Deck 1: Introduction

Question 1

In the context of human development, the term plasticity refers t?

A) adaptive re-organization in life span
B) continuity and change
C) the resilience of poverty
D) interaction of biological and psychological systems

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Individuals' lives show _________ and ___________ as they progress through tim?

A) similarities; assumptions
B) differences; assimilation
C) constancy; change
D) expectancy; accidents

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Human development is a product of the ___________?

A) biological system
B) psychological system
C) societal system
D) interaction of biological, psychological, and societal systems

Answer 3

D

Question 4

When scientists develop a set of interrelated ideas to explain puzzling observations, they are doing which of the following?

A) testing a theory
B) constructing a theory
C) operationalizing a theory
D) evaluating a theory

Question 5

Which of the following make up a theory?

A) operational definitions, experiments, and statistical analyses
B) assumptions, definitions, and hypotheses
C) objectivity, observability, and repeatability
D) research design, sampling, and observation

Question 6

How are theories and scientific observations linked?

A) theories indicate important areas for observation
B) scientific observations help confirm theories
C) scientific observations help revise theories
D) all of the above

Question 7

Which term refers to a logical system of general concepts that provides a framework for organizing and understanding observations?

A) a prediction
B) an assumption
C) a matrix
D) a theory

Question 8

How do theories help explain observations?

A) they rule out competing explanations
B) they identify orderly relationships
C) they are based on random sampling
D) they bring about change

Question 9

Which of the following refers to the guiding premises underlying the logic of a theory?

A) assumptions
B) testable hypotheses
C) predictions
D) statistical analyses

Question 10

A theory of human development is expected to provide explanations for which of the following?

A) patterns of societal and economic change over time
B) patterns of psychological and social growth over the life span
C) conflicts between ethnic subcultures
D) causes of illness and health over the life span

Question 11

Theories of development provide a framework for thinking about ______, that is, age-related characteristics of social, physical, emotional, and cognitive competence that can be expected when a person is highly motivated, physically healthy, and well-integrated into their social grou?

A) academic achievement
B) life satisfaction
C) optimal development
D) contextual fit

Question 12

______________ means that responsiveness, whether at a neural or behavioral level, is shaped and narrowed as a result of repeated experience?

A) canalization
B) classical conditioning
C) behavioral reactivity
D) resilience

Question 13

A powerful aspect of context that influences development is culture. How does culture shape development?

A) through the arts, technologies, religions, and governments of a people
B) through the organization of families and patterns of socialization
C) through its physical and symbolic tools, including language
D) all of the above

Question 14

Factors that increase vulnerability and disrupt optimal development are called ________?

A) behavioral observations
B) independent variables
C) risk factors
D) domains of emphasis

Question 15

The ability to anticipate threat, to adapt readily, and even become stronger or more competent under conditions that are otherwise known to disrupt or undermine functioning is referred to as________?

A) intervention
B) qualitative change
C) canalization
D) resilience

Question 16

Over the five years from her birth to age 5, Marla's parents also got older and changed jobs. Her baby sister was born, and her grandmother died. This set of events has had an impact on Marla's development. This situation illustrates which of the following challenges to the study of human development?

A) change in the person is taking place in the context of a changing environment
B) cultures differ in their socialization practices
C) people are more alike than they are different
D) change is both qualitative and quantitative

Question 17

Robert wants to be an airline pilot. He studies physics and engineering in college; takes flight instruction lessons; and checks into the qualifications for military programs for flight training. All of these efforts illustrate which idea about human development?

A) people are most vulnerable when they reflect on their goals and aspire to an uncertain future
B) people are goal directed and can make choices that guide the direction of their own development
C) change is both qualitative and quantitative
D) responsiveness is shaped and narrowed as a result of repeated experiences

Question 18

Thinking back to the case of Clark at the opening of the chapter, which type of theory would you choose to apply?

A) one that focuses on the cognitive domain
B) one that focuses on emotions and self-regulation
C) one that addresses the behaviors of adults as well as children
D) all of the above

Question 19

Define "development." What should a theory of human development be expected to explain?

Question 20

What are the features of a good theory? Give an example of each feature.

Question 21

Four issues are raised as unique challenges to the study of human development. Explain these issues, why they create difficulties for theory development, and what concepts are useful in addressing these challenges.

Question 22

Think back to the case of Clark. How might a baby sitter, a parent, and an educator differ in their theory about Clark's behavior? Give examples of how their different theories about Clark's behavior would result in different approaches to intervention.