In which one of the following situations should we be most concerned about missing a critical period in a person's development?
A) Rachel is born with a cataract in her left eye that is surgically removed when she is 8 years old.
B) Phoebe doesn't learn how to write until she is 12 years old.
C) Although Ross knows how to count, he gets no formal instruction in mathematics until he is 15.
D) Joey has his first tennis lesson when he is 25.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Critical periods are specific times during development when the brain is particularly receptive to learning certain skills or knowledge. Rachel's situation involves vision, which has a well-documented critical period in early childhood for developing normal visual acuity and depth perception. Delaying the removal of a cataract until 8 years old risks missing this critical period, potentially resulting in permanent vision deficits.

In Which One of the Following Situations Should We Be