Question 1

Research indicates that the amygdala of shy infants ________ when presented with a novel stimulus or situation.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala of shy infants overreacts when presented with a novel stimulus or situation. This overreactivity is associated with increased anxiety and withdrawal behavior in shy infants.

Question 2

Which of the following is not one of the three types of temperament described by Thomas and Chess?

Accepted Answer

The three types of temperament described by Thomas and Chess are easy, difficult, and slow to warm up. Average is not one of them.

Question 3

The reflex that causes a newborn to turn its head toward something touching its cheek and grope around with its mouth is the ________ reflex.

Accepted Answer

The description given matches the rooting reflex, which is a natural reflex in newborns that helps them find the mother's nipple for feeding.

Question 4

Newborns can sleep up to ________ hours per day.

Accepted Answer

Newborns can sleep up to 20 hours per day, as they require a lot of sleep for growth and development. Option B, 12 hours, is too low, while options C and D, 8 and 16 hours respectively, are not high enough to accommodate the sleep needs of newborns.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of newborns?

Accepted Answer

Newborns have been found to be capable of absorbing and processing information from the outside world almost as soon as, or even before, they enter it. This is evident in their ability to recognize their mother's voice or distinguish between sounds within a few days of birth.

Question 6

A reflex crucial to an infant's survival is ________.

Accepted Answer

Sucking is a crucial reflex for the survival of an infant because it allows them to feed and obtain nutrients necessary for their growth and development. Grasping, stepping, and cooing are also important developmental milestones, but they are not considered as essential reflexes for survival.

Question 7

Isabel is a rambunctious and unruly child who is moody and intense. She often throws temper tantrums, adapts poorly to change, and has powerful, negative reactions to new people and new situations. Thomas and Chess would say her temperament is ________.

Accepted Answer

Isabel's behavior is consistent with the "difficult" temperament described by Thomas and Chess. This temperament is characterized by intense emotions, difficulty adjusting to change, and negative reactions to new people and situations.

Question 8

The tendency of the amygdala of shy infants to overreact to a novel stimulus or situation ________.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the tendency of the amygdala of shy infants to overreact to a novel stimulus or situation persists into adolescence. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A, C, and D are incorrect as they state that the tendency disappears, which is not supported by research.

Question 9

Harold is an adaptable child who is good-natured and gets along well in school. Thomas and Chess would say his temperament is ________.

Accepted Answer

Harold's easy-going and adaptable nature fits the description of an "easy" temperament, as described by Thomas and Chess.

Question 10

A newborn baby is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

A newborn baby is called a neonate. A fetus refers to the developing organism in the uterus before birth. A zygote refers to the single cell formed when sperm and egg combine at fertilization. Bionate is not a commonly used term in relation to newborns.

Question 11

Each of the following is true except ________.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Environmental influences can have a significant impact on a child's temperament.

Question 12

Human babies are born with their eyes ________.

Accepted Answer

Human babies are typically born with their eyes open and functioning, allowing them to respond to visual stimuli almost immediately after birth.

Question 13

The term used by psychologists to describe the characteristic patterns of emotional reactions and emotional self-regulation in the newborn child and young infant is ________.

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the emotional patterns and self-regulation of newborns and young infants is temperament. Maturity, development, and cognitive capacity are related but not specific terms for this concept.

Question 14

Andrea has just had a normal, healthy baby. Her newborn is likely to have each of the following reflexes except the ________ reflex.

Accepted Answer

Cooing is not a reflex but rather a natural vocalization that babies make. The other options (rooting, swallowing, and sucking) are all reflexes that newborns typically have.

Question 15

Research on the stability of temperament indicates that it is ________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that temperament is relatively stable throughout childhood and into adulthood. While there may be some variations in response to different situations or experiences, overall temperament tends to remain consistent over time.

Question 16

Kagan and his associates recently identified a type of temperament characterized by being timid, inhibited, fearful of anything new or strange, and a hypersensitive nervous system. Kagan called this type of child a(n) ________ child.

Accepted Answer

Kagan referred to this temperament as "shy," characterized by timidity, inhibition, and fearfulness in new or strange situations, often linked to a hypersensitive nervous system.

Question 17

A mother's level of psychological stress is ________ to the health of the newborn, and the way she copes with stress is ________ to the health of the newborn.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that a mother's level of psychological stress during pregnancy is related to the health of the newborn. High levels of stress have been associated with adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Additionally, the way a mother copes with stress can also affect the health of the newborn. For example, engaging in healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise and social support can have positive effects, while engaging in maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse and negative self-talk can have negative effects on the baby's health.

Question 18

Kagan and his colleagues found that temperament is ________.

Accepted Answer

Based on Kagan's research, temperament is largely influenced by biological factors.

Question 19

Egbert is an inactive, withdrawn child who reacts very cautiously and deliberately to the world around him. Thomas and Chess would say his temperament is ________.

Accepted Answer

Egbert's temperament is characterized by slow adaptation to new situations and withdrawal, which matches the slow-to-warm-up category in Thomas and Chess's temperament theory.

Question 20

Anna is timid and inhibited. She is fearful of anything new or strange. Her nervous system tends to react to any stimulus in a hypersensitive manner. Kagan would say that this is a(n) ________ child.

Accepted Answer

Kagan's classification system categorizes children into three temperament types: difficult, slow-to-warm-up, and easy, based on their level of reactivity and self-regulation. However, Anna's description does not fit into any of these three categories. She is labeled as a "shy child" because of her anxiety and hypersensitivity to new stimuli. Therefore, the best choice is C, "shy."

Quiz 9: Life-Span Development