Question 1

Adolescent relationships are characterized by which of the following?
A) Relationships with parents become more important, while relationships with peers become less important.
B) Relationships with peers become all important, while relationships with parents are not important at all.
C) Relationships with peers increase in importance, but relationships with parents remain important.
D) Relationships with other people become less important, as the adolescent tends to focus on developing his or her own identity.

Accepted Answer

Adolescents typically experience an increase in the importance of their relationships with peers as they seek out social connections outside of their family unit. However, relationships with parents tend to remain important during this time as well, particularly as adolescents navigate the challenges of balancing their growing independence with their ongoing need for support and guidance from their families.

Question 2

Compared to early-maturing girls, early-maturing boys:
A) tend to have more positive experiences, but early maturation is also associated with risks.
B) tend to have more negative experiences.
C) experience greater psychological difficulty coping with and understanding the physical changes that have taken place.
D) have more negative feelings about their body image and pubertal changes.

Accepted Answer

Early-maturing boys often experience positive social outcomes, such as increased popularity and self-esteem, but they also face risks like increased pressure to engage in risky behaviors.

Question 3

Rachel describes herself in this way: "I go to Emerson school and I like to play with my friend Heather. I have a dog and two parakeets." Sarah describes herself in this way: "I am not very self-confident, but I believe that I am a unique person who was put on this earth for some reason. My goals include becoming a better person, helping others, and possibly running for political office someday." From their descriptions of themselves, what age would you predict each to be?
A) Rachel and Sarah are probably both adolescents.
B) Rachel is an adolescent, and Sarah is in middle childhood.
C) Rachel and Sarah are both children.
D) Rachel is in middle childhood, while Sarah is an adolescent.

Accepted Answer

Rachel's description is simple and focused on hobbies and pets, indicating a younger age, possibly in middle childhood. Sarah's description is more reflective and goal-oriented, indicating a more mature age, possibly in adolescence. Therefore, Rachel is in middle childhood, while Sarah is an adolescent.

Question 4

Elizabeth grew up in a home in which both of her biological parents were present. At school, Elizabeth's best friend is Alyssa. Alyssa's biological parents divorced shortly after Alyssa was born. Because her father lives overseas, she has only seen her father once. Consequently, Alyssa has grown up in a home where her biological father is absent. According to the information discussed in your text, which of the following scenarios is MOST likely to occur?
A) Elizabeth and Alyssa will experience menarche within weeks of each other.
B) Elizabeth is much more likely than Alyssa to be insecurely attached.
C) Alyssa is likely to experience puberty at an earlier age than Elizabeth.
D) Alyssa is likely to experience puberty at a later age than Elizabeth.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that girls who grow up in homes without a father or with an absent father are more likely to experience puberty at an earlier age than girls who grow up in homes with both biological parents present. Therefore, Alyssa is more likely to experience puberty at an earlier age than Elizabeth.

Question 5

Adrian is 11 years old and has grown up in a family situation that has almost always been negative and stressful, especially since his biological father left about five years ago. Amber is also 11 years old and has grown up in a stable family situation that is warm, loving, encouraging, and consistent. According to the information discussed in your text, which of the following scenarios is MOST likely to occur?
A) Although it will be for different reasons, both Adrian and Amber will experience a later onset of puberty than most of their peers.
B) Although it will be for different reasons, both Adrian and Amber will experience an earlier onset of puberty than most of their peers.
C) Relative to other boys, Adrian is likely to experience puberty later, while relative to other girls, Amber is likely to experience puberty earlier.
D) Relative to other boys, Adrian is likely to experience puberty earlier, while relative to other girls, Amber is likely to experience puberty later.

Accepted Answer

Adrian's stressful family situation is likely to lead to an earlier onset of puberty, while Amber's stable and supportive environment is associated with a later onset of puberty.

Question 6

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box on the adolescent brain, at approximately what age does the brain reach full maturity?
A) at birth
B) during late childhood
C) at the onset of puberty
D) during the mid-twenties

Accepted Answer

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box, the prefrontal cortex, which is critical for impulse control and decision-making, doesn't fully mature until the mid-twenties. Therefore, the brain reaches full maturity during the mid-twenties.

Question 7

According to a national survey, about ____ of 12-year-olds and _____ of 15-year-olds reported having had a special romantic relationship.
A) 5 percent; 15 percent
B) 10 percent; 70 percent
C) 50 percent; 90 percent
D) 25 percent; 50 percent

Accepted Answer

The question asks about the percentage of 12-year-olds and 15-year-olds who have had a special romantic relationship. Option A (5 percent and 15 percent) seems too low, as many adolescents begin to experience romantic interests around this age. Option B (10 percent and 70 percent) seems unlikely, as the jump from 10 percent to 70 percent from age 12 to 15 is too drastic. Option C (50 percent and 90 percent) may be too high, as not all adolescents may have had a special romantic relationship by age 15. Option D (25 percent and 50 percent) seems like the most reasonable and likely option, as it recognizes that some 12-year-olds may have experienced a special romantic relationship, but the percentage is lower than that of 15-year-olds.

Question 8

Compared to girls who grow up in homes where their biological father is present, girls who are raised in homes in which their biological father is absent:
A) develop primary sexual characteristics at a later age but develop secondary sexual characteristics at an earlier age.
B) tend to experience puberty at an earlier age.
C) tend to experience puberty at a later age.
D) develop primary sexual characteristics at an earlier age but develop secondary sexual characteristics at a later age.

Accepted Answer

Research studies have shown that girls who are raised in homes where their biological fathers are absent tend to experience puberty at an earlier age than girls who grow up in homes where their biological father is present. This may be due to a variety of factors, including stress, family instability, and lack of parental support.

Question 9

Tyler is a typical early-maturing boy. Compared to late-maturing boys, he is likely to:
A) experience very negative feelings about his body image and pubertal changes.
B) have an advantage in terms of popularity and athletics, but be more prone to feelings of depression, problems at school, and engaging in drug or alcohol use.
C) be at a distinct disadvantage in terms of popularity, social maturity, academic achievement, and athletics.
D) feel embarrassed by unwanted attention from older females.

Accepted Answer

Early-maturing boys tend to have an advantage in terms of popularity and athletics, as they are physically more developed than their peers. However, they may also be more prone to feelings of depression, problems at school, and engaging in drug or alcohol use. Late-maturing boys, on the other hand, may experience negative feelings about their body image and pubertal changes, but may catch up in terms of social and academic development. Option A is incorrect because early-maturing boys are less likely to experience negative feelings about their body image. Option C is also incorrect because early-maturing boys have an advantage in athletics and popularity. Option D is not necessarily true for all early-maturing boys.

Question 10

Susceptibility to peer influence peaks during:
A) early adolescence.
B) late adolescence.
C) early childhood.
D) late adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Research in developmental psychology has shown that susceptibility to peer influence peaks during early adolescence, typically between the ages of 11 and 14. During this time, adolescents are more likely to seek out the approval of their peers, conform to group norms, and engage in risky behaviors to fit in with their peers. As adolescents mature, they become less influenced by peer pressure and more capable of independent decision-making.

Question 11

What characterizes the relationships between adolescents and their parents?
A) Parents remain influential throughout their children's adolescence.
B) Adolescents disengage completely from their parents and other family members.
C) Parent-adolescent relationships are stormy and usually very negative.
D) Relationships between parents and children dramatically deteriorate in about two-thirds of all families when the children reach adolescence.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that parents remain influential throughout their children's adolescence, even when adolescents may appear to be distancing themselves from their parents. While there may be conflicts and disagreements, the parent-child relationship remains an important and influential factor in an adolescent's development.

Question 12

The time at which adolescents begin to go out on dates is most strongly influenced by:
A) physical maturation.
B) their parents.
C) whether they have a driver's license and access to a car.
D) cultural and social expectations, such as when friends begin to date.

Accepted Answer

Cultural and social expectations, such as when friends begin to date, have a strong influence on the timing of adolescents' first dates. Adolescents are influenced by their peers and often conform to societal norms and expectations regarding dating. Physical maturation and access to a car may play a role in dating, but they are not as influential as cultural and social expectations. Although parents may provide guidance and rules about dating, they are not the primary influence on the timing of adolescents' first dates.

Question 13

There are stark cultural differences in the age at which adolescents begin to date. For example, _____ percent of Israeli 14-year-olds report some type of dating compared to _____ percent of North Americans of the same age.
A) 10; 100
B) 100; 10
C) 80; 50
D) 50; 80

Accepted Answer

This is because Israeli culture places a greater emphasis on socializing and finding a partner at a younger age, while North American culture places more importance on individualism and personal development before entering into romantic relationships.

Question 14

The beginning of dating coincides more strongly with _____ than with _____.
A) parents' rules about dating; an adolescent's desire to start dating
B) an adolescent's desire to start dating; parents' rules about dating
C) an adolescent's degree of physical maturation; cultural and social expectations and norms
D) cultural and social expectations and norms; an adolescent's degree of physical maturation

Accepted Answer

Dating often begins in response to cultural and social expectations and norms, which can influence when adolescents start dating more than their physical maturation.

Question 15

Twelve-year-old Andrea has been wearing a bra for over a year. She had her first menstrual period when she was 10 years old and is taller than most of her classmates. Compared to late-maturing girls, Andrea is likely to have had:
A) very positive experiences related to her early maturation.
B) much the same type of experiences as late-maturing girls.
C) negative experiences related to her early maturation.
D) some negative but mostly positive experiences related to her early maturation.

Accepted Answer

Early-maturing girls often experience negative social and psychological effects, such as teasing, increased sexual attention, and feeling out of place among peers. Therefore, it's likely that Andrea has had some negative experiences related to her early maturation.

Question 16

Jon's son Matthew is 15 years old. Jon is worried because Matthew seems increasingly dependent upon the opinions of his friends, and Jon is afraid that Matthew's peers will be a bad influence on him. According to psychological research:
A) peers almost always have a bad influence on an adolescent.
B) peer relationships tend to reinforce the traits and goals that parents fostered during childhood.
C) parents should choose an adolescent's friends, because adolescents have poor judgment regarding their peers.
D) peer relationships are not as important to Matthew as is his relationship with his father.

Accepted Answer

Psychological research suggests that peer relationships tend to reinforce the traits and goals that parents fostered during childhood. While peer influence can certainly be a concern for parents, it is not true that peers almost always have a bad influence on adolescents, and it is not recommended for parents to choose their child's friends as adolescents need to develop their own social skills and abilities to make decisions regarding their peers. It is also not accurate to say that peer relationships are not important to an adolescent's development.

Question 17

Ginny's son, Bill, is almost 13. Ginny has always enjoyed a good relationship with Bill, but after hearing horror stories from other parents about their teenaged children, she is worried that once Bill becomes a teenager, their relationship will deteriorate and he will become impossible to handle. According to psychological research, Ginny and Bill's relationship during adolescence will most likely:
A) be marked by extreme and frequent disagreements and conflicts throughout adolescence.
B) improve during early adolescence and deteriorate during late adolescence as Bill becomes more rebellious.
C) rapidly deteriorate.
D) continue to be good throughout adolescence, since their relationship was good during childhood.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the quality of parent-child relationships established during childhood can predict the quality of the relationship during adolescence. If Ginny and Bill have always had a good relationship, it is likely that their relationship will continue to be good throughout adolescence. While some conflict and disagreement is normal during adolescence, it is not inevitable or necessary for all parent-teen relationships.

Question 18

In adolescence, personal identity tends to shift from the _____ self-descriptions that characterize childhood to more _____ self-descriptions.
A) concrete; abstract
B) abstract; concrete
C) fixed; flexible
D) imaginary; realistic

Accepted Answer

In adolescence, personal identity tends to shift from the concrete self-descriptions that characterize childhood to more abstract self-descriptions.

Question 19

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box on the adolescent brain, which area(s) of the brain is (are) the LAST to reach maturity?
A) the parietal lobes
B) areas that are involved with very basic functions, such as processing sensations and movement
C) the amygdala and hippocampus in the limbic system
D) the prefrontal cortex

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, is the last area of the brain to fully mature.

Question 20

Which of the following statements correctly summarizes the psychological research on peer relationships during adolescence?
A) Peer relationships are typically short lived and have little or no impact on the adolescent's goals, values, or traits.
B) Because adolescents are so rebellious, they are naturally drawn to peers who are opposed to their parents' values in every way.
C) Adolescent peer relationships tend to reinforce the traits and goals that parents fostered during childhood.
D) An adolescent's peers typically undermine the values and goals that the parents have tried to foster in the adolescent.

Accepted Answer

Adolescent peer relationships often reinforce the traits and goals that parents have fostered during childhood, as peers tend to share similar values and interests.

Quiz 9: Lifespan Development

Adolescent relationships are characterized by which of the following?

Compared to early-maturing girls, early-maturing boys:

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box on the adolescent brain, at approximately what age does the brain reach full maturity?

According to a national survey, about of 12-year-olds and _ of 15-year-olds reported having had a special romantic relationship.

Compared to girls who grow up in homes where their biological father is present, girls who are raised in homes in which their biological father is absent:

Tyler is a typical early-maturing boy. Compared to late-maturing boys, he is likely to:

Susceptibility to peer influence peaks during:

What characterizes the relationships between adolescents and their parents?

The time at which adolescents begin to go out on dates is most strongly influenced by:

There are stark cultural differences in the age at which adolescents begin to date. For example, _ percent of Israeli 14-year-olds report some type of dating compared to _ percent of North Americans of the same age.

The beginning of dating coincides more strongly with _ than with _.

Twelve-year-old Andrea has been wearing a bra for over a year. She had her first menstrual period when she was 10 years old and is taller than most of her classmates. Compared to late-maturing girls, Andrea is likely to have had:

Jon's son Matthew is 15 years old. Jon is worried because Matthew seems increasingly dependent upon the opinions of his friends, and Jon is afraid that Matthew's peers will be a bad influence on him. According to psychological research:

In adolescence, personal identity tends to shift from the _ self-descriptions that characterize childhood to more _ self-descriptions.

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box on the adolescent brain, which area(s) of the brain is (are) the LAST to reach maturity?

Which of the following statements correctly summarizes the psychological research on peer relationships during adolescence?