Question 1

Family life survey findings reveal that considering U.S. families as a whole, __________ time with children has __________ over the past three decades.
A) mothers'; increased
B) fathers'; remained fairly stable
C) mothers'; remained fairly stable
D) fathers'; increased

Accepted Answer

According to the survey findings, father's time with children has increased over the past three decades, indicating a shift towards more involved fatherhood.

Question 2

Annmarie's grades in school have never been affected by her father's multiple job transfers. However, when the family moves from Michigan to Texas between her sophomore and junior years of high school, Annmarie's grades drop significantly. In ecological systems theory, this move represents a change in her
A) chronosystem.
B) mesosystem.
C) microsystem.
D) macrosystem.

Accepted Answer

The chronosystem in ecological systems theory refers to changes that occur over time in an individual's environment. In this case, Annmarie's move from Michigan to Texas represents a significant change in her environment, which has had an impact on her grades. Therefore, the correct answer is A) chronosystem.

Question 3

Which of the following theories emphasizes many possible courses of development?
A) psychoanalytic perspective
B) cognitive-developmental theory
C) information processing
D) social learning theory

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory emphasizes that development can follow many different paths depending on the individual's experiences and interactions with their environment.

Question 4

Twelve-year-old Ross lives in a country with very low governmental standards for public education. As a result, he is barely literate. The public policies that impact Ross's education are part of the
A) microsystem.
B) mesosystem.
C) macrosystem.
D) exosystem.

Accepted Answer

The macrosystem refers to the larger cultural, social, and political systems that may influence development. Ross's education is impacted by the low governmental standards, which are part of the larger political and social system in his country.

Question 5

According to ecological systems theory, the priority that the __________ gives to children's needs affects the support they receive at inner levels of the environment.
A) microsystem
B) mesosystem
C) exosystem
D) macrosystem

Accepted Answer

The macrosystem, according to ecological systems theory, encompasses the cultural, societal, and ideological beliefs and values of a society. It influences how children's needs are prioritized and thus affects the support they receive at more immediate levels of their environment, such as the microsystem, mesosystem, and exosystem.

Question 6

According to the dynamic systems perspective, development occurs when
A) behavior is actively reorganized following a change in any part of the child's integrated system.
B) a child internalizes the behaviors of more skilled members of society.
C) a child is in the sensitive period for a particular behavior.
D) disequilibrium is experienced by the child in the home environment.

Accepted Answer

The dynamic systems perspective emphasizes the active reorganization of behavior in response to changing constraints, abilities, and goals of the child within their integrated system. Development is seen as a continuous, non-linear process of self-organization, where new patterns of behavior emerge through the interaction of the child with the environment. The system is in a constant state of change and adaptation, with new skills and abilities being acquired and integrated into existing patterns of behavior. It is through this ongoing process of reorganization that development occurs.

Question 7

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, interactions between parents and teachers occur in the
A) mesosystem.
B) macrosystem.
C) microsystem.
D) exosystem.

Accepted Answer

The mesosystem is the level in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory that refers to the interactions and relationships between two or more settings that the individual is a part of. In the case of interactions between parents and teachers, the mesosystem is the level that encompasses the relationship between the child's home environment and their school environment, where the interactions between the parents and teachers take place. Therefore, the best choice is A) mesosystem.

Question 8

An organized family life
A) is linked to economic disadvantage.
B) provides a supportive context for warm, involved parent-child interaction.
C) guarantees high IQ in offspring.
D) can stifle children's creativity and independence.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that an organized family life provides a supportive context for warm, involved parent-child interaction, which is important for children's social, emotional, and cognitive development. However, it is not necessarily linked to economic disadvantage, does not guarantee high IQ in offspring, and it does not necessarily stifle children's creativity and independence.

Question 9

As a result of Ginny's dissatisfying interaction with her two defiant teenage sons, Ginny is less patient with her preschooler's attempts at dressing herself. This is an example of __________ influences.
A) third-party
B) bioecological
C) bidirectional
D) mesosystem

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of third-party influences, where the interaction between Ginny and her teenage sons affects her behavior towards her preschooler.

Question 10

In ecological systems theory, children are
A) primarily influenced by the social transmission of knowledge.
B) controlled by successful imprinting during the early critical period.
C) both products and producers of their environments.
D) driven solely by their inner dispositions.

Accepted Answer

Ecological systems theory proposes that children are both products and producers of their environments, meaning they are influenced by the people, institutions, and systems they come into contact with, while also having the ability to shape and modify their environments through their actions and interactions. This is in contrast to the notion that children are solely driven by their inner dispositions or the successful imprinting during a critical period. The theory also recognizes the importance of social transmission of knowledge, but this is not the only or primary influence on children.

Question 11

Dynamic systems theorists emphasize that
A) children are driven mainly by instincts and unconscious motives.
B) different children master the same skills in unique ways.
C) sensitive periods are key to understanding development.
D) development can be best understood in terms of its adaptive value.

Accepted Answer

Dynamic systems theorists view each child as a unique individual who learns and masters skills in their own way, based on their individual experiences and environment.

Question 12

Which of the following major theories in child development primarily emphasizes nurture rather than nature as an important influence?
A) the psychoanalytic perspective
B) behaviorism
C) ethology
D) information processing

Accepted Answer

Behaviorism emphasizes the role of environmental factors (nurture) in shaping behavior and development, rather than innate or genetic factors (nature).

Question 13

Mona's flexible work schedule indirectly enhances her children's development by allowing her time off for school activities and to care for sick children. This is an example of interactions within the
A) microsystem.
B) mesosystem.
C) exosystem.
D) macrosystem.

Accepted Answer

The exosystem involves settings that do not directly involve the individual but still affect them indirectly, such as a parent's workplace policies impacting a child's development.

Question 14

Dynamic system theorists regard development as
A) a single, continuous line.
B) stagewise.
C) a web of fibers branching out in many directions.
D) static.

Accepted Answer

Dynamic system theorists view development as a complex process that involves multiple factors interacting in varied and often unpredictable ways, much like a web of fibers branching out in many directions. This perspective emphasizes the non-linear, dynamic nature of development, contrasting with views that see development as linear, stagewise, or static.

Question 15

Frequency of __________ is associated with reduced sexual risk taking, alcohol and drug use, and mental health problems in adolescence.
A) family meals
B) extracurricular activities
C) peer interaction
D) parental communication

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that frequent family meals are associated with reduced sexual risk taking, alcohol and drug use, and mental health problems in adolescence.

Question 16

Both __________ and __________ emphasize discontinuous development.
A) behaviorism; social learning theory
B) Piaget's cognitive-developmental theory; the psychoanalytic perspective
C) information processing; Vygotsky's sociocultural theory
D) ethology; evolutionary developmental psychology

Accepted Answer

Piaget's cognitive-developmental theory and the psychoanalytic perspective both emphasize discontinuous development. Piaget's theory describes development as a sequence of qualitatively different stages, while the psychoanalytic perspective emphasizes stages of psychosexual development. Both theories suggest that development occurs in distinct and non-linear stages.

Question 17

In !Kung society, infants are
A) provided with a diverse range of learning toys.
B) provided with natural objects, such as twigs, grass, stones, and nutshells.
C) encouraged to explore objects independently.
D) discouraged from interacting with nonrelatives.

Accepted Answer

In !Kung society, infants are provided with natural objects, such as twigs, grass, stones, and nutshells, for play and exploration. They are not given specifically designed toys, as they are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity with natural materials. This approach helps them develop their fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.

Question 18

Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory views the child as
A) a blank slate upon which adults and more experienced peers can write.
B) developing with a complex system of relationships affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment.
C) resembling our primate relatives in social behavior and emotional expression.
D) a biological organism with a highly plastic brain, especially open to growth and reorganization as a result of experience.

Accepted Answer

Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory emphasizes that the development of a child is a complex process influenced by multiple levels of the surrounding environment. These levels include the microsystem (immediate family and peer relationships), mesosystem (interactions between different settings in the microsystem), exosystem (indirect environmental influences), and macrosystem (cultural and societal values). This theory rejects the notion of a blank slate or innate biological determinism and instead emphasizes the importance of experience and context in shaping a child's development.

Question 19

According to Bronfenbrenner, the environment
A) negatively impacts the breakdown in exosystem activities.
B) is a static force.
C) is an effective substitute for lack of parental involvement.
D) is an ever-changing system.

Accepted Answer

Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory emphasizes that the environment is an ever-changing system that consists of nested layers of influence, including microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, and macrosystems. These systems interact with each other and affect the development of individuals. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 20

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, interactions between a father and his child occur in the
A) mesosystem.
B) microsystem.
C) macrosystem.
D) exosystem.

Accepted Answer

The microsystem represents the immediate environment and social context in which a person lives, interacts and develops relationships. Therefore, the interactions between a father and his child occur in the microsystem.

Quiz 1: History, Theory, and Applied Directions

Family life survey findings reveal that considering U.S. families as a whole, time with children has over the past three decades.

Which of the following theories emphasizes many possible courses of development?

Twelve-year-old Ross lives in a country with very low governmental standards for public education. As a result, he is barely literate. The public policies that impact Ross's education are part of the

According to ecological systems theory, the priority that the __________ gives to children's needs affects the support they receive at inner levels of the environment.

According to the dynamic systems perspective, development occurs when

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, interactions between parents and teachers occur in the

An organized family life

As a result of Ginny's dissatisfying interaction with her two defiant teenage sons, Ginny is less patient with her preschooler's attempts at dressing herself. This is an example of __________ influences.

In ecological systems theory, children are

Dynamic systems theorists emphasize that

Which of the following major theories in child development primarily emphasizes nurture rather than nature as an important influence?

Mona's flexible work schedule indirectly enhances her children's development by allowing her time off for school activities and to care for sick children. This is an example of interactions within the

Dynamic system theorists regard development as

Frequency of __________ is associated with reduced sexual risk taking, alcohol and drug use, and mental health problems in adolescence.

Both and emphasize discontinuous development.

In !Kung society, infants are

Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory views the child as

According to Bronfenbrenner, the environment

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, interactions between a father and his child occur in the