Question 1

The idea that human development results from the dynamic interaction between developing persons and their surrounding society is the central thesis of _____ theory.

Accepted Answer

The sociocultural theory, developed by Lev Vygotsky, emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural context in shaping cognitive development. Vygotsky believed that learning occurs through interactions with knowledgeable others, who provide guidance and support for children to advance their thinking and problem-solving skills. Overall, the sociocultural theory emphasizes the importance of cultural and social factors in driving human development.

Question 2

A perspective that compares human thinking processes, by analogy, to the input, programming, memory, and output of computer analysis is _____.

Accepted Answer

The perspective that compares human thinking processes to the input, programming, memory, and output of computer analysis is the information-processing theory. This theory views the mind as a computer-like system that receives input (from the senses), stores information (in memory), and produces output (through thought and behavior). This perspective emphasizes the importance of attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving in cognitive development.

Question 3

The approach to cognitive development that focuses on the processes of thought instead of stages is called _____ theory.

Accepted Answer

The approach that focuses on processes of thought and information processing is the information-processing theory. Option A, learning theory, focuses on conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment. Option C, cognitive cultural theory, emphasizes the role of culture and social factors in shaping cognitive development. Option D, accommodation, is a concept related to Piaget's stages of cognitive development, emphasizing the modification of existing schema or mental representations.

Question 4

Vygotsky used the term _____ to describe how cognition is stimulated and developed in people by more skilled members of society.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Vygotsky used the term _____ to describe...

Question 5

The so-called "new" theories, unlike the grand theories, are multidisciplinary. For example, _____ theory draws on anthropology.

Accepted Answer

Sociocultural theory draws on anthropology to explore the ways in which cultural and social factors influence cognitive development and learning.

Question 6

Robin has always had a difficult time remembering things. She went to a psychologist and underwent tests which concluded that the way she senses input and then stores the information is interfering with her ability to recall the information. This explanation for Robin's memory difficulties is consistent with _____.

Accepted Answer

The information-processing theory suggests that memory operates like a computer, with information being processed through a series of stages including sensing, encoding, and storage. If there is a disruption in this process, it can interfere with memory recall, as in Robin's case.

Question 7

Vygotsky used the term _____ to describe the method used by parents, teachers, and entire societies to teach novices the skills and habits expected within their culture.

Accepted Answer

Vygotsky used the term guided participation to describe the method used by parents, teachers, and entire societies to teach novices the skills and habits expected within their culture. The other options are also concepts introduced by Vygotsky, but they are not directly related to this particular method.

Question 8

Within the information-processing perspective, what is the correct sequential order for producing cognition?

Accepted Answer

According to the information-processing perspective, cognition involves a sequence of processes that begins with input from the environment being detected by the five senses. This input is then processed by the brain, which reacts, connects, and stores memories related to the input. Finally, the brain produces an output in the form of behavior, thoughts, or emotions. Therefore, the correct sequential order for producing cognition is: Input is picked up by the five senses; the brain reacts, connects, and stores memories; the brain produces an output. Choice D is the only option that follows this sequence.

Question 9

Which theory of development emphasized unconscious drives and early experiences, and which emphasized understanding how a person thinks?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theory, proposed by Sigmund Freud, emphasized the role of unconscious drives and early experiences in shaping human behavior and development. On the other hand, cognitive theory emphasizes the role of mental processes in shaping behavior and development, including how people think, perceive, and interpret information.

Question 10

Which theory of development emphasized unconscious drives and early experiences, and which emphasized learning by association, reinforcement, or observation?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theory, developed by Freud, emphasizes the influence of unconscious drives and early experiences on behavior and development. Behaviorism, on the other hand, emphasizes learning through association, reinforcement, and observation.

Question 11

Which Russian theorist emphasized the cultural context?

Accepted Answer

Lev Vygotsky emphasized the cultural context and viewed learning as a social activity influenced by cultural norms and traditions. He believed that the cultural background of a child should be considered when designing learning experiences.

Question 12

Approaches to toilet training have changed over time. At one point it was suggested that parents toilet-train whenever they wished, using reinforcement as part of the training. This view is consistent with _____.

Accepted Answer

The use of reinforcement as part of toilet training is consistent with the behaviorist approach to child development, which emphasizes the role of environmental stimuli and consequences in shaping behavior.

Question 13

According to Piaget, when old ideas are restructured to include new experiences, it is called _____.

Accepted Answer

According to Piaget, when old ideas are restructured to include new experiences, it is called accommodation. Assimilation involves incorporating new experiences into existing ideas, while equilibrium refers to the balance between assimilation and accommodation. Learning is a broader concept encompassing a range of processes involved in acquiring new knowledge and skills.

Question 14

The so-called "new" theories, unlike the grand theories, are multidisciplinary. Evolutionary theory, for example, draws on the work of _____.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theory draws heavily on the work of archaeologists, as well as biologists, anthropologists, and other interdisciplinary fields.

Question 15

Sally has a dog at home, so she knows about dogs. She is walking down the street and sees an animal walking toward her. The animal has four legs, fur, and a tail. Sally knows that these are characteristics of dogs. But the animal coming toward her is meowing, not barking. Sally's mom tells her that the animal is a cat. Now when Sally sees an animal with four legs, a tail, and fur, she will conclude that it is a dog if it barks and a cat if it meows, illustrating _____.

Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates accommodation, which is the process of adjusting one's mental framework or schema to incorporate new information or experiences that do not fit into existing schemas. In this case, Sally originally had a schema for dogs, but when she encountered a new animal (a cat) that did not fit her existing schema, she accommodated by creating a new schema for cats.

Question 16

Approaches to toilet training have changed over time. At one point, it was suggested to parents to postpone toilet training until the child was at least a year old to avoid serious personality problems later on. This view is consistent with _____.

Accepted Answer

This view of delaying toilet training to avoid personality problems later on is consistent with psychoanalytic theory, which emphasizes the role of early experiences and unconscious motives in shaping personality.

Question 17

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the more effortful cognitive adaptation is _____.

Accepted Answer

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, assimilation is the process of incorporating new information into existing knowledge structures, while accommodation is the process of modifying existing knowledge structures to better fit new information. Accommodation is considered to be the more effortful adaptation because it requires changing existing cognitive structures, whereas assimilation involves simply adding new information to existing structures.

Question 18

Which of the following has been revealed through brain imagery studies?

Accepted Answer

Brain imagery studies have revealed that the brains of newborns are more active when they hear their mother's language, indicating that they are able to recognize and respond to it. This has important implications for language development and early communication. However, it is not clear whether infants in the womb are aware of their surroundings or not, as brain imaging technology cannot be used on fetuses.

Question 19

Sally is helping her mom make a cake. Her mom helps Sally pick out the right ingredients, measure them, and mix them together. According to Vygotsky, Sally is engaging in _____.

Accepted Answer

Guided participation refers to the process of a more knowledgeable individual (in this case, Sally's mom) guiding a less knowledgeable individual (Sally) in a task or activity, with the goal of gradually increasing the less knowledgeable individual's abilities and understanding. This fits with the scenario described in the question, where Sally's mom is helping her with the cake-making process. The other options (A, C, and D) do not fit as well with the situation described.

Question 20

Different theories and diverse parental practices are associated with toilet training. According to the text, what is the best method for toilet training?

Accepted Answer

The text states that different theories and diverse parental practices are associated with toilet training, and there is no single best strategy that works for all children.

Quiz 2: Theories