Question 1

In Piaget's 3-stage moral development theory, heteronymous morality is characterized by which of the following:

Accepted Answer

A) Viewing rules as unchanging and unchangeable 
B) Awareness that rules can be changed 
C) Awareness that rules can be modified by agreement 
D) None of the above

Question 2

Developmental psychologists have proposed two kinds of change: qualitative and quantitative. Proponents of quantitative change believe that development is gradual and continuous. Which of the following psychologists adheres to this belief?

Accepted Answer

A) Piaget 
B) Case 
C) Kohlberg 
D) Erikson

Question 3

Developmental psychology includes the study of maturation, which includes the development of physical processes and resultant changes in behavior. Which of the following is NOT an example of maturation?

Accepted Answer

A) Language skills 
B) Motor skills 
C) Mathematical abilities 
D) Social behaviors

Question 4

Developmental psychology includes the study of maturation, which includes the development of physical processes and resultant changes in behavior. Which of the following statements is true of the connection between maturation and skill acquisition?

Accepted Answer

A) Maturation results in readiness for learning skills; if readiness is not reached, certain skills cannot be learned 
B) Skill acquisition is a result of maturation 
C) Some people do not experience maturation, and therefore cannot learn new skills 
D) Skill acquisition is easiest before readiness through maturation is reached

Question 5

Rett's disorder, a pattern of developmental regression that results in permanent behavioral and communicative problems, becomes apparent in childhood. How long after birth is development typically normal before signs of the disorder manifest?

Accepted Answer

A) Four months 
B) Four years 
C) Six months 
D) Three years

Question 6

Piaget's model of childhood development identifies four stages of cognitive development that individuals move through as they grow up. Which of those stages involves animistic thinking-giving inanimate objects psychological attributes?

Accepted Answer

A) Preoperational stage 
B) Sensorimotor stage 
C) Conservation stage 
D) Formal operational stage

Question 7

The surplus synapses in the brain of a very young child make that child's brain especially susceptible to what kinds of influences?

Accepted Answer

A) Genetic factors 
B) Internal stimuli 
C) External stimuli 
D) Adequacy of nutrition

Question 8

The limbic system is part of the central nervous system. Which of the following is a feature or function of the limbic system?

Accepted Answer

A) It is involved in regulation of emotion and motivation. 
B) It is part of the forebrain. 
C) It is part of the midbrain. 
D) It plays a role in memory formation.

Question 9

David Krech studied the relationship between environment and intelligence by experimenting with rats in specifically-constructed environments. Which of the following is NOT one of his research conclusions?

Accepted Answer

A) Rearing in an enriched environment results in higher intelligence. 
B) Rearing in an impoverished environment results in lower intelligence. 
C) Rearing in a specific environment may affect intelligence level, but changing environments will also affect intelligence level. 
D) Rearing in an enriched environment affects brain composition.

Question 10

Low levels of what important neurotransmitter plays a key role in the development of both aggressive behavior and depression in children?

Accepted Answer

A) Serotonin 
B) Dopamine 
C) Epinephrine 
D) Norepinephrine

Question 11

People in and out of the psychology profession have been engaging in the nature vs. nurture debate pertaining to child development for ages. What answers, if any, can the recent research by neuroscientists offer on this topic?

Accepted Answer

A) While the role of environment can never be excluded, the predominant determinants of a child's behavior are genetic. 
B) While the role of genetic factors can never be completely excluded, children's behavior is primarily influenced by their environment. 
C) Since neurobiology is just in its infancy, no definitive answer can be given as yet as to which of the two factors is more important, but further research in this area seems promising. 
D) Genetic and environmental factors intertwine in complex ways to make each child's personality and behavior what it is.

Question 12

James Marcia's theory of identity achievement claims that there are two distinct parts to adolescent identity development: time of choosing (or crisis) and commitment. He proposed four identity statuses of psychological identity development based on this theory. Which of those statuses refers to someone who is in the midst of a crisis but has not made commitments?

Accepted Answer

A) Identity diffusion 
B) Identity foreclosure 
C) Identity moratorium 
D) identity achievement

Question 13

It was once thought that brain structure was entirely determined by genetics; that after childhood development, brain structure and function was permanently set. Now it is recognized that brains adapt to changing environmental circumstances. This process is known as:

Accepted Answer

A) Brain adaptivity 
B) Neuroplasticity 
C) Synapse development 
D) Learning response

Question 14

There are different types of memory that are responsible for retaining information over varying lengths of time. Which type of memory is responsible for being able to recall names of childhood experiences and the names of family members?

Accepted Answer

A) Working memory 
B) Long-term memory 
C) Childhood memory 
D) Sensory memory

Question 15

Piaget's model of childhood development identifies four stages of cognitive development that individuals move through as they grow up. Which of those stages is defined by the ability to retain mental representations of things when they are not physically present?

Accepted Answer

A) Preoperational stage 
B) Sensorimotor stage 
C) Formal operations stage 
D) Concrete operational stage

Question 16

What do structural image studies show about the brains of children with ADHD?

Accepted Answer

A) They are significantly smaller than the brains of other children. 
B) They are significantly larger than the brains of other children. 
C) There are no significant differences in the brains of children with and without ADHD. 
D) They are very different from the brains of autistic children.

Question 17

Research into potential negative effects of maternal employment and daycare on children has concluded which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) High quality daycare may negatively impact children. 
B) High quality daycare may be less detrimental to boys than to girls. 
C) High quality daycare may have a positive effect on children's development of social skills. 
D) Maternal employment can lead to gender stereotyping.

Question 18

James Marcia's theory of identity achievement claims that there are two distinct parts to adolescent identity development: time of choosing or crisis and commitment. He proposed four identity statuses based on this theory. A teenager who has committed to a goal without exploring alternatives is in which state?

Accepted Answer

A) Identity achievement 
B) Identity diffusion 
C) Foreclosure 
D) Moratorium

Question 19

Conrad Lorenz discovered, in his work with birds, that ducklings that imprinted on him between 12 and 17 hours after birth continued to follow him even when other ducks became available to them. What does this phenomenon refer to?

Accepted Answer

A) Non-normative development 
B) Environment-influenced development 
C) Critical periods 
D) Sensitive periods

Question 20

There are short, thin fibers protruding from neurons that are responsible for receiving impulses and transmitting them into the cell body. Those are known as:

Accepted Answer

A) The myelin sheath 
B) Axons 
C) Dendrites 
D) Neuron fibers

Exam 3: Development Neuro