Deck 9: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence

Question 1

While puberty marks the biological transition from adolescence into adulthood, the bridge to adulthood is also marked by social customs or ________________ in some cultures.

A) sociocultural rituals
B) rites of passage
C) cultural events
D) cultural passages

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The timing of menarche is influenced by:

A) ethnicity.
B) body fat.
C) nutrition.
D) all of the choices

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The endocrine system, primarily the _____________________, organizes the biological cascade of changes associated with puberty.

A) ovaries
B) testes
C) HPA axis
D) adrenals

Answer 3

C

Question 4

_______________________ appear during puberty. They are associated with sex hormones but are unrelated to reproductive capability.

A) Primary sex characteristics
B) Secondary sex characteristics
C) Physical sex characteristics
D) None of the choices

Question 5

Puberty comes from the Latin word pubertas, which means "adolescent."

Question 6

This second stage of becoming an adult, ___________________, involves learning how to become an adult.

A) separation,
B) incorporation
C) transition
D) individuation

Question 7

This first stage of becoming an adult, ___________________, involves making gains in physical and psychological distance from the contexts in which the person lived as an adolescent.

A) separation,
B) emancipation
C) accommodation
D) individuation

Question 8

Puberty is a hormonal process that results in:

A) reproductive competence.
B) general physical development.
C) maturation of the reproductive system.
D) all of the choices

Question 9

Cultures vary with respect to the specific ways the transition to adulthood is socially recognized, but the cultural process of becoming an adult generally proceeds in three stages:

A) individuation, tradition, and incorporation.
B) emancipation, individuation, and consolidation.
C) separation, transition, and incorporation.
D) accommodation, individuation, and consolidation.

Question 10

The general sequence of puberty is universal; it is the same for adolescents all around the globe.

Question 11

Adolescents who begin puberty earlier-the "early maturers"-are at:

A) increased risk for mental health problems.
B) decreased risk for mental health problems.
C) risk for mental health problems; only girls.
D) risk for mental health problems; only boys.

Question 12

Spermarche describes the:

A) increase during puberty in the number of sperm contained in ejaculate.
B) maturation of sperm into viable sperm cells capable of fertilizing an egg.
C) first ejaculation of sperm by an adolescent male.
D) first ejaculation by an adolescent male, often not containing sperm.

Question 13

In males, during pubescence, a number of changes can be expected, including:

A) underarm hair.
B) pubic hair growth.
C) appearance of facial hair.
D) all of the choices

Question 14

Menarche describes the first:

A) release of a fertile egg.
B) menstrual period of a human female, signaling the beginning of puberty.
C) time a girl begins her menstrual cycle within 28 to 32 days of the prior menstrual cycle.
D) ovulation during which an egg is not fertilized.

Question 15

In females, during pubescence, a number of changes can be expected, including:

A) growth of pubic hair.
B) appearance of underarm hair.
C) growth of primary breasts.
D) all of the choices

Question 16

One of the five key changes of puberty is the development of specific organs in the body responsible for reproduction, which are called:

A) primary sex characteristics.
B) secondary sex characteristics.
C) physical sex characteristics.
D) none of the choices

Question 17

During puberty, it is typical to see a growth spurt in:

A) height.
B) weight.
C) height and weight.
D) noner of the choices

Question 18

Onset of puberty is initiated by a chemical process, specifically activated by:

A) hormones.
B) sleep.
C) weight.
D) nutrition.

Question 19

In females and males, postpubescence is marked by:

A) fertility.
B) growth spurt .
C) both a and b
D) neither a nor b

Question 20

Puberty is a biological process.

Question 21

We've made strides in our understanding of the adolescent brain due to technological advances, such as the advent of fMRI.

Question 22

In adolescence, developmental maturation of gray matter is associated with:

A) synaptic pruning.
B) development of executive functions.
C) both a and b
D) neither a nor b

Question 23

Maturation of the skeletal system through adolescence is associated with awkward phases of _________________ development.

A) physical
B) self
C) both a and b
D) neither a nor b

Question 24

In adolescence, developmental maturation of white matter is associated with:

A) increased myelin.
B) language development.
C) both a and b
D) neither a nor b

Question 25

"Red-shirting" kindergarten students is the act of "holding back" a student an extra year before beginning school. One goal of this parenting choice is to take advantage of pubertal growth in adolescence. There is one case in which this is viewed as particularly beneficial in the United States: Being the _____________ in the class gives a height and weight advantage in sports.

A) oldest boy
B) oldest girl
C) youngest boy
D) youngest girl

Question 26

Adolescents will again establish ________________________ after the changes of puberty slow down.

A) equilibrium
B) industry
C) ego integrity
D) all of the choices

Question 27

During adolescence, gray matter decreases due to:

A) dendritic proliferation.
B) dendritic pruning.
C) synaptic pruning.
D) synaptic proliferation.

Question 28

Adolescents gain approximately ____ inches of height per year at the peak of the growth spurt.

A) 1 to 2
B) 3 to 4
C) 5 to 6
D) 7 to 8

Question 29

From a developmental systems perspective, in adolescence the development of grey matter has a unidirectional influence on the development of white matter.

Question 30

At the peak of the adolescent growth spurt, the teen is growing at about the same rate as a _____-year-old.

A) 2
B) 5
C) 7
D) 9

Question 31

Adolescent growth is __________________, which is why teens may perceive themselves and their peers as awkward looking.

A) asynchronous
B) synchronous
C) standardized
D) unstandardized

Question 32

In adolescence, there is an increased likelihood of experiencing a bone break due to heightened levels of activity.

Question 33

Sarah's mother was pleased to hear the pediatrician explain why 13-year-old Sarah has experienced so many complaints about the way her clothes fit her this year. It's not just that she is continuing through her growth spurt, it's also because puberty gives rise to:

A) increased skin sensitivity.
B) feeling restricted.
C) mild allergic reactions.
D) redistribution of fat and muscle.

Question 34

fMRI allows researchers to see images of the adolescent brain while it is functioning, for example, while an adolescent is taking a test.

Question 35

In adolescence, normative development is characterized by an increase in bone density.

Question 36

During adolescence, changes in gray matter take place primarily in the:

A) cingulate gyrus.
B) hippocampus.
C) amygdala.
D) prefrontal cortex.

Question 37

The adolescent "growth spurt" involves an acceleration of gains in both height and weight.

Question 38

This third stage of becoming an adult, ___________________, involves returning to the community from which the individual left as an adolescent, now prepared to take on adult roles and responsibilities.

A) separation,
B) incorporation
C) transition
D) individuation

Question 39

Maturation of the prefrontal cortex through adolescence results in development of the brain's ability to engage in complex cognitive processes.

Question 40

In adolescence, not all body parts grow at the same rate, and one side of the body may grow at a different rate compared to the other side, resulting in _________________for a short time.

A) symmetry
B) asymmetry
C) equal development
D) unequal development

Question 41

Formal operational thinking is achieved by _____________________ adolescents and adults.

A) all
B) some but not all
C) the vast majority of
D) a very small percentage of

Question 42

Piaget's fourth stage of cognitive development is the final stage of cognitive development, most often achieved near or in adolescence.

Question 43

Adolescents are significantly less likely to use ___________________ thinking compared to elementary school-aged students.

A) hypothetical-deductive
B) abstract-literal
C) trial-and-error
D) a-not-b

Question 44

The ability to formulate varying solutions in one's mind and to think through the effectiveness of each possible solution is the process of __________________________reasoning.

A) hypothetical-deductive
B) abstract-literal
C) trial-and-error
D) a-not-b

Question 45

The following factor influences the amount and rate of muscle gain during adolescence:

A) hormones.
B) activity level.
C) ethnic background.
D) all of the choices

Question 46

One context that appears to motivate adolescents to build muscle is:

A) individual sports.
B) playing sports video games, such as Wii sports.
C) team sports.
D) vacation.

Question 47

During adolescence, muscle growth occurs when sarcomeres, which are muscle _______________, join existing muscle.

A) fibers
B) tones
C) cells
D) tendons

Question 48

Males and females show the same pattern of change in the muscular system from ages 6 to 18.

Question 49

The muscular system is the one functional system that does not grow and develop during puberty.

Question 50

Hormones such as ________________ contribute to gains in muscle mass when teens participate in physical activities that also promote muscle development.

A) human growth hormone
B) insulin
C) thyroid hormone
D) all of the choices

Question 51

Middle schools that operate form a developmental lens monitor the development of formal operational thinking because such achievements signal a student's preparedness to:

A) compute basic functions, for example, subtraction.
B) understand concepts of algebra.
C) memorize math facts.
D) visualize math facts, such as the multiplication table.

Question 52

Ellie's self-esteem began to waiver significantly around her 12th birthday. Her father, a developmentalist, is most likely to say this to her:

A) You're experiencing a temporary awkward stage of development.
B) You will soon be through this and will feel like yourself again.
C) Your sense of self has come unbalanced due to all the physical changes you are experiencing.
D) all of the choices

Question 53

There are sex differences in muscle development in adolescence.

Question 54

The development of formal operational thinking is a common maturational milestone in adolescence.

Question 55

Having the capability to use formal operational thinking:

A) is an indicator that an adolescent uses formal operational thinking exclusively.
B) does not necessarily imply that the adolescent uses it.
C) implies that an adolescent is likely to use it in science and math before using it for everyday reasoning.
D) implies that an adolescent is likely to use it for language arts and then in science and math.

Question 56

During adolescence, muscles generally become:

A) stronger.
B) longer.
C) more flexible.
D) all of the choices

Question 57

From a Piagetian perspective, adolescence is primarily associated with the development of formal operational thinking.

Question 58

Abstract thinking is essential for scientific thinking because it is required to be able to:

A) conduct a thorough literature review.
B) formulate hypotheses.
C) run statistical analyses.
D) write a data report for publication.

Question 59

One way a parent can tell that his or her adolescent is beginning to develop formal operational thinking is by the appearance of _______________thinking.

A) informal
B) formal
C) abstract
D) literal

Question 60

Connor was his school's basketball star all through elementary school and through sixth grade. This year, in seventh grade, he falls at least once a game and he can't make the "money shots" that, only a year ago, had been so easy for him to deliver. His coach is not a developmentalist; his coach gives advice from a different lens. Most likely the coach told Connor:

A) You better get to the gym and practice; this only happens when players cut corners in practice.
B) Give your body time to readjust to its new proportions.
C) neither a nor b
D) both a and b

Question 61

Egocentrism is:

A) unique to adolescence.
B) a lifespan process.
C) a risk factor.
D) a protective factor.

Question 62

Applying Elkind's concepts, which of the following statements are we most likely to find support for in the research literature?

A) Positive feelings about presenting in the front of the class to other students are likely to decrease from fifth to ninth grade.
B) Positive feelings about presenting in the front of the class to other students are likely to increase from fifth to ninth grade.
C) For girls only, positive feelings about presenting in the front of the class to other students are likely to decrease from fifth to ninth grade.
D) For boys only, positive feelings about presenting in the front of the class to other students are likely to decrease from fifth to ninth grade.

Question 63

Adolescents do a very good job estimating long-term consequences associated with risky behavior.

Question 64

When 14-year-old Samantha is certain that the texts students are reading before class are about her having a "bad hair day," she is assuming there is a(n):

A) imaginary audience.
B) personal audience.
C) personal fable.
D) "good hair day."

Question 65

Derek-he's 16 years of age-told his father that he's not going to clean his room, he's going out with his friends, and then he added, "Dad, you should give the star of the school basketball team a break!" Derek's belief that he should be exempt from his chores is an element of his:

A) imaginary audience.
B) personal fable.
C) ego ideal
D) superego.

Question 66

Cognitive maturation resulting in the attainment of ______________________ triggers the rise of ________________________.

A) formal operational thinking; adolescent egocentrism
B) formal operational thinking; the imaginary audience
C) concrete operations; adolescent egocentrism
D) concrete operations; the imaginary audience

Question 67

Adolescent egocentrism is a phase of a lifespan process that involves negotiating _______________ from birth through death.

A) attachment
B) self-other relatedness
C) personal identity
D) cultural identity

Question 68

According to developmental scientists, adolescence is a universal period of storm and stress for teens in all countries across the globe.

Question 69

Elkind's concept of adolescent egocentrism refers to the adolescents' tendency to see themselves as:

A) responsible for their own and others' behaviors.
B) the center of the social world.
C) cognitively capable but emotionally immature.
D) they would like to be seen.

Question 70

Findings from developmental science offer __________________support for the assertion that immature rain development is responsible for the high rate of risk-taking behaviors in adolescence.

A) weak
B) moderate
C) strong
D) mixed

Question 71

Almost all adolescents strongly underestimate the immediate consequences of high-risk behavior.

Question 72

At this stage of substance use in adolescence, the ________________________stage, professional intervention is essential because the adolescent is likely to have lost support from friends and family who had, in the past, been willing to help.

A) experimental
B) social
C) instrumental
D) compulsive

Question 73

In adolescence, the imaginary audience refers to parents, friends, and family.

Question 74

David Elkind's work on adolescent development offers a framework for understanding the emotional world of teens.

Question 75

Caleb was certain he'd be able to complete two back flips off of the hotel balcony into the pool even though he didn't believe any of his peers could do it. This is an example of the way the consequences of one's high-risk behaviors are ___________________ due to _____________________ in adolescence.

A) underestimated; egocentrism
B) overestimated; egocentrism
C) underestimated; optimistic bias
D) overestimated; optimistic bias

Question 76

Normal development through adolescence involves the teen experiencing himself as star of his own movie.

Question 77

In adolescence, optimistic bias refers to the tendency for teens to believe that they are personally ______________their peers to experience a negative consequence.

A) less likely than
B) more likely than
C) more likely than a minority
D) equally as likely as

Question 78

Applying Elkind's concepts, which of the following statements are we most likely to find empirical support for in the research literature?

A) Adolescents are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as highway racing when they are alone versus when they are with their peers.
B) Adolescents are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as highway racing when they are with their peers versus when they are alone.
C) Adolescents are more likely to self-injure when they are alone.
D) Adolescents are more likely to self-injure when they are with peers.

Question 79

Parents of adolescents often find it difficult to determine whether or not they need to seek help-for example, whether to take their teen to a therapist when the adolescent is found to be using substances. The confusion is particularly high during the ______________________stage, when the teen is not experiencing any _______________________.

A) experimental; physical addiction
B) instrumental; physical addiction
C) experimental; serious problems
D) instrumental; serious problems

Question 80

Optimistic bias is unique to adolescence; a phenomenon not found in adults.