males. Breast growth in females and wider hips are secondary sex characteristics, while facial hair growth in males is a tertiary sex characteristic.

Question 9

According to Lawrence Kohlberg, a person who believes that Heinz should steal the drug so his wife can live and cook him dinner is reasoning at which level of moral development?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Lawrence Kohlberg, a person who...

Question 10

In habituation-dishabituation studies, what do infants do if they are presented with an addition problem that results in an incorrect outcome?

Accepted Answer

In habituation-dishabituation studies, infants typically look longer at stimuli that are unexpected or novel. Therefore, if they are presented with an addition problem that results in an incorrect outcome, they are likely to look for a longer time than if the outcome was correct.

Question 11

Which of the following is one piece of evidence that children's understanding of the mind seems to change dramatically between the ages of three and four (on average)?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that children around the age of four begin to understand that people can hold false beliefs, which is a key aspect of theory of mind. This understanding is typically not present in younger children.

Question 12

Which of the following terms is defined as the stage during which sexual functions reach maturity?

Accepted Answer

Puberty is the stage during which sexual functions reach maturity. The growth spurt refers to the period of rapid physical growth that occurs during puberty, and pubescence is a broader term that includes the physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that occur during adolescence. Maturation can refer to any process of development or growth, so it is not specific to puberty.

Question 13

Ariana finds a wallet on the floor at the store. She decides to turn in the wallet at the lost-and-found because she believes her parents will be proud of her for being honest. Which level of moral development does Ariana's reasoning reflect?

Accepted Answer

Ariana's reasoning reflects the conventional level of moral development, where people make moral decisions based on societal norms and the expectations of others (in this case, her parents). She believes that turning in the wallet is the right thing to do because it is what a good person would do, and because she wants to be recognized and praised for her actions. This level is typically seen in early adolescence and beyond.

Question 14

Abby is learning how to print her name. When she tries to do it herself, she can manage the first letter, and then she can't complete any more. Her older sister comes along and helps her out by writing out the letters for Abby to copy. Abby finishes printing her name and runs off to show her Daddy. What term did Vygotsky use for the help provided by Abby's sister?

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky used the term "scaffolding" to describe the help provided by Abby's sister, which involves providing support and guidance to help a learner bridge the gap between what they already know and what they are attempting to learn, in order to reach their full potential in the zone of proximal development.

Question 15

Orry is five years old, and he just saw his mom put some money in a coffee can. If you were to ask Orry what other people would think is in the coffee can, what would he say?

Accepted Answer

Orry, being five years old, is likely to exhibit egocentrism, a common trait in young children where they assume others see the world as they do. Since he saw money being put in the can, he might not understand that others would expect coffee to be in a coffee can. However, if he is asked what others would think, he might say "coffee" because that's the typical expectation for a coffee can.

Question 16

Which of the following represents a key difference in Vygotsky's theory of child development compared to Piagetian theory?

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky's theory emphasizes the role of social experiences in child development, whereas Piagetian theory focuses more on cognitive processes. Vygotsky believed that learning is a social activity where children acquire knowledge and skills through interactions with more knowledgeable individuals. In contrast, Piagetian theory emphasizes stages of development and the child's active construction of their understanding of the world.

Question 17

Kylie is three years old, and she just saw her mom put some money into a coffee can. If you were to ask Kylie what other people would think is in the coffee can, what would she say?

Accepted Answer

Kylie observed her mother putting money into the coffee can, so she would likely assume that other people would think the can contains money. She is unlikely to think that the can contains coffee, as she saw her mother put money into it rather than coffee. She may not consider the possibility of coffee and money being in the can together because she is only three years old and her cognitive abilities are still developing. "I don't know" is a possibility, but given that she saw her mother put money in the can, it is more likely that she would say "money."

Question 18

Both Jason and Bradley believe that their dad should not drive over the speed limit. Jason does not want his dad to get a speeding ticket, but Bradley believes that rules are rules and laws are laws and need to be obeyed. Which levels of moral development are the boys at?

Accepted Answer

Jason's reasoning is based on avoiding punishment (a characteristic of the preconventional level), while Bradley's reasoning is based on conformity to rules and laws (a characteristic of the conventional level).

Question 19

Abby is learning how to print her name. When she tries to do it herself, she can manage the first letter, and then she can't complete any more. Her older sister comes along and helps her out by writing out the letters for Abby to copy. Abby finishes printing her name and runs off to show her Daddy. What term did Vygotsky use for the difference between what Abby could print on her own and what she could print when her sister helped her?

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky's term for the difference between what Abby could do on her own and what she could do with her sister's help is the "zone of proximal development." This refers to the difference between a child's current level of ability and what they are potentially capable of achieving with the guidance of a more skilled individual. Abby's sister acted as a scaffold, supporting Abby's learning and helping her to reach her potential.

Question 20

What did Lawrence Kohlberg place the most emphasis on when he presented moral dilemmas to individuals in order to evaluate their level of moral development?

Accepted Answer

Lawrence Kohlberg placed the most emphasis on the explanation the individual gave concerning the reason for his or her response when presenting moral dilemmas to evaluate their level of moral development. Kohlberg was interested in understanding the reasoning behind the individual's response, rather than just the response itself. He believed that the way individuals reasoned about moral dilemmas was more important than the specific decision they made, and that individuals progressed through stages of moral development as their reasoning became more complex and abstract. Therefore, the explanation given for the response was the key factor in evaluating an individual's level of moral development.

Quiz 11: B: Human Development Across the Life Span