Question 1

Natalie believes that development proceeds gradually, or is the result of __________ change, whereas Mika believes development is stage-like, or the result of __________ change.

Accepted Answer

Continuous change is gradual development in which the achievements at one level build on those of previous levels. Discontinuous change is development that occurs in stages in which there is a qualitative difference from one stage to the next.

Question 2

A view that regards development as gradual, with achievements at one level building on those of previous levels, is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Continuous change is gradual development in which the achievements at one level build on those of previous levels.

Question 3

Researchers who describe cognitive development as occurring in a series of qualitatively different stages believe change is __________.

Accepted Answer

Discontinuous change is development that occurs in stages in which there is a qualitative difference from one stage to the next.

Question 4

For a developmental change to be considered discontinuous, the change must be __________.

Accepted Answer

Continuous change involves gradual development in which achievements at one level build on those of previous levels. Discontinuous change occurs in distinct steps or stages. Each stage is assumed to be qualitatively different.

Question 5

The presence or absence of particular environmental influences during the __________ period is likely to produce permanent, irreversible consequences.

Accepted Answer

Contrasted with a sensitive period, the critical period is one in which the presence or absence of particular kinds of environmental influences will produce permanent, irreversible consequences. The critical period represents the time in development when a particular event has the greatest consequence to the developing individual.

Question 6

Which of the following may be subject to sensitive periods?

Accepted Answer

As opposed to the rigidity of the critical periods, the sensitive period represents plasticity and flexibility, particularly in the domains of cognitive personality and social development. That is, only language development can be subject to plasticity or developed later if the proper stimuli are absent during the sensitive period.

Question 7

A time in development when a particular event has its greatest impact is known as a(n) __________.

Accepted Answer

Contrasted with a sensitive period, the critical period is one in which the absence of particular environmental influences will produce permanent, irreversible consequences. The critical period represents the time in development when a particular event has the greatest consequence to the developing individual.

Question 8

Shirin came down with a case of rubella in the eleventh week of pregnancy. As a result, her child was born blind. On the other hand, Sohair came down with a case of rubella in the thirtieth week of pregnancy. As a result, her child was unaffected. Shirin's child was exposed during a(n) __________ in development.

Accepted Answer

During the critical period, the child is most vulnerable to environmental stimuli that will produce permanent, irreversible consequences.

Question 9

A specific time when organisms are particularly susceptible to certain kinds of stimuli in their environments is referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

As opposed to the rigidity of the critical periods, the sensitive period represents plasticity and flexibility, particularly in the domains of cognitive personality and social development.

Question 10

The degree to which a developing behavior or physical structure is modifiable is referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the degree to which a developing behavior or physical structure is modifiable.

Question 11

When Olga was a young child, she fell off her bike and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Rather than suffering permanent brain damage, she made a full recovery. This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Plasticity is the degree to which a developing behavior or physical structure is modifiable.

Question 12

The process of the predetermined unfolding of genetic information is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Maturation is defined as the process of the predetermined unfolding of genetic information.

Question 13

__________ is to genetic factors as __________ is to environmental factors.

Accepted Answer

Nature refers to traits, abilities, and capacities that are inherited from one's parents. Nurture refers to the environmental influences that shape behavior.

Question 14

Ultimately, we should consider the two sides of the nature-nurture issue as __________.

Accepted Answer

A continuum can be established between nature (genetic, innate characteristics) and nurture (which relies on environment and experiences). Although each of these represents an end of the continuum, most behaviors will fall between them.

Question 15

Dr. Del Bosque's research on programs designed to assist at-risk children in overcoming poverty's effects on intelligence suggests that these programs are successful and therefore should be expanded. Dr. Del Bosque would most likely take the position that development is largely due to __________.

Accepted Answer

Nurture, the influence of environment and experience, is represented by the children's participation in the program.

Question 16

Dr. Farahmand believes that development is primarily due to nurture; therefore, he would support which of the following programs?

Accepted Answer

Nurture represents the environment and experience. All of these represent environmental interventions that will encourage experiences, except prenatal screening. Looking for genetic defects represents a nature stance.

Question 17

Catarino, an infant and toddler teacher, has developed an intervention program aimed at teaching physically delayed infants and toddlers motor skills. Catarino most likely believes that development is mostly __________.

Accepted Answer

Nurture represents the environment and experience. The use of strategies that will work on motor skills represents a nurture stance.

Question 18

Research that supports the view that children's intelligence is mostly due to the genes that children inherit from their parents implies that this development is primarily the result of __________.

Accepted Answer

The nature stance implies that intelligence is inherited and not a byproduct of environment or experiences.

Question 19

When considering the origins of violence, psychologists with a __________ stance suggest that violence is linked to early maltreatment of children; psychologists with a __________ stance look at hormonal influences on violent behavior.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists with the nurture stance believe that behavior is the result of the environment and experience. Psychologists with the nature stance believe that behavior is the result of heredity and hormonal influences. Most psychologists support a stance that incorporates both sides of this issue.

Question 20

Children who are bullied are at risk for __________.

Accepted Answer

Victims of bullying are at risk for anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and academic problems.

Quiz 1: An Introduction to Child Development

Natalie believes that development proceeds gradually, or is the result of change, whereas Mika believes development is stage-like, or the result of change.