Exam 1: Understanding Human Development: Approaches and Theories

Which of the following is a criticism of the information processing perspective ?

Today, most developmental scientists believe that people are __________ their own development.

______ is the procedure in which every participant has an equal chance of being assigned to the experimental or control group and is essential for ensuring that the groups are equal in all preexisting characteristics, such as age, ethnicity, and gender.

Prior to beginning any study, Professor Cleutter's research team carefully explains the research to potential participants, answers questions, and helps them to determine if the study is right for them. Professor Cleutter and his team are showing respect for participants' ______.

Experts and professionals with a diverse range of expertise contribute to our understanding of lifespan human development. This indicates that developmental science is:

An important strength of longitudinal research is that it provides information about ______ over time.

______ theory was the first to consider how infants and children think, as well as their active contributions to their own development.

_____ development is characterized by slow and gradual change, whereas _____ development is characterized by abrupt change.

Assume that you are conducting a study on the effectiveness of various weight loss methods. You randomly assign 120 participants to one of the following groups: (1) Weight Watchers, (2) a six-week exercise and nutrition camp, or (3) a free subscription to an online application that tracks calories, exercise, and provides daily feedback about nutrition and physical activity. What is the independent variable? What is a possible dependent variable?

The fact that humans, like many animal species, display biologically preprogrammed behaviors that have survival value and promote development provides support for _____ theory.

Scientists use the term ______ to refer to the information that they collect when they conduct research.

Both Piaget and Vygotsky emphasized that children:

According to _____, observational learning is one of the most powerful ways in which we learn.

When conducting experimental research, the _____ group is treated in every way like the experimental group but does not receive the independent variable in order to compare the effect of the manipulation.

Describe the four steps used in the scientific method.

Which of the following is a criticism of Piaget's cognitive-developmental theory?

According to the concept of ________, behavior is more likely to recur in the future if it is reinforced but less likely to recur if it is punished.

A researcher who believes that heredity, maturational processes, and evolution are primarily responsible for development emphasizes nurture over nature.

Causal relationships between variables can only be determined through ______ research.

_____ development includes the maturation of our thought processes and the tools that we use to obtain knowledge, become aware of the world around us, and solve problems.