Deck 3: The First Two Years: Body and Mind

Question 1

Parents are told that their newborn is in the 90th percentile for height. This means that their child is:

A) above average in height.
B) below average in height.
C) average in height.
D) 90 percent of the desired height for his weight.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The human body is equipped to protect the brain when malnutrition temporarily affects body growth. This protective feature is known as:

A) the blood-brain barrier.
B) brain-override.
C) head-sparing.
D) caudal protection.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The area in the brain that plans, anticipates, and controls impulses is the _____ cortex.

A) prefrontal
B) parietal
C) temporal
D) striate

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Children reach half their adult height by the age _____ years.

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 6

Question 5

The average North American newborn weighs _____ pounds at birth.

A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8

Question 6

Alma brought her six-month-old son to the doctor for a well-baby visit. The doctor says that her son's weight is in the 20th percentile. What does this definitely mean?

A) He is large for his age.
B) He is not growing properly.
C) He is malnourished.
D) He is small compared to other 6 month olds.

Question 7

The areas at the very front of the cortex:

A) are responsible for visual functions.
B) help humans to understand spoken words.
C) assist with self-control.
D) are well-developed in newborns.

Question 8

The last part of the brain to mature is the:

A) axons.
B) dendrites.
C) synapses.
D) prefrontal cortex.

Question 9

Brain cells are called:

A) frontal cells.
B) axons.
C) dendrites.
D) neurons.

Question 10

A basic nerve cell in the central nervous system is called a(n):

A) frontal cell.
B) axon.
C) dendrite.
D) neuron.

Question 11

Which statement describes the brain's cortex?

A) It is found in the center of the brain and is responsible for primitive emotions and reflexes.
B) It makes up a small percentage of the outer brain and is responsible for movement.
C) It makes up the outer layers of the brain and is responsible for thinking, feeling, and sensing.
D) It is the gray matter of the brain where the intersections of dendrites and axons form.

Question 12

The outer layers of the brain are referred to as:

A) the cortex.
B) axons.
C) dendrites.
D) synapses.

Question 13

A newborn's brain weight is _____ an adult's brain weight.

A) greater than
B) the same as
C) 50 percent of
D) 25 percent of

Question 14

The average North American newborn measures _____ inches in length.

A) 14
B) 16
C) 20
D) 24

Question 15

A typical child at 24 months weighs about _____ pounds.

A) 19
B) 28
C) 41
D) 52

Question 16

At birth, the human brain has:

A) billions of neurons.
B) trillions of neurons.
C) 25 percent of its adult neurons.
D) 50 percent of its adult neurons.

Question 17

Jordan's weight is in the 50th percentile. This means that:

A) he weighs 50 percent more than other children his age.
B) he weighs 50 percent less than other children his age.
C) the average weight for his age is 50 percent more than his weight.
D) 50 percent of children his age weigh less than he does.

Question 18

A _____ is a ranking between 0 and 100 that compares children of the same age in order to determine whether a particular baby is growing well.

A) normal score
B) standard deviation
C) percentile
D) norm

Question 19

The average newborn triples his weight by:

A) 6 months.
B) 9 months.
C) 1 year.
D) 2 years.

Question 20

Clara's weight is in the 30th percentile. This means that _____ percent of all babies her age weigh less than she does and _____ percent of all babies her age weigh more than she does.

A) 30; 70
B) 20; 80
C) 70; 30
D) 80; 20

Question 21

Children as young as _____ old exhibit signs of the own-race effect.

A) 3 months
B) 9 months
C) 1 year
D) 3 years

Question 22

An infant's inborn drive to remedy deficits is called:

A) self-efficacy.
B) experience-expectant brain functions.
C) experience-dependent brain functions.
D) self-righting.

Question 23

The process through which unused and misconnected dendrites atrophy and die is called:

A) pruning.
B) degeneration.
C) transitional exuberance.
D) myelination.

Question 24

Dendrite growth is the main reason that brain weight _____ from birth to the age of two.

A) decreases
B) doubles
C) triples
D) quadruples

Question 25

The brain develops extremely quickly in the first few years, but not all of this growth is permanent. Due to its rapidity and temporary nature, this rapid brain growth is called:

A) dendrite proliferation.
B) pruning.
C) cortex multiplication.
D) transient exuberance.

Question 26

Pruning is the process by which:

A) brain centers are rewired following localized brain damage.
B) the left hemisphere specializes for language processing.
C) the frontal lobe disengages from the prefrontal cortex.
D) unused connections between neurons are eliminated.

Question 27

Approximately how many hours per day does the average newborn spend asleep?

A) 13 to 14
B) 15 to 17
C) 18 to 19
D) 20 to 21

Question 28

Trent is an infant who lacks the toys and videos that promote brain development. He spends much of his day in a playpen with kitchen items for toys, listening to his grandmother sing while his mother works outside the home. In this situation, Trent's brain development will most likely:

A) proceed normally due to the self-righting tendency.
B) flourish due to the self-excelling tendency.
C) be somewhat impaired due to his limited environment.
D) be extremely impaired due to his limited environment.

Question 29

Synapses are:

A) intersections where the axons of one neuron meet the dendrites of another neuron.
B) where neurons make direct contact with one another.
C) chemical structures that allow dendrites to send their messages to axons.
D) the area where neurons determine whether a stimulus exceeds the absolute threshold or not.

Question 30

From birth until age two, dendrites in the cortex increase:

A) twofold.
B) threefold.
C) fivefold.
D) tenfold.

Question 31

Transient exuberance is the:

A) rapid growth of dendrites during the first few years of life.
B) high energy that toddlers experience following a nap.
C) friendliness that infants display prior to the onset of stranger wariness.
D) rapid growth of axons during the first few years of life.

Question 32

According to research, increased brainpower is most likely due to:

A) transient exuberance.
B) synaptic regeneration.
C) axonal pruning.
D) synaptic pruning.

Question 33

A life-threatening condition that occurs when infants are shaken back and forth sharply and quickly is called:

A) self-righting.
B) head-sparing.
C) shaken baby syndrome.
D) transient exuberance.

Question 34

Dominique was an infant with very few toys, but she concocted things to play with out of what was available in her home in order to develop her brain. This is an example of:

A) transient exuberance.
B) cognitive independence.
C) self-righting.
D) selective attention.

Question 35

Brain weight triples in size during first two years of life primarily because of the growth of:

A) axons.
B) dendrites.
C) neurons.
D) synapses.

Question 36

Neurons in the brain meet at "intersections" called:

A) synapses.
B) cortexes.
C) axons.
D) dendrites.

Question 37

Research found that three year olds _____ were better at recognizing differences in newborn faces.

A) with older siblings
B) with younger siblings
C) who spent time looking at different monkey faces
D) with broad multiethnic experience

Question 38

The function of neurotransmitters is to:

A) bind the neurons of the central nervous system together.
B) form the synapse between neurons.
C) carry information from one neuron to another.
D) assist in the formation of new neurons.

Question 39

An abusive caregiver shakes an infant to get her to stop crying. The infant stops crying. Why?

A) The infant is so startled by the shaking that she can't cry.
B) Blood vessels in her brain rupture and neural connections break.
C) Experience has taught her to stop crying.
D) The infant's airway is damaged.

Question 40

The part of the brain that seems to be devoted to perceiving faces is the:

A) prefrontal cortex.
B) fusiform face area.
C) countenance perception area.
D) neurofacial transmitter.

Question 41

Due to smell recognition, babies prefer to sleep:

A) alone in a crib with freshly-washed sheets.
B) nuzzled into their caregiver's chest.
C) near a kitchen while food is being prepared.
D) in the room in which they were born.

Question 42

Binocular vision appears between _____ months of age.

A) 2 and 4
B) 6 and 8
C) 10 and 12
D) 14 and 16

Question 43

The signs of REM sleep include flickering of the infant's:

A) open eyes and rapid brain waves.
B) closed eyes and rapid brain waves.
C) open eyes and slow, steady brain waves.
D) closed eyes and slow, steady brain waves.

Question 44

Umar is a newborn is lying awake in his crib. Someone across the room speaks. What is his likely reaction?

A) Umar won't react at all, because his sense of hearing is not well developed.
B) If the voice is that of Umar's mother, he will turn in the direction of the voice; otherwise, he will ignore the voice.
C) Umar will turn his head in the direction of the voice no matter whose voice it is.
D) Umar will show a startle response and probably cry.

Question 45

In terms of visual acuity, newborns:

A) possess 20/20 vision.
B) are legally blind.
C) have binocular vision.
D) exhibit organized visual scanning.

Question 46

You see a beautiful yellow flower while walking through a meadow. Your eyes seeing the flower is a matter of ______. Your brain determining that the flower is yellow is a matter of ______. Imagining how the flower will look in a vase would demonstrate ______.

A) perception; knowing; cognition
B) sensation; perception; knowing
C) perception; sensation; knowing
D) sensation; perception; cognition

Question 47

Whenever the eyes, ears, tongue, skin, or mouth detect a stimulus, a(n) _____ has occurred.

A) perception
B) interpretation
C) sensation
D) response

Question 48

Twelve-month-old Emily has slept in her parents' bed since she was born. This custom is called:

A) co-bedding.
B) shared sleep.
C) sleep accommodation.
D) co-sleeping.

Question 49

The mental processing of sensory information is called:

A) perception.
B) sensation.
C) input.
D) cognition.

Question 50

The dozing, half-awake state often seen in newborns is called:

A) REM sleep.
B) paradoxical sleep.
C) transitional sleep.
D) postnatal sleep.

Question 51

The sense that is the least developed at birth is an infant's:

A) hearing.
B) taste.
C) vision.
D) smell.

Question 52

Co-sleeping may be harmful to the baby if the mother:

A) is in a fetal position around the baby.
B) is a light sleeper.
C) is drugged or drunk.
D) awakens frequently.

Question 53

Slow-wave sleep:

A) increases significantly at about three or four months of age.
B) is also known as REM sleep.
C) is also known as paradoxical sleep.
D) rarely occurs until two years of age.

Question 54

Thinking about something that has been perceived is:

A) sensation.
B) cognition.
C) intuition.
D) knowing.

Question 55

In addition to cultural influences, what is a compelling reason that causes parents to choose to co-sleep with their infant?

A) Co-sleeping makes nighttime feedings easier.
B) Co-sleeping allows the infant to sleep more deeply for longer periods.
C) Co-sleeping helps the baby's digestion.
D) Co-sleeping infants become more independent.

Question 56

At what point in development is the sense of hearing already quite acute?

A) at birth
B) by 3 months of age
C) by 14 weeks of age
D) by 6 months of age

Question 57

By three months of age, babies look closely at the eyes and mouth when studying faces. This change in focus is due to:

A) increased interest in other humans.
B) increased awareness of caregivers' identities.
C) changes in willingness to interact with adults.
D) improvements in visual scanning ability.

Question 58

The neonate's vision:

A) is clearest when objects are four to 30 inches away.
B) is clearest when objects are about 10 feet away.
C) does not improve until about age one.
D) is the most developed of the baby's senses.

Question 59

Binocular vision refers to the ability to:

A) focus on objects at a distance.
B) bring an object in and out of focus.
C) focus on an object with both eyes.
D) visually distinguish between similar colors.

Question 60

The process that first detects an external stimulus is:

A) perception.
B) sensation.
C) interpretation.
D) cognition.

Question 61

On average, which skill does an infant develop first?

A) running
B) walking backward
C) walking alone
D) jumping

Question 62

Aran's mother has been helping him to walk by holding his hands and supporting him. Aran's legs are strong enough to hold him up, and he's able to move his legs in a coordinated way as long as his mother supports him. What else does Aran need in order to walk on his own?

A) muscle strength
B) brain maturation
C) practice
D) fine motor skills

Question 63

Most infants are able to inch forward on their bellies by the age of _____ months.

A) 5
B) 8
C) 10
D) 12

Question 64

Baby Sam can grab objects, but sometimes he closes his hand too early or too late. Sam is probably around _____ months old.

A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8

Question 65

Fine motor skills are:

A) head motions.
B) small movements.
C) large movements.
D) feet motions.

Question 66

Large movements that coordinate many parts of the body are known as _____ motor skills.

A) athletic
B) fine
C) primitive
D) gross

Question 67

On average, children begin to walk independently at approximately _____ of age.

A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 18 months
D) 2 years

Question 68

Newborns' sense of touch allows them to:

A) determine who is touching them.
B) be soothed by their caregiver.
C) feel no pain.
D) make up for their lack of hearing at birth.

Question 69

Small movements made by fingers and toes are known as _____ motor skills.

A) athletic
B) primitive
C) fine
D) gross

Question 70

Behaviors that involve small body movements are known as _____ motor skills.

A) gross
B) fine
C) mature
D) micro

Question 71

The learned ability to move and control some parts of the body is referred to as:

A) instinct.
B) facilitation.
C) motor skill.
D) reflex.

Question 72

On average, which skill does an infant develop last?

A) pulling up onto feet
B) standing alone without holding on
C) sitting without support
D) standing while holding on

Question 73

Fine motor skills are those that:

A) develop as a result of brain damage.
B) require practice.
C) require small body movements.
D) use three or more muscles.

Question 74

When they practice walking, babies average between _____ steps per hour.

A) 100 and 300
B) 200 and 800
C) 600 and 1200
D) 500 and 1500

Question 75

Ann-Marie started walking when she was 10 months old; Cynthia is just beginning to take steps by herself at 13 months. Which conclusion is MOST likely true?

A) Ann-Marie is very intelligent.
B) Cynthia is malnourished.
C) Cynthia is mentally handicapped.
D) Both girls are developing normally.

Question 76

What three factors contribute to the ability to walk?

A) muscle strength, parental teaching, practice
B) brain maturation, parental teaching, muscle strength
C) parental teaching, practice, brain maturation
D) muscle strength, brain maturation, practice

Question 77

Between _____ months of age, most infants can lift their midsections and crawl on "all fours."

A) 8 and 10
B) 10 and 12
C) 12 and 14
D) 14 and 16

Question 78

By ______ months of age, babies can usually sit up unsupported.

A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8

Question 79

Gross motor skills are:

A) head motions.
B) small movements.
C) large movements.
D) feet motions.

Question 80

Renee is concerned because her son is 13 months old and is starting to walk before learning to crawl. What advice would a pediatrician give to Renee?

A) She should not let her son continue to walk until he has learned to crawl.
B) He needs to be tested because this may be a sign of a serious learning disability.
C) She should wait another month or so to see if he crawls and walks at the same time.
D) She should not be worried since some babies do not crawl.