Question 1

The difference between a critical period and a sensitive period is an issue that guides much of the research in the field of:

Accepted Answer

Critical periods and sensitive periods are both concepts within the field of developmental psychology, which focuses on how individuals grow and change over the course of their lives. Critical periods refer to specific periods of time during which certain experiences must occur in order for development to proceed normally. Sensitive periods, on the other hand, do not involve a specific deadline but instead represent periods of heightened plasticity during which experiences are particularly influential in shaping development.

Question 2

Many researchers argue that motor development occurs in distinct stages,each of which is characterized by qualitatively different motor skills.This example best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The idea that motor development occurs in distinct stages with qualitatively different motor skills is an example of discontinuity, as it suggests that there are abrupt shifts in behavior rather than a smooth, continuous progression.

Question 3

In a sequential research design,there is repeated testing of ________________.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 4

In developmental research,cohort effects may confound any changes due to age contributing to a problem with any ______________ research design...

Accepted Answer

Cohort effects refer to differences between generations which can affect developmental research. Therefore, cross-sectional research, which compares individuals from different age groups at the same point in time, may be confounded by cohort effects. Longitudinal and sequential research designs are less susceptible to cohort effects because they follow individuals over time, and qualitative research is focused on understanding meaning rather than measuring change over time.

Question 5

During which stage of prenatal development is the age of viability reached?

Accepted Answer

The age of viability refers to the point in the prenatal development when the fetus has reached a stage of development where it can survive outside of the uterus with medical assistance. This typically occurs during the fetal stage, which begins around the 9th week of gestation and lasts until birth.

Question 6

A self-esteem researcher is interested in how self-esteem varies across the lifespan and decides to conduct a survey comparing people of different ages to address this issue.He recruits participants to be in one of four different age groups: 20 to 29,30 to 39,40 to 49,and 50 to 59.He has them complete a self-esteem survey,and then analyzes the data to see whether any patterns emerge.This study would be considered an example of a:

Accepted Answer

This study is an example of a cross-sectional design because it compares individuals from different age groups at only one point in time.

Question 7

When researching development,researchers ask about the relative contribution of genetic factors and/or environmental factors.This question is most relevant to which broad theme of development?

Accepted Answer

The question about the relative contribution of genetic factors and environmental factors pertains to the long-standing debate of nature vs. nurture, which considers the extent to which genetics and environment influence development.

Question 8

In the germinal stage,the fertilized egg is called a zygote,while in the fetal stage,it is referred to as a.

Accepted Answer

The zygote is the result of the fertilization of the egg by the sperm and is the first stage of prenatal development, also known as the germinal stage. As the zygote undergoes cell division and differentiation, it becomes an embryo, which is the second stage of prenatal development. The fetal stage begins at the end of the embryonic stage and lasts until birth. During this stage, the organism is referred to as a fetus. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer, as it refers to the organism during the fetal stage.

Question 9

Which of the following statements regarding the sex of a child is true?

Accepted Answer

The sex of a child is determined by the father's genetic contribution because the father can provide either an X or a Y chromosome, while the mother can only provide an X chromosome. An XX combination results in a female child, and an XY combination results in a male child.

Question 10

Some people believe that if a person has not learned a second language in childhood,learning a second language as an adult,while possible,is a much more difficult task.This belief would support a (n)_________ view of bilingualism.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because the sensitive period hypothesis states that there is a specific period in childhood during which language learning is most easily acquired.

Question 11

Dr.Jones wants to know whether ten-year olds,twelve-year olds,or fourteen-year olds watch more television.Which of the following research designs would be the most appropriate method for Dr.Jones to use?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional design would be the most appropriate method for Dr. Jones to use as it involves comparing different age groups at the same time. Dr. Jones can easily compare the TV watching habits of different age groups by selecting a sample of ten-year olds, twelve-year olds, and fourteen-year olds and then collecting data on their TV watching habits. Other designs such as longitudinal or pretest-posttest experimental would require more time and resources to track changes in TV watching habits over time or manipulate variables to test a hypothesis. A sequential design involves a combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs and is not necessary in this case.

Question 12

With respect to the designs typically used in developmental research,which of the following statements is true:

Accepted Answer

Sequential designs combine elements of both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, allowing researchers to study changes over time and differences between age groups simultaneously.

Question 13

A researcher is interested in examining the development and effects of shyness.To do this,she identifies a group of 100 shy children at age 10,and then follows them for the next 10 years,checking in periodically to gather additional information.This design is best described as:

Accepted Answer

This study involves following the same group of individuals over a period of 10 years, which is characteristic of a longitudinal design. This allows the researcher to examine changes in shyness over time and track the effects of shyness on various outcomes. The other options, cross-sectional design, placebo design, and sequential design, do not accurately describe the design of this study.

Question 14

Does growth occur in continuous,gradual steps or does it pass through distinct and specific stages? Such questions are most central to:

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychology is the study of how humans grow and develop over time, and one of the central concerns in this field is whether growth occurs in continuous, gradual steps or passes through distinct stages. Psychoanalysis, relapse prevention programs, and abnormal psychology are related to different aspects of mental health and treatment but are not directly concerned with the developmental process.

Question 15

The field of developmental psychology would most likely address which of the following questions?

Accepted Answer

The field of developmental psychology focuses on how cognitive, social, and emotional abilities change over the course of a person's life span, so option D is most closely aligned with this field.

Question 16

Upon enrolling their children in a developmental preschool,parents are asked to participate in a study where they will be contacted every two years for the next ten years and asked to complete a quality of education survey.If they agree,parents will be participating in a _______________ research study.

Accepted Answer

A longitudinal research study involves following a group of participants over an extended period of time, which is exactly what is described in this scenario. The other choices are not applicable - a sequential study involves testing different groups at different points in time, a cross-sectional study involves testing different groups at the same time, and a double-blind experimental study involves manipulating variables and comparing an experimental group to a control group.

Question 17

All of the following were mentioned as broad issues that guide much of the research in developmental psychology EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The influence of the environment on behavior is a specific aspect of the nature versus nurture debate, rather than a broad issue guiding developmental psychology research.

Question 18

Sally is interested in comparing the effects of video game violence on aggression in several different age groups.Which of the following groups would a cross-sectional design be confounded by the age of the cohorts?

Accepted Answer

A cross-sectional design comparing groups of 5, 15, 30, and 60 year olds would be confounded by the age of the cohorts because these age groups are at significantly different life stages, which could influence their responses to video game violence beyond just their age.

Question 19

Which of the following lists the three stages of prenatal development in the proper order (from earliest to latest)?

Accepted Answer

The correct order of the three stages of prenatal development is germinal, embryonic, and fetal. The germinal stage occurs during the first two weeks after conception, during which the zygote undergoes rapid cell division and eventually implants in the uterine wall. The embryonic stage follows from weeks 3-8, during which major organs and body systems begin to form. The fetal stage lasts from weeks 9-40, during which the fetus becomes increasingly larger and more complex, and systems continue to mature.

Question 20

In developmental research,a critical period is an age range during which specific experiences must take place if normal development is to occur.For other experiences,it is optimal but not necessarily essential for these experiences to occur during a ___________ period.

Accepted Answer

A sensitive period is a time period during development when a child is particularly sensitive to certain environmental influences, though it is not necessarily required for normal development. It is a window of opportunity for certain experiences and may lead to stronger outcomes if the experiences occur during this time.

Quiz 11: Motivation and Emotion