Question 1

The still-face paradigm has been used primarily to study

Accepted Answer

The still-face paradigm is a method used to study emotional regulation in infants by temporarily disrupting the social interaction between the infant and caregiver. The infant's emotional response and ability to regulate their emotions can be observed during this time. Therefore, A) emotion regulation in infants is the best choice. The other options either do not relate to the still-face paradigm or are less central to its use as a research tool.

Question 2

At 10 months old,Suzie is very active,responds intensely to stimulation,avoids new stimulation,and tends to be irritable and fussy.Suzie's mother,Anne,wants to be a good caregiver,but Suzie's fussiness and intensity have made her feel like a failure.Anne sometimes finds herself withdrawing from Suzie and not responding when Suzie cries,because she feels like it will do no good.What advice should Anne's counselor give her?

Accepted Answer

The counselor should explain to Anne that babies differ in their temperament and Suzie's fussiness and intensity are not because of Anne's failure as a caregiver. It is important for Anne to continue to be responsive to Suzie's crying because it will help Suzie learn how to regulate her emotions in the long run. It is not recommended for Anne to withdraw from Suzie or refuse to go to her when she cries, as this can lead to attachment issues and make it harder for Suzie to regulate her emotions. Choice A promotes an unhealthy behavior of neglecting a baby's needs, and choice C is incorrect as research has shown that parenting behaviors can have an impact on a baby's development. Choice D is not a helpful answer.

Question 3

Which of the following is a true statement about the stability of infant attachments?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that changes in caregiving quality, such as changes in family stressors or interventions, can lead to shifts in attachment quality. Option A is incorrect because research suggests that insecure attachments are more likely to change than secure attachments. Option B is incorrect because while early attachment experiences can have a lasting impact, there is still potential for attachment formation later in life. Option D is incorrect because caregiver interventions, such as implementing responsive caregiving practices, have been shown to improve attachment quality.

Question 4

Infants form multiple attachments,to both mother and father and perhaps to a sibling,grandparent,and so on.Which of the following statements is most consistent with available data on the impact of these attachments?

Accepted Answer

Research has found that having multiple secure attachments, including with both parents, can have positive effects on a child's development and serve as a protective factor. This allows children to have multiple sources of support and love, which can enhance their resilience and well-being.

Question 5

The Phineas Gage matrix describes a syndrome due to frontal lobe damage that diminishes an individual's emotional intensity.From this syndrome we have learned that with decreased emotional intensity comes

Accepted Answer

Frontal lobe damage, as seen in the Phineas Gage case, often results in impaired decision-making and planning abilities, not an improvement.

Question 6

Bea is the mother of 4-month-old Alex.She has been depressed since Alex's birth and is frequently withdrawn.Brain research indicates that,in comparison to other infants his age,Alex will have

Accepted Answer

Bea's depression and withdrawal can negatively impact Alex's early brain development. Research shows that infants of depressed mothers have brain activation patterns that resemble those of fearful and inhibited children. These patterns may lead to emotional and behavioral problems in the future. Therefore, Alex is more likely to have brain activation patterns resembling those of fearful and inhibited children.

Question 7

In a classic study of the development of separation distress,Schaffer and Emerson 1964)found

Accepted Answer

Schaffer and Emerson found that by 8 months of age, babies typically develop a strong preference for one particular caregiver. This suggests that separation distress has developed, as the baby becomes upset when separated from their preferred caregiver. Choice A and D are incorrect as separation anxiety and distress are normal and expected developmental milestones. Choice B is incorrect as stranger anxiety typically develops around 6-7 months, after separation distress has already emerged.

Question 8

According to Bowlby's attachment theory,which of the following purposes)have attachment systems evolved to serve,for both the younger and the older infant?

Accepted Answer

Bowlby's attachment theory proposes that the primary purpose of attachment systems is to assure survival and security for the younger infant, and a sense of security and a "safe person" to turn to for comfort and support for the older infant. The other options listed (growth of number skills, assuring language development, and growth of a wide range of emotions) are not directly related to attachment according to this theory.

Question 9

Beginning in the first hours after birth,caregivers interaction with infants in ways that enhance positive affect and attention,such as

Accepted Answer

Caregivers should engage in behaviors that enhance positive affect and attention, such as smiling, affectionate touching, and high-pitched vocalizations, to help promote healthy development in infants. Keeping a still face or not responding to a baby's cries can be detrimental to the infant's development. Playing peek-a-boo can be a fun and interactive activity for the caregiver and the infant, but it is not as important for promoting positive affect and attention as the behaviors listed in option A.

Question 10

When Tamara responds to the crying of her 4-month-old baby,Jessie,she tries to figure out what has caused the baby's distress hunger,wet diaper,etc.)while making soothing sounds and holding the baby.Tamara's actions are ____________ Jessie's developing emotion regulation abilities.

Accepted Answer

Tamara's actions are scaffolding Jessie's developing emotion regulation abilities by providing support, guidance, and assistance as Jessie learns to manage and regulate their emotional responses. By responding sensitively to Jessie's needs and helping to soothe and comfort the baby, Tamara is helping Jessie develop a sense of trust and security in their relationship, which can support healthy emotional development.

Question 11

Izard and others have found that at birth or soon after,infants' facial expressions display which of the following emotions?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that at birth or soon after, infants' facial expressions display mainly the emotion of contentment or happiness. This is often observed in the form of a relaxed facial expression, with corners of the mouth lifted and the eyes closed or partially closed. The expressions of shame, anger, and pride are typically not observed until later developmental stages.

Question 12

Some babies produce contradictory behaviors in the strange situation test,both showing some signs of approaching the mother when stressed but then avoiding the mother when she approaches.These babies often engage in bizarre behaviors as well,like rising to greet the parent and then falling prone.Such unusual behavior has been found to be associated with what kind of caregiving on the part of the mother?

Accepted Answer

This behavior is often associated with abusive caregiving, which can lead to disorganized attachment patterns in infants.

Question 13

Bea is the mother of 4-month-old Alex.She has been depressed since Alex's birth and is frequently withdrawn.Because of Bea's depression,we can expect that,in comparison to other 4-month-olds,Alex experiences will display

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bea is the mother of 4-month-old Alex.She...

Question 14

In Bowlby's attachment theory,which of the following represents a primary outcome of the formation of attachments in infancy?

Accepted Answer

Bowlby's attachment theory suggests that the primary outcome of the formation of attachments in infancy is the development of a working model of self, of others, and of relationships. This working model informs individuals' perceptions and expectations of interpersonal relationships throughout their lives.

Question 15

In Ainsworth et al.'s 1978)study of attachment formation,some mothers were less responsive to their babies' signals than others.One group of mothers seemed to be reluctant to hold their babies,showed less warmth and affection than other mothers,and were more rejecting and angry.When their babies were tested in the strange situation test,the children tended to fit which category of attachment?

Accepted Answer

The behavior of the mothers described in the question is characteristic of avoidant attachment. Children with avoidant attachment tend to show little distress when the mother leaves and do not seek contact when she returns. This is consistent with the less warm, less responsive, and more rejecting behavior of the mothers in the study. Securely attached children look to the mother for comfort when distressed and become upset when she leaves. Anxious-ambivalent children become very upset when the mother leaves and have difficulty being comforted upon her return. Disorganized/disoriented attachment occurs when the child shows inconsistent, confused, or contradictory responses to the caregiver.

Question 16

At 10 months old,Suzie is very active,responds intensely to stimulation,avoids new stimulation,and tends to be irritable and fussy.Her temperament would be called

Accepted Answer

Suzie's behavior of responding intensely to stimulation, avoiding new stimulation, and being irritable and fussy is characteristic of a difficult temperament. Children with this temperament tend to have irregular routines, exhibit negative moods, and are sensitive to changes in their environment.

Question 17

A parent whose own working model of attachment is "preoccupied/entangled" is likely to have an infant with which of the following kinds of attachment?

Accepted Answer

A parent with a preoccupied/entangled working model of attachment is typically overly involved with their own emotional needs and may have difficulty providing consistent emotional support and responsiveness to their infant. This often leads to the development of an anxious-ambivalent attachment style in the infant, characterized by a desire for closeness and reluctance to explore, along with distress when the caregiver leaves and erratic responses when they return.

Question 18

High levels of the hormone oxytocin plays an important role in early social bonding by

Accepted Answer

High levels of oxytocin in new mothers promote physical closeness and reduce maternal stress, which in turn promotes early social bonding between mother and infant.

Question 19

Developmental researchers use the term "goodness of fit" to refer to

Accepted Answer

Goodness of fit refers to how well a caregiver's responses to a child match the child's temperament. Ideally, the caregiver's responses will be attuned to the child's individual characteristics, leading to a better relationship and positive development. The other answer choices are unrelated to the concept of goodness of fit.

Question 20

If a mother and baby are cooing and smiling at each other,and then the mother withdraws and becomes unresponsive,the typical infant will first engage in ____________,and then in ____________.

Accepted Answer

If the mother withdraws and becomes unresponsive, the infant will first engage in other-directed coping behaviors, such as looking around for a new source of interaction. If this doesn't work, the infant will then engage in self-directed coping behaviors, such as sucking on their fingers or crying.

Quiz 4: Emotional Development in the Early Years