Developmental Science Theories Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What describes the difference between scientific theories and folk theories?

Scientific theories are open to debate, whereas folk theories are rarely discussed. (correct)

Scientific theories are based on personal experience, while folk theories must be supported by data.

Folk theories are based on scientific data, while scientific theories are based on opinion.

Folk theories are more coherent and clearly defined compared to scientific theories.

Which aspect does NOT influence personal development according to the content?

Physical exercise habits (correct)

Location

Cultural background

Genetics

Which of the following factors is least likely to affect how someone interacts with children?

Personal beliefs about parenting

Theoretical understanding of child development

Academic performance in childhood (correct)

Personal history with children

What is a key distinction between qualitative and quantitative views of developmental change?

Qualitative describes distinct changes, while quantitative describes gradual changes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason why theories are important in developmental science?

They guide research directions and methods. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do folk theories primarily differ from scientific theories?

Folk theories are based on personal experience and opinions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a discontinuous view of developmental change?

An adolescent's transition into adulthood. Signup and view all the answers

Which key issue relates to the role of genetics in development?

To what extent does nature outweigh nurture? Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic indicates that a developmental stage is distinct?

Qualitative changes Signup and view all the answers

What age range does 'infancy' cover in developmental stages?

0-2 years Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining factor of scientific methods used in developmental psychology?

Reliability Signup and view all the answers

Why are children considered a special population in research?

They are more likely to be influenced by authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of observation as a research method?

It can be very time-consuming. Signup and view all the answers

Which stage follows early childhood in the developmental stages?

Later childhood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a data collection method for studying children?

Cognitive bias testing Signup and view all the answers

What type of questionnaire involves asking about past behaviors?

Retrospective questionnaire. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical issue was associated with the Robber’s Cave Experiment?

Unknown participation status Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of a repeated measures design?

Subjects experience multiple conditions sequentially. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for personal biases influencing ideas about development?

Folk theories Signup and view all the answers

Which preference do infants tend to show in preferential looking studies?

Preference for complex and high-contrast visuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is not typically considered objective in research?

Personal anecdotes Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant disadvantage of gaining information through parental reports?

Parents can be biased in their observations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about nature vs. nurture?

It is always one or the other Signup and view all the answers

How do experiments typically differ from observational studies?

Experiments involve manipulation of variables. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does not influence the choice of research methods?

Availability of snacks Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is crucial to determine when selecting a research method?

The specific research question being asked. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with variations in research findings across different cultures?

It complicates theoretical uniformity Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration is particularly relevant for children with autism in research?

Assessing their understanding and ability to give assent. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of a double-blind experimental design provides an advantage?

It minimizes placebo effects during the study. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concern related to the study involving Iowa's Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home?

Induced psychological harm Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental theorist focused specifically on cognitive development?

Piaget Signup and view all the answers

What does generalizability in research refer to?

Applicability of results to wider populations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary disadvantage of longitudinal studies?

They may involve significant subject attrition. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes microgenetic research designs?

Numerous observations during a brief time interval. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a cohort effect?

Variations stemming from experiences shared by a generation. Signup and view all the answers

Which study design combines the strengths of both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies?

Accelerated longitudinal designs Signup and view all the answers

In cross-sectional designs, what is a key consideration when choosing age groups?

The importance of key developmental milestones at those ages. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical disadvantage of microgenetic designs?

They can be costly and labor-intensive. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major achievement during the embryonic stage of prenatal development?

Bone cells start to form. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following refers to the development of new neurons during brain development?

Cell proliferation Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of cross-sectional studies?

They provide immediate insights into age differences. Signup and view all the answers

How do longitudinal studies primarily differ from cross-sectional designs?

They study the same individuals over time. Signup and view all the answers

In prenatal development, teratogens are most impactful during which stage?

Embryonic stage Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of longitudinal studies compared to cross-sectional studies?

They can show individual developmental processes. Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental stage begins at conception and ends with attachment to the uterus?

Germinal stage Signup and view all the answers

Which method is considered labor-intensive when studying children's language acquisition?

Microgenetic designs Signup and view all the answers

What is a teratogen?

An agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus Signup and view all the answers

During which period does the first cell division occur after conception?

30 hours after conception Signup and view all the answers

What is the average length of a newborn at birth?

20 inches Signup and view all the answers

What role do embryonic stem cells play during early development?

They are equivalent and interchangeable, being pluripotent. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to influence prenatal development negatively?

Experiencing significant maternal stress Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of cleft palate, according to researchers?

A mixture of genetic and environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the average weight of a fetus and placenta combined?

12.5 lbs Signup and view all the answers

At what point during pregnancy is a fetus considered viable?

22-26 weeks Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is evaluated in the Apgar assessment shortly after birth?

Appearance and vital signs of the newborn Signup and view all the answers

What can prolonged exposure to maternal stress during gestation result in?

Long-term learning and motor development issues Signup and view all the answers

Which maternal factor doesn't influence prenatal development?

Favorite color Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of low birth weight?

Higher correlation with special education needs Signup and view all the answers

What does maternal malnutrition potentially lead to during fetal development?

Developmental delay in the child Signup and view all the answers

What event marks the implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall?

Complete by the end of the 2nd week Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Science Theories and Methods

Developmental science explores factors influencing cognitive, motor, social, and emotional development.
Key issues include continuity vs. stages, nature vs. nurture, and the role of significant figures in a person's life.
Individuals possess "folk" theories (personal beliefs) which affect their interactions with children and may lead to biases.
Theories guide research, constrain questions and methods, determine research direction, and impact interpretation.
A scientific theory is based on scientific evidence, debated within the scientific community, and more coherent than folk theories.
Folk theories dictate parenting, classroom interactions, coaching styles, and reactions to others' approaches.
Theories vary in their views on developmental change, nature vs. nurture interplay, and areas of development focus.
Theories' perspectives on change can be qualitative (stages) or quantitative (continuous), and can involve stages or a continuous process.

Defining Stages of Development

A stage is a distinct period of development, characterized by qualitative changes, discontinuities, clear boundaries, and consistent "nature" within the stage, universal across cultures.
Stages are often used in theories, like those by Freud, Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg, despite not fully fitting continuous human development, as it is more of a progressive flow.
Stages in developmental psychology span prenatal to adulthood, marked by age ranges like prenatal (until birth), infancy (0–2), early childhood (2–7), later childhood (7–12), adolescence (12–21), and adulthood (21–death).

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature and nurture are intertwined, and no single theory fully explains human development.

Methods for Studying Children

Folk theories need to be considered alongside criteria for a scientific description.
Factors influencing research methods include the research question, theoretical biases, researcher skills, participant age, economic factors, time, and ethics.

Scientific Criteria for Child Development Studies

Studies must be objective, reliable (replicable), and valid (measuring what they intend to).
Reliability involves consistent results across repetitions and contexts.
Validity considers if the measures accurately reflect the intended constructs.
Generalizability assesses relevance to individuals outside the study group.

Factors Influencing Method Choice

Considerations include research questions, theoretical biases, researcher skills, participant age, cost, time, resources, and ethical implications.

Observation, Questionnaires, Interviews, and Experiments

Observation (naturalistic or structured) offers insights into natural settings but can be time-consuming and influence participants.
Questionnaires and interviews collect data on specific topics but may be susceptible to bias (retrospective/prospective methods).
Parental reports/self-reports can be useful but may be prone to biases.
Experiments offer high control to understand causation but may face ethical concerns.

Ethical Considerations in Child Studies

Child studies require careful consideration for ethical implications due to vulnerable populations.
Consent and assent are crucial; harm to participants must be avoided while seeking appropriate ethical review.

Methods for Studying Change

Cross-sectional studies compare groups at different ages; although simple, they can't discern the causes of age differences.
Longitudinal studies track individuals over time, providing detailed insights into development but susceptible to attrition, bias, and cost.
Accelerated longitudinal designs combine strengths of both methods.
Micro-genetic studies focus intensely on a short period of rapid change, but they are often limited to a small number of participants.

Prenatal Development (from 9/5 Notes)

Prenatal development occurs in three stages (germinal, embryonic, and fetal), each with key achievements.
Critical periods during development make the embryo highly susceptible to teratogens, environmental factors that can cause birth defects or harm.
Fetal age can be determined through sonograms.

Newborn Assessment

The Apgar assessment, performed immediately after birth, assesses newborn function.

Factors Influencing Prenatal Development

Maternal (nutrition, stress, health) and paternal factors (nutrition, exposure to trauma, physical activity) significantly affect prenatal development, potentially impacting factors like infant mortality, prematurity, and low birth weight.

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Description

Test your understanding of the distinctions between scientific theories and folk theories, as well as their implications for personal development and interactions with children. This quiz will challenge your knowledge on the key concepts of qualitative and quantitative views in developmental science.