Question 1

In comparison to people with heterosexual orientations, those with same-sex orientations are more likely to:
A) be a high school dropout
B) live in a large city
C) live in a rural area
D) be an only child

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that individuals with same-sex orientations are more likely to live in large cities with more diverse and accepting populations. They may seek out urban areas for social support, community resources, and affirmation of their sexual orientation. However, there is no evidence to support the other options listed.

Question 2

Sexual orientation is best thought of as being:
A) "either-or," that is, a person has either a same-sex or an opposite-sex orientation
B) the result of biological causes
C) the result of social and psychological causes
D) a continuum, with individuals varying in the degree to which they have same-sex and opposite-sex preferences

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that sexual orientation is best understood as a continuum, with individuals varying in the degree to which they experience same-sex and opposite-sex attractions. While there may be biological and social factors that contribute to sexual orientation, it is ultimately a complex, multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be reduced to simple "either-or" categorizations or single causes.

Question 3

The text reports a study conducted on students from Harvard and Radcliffe. Compared to how their thinking was characterized as seniors, when these students were freshmen, their thinking was more likely to:
A) be tolerant of many different points of view
B) reflect their self-chosen ideas and convictions
C) be dualistic, emphasizing the "either-or" aspects of thought
D) focus on understanding ambiguous answers, rather than focusing on truth and knowledge

Accepted Answer

The study found that as freshmen, the students' thinking was more likely to be dualistic, emphasizing the "either-or" aspects of thought. This suggests a lack of tolerance for ambiguity and a preference for clear-cut answers.

Question 4

According to the text, a phrase that means essentially the same thing as "sexual orientation" is:
A) homosexuality
B) heterosexuality
C) bisexuality
D) sexual preference

Accepted Answer

Sexual orientation refers to a person's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic or sexual attractions to men, women or both genders. This is commonly referred to as sexual preference as well. The other answer options (A, B, C) refer specifically to one's attraction to a particular gender, rather than the broader concept of sexual orientation.

Question 5

Brittany often engages in the kind of thought in which she argues both sides of a question, pointing out the "pros" and "cons" of the situation. Her focus on trying to integrate opposing points of view and conflicting aspects of situations comes closest to thought that is called:
A) formal operational thinking
B) postformal thought
C) normative thought
D) dialectical thought

Accepted Answer

As noted in the text, dialectical thought is the style of thinking that seeks to integrate opposing or conflicting ideas and observations.

Question 6

Which of the following is the term that describes thought that seeks to integrate opposing or conflicting ideas and observations?
A) normative thought
B) dialectical thought
C) preformal thought
D) postformal thought

Accepted Answer

Dialectical thought involves seeking to integrate conflicting or opposing ideas and observations, rather than simply rejecting one viewpoint in favor of another. Normative thought involves making value judgments, preformal thought is characterized by concrete, literal thinking, and postformal thought involves recognizing the complexity and uncertainty of real-world problems.

Question 7

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about how psychologists have thought about homosexuality as being a mental disorder? A) Psychologists have never considered homosexuality to be a mental disorder. B) Psychologists today consider homosexuality to be a mental disorder, and there is a classification for homosexuality in the current edition of the DSM. C) In the early part of the 20^th century, psychologists considered homosexuality to be a mental disorder, but today they no longer do. D) Psychologists are split today, with about half considering homosexuality to be a mental disorder and about half considering homosexuality to not be a disorder but rather a lifestyle preference.

Accepted Answer

In the early part of the 20th century, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder by some psychologists, but today it is widely recognized as a normal variation of human sexuality and is not considered a disorder by the majority of psychologists. There is no classification for homosexuality in the current edition of the DSM. The idea that psychologists today are split on whether homosexuality is a disorder or a lifestyle preference is not accurate; the vast majority of psychologists today do not consider homosexuality to be a disorder.

Question 8

According to the text, the most accurate answer to the question, "What causes a person to develop a same-sex orientation?" is:
A) exposure to male hormones during the prenatal period
B) overly harsh punishment during childhood
C) a set of genes that produce this behavior
D) we don't know

Accepted Answer

The text states that there is no clear answer as to what causes a person to develop a same-sex orientation.

Question 9

According to research presented in the text, what percentage of second-year medical students were found to endorse the belief that homosexuality is a mental disorder?
A) 4%
B) 9%
C) 19%
D) 27%

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to research presented in the text,...

Question 10

Jacob explains a difficult situation by bringing together ideas that reflect the logical aspects of the problem, the emotional aspects of the problems, and his own past experiences in solving problems of this type. The term that best describes Jacob's approach to explaining this problem is:
A) formal operational thinking
B) postformal thought
C) normative thought
D) dialectical thought

Accepted Answer

Postformal thinking typically involves both cognitive and emotional aspects in problem solving and often is seen when issues are framed within a social context.

Question 11

As adolescents become adults, their thinking becomes more _______ and more ________.
A) complex; realistic
B) concrete; idealistic
C) precise; idealistic
D) abstract, idealistic

Accepted Answer

One way in which thinking changes as young people move into adulthood is that it becomes more reflective and complex. Another dimension of adult thought is that it is more realistic, reflecting not just what is ideal but also what is possible.

Question 12

Homophobia is best described as:
A) sexual prejudice
B) a clinical phobia
C) sexual orientation
D) homosexuality

Accepted Answer

Homophobia refers to negative attitudes and behaviors towards people who are homosexual or those who identify as LGBTQ+. It is a form of sexual prejudice that can manifest in various ways, including discrimination and violence. It is not a clinical phobia, as it is not recognized as a mental disorder. Sexual orientation refers to an individual's romantic and/or sexual attraction to others, and homosexuality specifically refers to same-sex attraction.

Question 13

According to a recent survey (2010) reported in the text, about % of men and % of women reported having an orgasm at the most recent sexual encounter.
A) 95%; 50%
B) 50%; 25%
C) 85%; 64%
D) 95%; 95%

Accepted Answer

According to the survey reported in the text, about 85% of men and 64% of women reported having an orgasm at the most recent sexual encounter. Therefore, the best choice is C. Option A and D are not correct because it is unlikely that both genders experience an orgasm at such high rates. Option B cannot be correct either, as it suggests that women have a lower chance of orgasm than men, which is not supported by the survey results.

Question 14

If Dr. Swank studies how IQ scores change across the lifespan, she would probably find that most individuals score the highest on tests of intelligence when they are at which of the following ages?
A) age 18
B) age 27
C) age 39
D) age 60

Accepted Answer

IQ scores are observed to peak between the ages of 20 and 34, especially when the tests involve speed and memory in addition to more complex, context-based problem solving.

Question 15

Which of the following explanations about the development of same-sex orientation is LEAST likely to be supported with research?
A) There may be gene sequences on the X chromosome that are involved in determining sexual orientation, at least in males.
B) The brain structure of people with a same-sex orientation may be slightly different than those with opposite-sex orientations.
C) Individuals make a choice about which orientation they prefer, often in late childhood or early adolescence. 
D) Male hormones that circulate during the prenatal period may influence brain development toward, or away from, a structure that is consistent with same-sex or opposite-sex orientation.

Accepted Answer

The text states that "the consensus view is that homosexuality is much more complex than simply making a choice about which sexual orientation one prefers." The other explanations listed as answer choices are all suggested as possible explanations for same-sex orientation.

Question 16

The prejudice, fear, and aversion held by individuals and directed against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals is called what?
A) homophobia
B) agoraphobia
C) xenophobia
D) heterophobia

Accepted Answer

Homophobia refers to the prejudice, fear, and aversion specifically directed against individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing. Xenophobia is a fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. Heterophobia refers to prejudice against individuals who identify as heterosexual, but this term is not commonly used in the same way as homophobia.

Question 17

A person who is sexually attracted to both males and females is called which of the following?
A) homosexual person
B) heterosexual person
C) bisexual person
D) hermaphrodite person

Accepted Answer

A person who is sexually attracted to both males and females is referred to as a bisexual person. Homosexual people are those who are attracted to individuals of the same gender, while heterosexual people are those who are attracted to individuals of the opposite gender. Hermaphrodite refers to a person or animal having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics.

Question 18

According to Piaget, how would the problem-solving abilities of a 15-year-old differ from those of a 30-year-old:
A) Their problem-solving abilities would not differ substantially, although the 30-year-old might know more things.
B) The 15-year-old would be better at conservation tasks.
C) The 30-year-old would be better at conservation tasks.
D) The 30-year old would be much more likely to use hypothetical reasoning when solving scientific problems.

Accepted Answer

According to Piaget, although adults continue to accumulate additional facts and experiences, the logic and problem-solving skills they apply are largely the same as they used when they developed formal operational skills in adolescence.

Question 19

If a person has developed postformal thought, this would imply that she:
A) can consider both cognitive and emotional aspects of a problem, in addition to her own experiences
B) can understand hypothetical situations and can reason through "what if" problems
C) has mastered the concepts that underlie conservation tasks
D) knows the difference between "right" and "wrong"

Accepted Answer

As noted in the text, postformal thinking typically involves both cognitive and emotional aspects in problem solving and often is seen when issues are framed within a social context.

Question 20

According to Piaget, at which of the following ages do individuals typically reach the stage of formal operations, and thereby substantially complete their cognitive development?
A) at age 12
B) at age 25
C) at age 55
D) at age 75

Accepted Answer

According to Piaget, individuals typically reach the stage of formal operations around age 12, where they develop the ability to think abstractly and logically, marking the substantial completion of cognitive development.

Quiz 12: Young Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

In comparison to people with heterosexual orientations, those with same-sex orientations are more likely to:

Sexual orientation is best thought of as being:

The text reports a study conducted on students from Harvard and Radcliffe. Compared to how their thinking was characterized as seniors, when these students were freshmen, their thinking was more likely to:

According to the text, a phrase that means essentially the same thing as "sexual orientation" is:

Brittany often engages in the kind of thought in which she argues both sides of a question, pointing out the "pros" and "cons" of the situation. Her focus on trying to integrate opposing points of view and conflicting aspects of situations comes closest to thought that is called:

Which of the following is the term that describes thought that seeks to integrate opposing or conflicting ideas and observations?

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about how psychologists have thought about homosexuality as being a mental disorder?

According to the text, the most accurate answer to the question, "What causes a person to develop a same-sex orientation?" is:

According to research presented in the text, what percentage of second-year medical students were found to endorse the belief that homosexuality is a mental disorder?

Jacob explains a difficult situation by bringing together ideas that reflect the logical aspects of the problem, the emotional aspects of the problems, and his own past experiences in solving problems of this type. The term that best describes Jacob's approach to explaining this problem is:

As adolescents become adults, their thinking becomes more _ and more __.

Homophobia is best described as:

According to a recent survey (2010) reported in the text, about % of men and % of women reported having an orgasm at the most recent sexual encounter.

If Dr. Swank studies how IQ scores change across the lifespan, she would probably find that most individuals score the highest on tests of intelligence when they are at which of the following ages?

Which of the following explanations about the development of same-sex orientation is LEAST likely to be supported with research?

The prejudice, fear, and aversion held by individuals and directed against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals is called what?

A person who is sexually attracted to both males and females is called which of the following?

According to Piaget, how would the problem-solving abilities of a 15-year-old differ from those of a 30-year-old:

If a person has developed postformal thought, this would imply that she:

According to Piaget, at which of the following ages do individuals typically reach the stage of formal operations, and thereby substantially complete their cognitive development?