Deck 3: Infancy: Physical and Cognitive Development

Question 1

Shara's parents are fascinated with Piaget's concepts of object permanence and means-end behavior. Give Shara's mother and father two signs suggesting their daughter is attaining each of these milestones.

Answer 1

Possible signs of object permanence: looking for an interesting object that has fallen out of sight; getting upset when an interesting object is taken away; hunting for hidden objects; adoring peekaboo.
Means-end behavior examples: taking covers off jars to get objects; flushing the toilet to see the water go down; putting objects in available computer ports, and then pressing the button to see them appear and disappear.

Question 2

_____, or severe retardation in height, is a sign of chronic, serious undernutrition.

Answer 2

Stunting

Question 3

_____ are automatic behaviors programmed by the lower centers of the brain.

Answer 3

Reflexes

Question 4

Health-care professionals in many Western nations strongly advocate breast-feeding. Some people believe that these pressures make many new mothers feel guilty and uncomfortable. Are health-care professionals overinflating breast milk's benefits and putting undue stress on young mothers? Drawing on the text's points, make a case against insisting that women breast-feed for 6 months.

Question 5

Anthony, age 8 months, and his father are driving to the park when a heavy pipe falls off a passing truck and crushes the roof of their car. Both of them sustain serious injuries to the language areas of their brain. What predictions can be made about their future functioning, and why?

Question 6

After lavishly forming synapses, each brain region undergoes a phase of _____.

Question 7

The _____ lobe is the last region of the brain to develop.

Question 8

The fatty layer encasing the neurons is called the _____.

Question 9

Dr. Updayte is explaining to his class that babies know much more than Piaget has given them credit for. Give some concrete examples that Dr. Updayte might include in his talk.

Question 10

To a friend who wants to know what babies see and understand, outline the interesting face-preference study findings and explore their implications.

Question 11

The process of making connections between neurons is called _____.

Question 12

Wynetta, age 1, is one of the most advanced babies in physical development at her day-care center. She rolled over, sat up, and walked before any of the other children. Her parents are certain that her early motor development is an indicator of her overall intellectual giftedness. Are they right?

Question 13

The sucking and _____ reflexes are essential to newborn feeding.

Question 14

Nuri and Sandra are young infants. Nuri's parents are committed behaviorists. Sandra's parents are firm advocates of John Bowlby's and Erik Erikson's ideas. Compare the sleeping strategies each set of parents will use and discuss whether there is a time when a particular approach might work best.

Question 15

A young baby who cries excessively has _____.

Question 16

Myelination and _____ are the brain changes that program humans' unfolding skills.

Question 17

Omar is 2 months old. Describe how his motor abilities are likely to unfold during the next year or so.

Question 18

Outline the milestones in the progression of speaking in infancy, and then explain why both Chomsky (or the nature-oriented position) and the environmentalists (or nurture advocates) are both correct in describing language development.

Question 19

Survey malnutrition around the world. Is progress being made in combating this problem? Where has progress fallen short?

Question 20

Major public health organizations recommend that babies be exclusively breast-fed for the first _____ months after birth.

Question 21

_____ believes that language development is totally inborn, or due to nature, whereas, behaviorists attribute language to nurture.

Question 22

According to Piaget, humans learn the basics of physical reality during the _____ stage.

Question 23

To provide the right person-environment fit when babies begin to get mobile, parents should ensure safety by _____ the home.

Question 24

According to Bowlby and Erikson, parents should always respond to a crying baby, while _____ believe parents should not reinforce crying.

Question 25

During their first year of life, babies learn not to distinguish between the faces of different _____ groups.

Question 26

According to new research in _____, babies can make judgments about inner motivations and intentions well before they can speak.

Question 27

Human growth is MOST rapid during _____ and then slows up.

Question 28

To study depth perception, researchers use a procedure called the ______.

Question 29

_____ is an inborn mechanism specific to humans that allows our species to understand language.

Question 30

During their first days of life, babies prefer to look at photos of _____, compared to a stranger.

Question 31

According to Piaget, babies learn about the world through _____, or habits that are continually repeated.

Question 32

_____, or carrying a baby in a baby sling, helps premature babies grow.

Question 33

_____, or crib death, is a leading cause of infant mortality in the developed world.

Question 34

After about 6 months of age, many babies have the skill of _____ when they wake up at night.

Question 35

For Piaget, object permanence and _____ are signs that a child is beginning to think.

Question 36

Motor milestones including turning, sitting, and walking follow the _____ sequence.

Question 37

As object permanence emerges, babies make the _____ error.

Question 38

During Piaget's_____ phase of sensorimotor development, 1-year-olds use tertiary circular reactions to actively experiment with objects.

Question 39

Scientists who stress the human need to communicate as driving early language development follow the ______ perspective.

Question 40

_____, a research technique based on the principle that humans are attracted to novel stimuli, is used to study infants' visual (and cognitive) capacities.

Question 41

At age 1, humans have more synapses in the visual cortex but far fewer synapses in the _____ than they will at age 10.

A) frontal lobes
B) visual cortex
C) temporal lobe
D) auditory cortex

Question 42

Which statement is one a researcher should make when explaining facts about brain development?

A) Each brain region undergoes a phase of intense synaptogenesis, followed by pruning, or getting rid of the connections that are not needed.
B) The brain stem is the first part of the brain to mature.
C) During infancy and childhood, the brain is less plastic.
D) Children of the same age have the same-sized brains.

Question 43

Link the correct term to each definition: (1) fatty covering around neurons that speeds brain impulses; (2) making connections between neurons.

A) (1) myelin sheath; (2) synaptogenesis
B) (1) synaptogenesis; (2) myelin sheath
C) (1) axons; (2) dendrites
D) (1) dendrites; (2) axons

Question 44

Automatic activities NOT programmed by the cortex are called:

A) circular reactions.
B) states.
C) habituated behaviors.
D) reflexes.

Question 45

Dr. Hooten is lecturing about brain development. Which statement should she make?

A)
"After a period of neural death, each region of the cortex begins to produce synapses."
B)
"The myelin sheath is fully formed by age 8."
C)
"Synaptogenesis occurs throughout life."
D)
"The more synapses a person has, the more intelligent that person will be."

Question 46

_____, or "baby talk," helps babies learn language.

Question 47

Based on the principle of neural plasticity, at what age is it "best" to suffer from a brain impairing accident or stroke in order to have the best chance of recovering fully?

A) during infancy
B) at around age 10
C) during adolescence
D) in a person's twenties

Question 48

Based on her understanding of brain plasticity, what should Bei say to frantic parents whose baby has suffered an injury to the language centers of the brain?

A) "If you provide intense verbal stimulation, language abilities can develop normally."
B) "Sorry, there is little you can do to overcome this loss."
C) "Just let time go by and language will emerge normally."
D) "Your baby may eventually develop language but will never catch up to other kids."

Question 49

Compared to the number of synapses Olga will have at age 22, as a preschooler Olga has:

A) more.
B) less.
C) the same number.
D) an amount that depends on her intelligence quotient (IQ).

Question 50

_____, making connections between dendrites, and _____, a fatty layer around axons, are the neural changes that program development.

A) Myelination; synaptogenesis
B) Synaptogenesis; myelination
C) Dendritization; axonization
D) Cortexization; cerebralization

Question 51

The brain changes that program humans' unfolding skills are:

A) axonization and dendritization.
B) synaptogenesis and myelination.
C) development of the visual cortex and cerebellum.
D) audition and dispersion.

Question 52

The myelin sheath is fully formed during the:

A) early childhood years.
B) early teenage years.
C) late teenage years.
D) mid-twenties.

Question 53

If the axons in Ruthie's visual cortex have not yet fully myelinated, Ruthie is:

A) less than 1 year old.
B) a toddler.
C) a preschooler.
D) 50 years old.

Question 54

The function of the myelin sheath is to:

A) help neural impulses flow quickly.
B) allow the skull bones to close.
C) provide a barrier between the brain and the body.
D) get rid of the neurons a person does not need.

Question 55

To argue that the brain is plastic, José should mention which of the following points?

A) "Among people who are blind from birth, the neurons programmed for vision will dissipate."
B) "Among babies who have a stroke in the language areas of the brain, language can never develop normally."
C) "Synaptogenesis occurs throughout life, so people can keep learning new things at every age."
D) "The myelin sheath keeps growing until very late in life."

Question 56

Javier is blind from birth. Robert lost his sight in a boating accident at age 16. Who might have superior touch sensitivities during adult life?

A) Both men will be equal in their touch sensitivity.
B) Javier will be superior, because the neurons programmed for vision have been diverted to strengthen this sense.
C) Robert will be superior, because when he lost his sight, he had better overall coping skills.
D) Neither man will have superior touch sensitivity, as the brain cannot be reprogrammed.

Question 57

Le's mother wants to go back for her Ph.D. at age 65. Based on brain research, Le should tell his mother that it:

A) is hopeless, because synaptogenesis stops after a certain age.
B) may be hard, but go for it, because synaptogenesis continues throughout life.
C) is easy, because synaptogenesis becomes more frequent with age.
D) is possible, because myelination occurs throughout life.

Question 58

Amanda says her newborn son is a genius because when her breast touches his cheek, he immediately finds it and begins to suck. A developmentalist should respond that this:

A) behavior is a sign of early intelligence.
B) is an automatic reflex.
C) shows that the child's brain is not developing normally.
D) is lucky because most newborns need to be taught to find the breast.

Question 59

The branching structure at the end of each neuron is the _____.

A) dendrite
B) axon
C) myelin sheath
D) synergy

Question 60

Based on brain development research, what is the BEST advice to give parents about toilet training?

A) Toilet training is possible at any age if a child has many opportunities to practice.
B) Actively toilet train a child, but only when the relevant parts of the brain come on-line.
C) Never toilet train, because at the right age a child will automatically know what to do.
D) As every child is different, it is not possible to give helpful advice for all children.

Question 61

Which phrase BEST describes the prevalence of child undernutrition and stunting in the United States?

A) very common
B) moderate
C) very rare
D) dramatically rising

Question 62

In developed countries, breast-feeding is strongly associated with:

A) social class.
B) education.
C) access to formula.
D) race.

Question 63

Which is a correct statement about breast-feeding?

A) U.S. mothers typically breast-feed their babies for the first 6 months.
B) Breast milk may provide immunities to colds and the flu.
C) It is easy for a woman to breast-feed if she needs to go back to work soon after she gives birth.
D) Countries have similar norms and expectations regarding the importance of breast-feeding.

Question 64

Food insecurity affects approximately 1 in _____ U.S. families with children.

A) 2
B) 6
C) 10
D) 100

Question 65

The most vital (and widespread) U.S. program combating stunting and severe food insecurity is:

A) food drives by religious institutions.
B) food pantries.
C) food stamps.
D) homeless shelters.

Question 66

If Wanda is concerned that her 18-month-old son refuses to eat a balanced diet, what advice should her doctor give?

A) "Take him for further tests, as this is a sign of a serious digestive problem."
B) "Don't worry, as picky eating is normal at this age."
C) "Provide a large variety of foods to tempt him to eat more."
D) "Refuse to give in to pickiness or the child will end up spoiled."

Question 67

Which social policy effort is LEAST likely to improve the health of babies?

A) teaching developing world families that a healthy-looking baby may still be malnourished
B) making formula free to every U.S. mother
C) educating people in the United States that it's fine to breast-feed in public
D) mandating extended maternity leave, so new mothers can breast-feed their infants for a reasonable amount of time before returning to work

Question 68

Dr. Carmine is lecturing parents about crying and the well-being of young infants. Which statement should she make?

A) "Swaddling is the best infant calming technique."
B) "Don't touch fragile, premature infants."
C) "Use a baby sling if possible, as kangaroo care helps babies cry less."
D) "Excessive crying in babies under 3 months of age predicts long-term problems."

Question 69

Where in the world would you see the most stunted young children?

A) Sub-Saharan Africa
B) the Middle East
C) South America
D) Central Asia

Question 70

With regard to infant eating, which is the correct developmental sequence?

A) sucking reflex, everything into the mouth, food pickiness
B) everything into the mouth, sucking reflex, food pickiness
C) food pickiness, everything into the mouth, sucking reflex
D) sucking reflex, food pickiness, everything into the mouth

Question 71

Which is a possible advantage of breast-feeding?

A) Breast-feeding can lead to reduced myelin formation.
B) This activity makes new mothers slim.
C) Breast-feeding helps promote mother-baby bonding time.
D) This activity decreases babies' immunities to disease.

Question 72

Newborn reflexes typically:

A) develop months after birth.
B) are under conscious control.
C) disappear as the cortex matures.
D) have no useful function.

Question 73

A mother of a newborn tells her doctor, "When something touches my baby's cheek, she turns towards it and begins to suck." Her doctor should respond by saying:

A) "This is abnormal. Go get medical help."
B) "This is normal. It's called the sucking reflex."
C) "This is great! Your baby will be intellectually advanced."
D) "This is normal. It's called the rooting reflex."

Question 74

Ina's baby has colic. Her doctor should explain that colic is a:

A) problem in mothering, meaning that Ina lacks the skills to soothe the baby.
B) personality problem, and the baby will become an irritable child.
C) physical problem, so the child should get medical help.
D) temporary issue that will go away after the first months of life.

Question 75

Which BEST describes twenty-first-century global trends in undernutrition and stunting?

A) increasing in almost every nation around the world
B) decreasing in recent decades, but still at unacceptably high rates in the developing world
C) increasing, but only in the developed world
D) increasing, but only in the developing world

Question 76

To BEST soothe a newborn, which technique does the text advocate?

A) kangaroo care
B) swaddling
C) letting the baby cry as much as he or she needs to
D) putting the baby on a defined schedule

Question 77

A news program reports that stunting has risen dramatically among Afghan children under age 5. What is the MOST likely reason for this finding?

A) There was a temporary disruption in the food supply.
B) There was a long-term disruption in the food supply.
C) The food supply was adequate, but the Afghan diet lacked essential vitamins.
D) There were toxic levels of zinc in the water.

Question 78

All are major U.S. programs preventing stunting and severe food insecurity during early childhood EXCEPT:

A) food drives by religious institutions.
B) food stamps.
C) government stipends helping low-income women with young children pay for nutritious foods (the WIC program).
D) government meal reimbursement to day-care centers.

Question 79

Who is MOST likely to breast-feed her baby?

A) Arabella, who lives in Ireland
B) Monica, who lives in Norway
C) Cecilia, a U.S. woman who had to go back to work soon after she gave birth
D) Doreen, who is over age 40

Question 80

The bottom-line message in the text with regard to breast-feeding is:

A) studies suggest breast-feeding has benefits, but these correlations cannot prove that the positive effects are caused by breast milk.
B) breast milk is clearly superior to bottle-feeding.
C) breast milk has no benefits compared to bottle-feeding.
D) breast milk's benefits only last for about 6 months.