Introduction to the Nervous System and Development

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following scenarios primarily activates the sympathetic nervous system?

Preparing for an important presentation (correct)
Meditating quietly
Resting after a large meal
Sleeping deeply

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for activating the body's energy reserves during stressful situations.

False (B)

What is the term for the balanced state the body returns to, facilitated by the parasympathetic nervous system?

homeostasis

The nerve fibers that allow communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain are known as the ______.

corpus callosum Signup and view all the answers

Match the brain lobe with its primary function:

Frontal Lobe = Executive functions, planning, problem-solving Parietal Lobe = Integrating sensory information Temporal Lobe = Hearing, language recognition, memory formation Occipital Lobe = Visual processing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the frontal lobe?

Visual processing (C) Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive development refers solely to the acquisition of factual knowledge.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the broad definition of cognitive development?

how humans acquire, organize, and learn to use knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'nature' aspect of the nature vs. nurture debate in development?

An individual's heredity, genetics, and biological processes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The continuity vs. discontinuity debate primarily questions whether development occurs in distinct stages or as a gradual, ongoing process.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Define 'critical period' in the context of developmental psychology.

A specific time during development when the brain is especially receptive to certain experiences, influencing the formation of neural connections. Signup and view all the answers

According to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, the interaction between genes and the __________ plays a crucial role in development.

environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples is MOST likely to be considered a continuous developmental change?

Learning to cook complex meals over several years. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Lacking specific experiences during a sensitive period, the brain cell connections are more plastic and receptive to the influence of a certain kind of experience.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Elizabeth, who was raised in the suburbs, moves to a township with her Xhosa nanny after her parents' death. Which factor is MOST likely to influence her development and sense of identity?

The cultural and social environment of the township. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Match the following developmental concepts with their definitions:

Nature = An individual's heredity, genetics, and biological processes. Nurture = The action or process of nurturing someone or something, including education, parenting, and culture. Continuity = The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over time. Discontinuity = A break in or lack of continuity; development occurring in distinct stages. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes neural plasticity?

The brain's ability to reorganize and have other regions take over functions of damaged areas. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The somatic nervous system controls involuntary actions like heart rate and digestion.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two key components mentioned as critical for brain development?

nutrition and stimulation Signup and view all the answers

The autonomic nervous system regulates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and _________.

glands Signup and view all the answers

Match each nervous system division with its primary function:

Central Nervous System (CNS) = Processes information and controls bodily functions Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) = Transmits neural messages between the CNS and the body Somatic Nervous System = Controls voluntary movements Autonomic Nervous System = Regulates involuntary functions Signup and view all the answers

Increased levels of dehydration can cause what?

Reduced muscular strength and impaired brain functions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The brain completely loses its ability to learn new skills after a critical period has passed.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'soma' refer to in the context of the somatic nervous system?

body Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, what is a key feature of cognitive development stages?

Each later stage incorporates earlier stages. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Vygotsky believed that private speech is a hindrance to cognitive development.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a psychological tool, according to Vygotsky.

Language, maps, or symbols Signup and view all the answers

According to Vygotsky, learning occurs through a continuous process of ______.

Social interaction Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is NOT directly associated with Vygotsky's theory?

Assimilation (D) Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Scaffolding = Temporary support to help a learner master a task Internalization = Adopting external ideas or actions as one's own Zone of Proximal Development = The gap between what a learner can do independently and with guidance Signup and view all the answers

What initiated the cognitive approach to revolutionize psychology?

Start of the use of computers (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, it is possible to regress to earlier stages of cognitive development if faced with challenging situations.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, what are the four interactive factors that contribute to cognitive development?

Biological maturation, Activity, Social experiences, and Equilibration (A) Signup and view all the answers

Assimilation involves changing existing schemes to respond to a new situation, while accommodation involves using existing schemes to understand new events.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

In Piaget's theory, what term is given to the psychological structures that organize thinking processes?

schemes Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, when a scheme does not produce satisfying results, it leads to a state of ______.

disequilibrium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Piaget's concept of 'organization' in cognitive development?

The tendency to organize thinking processes into psychological structures. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'equilibration' in Piaget's theory of cognitive development?

It is the driving force behind cognitive development, prompting individuals to adjust their mental schemas. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions according to Piaget's theory:

Assimilation = Using existing schemes to understand new events Accommodation = Changing existing schemes to respond to new situations Equilibration = Balancing assimilation and accommodation to achieve cognitive stability Organization = Arranging information into coherent mental structures Signup and view all the answers

Name two prominent psychologists who have contributed to cognitive development.

Jean Piaget & Lev Vygotsky Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'computer analogy' in the context of cognitive psychology?

Viewing the human mind as a system that processes information similarly to a computer. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the information processing theory, sensory memory has a limited capacity and can hold information for an extended period.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of working memory in the information processing model?

Temporarily holds and manipulates new information Signup and view all the answers

The process of detecting a stimulus and assigning meaning to it is known as ______.

perception Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cognitive load is associated with processing information that is irrelevant to the task at hand?

Extraneous cognitive load (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes germane cognitive load?

The cognitive resources used in the deep processing of information and applying it to new situations. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Match the memory stage with its description:

Sensory Memory = Briefly holds a large amount of sensory information Working Memory = Temporarily holds and manipulates information for problem-solving Long-Term Memory = Stores information indefinitely Signup and view all the answers

Attention is not a critical aspect of information processing, because the human mind can process all information in the environment simultaneously.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over the influence of genetics and heredity vs. environment and experience on development.

Continuity

Development as a gradual, steady process.

Discontinuity

Development as a series of distinct stages or abrupt changes

Critical Period

A specific time when an organism is most sensitive to environmental influences; after this period, the same influences have less effect.