Deck 11: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence

Question 1

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the findings from the classic study of adolescent experience that supports the contemporary perspective of adolescence?

A) Most adolescents reported that they were usually happy, got along with their parents, and felt good about their progress toward adulthood.
B) Most adolescents reported that they experienced negative emotion on a daily basis, fought with their parents often, and were stressed about the future.
C) Most adolescents reported a balance of stress and calmness, difficult times with parents but also feelings of support, and high pressure to achieve.
D) Most adolescents reported clinical levels of anxiety but received support from their parents and other adults that mediated the anxiousness.

Answer 1

Most adolescents reported that they were usually happy, got along with their parents, and felt good about their progress toward adulthood.

Question 2

Why are breast development, deepening of the voice, growth of body hair, and changes in the skin all considered secondary sex characteristics?

A) Because they happen after the maturation of the ovaries and testes.
B) Because they indicate physical maturation but are not directly related to fertility.
C) Because they are not important changes.
D) Because they happen at the end of puberty.

Answer 2

Because they indicate physical maturation but are not directly related to fertility.

Question 3

The lowering of the average age of puberty with each generation is known as a:

A) generational shift.
B) pubertal shift.
C) secular trend.
D) puberty adjustment.

Answer 3

secular trend.

Question 4

Lauren is a 14-year-old who is participating in a research study. She is being asked to carry a special phone and is texted randomly throughout the day. When she receives the text, she is asked to report what she is doing at that moment, who she is with, and how she is feeling. What method is the researcher using?

A) Running record method
B) The experience sampling method
C) Preferential timing method
D) Direct analysis method

Question 5

Which of the following factors is not an important determinant of adolescent behavior?

A) Puberty
B) Adolescents' temperament and emotional regulation skills
C) Duration and intensity of changes
D) Availability of peer mentoring groups in schools

Question 6

Abena is an adolescent girl who lives in an impoverished area of Africa. She has led a life of malnutrition and contracted several infectious diseases in her childhood. She has very little fat stores in her body as a result of her experiences. Based on what we know about pubertal timing, when will Abena experience menarche?

A) Very early, about age 9.
B) Early, about age 11.
C) At an average time point for adolescent girls, about age 13.
D) Late, about age 15.

Question 7

Precocious puberty has been seen as early as age:

A) 3.
B) 5.
C) 7.
D) 9.

Question 8

Which of the following is thought to delay the onset of puberty?

A) Low socioeconomic status
B) Being raised by a single mother
C) Exposure to small doses of stress
D) Exposure to severe stress

Question 9

Daniel's mother just bought him new shoes for his 13th birthday. Three weeks later they are too small. She bought him another pair and two months later those shoes were too small. What is happening?

A) Daniel is atypical for growth.
B) Daniel is nearing the end of his growth spurt.
C) Daniel didn't get the right size of shoes to begin with because boys don't grow that fast.
D) Daniel has begun going through the adolescent growth spurt.

Question 10

Which view of adolescence views it as a time of universal and inevitable upheaval triggered by puberty and comprising ages 14 to 24?

A) Transitory development
B) Adolescent generation gap
C) Calm and continuity
D) Storm and stress

Question 11

Which of the following is an important factor that influences whether an adolescent will report positive affect and greater enjoyment of activities?

A) The number of friends that participate in the activity.
B) Whether their parents support the activity or not.
C) The degree of control or choice they feel over the activity.
D) Their physical health.

Question 12

Allison's body has experienced a growth of her uterus and ovaries. What will she experience to show that this primary sex characteristic has occurred?

A) Allison will experience menarche.
B) Allison will experience spermarche.
C) Allison will experience breast development.
D) Allison will experience a growth spurt.

Question 13

Why do boys end up taller than girls on average?

A) Boys are genetically programmed to be taller than girls.
B) Boys eat more food during puberty so they tend to grow taller.
C) Boys start their growth spurt two years later than girls so they have an additional two years of prepubertal growth that the growth spurt builds on.
D) Boys get more exercise than girls, which helps aid in their height and weight growth during puberty.

Question 14

How do we know that genes play a role in pubertal timing?

A) Because researchers have identified a gene that triggers puberty and can track the timing.
B) Because identical twins experience menarche at about the same time, whereas fraternal twins can vary by a year or more.
C) Because there are no other consistent reasons for why puberty occurs.
D) Because siblings of all ages experience puberty at about the same age.

Question 15

At which point in puberty do hormones impact an adolescent's feelings of depression, irritability, and aggression?

A) Early in puberty
B) At the midpoint of puberty
C) Late in pubertal development
D) All the way through puberty

Question 16

What is the first outward sign of puberty?

A) Maturation of the ovaries and testes
B) The adolescent growth spurt
C) Skin problems
D) Strength increases

Question 17

Nick is an adolescent boy who has been very difficult for his parents. He experiences extreme moodiness fluctuating between depression and intense feeling of anger. He is irritable and gets in fights with his parents and siblings on a daily basis. Based on what we know about adolescent moodiness, how old is Nick?

A) 12
B) 15
C) 18
D) 23

Question 18

Early pubertal onset is associated with all of the following except:

A) Low socioeconomic status.
B) The presence of an unrelated male in the household.
C) The presence of a biologically related male in the household.
D) Being raised by a single mother.

Question 19

The father of the study of adolescence is:

A) Erik Erikson.
B) Sigmund Freud.
C) G. Stanley Hall.
D) B. F. Skinner

Question 20

How long does the whole process of puberty take on average for boys and girls to complete?

A) One year
B) Two years
C) Three years
D) Four years

Question 21

What impact does myelination have on an adolescent's brain?

A) Myelination causes the burst in synaptogenesis.
B) Myelination causes the synaptic pruning that makes brain functioning more efficient.
C) Myelination triggers the end of puberty.
D) Myelination leads to an increase in the brain's white matter, speeding communication between the right and left hemispheres.

Question 22

Which of the following is not a change associated with the information processing perspective?

A) Adolescents are better at selective attention.
B) Adolescents engage in scientific reasoning.
C) Adolescents are better at response inhibition.
D) Working memory increases.

Question 23

Abigail was asked to look at pictures of different facial expressions in a study of facial recognition among adolescents. She saw a photograph of people's faces depicting fear. If Abigail is like most adolescents, what did she think the emotion depicted in the photograph was showing?

A) Fear
B) Surprise
C) Anger
D) Sadness

Question 24

David is very stressed over college applications. He thinks that if he doesn't get into the University of Wisconsin his life is over. When his parents try to talk to him about other options in the event that he doesn't get accepted, he yells at them and tells them that they just don't understand. What aspect of adolescent thinking is David experiencing?

A) The imaginary audience
B) The personal fable
C) Metacognition
D) Hypothetical-deductive reasoning

Question 25

Development of the prefrontal cortex leads to all of the following except:

A) planning.
B) attention.
C) emotion regulation.
D) goal-directed behavior.

Question 26

Andrew knows that he needs to read his history text to learn the material, but he has to see the biology diagrams to understand the material. He uses acronyms to remember information in biology but makes up stories about the material in history. How does Andrew know this is how he learns best?

A) Andrew is capable of hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
B) Andrew is taught to study in this manner by his teachers.
C) Andrew has developed the ability for metacognition.
D) Andrew has seen his brother study in this manner so he is modeling his behavior.

Question 27

Which stage of Piaget's scheme of cognitive development corresponds with adolescence?

A) Concrete operational reasoning
B) Formal operational reasoning
C) Preoperational reasoning
D) Postformal operational reasoning

Question 28

Jennifer is an adolescent girl who lives in Chicago, IL. Her parents divorced when she was very young. Jennifer lives with her mother and her mother's boyfriend. Based on what we know about pubertal timing, when will Jennifer experience menarche?

A) Early as compared to other girls.
B) At about the same time as the average girl in the United States.
C) Late as compared to other girls.
D) Jennifer could go through puberty at any point-the factors she experienced do not affect menarche.

Question 29

Which of the following problems is an adolescent capable of solving that a school-age child cannot?

A) Can a person love each person in his or her family equally?
B) Can you put all the balls in three bins or just two bins?
C) Can you divide a container of ice cream into seven equal bowls?
D) How long will it take to clean out the garage?

Question 30

Danica woke up and had a pimple on her cheek. She pretended to be sick so she didn't have to go to school because she was sure everyone was going to see it and talk about her. What aspect of adolescent thinking is Danica experiencing?

A) The imaginary audience
B) The personal fable
C) Metacognition
D) Hypothetical-deductive reasoning

Question 31

Grace is a white female from a family that is considered to be in the highest socioeconomic status. She does not have any special nutritional needs and gets good medical care. Based on the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity, what can we conclude about Grace's obesity risk?

A) Grace is not any more or less likely to be obese compared to her peers.
B) Grace is more likely to be obese because adolescents in high SES families are not monitored as much.
C) Grace is more likely to be obese because of access to all the food she desires.
D) Grace is less likely to be obese than her peers.

Question 32

Karlie's high school is located right across the street from a popular fast-food restaurant. What effect does having the restaurant across the street from school have on Karlie's eating behavior?

A) Karlie will be less likely to eat fruits and vegetables, will drink more soda, and will overeat more than students who do not have a fast food restaurant near their school.
B) Karlie will be so used to the fast food that she will begin to avoid eating there and instead consume healthier foods that she brings from home.
C) Karlie will be more aware of the negative impact fast food has on an individual so she will try and eat healthier.
D) Karlie will be more likely to experience an eating disorder.

Question 33

Why is risky activity thought to decline in late adolescence?

A) Because adolescents have experienced punishment throughout early adolescence when they engaged in risky behavior.
B) Because they are expected to reduce engagement in risky behavior due to societal pressure.
C) Because they do not have as much time to engage in risky activities due to pressures in school and community.
D) Because adolescents are better at self-control, long-term planning, and inhibition of impulsive behavior.

Question 34

Natalie is a good student and likes to participate in class. When she was in third grade, she had a hard time not blurting out answers. She wanted to answer every question. Now that she is in 10th grade, she is better at controlling her behavior and only raises her hand once or twice each class. What cognitive advance has Natalie experienced?

A) An advance in metacognition.
B) An advance in selective attention.
C) An advance in response inhibition.
D) An advance in working memory.

Question 35

What is occurring in adolescents' brains when they are misinterpreting facial expressions?

A) They do not perceive emotion correctly because the myelination is interfering with brain functioning.
B) Their limbic system is active, but the prefrontal cortex is inactive.
C) They are having difficulty perceiving differences in facial expression due to difficulties in the areas of the brain tied to attention.
D) Their occipital lobes are not correctly communicating with the prefrontal cortex.

Question 36

What triggers the delayed phase preference in adolescents?

A) The increase in stress that adolescents experience resulting in a rise in cortisol levels.
B) Melatonin, which is released about two hours later each night as compared to individuals who have not begun puberty.
C) Anxiety that adolescents experience because of social pressures that occur in early adolescence.
D) The hormone testosterone in males and estrogen in females impact the delayed phase preference.

Question 37

Why does stress affect pubertal timing?

A) Stress can raise leptin levels in the body, causing early puberty.
B) Stress causes risks for disease, which delays puberty.
C) Stress causes more severe reactions to the effects of poverty.
D) Stress can trigger irregular ovulation and menstruation in females and reduce sperm production in males.

Question 38

Kenzie is a 17-year-old girl who has a well thought out plan for what she wants to major in during college. She has done very well planning her time to gain experience in the community and do well on her schoolwork. She is in advanced classes at school and is in leadership roles in the clubs she belongs to. What area of Kenzie's brain has made advances in development?

A) The limbic system
B) The prefrontal cortex
C) The occipital lobe
D) The brain stem

Question 39

Which of the following is not a risk factor associated with higher rates of obesity in adolescence?

A) Diets in adolescence are too low in iron.
B) A reduction in the participation in family meals.
C) An increase in screen time.
D) Low socioeconomic status.

Question 40

Which of the following is not associated with formal operational reasoning?

A) The ability to think abstractly.
B) The ability to think logically.
C) The ability to think systematically.
D) The ability to engage in selective attention.

Question 41

Which parenting style is the most supportive of a child's academic performance and motivation?

A) Authoritative
B) Authoritarian
C) Permissive
D) Uninvolved

Question 42

Adolescents' moral development influences behaviors they label as:

A) moral decisions.
B) social conventions.
C) personal issues.
D) unchangeable issues.

Question 43

What does the term hot processes refer to?

A) Emotional arousal-driven thinking
B) Quick responses associated with improvements in information processing
C) Rational processes of cost-benefit weighing
D) Metacognitive strategies

Question 44

Which of the following statements is true regarding school transitions?

A) In smaller schools, students experience an easier transition.
B) Grades tend to decline with each school transition.
C) The adjustment difficulties associated with school transitions tend to be permanent.
D) The most important aspect of school transitions is the support students receive from teachers.

Question 45

Anne's parents talk to her about decisions in the family. They keep track of her homework and they have a set time to do schoolwork each day. Anne's parents provide her with additional support when she needs it, such as enrolling her in a special reading program when Anne was having difficulty. Anne's parents volunteer in the school when they can. What parenting style does Anne's parents exhibit?

A) Authoritative
B) Authoritarian
C) Permissive
D) Uninvolved

Question 46

Jenna is very careful not to hurt another person's feelings. She earned a spot as the team captain for her tennis team, but she knew that her teammate really wanted to be captain so she asked her coach to give it to the other player. Jenna's brother said she should not have done that because she earned it. What moral orientation is her brother's response motivated by?

A) A postconventional orientation
B) A preconventional orientation
C) A justice orientation
D) A care orientation

Question 47

The organization and characteristics of middle school often do not fit young adolescents' needs, which means that there is little:

A) stage-environment fit.
B) student-driven focus.
C) student-teacher balance.
D) academic-social match.

Question 48

Amanda finds out that her city is planning on building a road through land that is rumored to have Native American burials on it. She organizes a protest and the group takes turns camping out on the land to prevent the trucks from building the road. Amanda is in which stage of Kohlberg's moral reasoning?

A) Stage 5-Social contract orientation
B) Stage 6-Universal ethical principles
C) Stage 4-Law and order
D) Stage 3-Good girl/good boy orientation

Question 49

What is an important mediator to academic motivation and performance?

A) Peer relationships
B) More school freedom
C) Schools no larger than 1,000 students
D) Close parent-adolescent relationships

Question 50

Jenna is very careful not to hurt another person's feelings. She earned a spot as the team captain for her tennis team, but she knew that her teammate really wanted to be captain so she asked her coach to give it to the other player. Jenna's brother said she should not have done that because she earned it. What moral orientation is Jenna's behavior motivated by?

A) A postconventional orientation
B) A preconventional orientation
C) A justice orientation
D) A care orientation

Question 51

Which of the following is more important to a high schooler's academic achievement?

A) Ethnicity
B) Parent-school involvement
C) Socioeconomic status
D) Previous academic achievement

Question 52

Raj learns that they are going to raise tuition 25% at his university. He realizes that the decision was because the state was cutting funds to the school. Raj decides to contact his legislators to try and get them to understand the importance of continuing to fund higher education. He organizes a campaign to spread awareness of the issue. Raj is in which stage of Kohlberg's moral reasoning?

A) Stage 5-Social contract orientation
B) Stage 6-Universal ethical principles
C) Stage 4-Law and order
D) Stage 3-Good girl/good boy orientation

Question 53

What is related to outcomes of adolescents who show low levels of moral reasoning?

A) Academic difficulty
B) Depression
C) Anxiety
D) Delinquency

Question 54

How do adolescents express the personal fable?

A) They think everyone is looking at them and concerned about what they are doing.
B) They believe that they are special, unique, and invulnerable.
C) They experience heightened self-consciousness.
D) They tell lies to others in order to make them think they are better at something than they really are.

Question 55

Which statement describes postconventional moral reasoning?

A) Postconventional moral reasoning involves the fear of punishment and public shaming.
B) Postconventional moral reasoning entails autonomous decision making from moral principles that value respect for individual rights above all else.
C) Postconventional moral reasoning entails individuals making decisions based on what others may think of them.
D) Postconventional moral reasoning involves looking to authority figures in order to understand how to act.

Question 56

Parent-school involvement in middle school has been shown to:

A) predict anxiety in high school.
B) predict 10th-grade extracurricular involvement.
C) predict adolescent social competence in high school.
D) predict 10th-grade students' grade point average.

Question 57

In the case of Roper v. Simmons, what did the Supreme Court rule regarding capital punishment for minors?

A) Minors should be able to receive the death penalty from the age of 16 because of the advances in brain development in late adolescence.
B) Minors should be able to receive the death penalty because they are emotionally stable after the age of 16.
C) Minors cannot receive the death penalty because they are not adults until the age of 18 and to receive the death penalty one must be legally an adult.
D) Minors cannot receive the death penalty because they lack maturity and are susceptible to peer influence.

Question 58

When adolescents misdirect their own preoccupation about themselves on to others and assume that they are the focus of others' attention, they are engaging in:

A) social referencing.
B) metacognition.
C) personal fable.
D) imaginary audience.

Question 59

Mike's father is very harsh and punishes him when he gets poor grades, but he doesn't help him figure out how to improve. Mike is continuing to struggle in school. What parenting style does his father exhibit?

A) Authoritative
B) Authoritarian
C) Permissive
D) Uninvolved

Question 60

Middle-school classrooms are characterized by:

A) a greater emphasis on student control.
B) a greater emphasis on teacher control.
C) more opportunities for student decision making.
D) infrequent evaluation of academic performance.

Question 61

Adolescents who engage in high-risk behavior more often show less activation of the parts of the prefrontal cortex that are associated with decision making.

Question 62

Girls with a greater body mass index (BMI) mature earlier than do other girls.

Question 63

The increase in sex hormones with puberty triggers a second burst of synaptogenesis in the brain.

Question 64

The most mature forms of moral reasoning incorporate both justice and care concerns.

Question 65

Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning is criticized because his initial research was conducted with all male samples.

Question 66

Adolescents require an increase in caloric intake in order to support the adolescent growth spurt.

Question 67

Under ideal conditions, adolescents are capable of demonstrating rational decision making that is in line with their goals and is comparable to that of adults.

Question 68

Adolescents only need about 7 hours of sleep each night to support healthy development.

Question 69

Adolescents and adults generally do not differ in their ratings of the perceived harmfulness of risks, and in many cases, adolescents perceive greater risks than do adults.

Question 70

Adolescents go to bed later because of puberty and because of the increased availability of television and other media.

Question 71

The majority of adolescents drink the recommended amount of milk each day but do not get enough iron in their diets.

Question 72

Researchers have found that the relationship between pubertal hormones and adolescent mood is strong.

Question 73

Children prior to puberty are better at facial recognition tasks of emotion than adolescents are.

Question 74

Early research on moral reasoning showed that males typically reasoned at a higher stage than females did.

Question 75

According to cognitive-developmental theory, development is a universal process.

Question 76

Boys who mature early experience negative outcomes, whereas girls do not.

Question 77

Processing speed reaches adult levels at about age 18.

Question 78

Individuals in non-Western cultures tend to score higher on stages of moral reasoning than those who live in Western cultures.

Question 79

Moral reasoning is independent of discussion regarding moral issues because it is tied to changes in cognition.

Question 80

In adolescence, the cephalocaudal growth trend of infancy and childhood reverses.