Exam 1: Introduction

Who among the following most likely exhibits the developmental pattern of successful aging?

Which group of theorists emphasizes that behavior is merely a surface characteristic and that a true understanding of development requires analyzing the symbolic meanings of behavior and the deep inner workings of the mind?

Peter is a senior partner at his law firm and is an important member of his church and community. Both his children are in college. Peter's situation is most representative of which period of development?

Which of Urie Bronfenbrenner's environmental systems consists of the patterning of environmental events and transitions over the life course, as well as sociohistorical circumstances?

According to Paul Baltes's perspective of life-span development, which of the following statements is true?

Jeremy becomes fluent in English at the age of 4. At the age of 6, he becomes fluent in French. However, when Jeremy's parents try to teach him Spanish when he is 8 years old, they find that Jeremy's capacity to acquire a new language has decreased. This scenario most likely illustrates Paul Baltes's view that development is ________.

Edwin was a neglected child in his infancy. Now, at 31 years of age, he is highly cynical about the world and feels that no one can be relied upon. In his relationship, he is suspicious toward his partner, and these feelings eventually lead to the breakup of the relationship. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, this indicates that Edwin did not successfully resolve the ________ stage of development, which in turn is causing him to experience ________ in his current developmental stage.

Jessica, 16, is in the process of deciding what she wants to study in college. She wants to be an engineer one day and a painter the next day. Erik Erikson would say Jessica is in the ________ stage of development.

Describe two characteristics of the life-span perspective on development. Provide an example for each.

Dr. Wong is a cognitive developmental theorist, so we know that he will stress the importance of ________ in understanding development.

Changes in motor skills, nutrition, exercise, the hormonal changes of puberty, and cardiovascular decline are all examples of ________ processes that affect development.

The idea that no singular theory can explain life-span development as a whole, but that each theory plays an important role, is referred to as a(n)

Apart from the issues of stability versus change and continuity versus discontinuity, which developmental issue characterizes development throughout the human life span?

________ is a government's course of action designed to promote the welfare of its citizens.

The ________ period is the time from conception to birth.

The concept of discontinuity is characterized by

Travis spends a great deal of time working and trying to establish his career. He is also wondering if he should move in with his girlfriend and about their long-term prospects. Travis is most likely in the ________ period of development.

In the nature-nurture issue, nature refers to an organism's ________, nurture to its ________.

According to Paul Baltes, which of the following is true of nonnormative life events?

________ age is an individual's adaptive capacities compared with those of other individuals of the same chronological age.