Question 1

Erik Erikson was best known for his theories on the social development of human beings. His theories describe the eight stages required for a healthy human to develop from infancy to late adulthood. Which answer below describes the 4^th stage?

Accepted Answer

The 4^th stage of Erik Erikson's theory on social development is school-age child: industry vs. inferiority. Neighborhood and community relationships help build competency as the child works with others to make something. All eight stages include: infancy (trust vs. mistrust), early childhood (autonomy vs. shame and doubt), play age (initiative vs. guilt), school age (industry vs. inferiority), adolescence (identity vs. role confusion), young adulthood (intimacy vs. isolation), middle adulthood (generatively vs. stagnation), and late adulthood (ego integrity vs. despair).

Question 2

Katrina is becoming self-sufficient in her own home life. What age best describes this level of human development?

Accepted Answer

A child becomes self-sufficient in his/her home life at the age of 3 to 4 years. Sharing ability improves and cooperation with others is often seen in play. The child's most significant relationship is with the family.

Question 3

Alex gets into major fights at school and within the community. He appears to demonstrate aggressive and violent behaviors. Alex has also been caught stealing and he shows disregard for his safety. Which disorder appropriately defines this 16-year-old boy?

Accepted Answer

Anti-social personality disorder begins in childhood and progresses on until adulthood. It is a pattern of disregard for and violations of the rights of others. Individuals with this disorder display poor behavioral controls such as annoyance, irritability, aggression, and verbal abuse.

Question 4

The Johnson family recently lost their home when the head of household was laid off from a high-income job. Bills have accumulated and food is being purchased by credit cards that are almost to their maximum limits. Stress levels of both parents are starting to have an effect on the children's schooling. What social support is most beneficial at this time?

Accepted Answer

All three social supports are beneficial in this situation. Tangible supports may include the donation of goods such as clothing. Informational support is provided through advice given by friends and relatives. Emotional support is the reassurance that people are there to help through this detrimental time.

Question 5

There are several theories on the aging process of older adults. Societies agree that elders should voluntarily slow down and retire. Which process views this withdrawal as beneficial to the aging individual and their community?

Accepted Answer

The disengagement theory views aging as a mutual withdrawal from support circles, family, and friends. This often happens as older adults lose their freedom to drive, bathe, and eat on their own. Interaction with other people largely depends upon their health and mobility. What was once a large network of social circles, slowly dwindle down to a few precious relatives.

Question 6

Basic needs for love and esteem that are given on a consistent basis nourish a happy child. When these needs are not met, children suffer emotionally. Maslow refers to this as:

Accepted Answer

Maslow refers to the basic needs for love and esteem as emotional dependency needs. A child whose needs are not met consistently suffer to an extent proportional to their lack of fulfillment. Maslow's hierarchy of needs consists of: 1) self-actualization, 2) esteem, 3) love and belonging, 4) safety, and 5) physiological.

Question 7

Cassandra is given blanket approval for everything she does. There are never consequences and she will push the limits until someone finally says "NO!" Inappropriate behaviors occur due to Cassandra seeking discipline. She is subconsciously compelled to make someone step in due to a need for help in controlling impulses. This behavior stems from:

Accepted Answer

Spoiled-child syndrome is the result of parents and relatives not setting forth disciplinary boundaries. When a child is able to get away with anything, their impulses increase to an uncontrollable problem. They will seek out attention on purpose, hoping someone will take notice.

Question 8

Calvin has disowned that part of himself that controls anger. His sudden outbursts and bad temperament are a natural part of Calvin's neural network. He found love with Rebecca who, unlike him, displays no anger. She rarely gets upset and does not ever raise her voice. This theory of opposites attract is described as:

Accepted Answer

Polarization is the conscious want of something one is incapable of having. This is a sign of disowning parts of neural networks causing internal conflicts between the conscious and subconscious. An example may be an individual who does not have the ability to express love. He or she will seek out someone that can compensate in this area for them.

Question 9

Some individuals are less likely to be aware of their behavior and the affect it has on others. Often times, one will develop a thick scab of contempt. Example: Sherrie has difficulty maintaining healthy relationships because she has a need to always be right. In fact, this is a defense against deep-seated fears of being wrong. Sherry would be considered:

Accepted Answer

An externalizer tends to have problems with anger, self-centeredness, intrusiveness, and being blameless. All of these traits tend to submerge from the subconscious defense mechanism known as reaction formation. This is overcompensation for fear of the opposite and may also result in shameless behavior such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Question 10

Social cognitive theory believes that behavior is affected by environmental influences, personal factors, and attributes of the behavior itself. What is the most important concept within this theory that determines a person's behavior change?

Accepted Answer

A central concept of the social cognitive theory is self-efficacy. An individual must believe in his or her capability to perform the behavior and value the outcomes they perceive will occur. Outcomes or consequences are classified as having immediate benefits as expected by the individual.

Question 11

Five-year-old Jesse has been displaying inappropriate behaviors on the playground. He wants to take other children's toys, push them off the swings when he wants a turn, and knocks kids down to get to the slide. Jesse clearly does not like to share or wait in line during recess. His teacher started conditioning him by providing the opportunity of being first in line for recess when he displays appropriate playing behaviors the previous day. Eventually, Jesse found that he could get to the swings and slide faster if he behaved. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. What theory of learning is based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through this conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Behaviorism can be studied in a systematic and observable manner without the need for internal mental states. Two major types of conditioning are classical and operant. Classical utilizes a naturally occurring stimulus paired with a response, while operant is the method of learning through rewards and punishments.

Question 12

Mothers who are responsive to their infant's needs establish a sense of security and the baby knows the parent is dependable. This allows the base for a child to explore and feel safe. Caregivers have a huge impact that continues throughout life. John Bowlby first described this theory and named it what?

Accepted Answer

Attachment is an emotional bond with another individual. Characteristics include the safe haven, secure base, and proximity maintenance. All of these display the need for an infant to stay close to their mother for comfort and support. Separation distress occurs when the child is separated from their parent and instantly becomes upset with the situation.

Question 13

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capabilities to organize and put into action prospective situations. Bandura described these ideas as determinants of how people behave, feel, and think. An individual's self-efficacy plays a role in how goals and challenges are approached. Which of the descriptors below addresses people with weak self-efficacy?

Accepted Answer

Bandura has demonstrated that self-efficacy has an impact on everything from behavior, motivation, and psychological states. This has become one of the most studied topics in psychology. People with a strong sense of self-efficacy tend to develop deeper interests in activities, recover quickly from setbacks, and form a stronger sense of commitment.

Question 14

Strategies used to cope with anxiety can be overused, causing them to take on the appearance of needs. Karen Horney developed a well-known theory that results from basic anxiety caused by interpersonal relationships: indifference, erratic behavior, direct or indirect domination, lack of respect, disparaging attitudes, lack of guidance, absence of admiration, lack of reliable warmth, having to take sides in an argument, too much or too little responsibility, injustice, discrimination, over-protection, isolation, unkept promises, and hostile environment. This theory is called what?

Accepted Answer

Neurosis is the theory that results from basic anxiety and can be classified into three categories. The first refers to needs that move you towards others, causing you to seek affirmation and acceptance. The second category addresses needs that move you away from others creating hostility and anti-social behavior. Lastly, needs that move you against others cause individuals to control other people in a domineering manner.

Question 15

Henry lives in an apartment with several tenants. He avoids all contact with his neighbors and does not have any friends. When Henry sees a neighbor coming down the hall, he will turn and go the other direction to evade simple conversation or eye contact. His life is very lonely and he makes no effort to rectify the situation. What kind of personality disorder does Henry suffer from?

Accepted Answer

Henry suffers from Avoidant Personality Disorder, as apparent with the pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, sensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction. People with this disorder consider themselves to be personally unappealing and fear being ridiculed, humiliated, or rejected. Avoidant Personality Disorder is first recognized in early childhood and associated with rejection by peers or parents.

Question 16

Severe trauma during early childhood can have the effect of personality states that continually hold power over an individual's behavior. Repetitive physical, sexual, and emotional abuse causes an inability to recall key personal bits of information. Memories tend to vary according to the different identities one assumes. What is the name of this disorder?

Accepted Answer

Dissociative Identity Disorder, otherwise known as multiple personality disorder, is a fairly common problem. It is characterized by the two or more distinct identities that each have their own age, sex, and race. Symptoms include depression, suicidal tendencies, sleep disorders, compulsions, mood swings, phobias, and anxiety.

Question 17

Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depressive disorder. The seriousness of this mental illness leads one to dangerous behaviors such as suicide. Less severe cases tend to damage personal relationships and careers. It is characterized by high and low mood swings that move from mania to depression. How is mania described?

Accepted Answer

Mania describes an increasingly restless, energetic, powerful period in one's mental state. These characteristics often cause lavish spending sprees or impulsive sex. This high-flying mood can spiral into irritation, confusion, or the feeling of being trapped.

Question 18

Some individuals suffer from a disorder that is characterized by extreme mood swings. Manic behaviors that may be damaging to a person's health will suddenly change to a manner of depression. This is a complex disease to diagnose since moods can last for weeks or months. What is the disorder being described?

Accepted Answer

Bi-polar disorder used to be well known as a manic depressive state. Restless, talkative, euphoric periods will change to sadness, crying, and a sense of worthlessness. This is a serious disorder that can lead to risky behavior if not treated.

Question 19

Over a third of people in various countries meet criteria for major categories of this disorder at some point in their life. It is defined as a psychological or behavioral pattern related to disability or distress occurring within an individual and is not a part of their normal development. Psychotherapy and psychiatric medication are two major treatment options. What is being described?

Accepted Answer

Mental disorders are thought to be disorders of the brain circuits more than likely caused by developmental processes. There is a complex play of experience and genetics that vary with biological and environmental contexts. In some cases, involuntary detention and treatment will be ordered according to legislation. Those who suffer with this disorder also have to live with the stigma and discrimination.

Question 20

Schizophrenia typically occurs in young adulthood and is accompanied by significant occupational or social dysfunction. The diagnosis is based on self-reported experiences and observed behaviors. There are no medical tests to validate the existence of this disorder. What are some reported symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia is thought to affect cognition, usually contributing to chronic behavior and emotional problems. Bizarre delusions add to auditory hallucinations and disorganized thinking. Social problems occur such as long-term unemployment, homelessness, and poverty. The onset of schizophrenia generally occurs before the age of 19.

Quiz 4: Development

Erik Erikson was best known for his theories on the social development of human beings. His theories describe the eight stages required for a healthy human to develop from infancy to late adulthood. Which answer below describes the 4th stage?