Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) gerontology. 
B) thanatology. 
C) developmental psychology. 
D) social psychology.

Question 2

Failure to resolve the tasks of middle adulthood leads to a concern for only one's own needs and comforts, resulting in what Erikson called

Accepted Answer

A) apathy. 
B) mistrust. 
C) despair. 
D) stagnation.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A) genetic disorders. 
B) congenital problems. 
C) teratogens. 
D) endomorphic conditions.

Question 4

Cephalocaudal means from

Accepted Answer

A) the center of the body to the extremities. 
B) the past to the future. 
C) the head to the toes. 
D) birth to death.

Question 5

During which cognitive stage do children learn to think symbolically and to use language, although their thinking will still be very intuitive?

Accepted Answer

A) sensorimotor 
B) preoperational 
C) concrete operational 
D) formal operations

Question 6

When interacting with their children, fathers tend to do which of the following more than mothers?

Accepted Answer

A) pay more visual attention to their young children 
B) spend more time caregiving 
C) speak more often to their infants 
D) play more conventional games, such as peek-a-boo

Question 7

Which of the following observations is cited to support the idea that language is learned?

Accepted Answer

A) Babies in all cultures communicate first by crying, then cooing, then babbling. 
B) Parents and children communicate with shared signals before language appears. 
C) Children around the world use a limited number of patterns in their first sentences. 
D) Telegraphic speech occurs in every culture.

Question 8

Matt has had a wonderful semester at college. He has made A's or B's on most of his tests and assignments. He enjoys his part-time job and recently got a raise, and he has a steady girlfriend, whom he enjoys spending time with and who is also very supportive. However, Matt's mother called this morning to tell him that his grandfather, to whom he is very close, is very ill. According to the research, Matt's happiness or subjective well-being would be

Accepted Answer

A) low due to the overwhelmingly negative emotion Matt is feeling regarding his grandfather's illness. 
B) neutral, since the intense negative emotion generated by his grandfather's illness cancels out the positive emotions generated by Matt's everyday college experiences. 
C) high because Matt is experiencing frequent positive emotions and relatively few negative emotions. 
D) unpredictable, since Matt is young, and his emotions tend to fluctuate daily.

Question 9

Regarding the sociocultural view of cognitive development, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A) According to the sociocultural view, it is not enough for children to learn how to think and they must also learn specific intellectual skills valued by their culture. 
B) Vygotsky believed that children actively seek to discover new principles, with many of their most important "discoveries" being guided by skillful tutors. 
C) When a child is close to having the mental skills needed to do the task, but requires help to accomplish the task, Vygotsky called this the zone of assimilation. 
D) Children can make rapid progress if they receive sensitive guidance from a skilled partner through scaffolding.

Question 10

Tamara realizes that none of the treatments she has undergone in the last year and a half have slowed the growth of her cancer. She feels totally exhausted and profoundly sad. Tamara is experiencing which stage of impending death?

Accepted Answer

A) acceptance 
B) bargaining 
C) depression 
D) denial and isolation

Question 11

Which of the following words means "colored body"?

Accepted Answer

A) gene 
B) chromosome 
C) zygote 
D) gamete

Question 12

According to Vygotsky, the framework or temporary support that helps a child learn is called

Accepted Answer

A) development 
B) proximal 
C) opportunity 
D) scaffolding

Question 13

Regarding teratogens and birth defects, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A) Radiation, lead, and pesticides are considered teratogens. 
B) Cystic fibrosis, PKU, and hemophilia are considered teratogens. 
C) Pregnant women do have direct control over many teratogens. 
D) Repeated heavy drinking during pregnancy is the most common cause of birth defects in the United States.

Question 14

According to Kübler-Ross, the typical order of the emotional reactions to impending death is

Accepted Answer

A) anger, depression, bargaining, denial and isolation, and acceptance. 
B) denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. 
C) anger, depression, denial and isolation, bargaining, and acceptance. 
D) depression, anger, denial and isolation, bargaining, and acceptance.

Question 15

Due to financial difficulties, Damon's parents have difficulty paying rent and utilities, buying nutritious food, and taking their children to the doctor or dentist when needed. These parents often verbally argue with each other over their financial problems, which also affects their relationship with their children. Although Damon and his siblings would love to have a computer, they know this will never be possible. According to research, a home situation, such as the one described, has been shown

Accepted Answer

A) to affect the child's physical health with the child being sick more often. 
B) not to affect a child's cognitive development. 
C) not to affect a child's socioemotional development. 
D) to have short-term effects, but not to lead to a cycle of continued poverty as an adult.

Question 16

More recent research on infant cognition suggests that infants appear to form internal representations of the world and to know that objects are solid and do not disappear when out of view

Accepted Answer

A) as young as three months of age. 
B) only after a lengthy sensorimotor stage. 
C) only after speech has progressed beyond its earliest stages. 
D) around 18 months of age.

Question 17

Regarding older adults, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A) After the late 50s, personal development is complicated by physical aging. 
B) About 20 percent of those older than 65 are in nursing homes. 
C) Mentally, many elderly persons are at least as capable as the average young adult. 
D) One is more likely to stay mentally sharp in old age if he or she were satisfied with their accomplishments at midlife.

Question 18

Little Benjamin is taken for a drive in the country. He sees his first live horse in a field, points, and calls out, "Horse!" Benjamin has already seen horses on television and even has a stuffed toy horse. In this case, he adds this new experience to his existing concept of horse. Piaget would say that Benjamin is using

Accepted Answer

A) assimilation. 
B) accommodation. 
C) conservation. 
D) object permanence.

Question 19

Ronald is in the first grade and is given an addition worksheet to complete. At one point on the worksheet, the problems 2 + 5 = and 5 + 2 = are side-by-side. Ronald uses his fingers to count out each problem, although the same numbers are used but in a different order. Ronald is illustrating his lack of

Accepted Answer

A) reversibility. 
B) object permanence. 
C) animism. 
D) egocentric thought.

Question 20

A nursing home administrator gives the residents little choice in activities they participate in or in the food that is served. Friendships between opposite sex residents are also discouraged. She tells the staff that "the elderly are like little children that don't know what's best for them." This statement of the administrator reflects

Accepted Answer

A) the old age syndrome. 
B) ageism. 
C) the current research findings on successful aging. 
D) the type of scaffolding utilized with the elderly.

Exam 3: Human Development