Question 1

We produce many more synapses than we need,and then retain only those that are used in a "use it or lose it" fashion.What does this demonstrate?
A)The discontinuous model of development
B)The universal approach to development
C)The dominance of nature over nurture
D)The important role of experience in wiring the brain

Accepted Answer

The fact that we produce more synapses than we need and then retain only those that are used in a "use it or lose it" fashion demonstrates the important role of experience in wiring the brain. This supports the idea that nurture (i.e. environmental experiences) plays a crucial role in shaping our brain development, rather than just relying on genetic factors (i.e. nature).

Question 2

In what order do the following steps of development occur?
A)Roll,sit,hop,raise head,walk
B)Raise head,roll,sit,walk,hop
C)Raise head,sit,roll,hop,walk
D)Sit,roll,raise head,hop,walk

Accepted Answer

The typical order of motor development in infants is: raise head, roll over, sit up, walk, and then hop.

Question 3

Research has shown that young infants do not see detail at a distance as well as adults do and need more contrast than adults in order to see well.According to the text,what research method was used?
A)Assessment of anxiety levels when the primary caregiver is at various distances
B)Observation of facial expressions and head movements as well as the duration and intensity of suckling during feedings
C)Measurement of the amount of time the baby spends viewing a pattern rather than a uniform screen
D)Qualitative interviews with parents and other caretaking adults

Accepted Answer

The text states that "Measurement of the amount of time the baby spends viewing a pattern rather than a uniform screen" was used in the research. This suggests that infants' visual abilities were measured through how long they looked at different types of visual stimuli.

Question 4

Leanne is in first grade and works hard to print her alphabet letters on the lines on her notebook paper.In which direction is this motor development proceeding?
A)From toe to head
B)From his waist to her head and feet at the same time
C)From her fingers to her hands and from her toes to her feet
D)From her midline to her extremities

Accepted Answer

Motor development in children typically proceeds from the midline of the body to the extremities, meaning that control develops from the center of the body outward. This is known as proximodistal development.

Question 5

What is the likely purpose of the palmar reflex?
A)Unknown as it disappears as nervous system matures
B)A possible evolutionary remnant allowing primates to cling to an adult's fur
C)A possible evolutionary remnant allowing primates to cling to an adult
D)A behavior that helps the baby nurse

Accepted Answer

The palmar reflex is a grasping reflex that is present in infants and disappears as the nervous system matures. It is believed to be a possible evolutionary remnant that allowed our primate ancestors to cling to the fur of adult primates for survival.

Question 6

Madelyn traveled to Brazil during her pregnancy.At her 7-month check-up it was found that her baby had an abnormally small brain.It is likely that Madelyn's baby was exposed to the mosquito-borne
A)Herpes Simplex B virus.
B)Ebola virus.
C)HERV-W (syncytin)virus.
D)Zika virus.

Accepted Answer

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to babies being born with microcephaly, which is an abnormally small brain. Brazil has had a significant outbreak of Zika virus, making it likely that Madelyn's baby was exposed to the virus during her pregnancy.

Question 7

A spurt in myelination occurs between the ages of 6 and 13 years in parts of the brain associated with ____.
A)visual acuity
B)emotional functioning
C)language and spatial relations
D)memory

Accepted Answer

The parts of the brain associated with language and spatial relations experience a spurt in myelination between the ages of 6 and 13 years.

Question 8

Sam was 7 pounds at birth.He is a healthy baby.How much does he likely weigh now that he is 1 year old?
A)10 pounds
B)14 pounds
C)21 pounds
D)28 pounds

Accepted Answer

It is typical for babies to triple their birth weight by the time they reach 1 year old, so Sam is likely to weigh around 21 pounds. Answer choices A and B are too low, and answer choice D is too high.

Question 9

What role does habituation play in evaluating a baby's sensory capacities?
A)When the baby spends equal time looking at two stimuli,he or she has likely learned to distinguish between them.
B)When the baby cries while looking at a familiar stimulus,he or she likely is not yet habituated to it.
C)When the baby cries while looking at an unfamiliar stimulus,he or she has likely become habituated to it.
D)When the baby spends equal time looking at two stimuli,he or she likely cannot tell the difference between them.

Accepted Answer

Habituation refers to the decreased response to a repeated stimulus. If a baby spends equal time looking at two stimuli, it suggests they cannot distinguish between them, indicating they have not habituated to one over the other.

Question 10

Jasper is just 2 weeks old.His mother strokes his cheek and he turns toward the touch and opens his mouth.This is called the ____ reflex.
A)palmar
B)sucking
C)Moro
D)rooting

Accepted Answer

The described behavior is characteristic of the rooting reflex, which is the automatic turning of an infant's head and opening of their mouth in response to touch or stimulation near their mouth, indicating they are seeking food.

Question 11

During what time period does the human brain show rapid growth in gray matter?
A)During the first two trimesters of the pregnancy
B)In the latter months of pregnancy and for the first 18 months of life
C)From birth through middle to late childhood
D)All the way through adolescence and into early adulthood

Accepted Answer

During the latter months of pregnancy and for the first 18 months of life, the human brain shows rapid growth in gray matter. This period is sometimes referred to as the "brain growth spurt" and is a crucial period for brain development and maturation.

Question 12

Ada is almost 1 month old.What does he spend most of his day doing?
A)Crying
B)Eating
C)Sleeping
D)Defecating and urinating

Accepted Answer

Newborns, especially those under 1 month old, spend most of their day sleeping. They may sleep up to 16-17 hours a day, waking up only to eat and have their diaper changed. Crying, defecating, and urinating are also normal activities but they do not occupy most of the baby's day.

Question 13

To which of the following tastes will a newborn react most favorably?
A)Bitter
B)Sour
C)Salty
D)Sweet

Accepted Answer

Sweet taste is the most preferred taste by newborns as they have an innate preference for the sweetness of breast milk. This is thought to promote their survival by encouraging them to feed. Sour, salty, and bitter tastes are generally aversive to newborns as they are associated with potentially harmful substances.

Question 14

Brenda is HIV-positive and is managing her infection with antiretroviral drugs.She just learned that she is pregnant.To avoid passing the virus to her baby,her doctor may advise her to ________.
A)deliver the baby vaginally if at all possible
B)deliver the baby by cesarean if possible
C)avoid use of HIV medications while pregnant
D)take extra iron and calcium while pregnant

Accepted Answer

The doctor may advise Brenda to deliver the baby by cesarean if possible, as this reduces the risk of passing the virus to the baby during birth. Delivering vaginally increases the risk of transmission. Antiretroviral drugs are important in preventing transmission, so avoiding their use is not recommended. Taking extra iron and calcium may be advised for a healthy pregnancy, but it does not directly impact transmission of the virus.

Question 15

Which of the following is characteristic of 5-alpha-reductase syndrome?
A)Small head,thin upper lip,and folds under the eyes
B)Ambiguous genitalia at birth with later masculinization at puberty
C)Masculinized external genitalia of genetic females
D)Premature birth and being underweight

Accepted Answer

5-alpha-reductase syndrome is a condition where individuals with XY chromosomes have ambiguous genitalia at birth due to a deficiency in converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). At puberty, increased testosterone levels can lead to masculinization.

Question 16

The average age at which each motor milestone is met ____.
A)applies equally to almost all children
B)falls within a wide range of normal development
C)varies greatly depending on culture
D)is a fairly precise measure of how each child is likely to develop

Accepted Answer

The age at which motor milestones are met falls within a wide range of normal development, meaning that different children can achieve them at different ages without any cause for concern.

Question 17

All of the following are characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome except
A)thin upper lip.
B)underdeveloped jaw.
C)large eye openings.
D)folds near eyes.

Accepted Answer

Large eye openings are not a characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome. However, thin upper lip, underdeveloped jaw, and folds near the eyes are common physical features seen in individuals with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Question 18

Penny has decided to nurse her newborn son instead of using bottles and formula.She noticed that her son nurses for different amounts of time based on what Penelope has eaten that day.Which of the following snacks would be likely to lead the baby to breastfeed for the longest amount of time?
A)A salad with bitter greens
B)A snack of sour gumdrops
C)A bowl of salty pretzels
D)A plate of sweet pastries

Accepted Answer

Sweet pastries contain high amounts of sugar, which can lead to an increase in prolactin levels, resulting in longer breastfeeding sessions.

Question 19

Bilingual individuals who learn language after the age of 10 or so process their second languages
A)the same as native-language speakers but with an accent.
B)the same as trilingual language speakers that learned their languages before 10.
C)differently than do native-language speakers.
D)the same as native-language speakers but with more difficulty in learning the language.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals who learn a second language after the age of 10 process and use the language differently than they do their native language. This is because the brain has already formed its language processing patterns for the native language, making it harder to fully adapt to a second language. They may also have more difficulty with certain aspects of the language, such as grammar and syntax. While they may be able to speak with some level of fluency, it is unlikely that their language processing will be identical to that of a native-language speaker.

Question 20

Newborns show an innate preference for looking at faces.This preference ____.
A)is uniquely human and has never been observed in primates or lower animals
B)lacks an adaptive advantage and,in the modern world,may have no use at all
C)quickly recedes after the first month and disappears by three months
D)provides advantages relative to the importance of social relationships

Accepted Answer

The innate preference for looking at faces provides advantages relative to the importance of social relationships. Research suggests that early attention to faces helps infants develop social and cognitive abilities, such as empathy, communication, and recognition of emotions. This preference is also observed in other animals, including primates, suggesting that it has an evolutionary adaptive value.

Quiz 11: The Developing Mind Life Span Development

We produce many more synapses than we need,and then retain only those that are used in a "use it or lose it" fashion.What does this demonstrate?

In what order do the following steps of development occur?

Research has shown that young infants do not see detail at a distance as well as adults do and need more contrast than adults in order to see well.According to the text,what research method was used?

Leanne is in first grade and works hard to print her alphabet letters on the lines on her notebook paper.In which direction is this motor development proceeding?

What is the likely purpose of the palmar reflex?

Madelyn traveled to Brazil during her pregnancy.At her 7-month check-up it was found that her baby had an abnormally small brain.It is likely that Madelyn's baby was exposed to the mosquito-borne

A spurt in myelination occurs between the ages of 6 and 13 years in parts of the brain associated with ____.

Sam was 7 pounds at birth.He is a healthy baby.How much does he likely weigh now that he is 1 year old?

What role does habituation play in evaluating a baby's sensory capacities?

Jasper is just 2 weeks old.His mother strokes his cheek and he turns toward the touch and opens his mouth.This is called the ____ reflex.

During what time period does the human brain show rapid growth in gray matter?

Ada is almost 1 month old.What does he spend most of his day doing?

To which of the following tastes will a newborn react most favorably?

Brenda is HIV-positive and is managing her infection with antiretroviral drugs.She just learned that she is pregnant.To avoid passing the virus to her baby,her doctor may advise her to ________.

Which of the following is characteristic of 5-alpha-reductase syndrome?

The average age at which each motor milestone is met ____.

All of the following are characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome except

Penny has decided to nurse her newborn son instead of using bottles and formula.She noticed that her son nurses for different amounts of time based on what Penelope has eaten that day.Which of the following snacks would be likely to lead the baby to breastfeed for the longest amount of time?

Bilingual individuals who learn language after the age of 10 or so process their second languages

Newborns show an innate preference for looking at faces.This preference ____.