29 Questions
What is a primary implication of understanding human development?
Influencing policy decisions about childcare provision
What is the main idea behind the argument of John Locke?
The mind is a blank slate at birth, and experience shapes who we are
According to the definition of development, what is a guaranteed aspect of growth?
None of the above
During which period does development, by definition, begin?
Prenatal periods
What is the name of the book written by Francis Galton that speculated on the biological basis of intellectual ability?
Hereditary Genius
What was the outcome of the attempts to teach Victor, the Wildboy, to speak?
The attempts to teach Victor were unsuccessful
What is a fundamental debate in the field of developmental psychology?
Nature vs. nurture
What is the term used to describe the idea that children are born with a blank slate and that experience shapes who they are?
Tabula rasa
What is a key concern of the 'basic questions' in developmental psychology?
How children develop and why
Why are the 'basic questions' in developmental psychology considered interdisciplinary?
Because they require insights from multiple fields, including biology, psychology, and education
What is the name of the individual who was captured in the forest and was used as an example in the nature vs. nurture debate?
Victor, the Wildboy
What is the current understanding of the relationship between genes and the environment?
Genes and the environment interact to shape behavior
What is the term for the science that studies the effect of experiences on turning on and off genes?
Epigenetics
What is the primary reason behind the occurrence of sensitive periods in human development?
Maturation and the decrease in brain plasticity
What is the significance of critical periods in development?
They influence the likelihood of developing certain skills
Why is it challenging for an adult to become successful in a sport they start as an adult?
Because of the timing of development
What is the primary limitation of considering the nature-nurture debate as a dichotomy?
It simplifies the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors
What is the consequence of deprivation from a caregiver during the first years of life?
Problems with emotional development
Why might one person with a genetic predisposition to diabetes develop the illness, while another does not?
Because of the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes scientific knowledge from other forms of knowledge?
Its objectivity, systematic nature, and testability
What is the fundamental difference between continuous and discontinuous development?
The pace of developmental changes
What is the primary goal of a scientific theory?
To provide a comprehensive explanation of a phenomenon
Is child development considered a science in the same category as physics, chemistry, and biology?
No, it is a social science
What is the primary focus of discontinuous development?
Abrupt succession of changes through distinct stages
What is the primary function of a hypothesis in the scientific method?
To serve as a specific, testable assumption or prediction
Which of the following research designs is primarily used to observe and record behaviors?
Descriptive research
What is the main distinction between continuous and discontinuous development in terms of genetic predispositions?
Discontinuous development emphasizes the role of genetic predispositions in distinct stages
What is the primary limitation of correlational research?
It cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables
What is the purpose of the scientific method?
To test hypotheses and produce theories
Test your knowledge of the basics of developmental psychology, including the definition of development, the nature vs nurture debate, epigenetics, and research methods.
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