Developmental Psychology Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the oral stage in early development?

Developing social skills

Understanding moral values

Experiencing pleasurable sensations of the mouth (correct)

Identifying with same-sex parent

What developmental focus occurs during the anal stage?

Engaging in imaginative play

Pleasure derived from elimination (correct)

Exploring complex emotions

Learning to read and write

What does the superego represent in personality development?

Primitive biological drives

Urgent desires for gratification

Moral standards and conscience (correct)

Rational thoughts and impulses

Which stage is characterized by a child's understanding of their genitalia and interest directed towards the opposite sex parent?

Phallic stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the ego in personality development?

To manage conflict and ensure rational behavior Signup and view all the answers

In Erikson's Psychosocial Stage Theory, what is the conflict faced during the infancy stage (0-18 months)?

Trust vs. Mistrust Signup and view all the answers

Which stage involves children focusing on developing skills valued by adults and containing sexual urges?

Latency stage Signup and view all the answers

How does successfully resolving conflicts in Erikson's stages affect personality development?

It allows progression to subsequent stages positively. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes quantitative changes in development?

Gradual changes in amount, frequency, or degree of behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a qualitative change in development?

A toddler transitioning from parallel play to cooperative play Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent one of the ways children differ in their course of development?

Uniformity in the form of skills across all children Signup and view all the answers

What does developmental stability refer to?

The consistency of behavioral measures over time Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by developmental plasticity?

The capacity of children to adapt to changing environments Signup and view all the answers

The nature-nurture debate primarily addresses what?

The relationship between genetic inheritance and environmental influences Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates individual differences in children's development?

Some children developing vocabulary rapidly while others do so slowly Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary limitation of microgenetic studies?

They often rely on small sample sizes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'age onsets' refer to in the context of child development?

The estimated age when specific skills like first words or steps emerge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following studies specifically examines the behavioral similarities between individuals with different genetic relatedness?

Twin studies Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of genetic studies in development?

They help assess genetic contributions to behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of genome-wide association studies?

They relate genetic data to specific behavioral outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of twins has nearly the same genetic makeup?

Identical twins Signup and view all the answers

In the context of adoption studies, which aspect is primarily investigated?

Behavioral similarities with adopted parents. Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of conducting genetic studies?

They often require large sample sizes. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome might genetic studies specifically analyze?

Cognitive abilities related to DNA. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of hypothesis-driven research?

It tests a specific and measurable question with a defined hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

What do children typically internalize as part of their cultural development?

Shared community practices and values. Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the scientific method in hypothesis-driven research?

Ignoring evidence that conflicts with the hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of discovery-based science?

To understand development without pre-specified hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

How do children act as agents of change in their cultures?

They modify cultural views and practices through social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What foundational aspect do all children share, according to human biology?

The ability to adapt to their environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect distinguishes discovery-based science from hypothesis-driven research?

Discovery-based science seeks to explore without specific hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects the role of cultural practices in child development?

Cultural practices provide the framework for learning important community skills. Signup and view all the answers

What developmental challenge do toddlers face between 18 months and 3 years?

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of development focuses on forming close and committed relationships?

Intimacy vs. Isolation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of behaviorism as proposed by Watson and Skinner?

Learning is a change in observable behaviors resulting from experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Intimacy vs. Isolation' stage in young adults?

To form close and committed relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during Watson's classical conditioning as demonstrated in the 'Little Albert' experiment?

A neutral stimulus gains significance when paired with an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the developmental challenge faced by grade schoolers (ages 5-12)?

Industry vs. Inferiority Signup and view all the answers

What outcome do older adults seek to achieve in the 'Integrity vs. Despair' stage?

A meaningful reflection on their life's experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In behaviorism, what does the term 'conditioning' most specifically refer to?

The change in behavior resulting from environmental experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Changes

Quantitative Changes: Gradual alterations in behavior metrics such as amount, frequency, or degree (e.g., steps taken by toddlers, frequency of crying).
Qualitative Changes: Distinct shifts in thought and action patterns (e.g., transition from parallel play to cooperative play, concrete operational thought evolving to abstract reasoning).

Individual Development Variability

Individual Differences: Variability among children in developmental areas.
Age Onsets: The approximate age range when specific skills appear, like first words and first steps.
Rate of Change: The speed at which children develop various skills, e.g., vocabulary growth varies across children.
Form of Skills: How skills manifest differently due to cultural and individual experiences, exemplified by the Pirahã people's unique number concept perception.

Developmental Stability vs. Plasticity

Stability: Consistency in behaviors or characteristics over time, with examples indicating emotional regulation persistence.
Plasticity: Adaptability of individuals to changing environments; demonstrated through studies showing adopted children catching up after impoverishment.

Nature-Nurture Debate

Nature: Focuses on biological inheritance, highlighting genetic traits that influence physical attributes and personality.
Stages of Psychosexual Development: Freud's framework includes five stages from infancy to adolescence, emphasizing different focuses of pleasure and conflicts during development.
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages: Eight stages addressing identity conflicts throughout life, from trust issues in infancy to integrity in old age.

Behavioral Theories

Behaviorism: Emphasizes observable behaviors and their environmental influences (Watson and Skinner).
Classical Conditioning: Watson's experiment with "Little Albert" shows how neutral stimuli gain significance through association.

Universal Aspects of Child Development

Global similarities in child development processes; children internalize and influence cultural norms, aiding survival and integration into communities.

Research Methodologies

Hypothesis-Driven Research: Tests specific, measurable hypotheses, involving a systematic approach from question formulation to result analysis.
Discovery-Based Science: Observational approach aimed at understanding child behavior without predetermined hypotheses, emphasizing data-driven insights.

Recruitment and Study Design

Considerations for participant selection are crucial; while descriptive studies provide rich details, they can be resource-intensive and lack generalizability.

Genetic Studies Overview

Investigate genetic influences through comparisons of behavioral similarities among genetically related individuals.
Twin Studies: Assess genetic contributions to behavior by comparing identical and fraternal twins.
Adoption Studies: Evaluate whether adopted individuals resemble biological or adoptive families more closely.
Genome-Wide Association Studies: Analyze large DNA datasets to correlate genetic makeup with specific traits or outcomes like intelligence.

Research Benefits and Drawbacks

Genetic studies offer insights into heritable behaviors, though they require extensive participant numbers and recruiting efforts, particularly for twins.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of goals, theories, and methods in developmental psychology. This quiz focuses on distinguishing between quantitative and qualitative changes within the developmental process, providing examples to solidify your understanding.