Question 1

Psychologists generally resolve the nature-nurture debate by agreeing that
A)heredity and environment are interacting and inseparable factors in development.
B)heredity is more important because it precedes the effects of experience.
C)environment is more important because its effects are less flexible than those of heredity.
D)environment is more important because most behaviors of interest to psychologists are learned.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists recognize that both heredity (nature) and environment (nurture) play significant, inseparable roles in human development, interacting in complex ways to shape individual characteristics and behaviors.

Question 2

Defects that are caused by inherited characteristics are known as
A)congenital problems.
B)genetic disorders.
C)teratogen defects.
D)endogenomic problems.

Accepted Answer

Genetic disorders are caused by inherited characteristics, meaning they are passed down from parents to offspring through genes.

Question 3

Sickle-cell anemia, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis are considered
A)genetic disorders.
B)congenital problems.
C)teratogens.
D)endomorphic conditions.

Accepted Answer

These conditions are all caused by genetic mutations or abnormalities, making them genetic disorders.

Question 4

Identical twins are less alike as adults than they were as children, which demonstrates the influence of
A)heredity.
B)nature.
C)polygenic factors.
D)the environment.

Accepted Answer

The differences that emerge between identical twins as they grow older can be attributed to the influence of different environmental experiences rather than genetic factors, since identical twins share the same genetic makeup.

Question 5

Developmental psychologists are interested in changes in behavior that occur from
A)conception on to death (the womb to the tomb).
B)birth to adolescence (infant to teen).
C)birth to adulthood (child to grown-up).
D)conception to senescence.

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychologists study changes in behavior and mental processes from conception to death, encompassing the entire lifespan.

Question 6

Development begins at conception, when a father's sperm cell fertilizes a mother's egg cell (ovum). The resulting combination of genes from the two parents constitutes the child's genetic heritage, or
A)genome.
B)pheromone.
C)nurture component.
D)zone of proximal development.

Accepted Answer

The combination of genes from both parents that constitutes a child's genetic heritage is referred to as the genome. This includes all of the DNA, both coding and non-coding sequences.

Question 7

Even when they are reared apart, identical twins are strikingly alike in motor skills, physical development, and appearance, which demonstrates the powerful influence of
A)heredity.
B)nurture.
C)senescence.
D)the environment.

Accepted Answer

Identical twins share the same genetic makeup, so their similarities in motor skills, physical development, and appearance, even when reared apart, highlight the significant role of heredity in determining these traits.

Question 8

Genetic disorders include which of the following conditions?
A)albinism
B)hemophilia
C)some types of intellectual disability
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

All the conditions listed, including albinism, hemophilia, and some types of intellectual disability, are examples of genetic disorders. These conditions are caused by mutations in a person's DNA and can be inherited from one or both parents.

Question 9

The resulting combination of genes from the two parents will determine many of the child's physical and psychological characteristics and is referred to as the child's
A)nurture component.
B)pheromone.
C)genome.
D)zone of proximal development.

Accepted Answer

The combination of genes from two parents that determines a child's characteristics is referred to as the child's genome. This encompasses all of the DNA, including all the genes, that an individual inherits from their parents.

Question 10

When psychologists attribute development to nature, they are referring to the effects of
A)mother\infant bonding.
B)heredity and genetics.
C)environmental influences.
D)evolutionary selection.

Accepted Answer

Nature refers to the biological and genetic influences on human development, which includes heredity and genetics.

Question 11

Dianne is a psychologist who is interested in the progressive changes that people show in their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social abilities from conception to death. Dianne is most likely a __________ psychologist.
A)social
B)behavioral
C)comparative
D)developmental

Accepted Answer

Dianne's interest in the progressive changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social abilities from conception to death aligns with the field of developmental psychology, which studies how and why human beings change over the course of their life.

Question 12

Learning to dance or to use a computer is primarily a matter of
A)nurture.
B)nature.
C)heredity.
D)maturation.

Accepted Answer

Learning skills such as dancing or using a computer are influenced by environmental factors and experiences, which falls under the category of nurture.

Question 13

The importance of heredity stems from the fact that it
A)is not subject to environmental influences.
B)determines the overall health of the organism.
C)sets the limits of development by providing a framework of potentials and limitations.
D)is more fragile than the environment and, consequently, can be more changeable.

Accepted Answer

Heredity is crucial because it establishes the boundaries of an organism's development by offering a set of potential capabilities and limitations. This genetic framework influences how an individual can grow and adapt within the context of environmental factors.

Question 14

Conception occurs when the
A)egg is released from the ovary.
B)egg and sperm unite.
C)fertilized egg makes its first division.
D)embryo implants into the uterine lining.

Accepted Answer

Conception, or fertilization, occurs when the egg and sperm unite, combining their genetic material to form a new cell that will develop into an embryo.

Question 15

Achieving sexual maturity is mostly governed by
A)nurture.
B)nature.
C)the environment.
D)schooling.

Accepted Answer

Achieving sexual maturity is primarily governed by biological and genetic factors, which fall under the category of "nature." Environmental and social factors (nurture) can influence the timing to some extent, but the biological processes are largely predetermined.

Question 16

The uniting of the egg and sperm is referred to as
A)development.
B)transformation.
C)conception.
D)developmental sequencing.

Accepted Answer

Conception is the correct term for the uniting of the egg and sperm, marking the beginning of pregnancy.

Question 17

According to the text, what conclusion can be drawn in the nature-nurture debate?
A)Heredity is the most important because we inherit our potential for development as well as our limitations.
B)Environment is the most important because influences, such as learning, nutrition, disease, and culture affect our ability to develop to our potential.
C)It is the interaction between heredity and environment that is important in determining who we become.
D)Neither heredity nor environment is important; only our own behavior determines who we are.

Accepted Answer

The correct conclusion is that it is the interaction between heredity and environment that is important in determining who we become. This reflects the understanding that both genetic factors (heredity) and external factors (environment) play crucial roles in shaping an individual's development and characteristics.

Question 18

Developmental psychology is the study of
A)the language, personality, and emotions of children and adolescents.
B)the stages of life and the important tasks of each.
C)progressive changes in behavior and abilities from conception to death.
D)the role of maturation in the unfolding of human potential.

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychology focuses on the changes in behavior and abilities throughout the entire lifespan, from conception to death, encompassing physical, cognitive, and social changes.

Question 19

The study of changes in behavior from conception to death encompasses the field known as
A)gerontology.
B)thanatology.
C)developmental psychology.
D)social psychology.

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the psychological growth of individuals, encompassing changes from conception to death.

Question 20

The long, ladder-like chains of chemical molecules that act as a code for genetic information are known as
A)DNA.
B)gametes.
C)ribosomes.
D)neurilemmas.

Accepted Answer

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.

Quiz 3: Human Development

Psychologists generally resolve the nature-nurture debate by agreeing that

Defects that are caused by inherited characteristics are known as

Sickle-cell anemia, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis are considered

Identical twins are less alike as adults than they were as children, which demonstrates the influence of

Developmental psychologists are interested in changes in behavior that occur from

Development begins at conception, when a father's sperm cell fertilizes a mother's egg cell (ovum) . The resulting combination of genes from the two parents constitutes the child's genetic heritage, or

Even when they are reared apart, identical twins are strikingly alike in motor skills, physical development, and appearance, which demonstrates the powerful influence of

Genetic disorders include which of the following conditions?

The resulting combination of genes from the two parents will determine many of the child's physical and psychological characteristics and is referred to as the child's

When psychologists attribute development to nature, they are referring to the effects of

Dianne is a psychologist who is interested in the progressive changes that people show in their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social abilities from conception to death. Dianne is most likely a __________ psychologist.

Learning to dance or to use a computer is primarily a matter of

The importance of heredity stems from the fact that it

Conception occurs when the

Achieving sexual maturity is mostly governed by

The uniting of the egg and sperm is referred to as

According to the text, what conclusion can be drawn in the nature-nurture debate?

Developmental psychology is the study of

The study of changes in behavior from conception to death encompasses the field known as

The long, ladder-like chains of chemical molecules that act as a code for genetic information are known as