Question 1

Your brother just remarried; his new wife is a woman who has been divorced for a year.He is now the stepfather of three children who range in age from 2 to 7.He is trying to do his best and support his new wife with parenting duties and to show her children that he cares for them.He called last night and was very upset.He found a picture that his oldest stepchild drew and it did not include him.What would you tell him?

Accepted Answer

It is common for children to experience confusion and resistance when a new stepparent enters their lives, especially after a recent divorce. It takes time for them to adjust and accept the new family dynamics.

Question 2

In researchers' studies of social status in which children rated who they liked or disliked among their peers, which children were rarely mentioned as either "liked" or "disliked"?

Accepted Answer

Neglected children were rarely mentioned as either "liked" or "disliked" by their peers in studies of social status. Popular children were frequently mentioned as liked, rejected children were frequently mentioned as disliked, and controversial children received mixed ratings of both liked and disliked.

Question 3

In middle childhood, __________ become(s) very important for friendships and __________ is/are cited as one of the main reasons for ending a friendship.

Accepted Answer

Trust becomes very important for friendships during middle childhood, and a betrayal of trust is often cited as one of the main reasons for ending a friendship at this stage.

Question 4

Your friend confides in you that he is getting a divorce from his wife of 10 years.They have two children ages 6 and 8.He knows that he is unlikely to get custody and is afraid that he will not see his children as much as he would like.What suggestions do you have for him? What would you recommend?

Accepted Answer

A divorce mediator can help the couple navigate the divorce process and come up with a custody agreement that satisfies both parties. This approach is much more likely to result in a fair and peaceful resolution than hiring an attorney who may be extremely forceful. Kidnapping the children is illegal, immoral, and not a viable solution. Giving up is also not an option as it would only lead to further emotional distress for both the father and his children.

Question 5

Your 10-year-old daughter and her best friend just ended their nearly 4-year-long friendship.Your daughter will not tell you why.Thinking about what you know about middle childhood from your development class, what is probably the reason?

Accepted Answer

Trust is a foundational element in friendships, especially during middle childhood. Betrayal of trust can lead to the end of friendships as children at this age begin to value loyalty and honesty highly.

Question 6

Age is a key determinant of __________, in that older children tend to have more authority than younger children do.

Accepted Answer

Social status refers to one's position within a social hierarchy. Age is often used as a factor in determining social status, with older individuals often having more authority and higher status than younger individuals. Therefore, age is a key determinant of social status.

Question 7

Salima is in 2nd grade, does well in school, plays youth soccer, attends a Catholic church, and gets along with others.Based on selective association principles, Salima will most likely be friends with __________.

Accepted Answer

Salima is most likely to be friends with Heidi because they share multiple commonalities such as being in the same class, playing on the same soccer team, and attending the same church. This is in line with the principle of selective association, which suggests that individuals tend to associate with others who share similarities with them. The other options, while not necessarily impossible, do not have as many commonalities as the friendship between Salima and Heidi.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes rejected children?

Accepted Answer

Rejected children are most often disliked by their peers and have difficulty forming positive relationships. They may also display behaviors that make other children uncomfortable or resentful. Option A describes neglected children, option B describes popular children, and option D describes controversial children.

Question 9

When a divorced father remarries, as most do, his contact with children from the first marriage __________.

Accepted Answer

When a divorced father remarries, his contact with children from the first marriage often declines steeply due to the formation of new family commitments and dynamics.

Question 10

According to cross-cultural studies, games such as __________ are popular all over the world in middle childhood, while in the 21st century, __________ has become popular with boys worldwide

Accepted Answer

Games like tag and hide-and-seek have been universally popular among children for generations, reflecting their appeal across different cultures and societies. Pokémon, a franchise that includes video games, trading card games, and an animated series, has become a global phenomenon, particularly popular among boys worldwide since its introduction in the late 20th century.

Question 11

Play in middle childhood becomes __________.

Accepted Answer

Play in middle childhood becomes more complex and more rule-based as children's cognitive abilities develop and they become better at understanding and applying rules. They are able to engage in more elaborate pretend play and games with specific rules and roles.

Question 12

Based on children's ratings of who they like or dislike among their peers, researchers have described four categories of social status: __________.

Accepted Answer

The four categories of social status that researchers have described based on children's ratings of liking or disliking among their peers are popular, rejected, neglected, and controversial. Option A and D contain some terms that are not used in the research on children's social status, and option B uses terms that are not applicable or relevant to studying social status.

Question 13

Within a few years after divorce, what percentage of children in mother-custody families see their fathers on a weekly basis?

Accepted Answer

According to research, approximately 35% to 40% of children in mother-custody families see their fathers on a weekly basis within a few years after divorce. This percentage tends to drop over time. While some fathers may have more frequent visitation or custody, the average is around 35% to 40%.

Question 14

What is the main basis of friendship, not just during middle childhood but at all ages?

Accepted Answer

The main basis of friendship at all ages is similarity. People tend to befriend those who share similar interests, beliefs, and attitudes. This creates a sense of familiarity and comfort, allowing people to bond and form meaningful connections. While factors such as frequency of interaction and proximity can contribute to the development of friendships, they are not the main basis for maintaining them. Similarly, social economic status does not necessarily determine who a person chooses to befriend.

Question 15

Many stepfathers and stepchildren eventually form harmonious, close relationships.How does this happen?

Accepted Answer

By acting warmly and openly, the stepfather does not immediately try to assert stern authority, which can help to create a more positive initial interaction. This can eventually lead to building trust and eventually forming a close relationship. Gifts and allowances (A) can be helpful, but they are not necessary for forming a harmonious relationship. Ignoring stepchildren (B) is unlikely to lead to closer relationships, as it does not provide opportunities for interaction and building trust. Asserting disciplinary authority immediately (D) can create a tense or negative atmosphere, which can make it more challenging to build a close relationship.

Question 16

People tend to prefer being around others who are like themselves, a principle called __________.

Accepted Answer

Selective association is the principle that people tend to prefer being around others who are like themselves, often based on similarities such as age, race, education level, hobbies, and interests. The matching hypothesis suggests that people are attracted to others who are similar to them in physical appearance and personality traits, which is related to but not exactly the same as selective association. Selective segregation and psychosocial discretion are not commonly used terms in psychology to describe this phenomenon.

Question 17

Miriam is in 2nd grade.When her classmates are asked who she is, they have remembering her and find it hard describing her.She is neither liked nor disliked by her classmates and for the most part goes unnoticed.Of the four categories of social status, Miriam would fall into the category of __________.

Accepted Answer

Miriam is not disliked by her classmates, but she also goes unnoticed. Therefore, she falls into the category of neglected.

Question 18

__________ is a process in which a professional mediator meets with divorcing parents to help them negotiate an agreement that both will find acceptable.

Accepted Answer

Divorce mediation is a process in which a professional mediator meets with divorcing parents to help them negotiate an agreement that both will find acceptable. This can include issues such as child custody, child support, and division of assets. Mediation is often less adversarial and less expensive than going to court, and can result in a more satisfactory outcome for both parties.

Question 19

In studies of children's social status, researchers gave the term __________ children to the ones who were most often rated as "liked" and rarely rated as "disliked," while researchers gave the term __________ children to ones most often "disliked" and rarely "liked."

Accepted Answer

The term "popular" is used for children who are most often rated as "liked" and the term "rejected" is used for those who are most often "disliked." Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is the opposite of the correct answer. Option C and D refer to different types of social status in children.

Question 20

What happens when a stepfather enters a family?

Accepted Answer

A stepfather entering a family can have a significant impact on the children's emotional and psychological well-being, which in turn can lead to lower academic achievement, lower self-esteem, and greater behavioral problems. This is because stepfathers often struggle to establish a relationship with their stepchildren, who may resist or reject them, resulting in tension and conflict within the family dynamic. Additionally, the children may still be mourning the loss of their biological father and feel that the stepfather is trying to replace them. Therefore, it is important for stepfathers to approach the role with sensitivity and patience in order to build trust and respect with their stepchildren.

Quiz 7: Middle Childhood