Question 1

Among U.S. high school seniors who have driven a car in the past month, 61 percent have _____.
A) decreased moral development
B) lower levels of social competence
C) increased cognitive rigidity
D) texted while driving

Accepted Answer

The question specifically asks about high school seniors who have driven a car in the past month. The only option related to driving behavior is texting while driving, which is a dangerous and illegal behavior. Studies have shown that a significant number of teenagers admit to texting while driving, which puts themselves and others on the road at risk. Therefore, the best choice is D, texted while driving.

Question 2

If a boy notices a swelling around his nipples during puberty, what is the likely cause?
A) the normal fluctuation of sex hormones
B) late-onset puberty
C) abnormally high levels of estrogen
D) drug abuse

Accepted Answer

During puberty, it is common for sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, to fluctuate, which can cause temporary swelling or tenderness around the nipples. This condition is known as gynecomastia and is usually temporary, resolving on its own within a few months to a few years. Late-onset puberty and drug abuse can cause hormonal imbalances, but they are not the most likely causes of nipple swelling during puberty. Abnormally high levels of estrogen can also cause gynecomastia, but this is a less common condition.

Question 3

Bulimia nervosa is clinically present in _____ percent of young women in the United States.
A) 1 to 3
B) 5 to 7
C) 8 to 10
D) 11 to 13

Accepted Answer

Bulimia nervosa is clinically present in approximately 1 to 3 percent of young women in the United States, reflecting its status as a significant but not overwhelmingly common eating disorder among this demographic.

Question 4

For all eating disorders, _____ is crucial.
A) peer acceptance
B) family function
C) family structure
D) media exposure

Accepted Answer

Family function is crucial for all eating disorders because the family environment and dynamics can greatly influence a person's attitudes and behaviors towards food and body image. Family therapy is often a key component in the treatment of eating disorders. The other options (peer acceptance, family structure, media exposure) may play a role but are not as vital as family function.

Question 5

Lea, age 16, is traveling with her family to Spain. In preparation for the trip, Lea and her parents take Spanish language classes. Lea learns the language more quickly than her parents, most likely because of her _____.
A) greater interest in the culture
B) still-developing frontal cortex
C) stronger levels of self-control
D) greater cognitive rigidity

Accepted Answer

Lea's still-developing frontal cortex is the best explanation for her faster learning of the Spanish language. The frontal cortex plays a crucial role in language processing, and studies have shown that younger individuals tend to have more efficient language processing due to the ongoing development of their frontal cortex.

Question 6

Adolescents are more likely than adults to choose to stay up all night, go through a day without eating, exercise in pain, or text while driving because of an immature _____.
A) limbic system
B) prefrontal cortex
C) amygdala
D) pituitary gland

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making, planning, and impulse control. Adolescents' prefrontal cortex is not fully developed, which makes them more likely to engage in risky behaviors without considering the consequences. The limbic system and amygdala are also involved in decision-making, but they primarily control emotions and are not as closely linked to risk-taking behaviors. The pituitary gland is responsible for hormonal regulation and not directly related to decision-making or risk-taking behaviors.

Question 7

Holly, age 13, notices that her hips are widening and her breasts are developing. Holly is noticing changes in her _____ sex characteristics.
A) primary
B) secondary
C) puberty
D) prefrontal

Accepted Answer

Holly is noticing changes in her secondary sex characteristics, which are the physical changes that occur during puberty, such as breast development and hip widening. Primary sex characteristics, on the other hand, refer to the reproductive organs themselves, such as the ovaries, uterus, and vagina in females. The term prefrontal is not related to sex characteristics, but refers to the part of the brain located in the frontal lobe that is responsible for decision-making and impulse control.

Question 8

Secondary sex characteristics are traits that _____.
A) occur later in development
B) are not visible
C) occur for only some people
D) are not directly related to fertility

Accepted Answer

The answer of Secondary sex characteristics are traits that _____.
A)...

Question 9

Which symptom is associated with anorexia nervosa?
A) normal menstruation
B) voluntary starvation
C) average weight
D) accurate body image

Accepted Answer

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by voluntary starvation and an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. Individuals with this disorder often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when they are underweight. They may also experience menstrual irregularities or stop menstruating altogether. Average weight is not a symptom of anorexia nervosa.

Question 10

In adolescent brains, there is heightened arousal in the _____, compared to their brains in childhood or in adulthood.
A) prefrontal cortex
B) auditory cortex
C) visual system
D) reward centers

Accepted Answer

Adolescent brains show heightened activity in the reward centers, such as the nucleus accumbens, compared to their brains in childhood or adulthood. This contributes to increased risk-taking behaviors and a higher susceptibility to addiction during adolescence.

Question 11

Josefina is obsessed with her weight. She sometimes eats a whole package of Oreos at once and then makes herself vomit. Josefina is of normal weight, but she constantly has heartburn. She suffers from _____.
A) anorexia nervosa
B) degenerative organ disease
C) anxiety
D) bulimia nervosa

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest bulimia nervosa, which is characterized by cycles of binge-eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting. Josefina's concern with her weight also points to an eating disorder, but her heartburn and binge-eating make bulimia nervosa a more likely diagnosis than anorexia nervosa. Degenerative organ disease is not a relevant or accurate explanation for her symptoms. Anxiety may be present in individuals with eating disorders, but it is not a specific diagnosis.

Question 12

During adolescence, the limbic system matures before the _____ in the brain.
A) reticular formation
B) prefrontal cortex
C) brain stem
D) cerebellum

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and impulse control, is the last area of the brain to fully mature and continues to develop until the mid-20s. The limbic system, which regulates emotions and motivation, matures earlier in adolescence.

Question 13

Which of the following accurately describes development of the prefrontal cortex in adolescence?
A) the prefrontal cortex does not begin to mature until late adolescence
B) the prefrontal cortex steadily matures throughout adolescence
C) the prefrontal cortex fully matures during puberty
D) the prefrontal cortex develops in dramatic stages

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the prefrontal cortex undergoes steady and gradual maturation throughout adolescence, but does not fully mature until early adulthood (mid-20s). Therefore, option B is the most accurate description. The prefrontal cortex does not develop in dramatic stages, and while there may be some changes during puberty, it is not a fully accurate description to say that it fully matures during this phase.

Question 14

Many adolescents think carefully and answer correctly when responding to paper-and-pencil questions about hypothetical risk-taking situations, yet in the real world they engage in risky behavior. This is due in part to their _____.
A) genes
B) peers' influence
C) advanced prefrontal cortex
D) intuitive thinking

Accepted Answer

Peers' influence can often override the careful decision-making of adolescents and convince them to engage in risky behavior.

Question 15

Patty is 5 feet tall and weighs 87 pounds, yet when she looks in the mirror she thinks she is too fat. She eats very little, and staying thin is her obsession. Patty appears to suffer from _____.
A) anorexia nervosa
B) puberty
C) anxiety
D) bulimia nervosa

Accepted Answer

Patty's behavior and thoughts are consistent with symptoms of anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight.

Question 16

In a study of executive function comparing adolescents to their parents, the researchers found that _____.
A) the parents were quicker but less accurate than the adolescents
B) the adolescents were quicker and more accurate than the parents
C) the parents were quicker and more accurate than the adolescents
D) the adolescents were quicker but less accurate than the parents

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a study of executive function comparing...

Question 17

Once the primary sexual organs begin to function, adolescents are biologically capable of _____.
A) reproduction
B) weight loss
C) giving blood
D) sleeping fewer hours

Accepted Answer

Once the primary sexual organs (such as the ovaries and testes) begin to function, adolescents are biologically capable of reproduction.

Question 18

Changes in primary sex characteristics include _____.
A) growth of pubic hair and underarm hair
B) rapid increase in height
C) growth of the uterus or the testes
D) deeper voices

Accepted Answer

Primary sex characteristics refer to the development of the reproductive organs. In females, this includes the growth of the uterus and in males, it includes the growth of the testes. While pubic and underarm hair growth, height increase, and deeper voices are all changes that occur during puberty, they are considered secondary sex characteristics.

Question 19

Which individual is most likely to take dramatic risks in order to gain peer approval?
A) 5-year-old Evan
B) 10-year-old Alvin
C) 15-year-old Kevin
D) 20-year-old Devin

Accepted Answer

During adolescence, peer approval becomes increasingly important and individuals may take more risks in order to fit in and gain approval from their peers. A 15-year-old is in the midst of adolescence and is therefore more likely to take dramatic risks for peer approval than a 5-year-old, 10-year-old, or 20-year-old.

Question 20

Xavier, age 16, invites a group of his high school friends to swim in a neighbor's pool late at night while that neighbor is away. They climb the fence and jump in, playing wildly and loudly in the water. Just a few minutes later, the police arrive. How does adolescent brain development help explain Xavier's poor decision making?
A) His limbic system is underdeveloped.
B) His prefrontal cortex is underdeveloped.
C) His amygdala is underdeveloped.
D) The regions regulating his emotions are underdeveloped.

Accepted Answer

Xavier's poor decision making can be explained by the underdevelopment of his prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision making, impulse control, and planning. Adolescents tend to rely more on their emotions and immediate rewards, rather than considering potential consequences or long-term goals.

Quiz 14: Adolescence: Biosocial Development

Among U.S. high school seniors who have driven a car in the past month, 61 percent have _____.

If a boy notices a swelling around his nipples during puberty, what is the likely cause?

Bulimia nervosa is clinically present in _____ percent of young women in the United States.

For all eating disorders, _____ is crucial.

Lea, age 16, is traveling with her family to Spain. In preparation for the trip, Lea and her parents take Spanish language classes. Lea learns the language more quickly than her parents, most likely because of her _____.

Adolescents are more likely than adults to choose to stay up all night, go through a day without eating, exercise in pain, or text while driving because of an immature _____.

Holly, age 13, notices that her hips are widening and her breasts are developing. Holly is noticing changes in her _____ sex characteristics.

Secondary sex characteristics are traits that _____.

Which symptom is associated with anorexia nervosa?

In adolescent brains, there is heightened arousal in the _____, compared to their brains in childhood or in adulthood.

Josefina is obsessed with her weight. She sometimes eats a whole package of Oreos at once and then makes herself vomit. Josefina is of normal weight, but she constantly has heartburn. She suffers from _____.

During adolescence, the limbic system matures before the _____ in the brain.

Which of the following accurately describes development of the prefrontal cortex in adolescence?

Many adolescents think carefully and answer correctly when responding to paper-and-pencil questions about hypothetical risk-taking situations, yet in the real world they engage in risky behavior. This is due in part to their _____.

Patty is 5 feet tall and weighs 87 pounds, yet when she looks in the mirror she thinks she is too fat. She eats very little, and staying thin is her obsession. Patty appears to suffer from _____.

In a study of executive function comparing adolescents to their parents, the researchers found that _____.

Once the primary sexual organs begin to function, adolescents are biologically capable of _____.

Changes in primary sex characteristics include _____.

Which individual is most likely to take dramatic risks in order to gain peer approval?