Psychology Research Methods Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the zygote in the germinal stage of prenatal development?

The zygote is the fertilized egg formed during fertilization and marks the beginning of prenatal development.

Identify and describe the three layers formed from the embryonic disk during the embryonic stage.

The three layers are ectoderm (nervous system and skin), mesoderm (muscles and circulatory system), and endoderm (digestive and respiratory systems).

Explain the role of the amniotic cavity during the embryonic stage.

The amniotic cavity encases the embryo, providing protection and space for movement, which is essential for healthy development.

What are the two fundamental principles that guide prenatal development?

The two principles are the cephalocaudal principle and the proximodistal principle. Signup and view all the answers

Define gestation and its importance in prenatal development.

Gestation is the period between conception and birth, crucial for the proper growth and maturation of the fetus. Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the umbilical cord and its primary function?

The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein, connecting the baby to the placenta. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the cell division of the zygote?

The zygote undergoes mitosis, duplicating itself repeatedly as it travels to the uterus. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of organogenesis and its importance during prenatal development.

Organogenesis is the rapid development of major organs and body systems during the embryonic stage, making it a critical period for fetal health. Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of prenatal development does cell differentiation intensify?

Cell differentiation intensifies during the embryonic stage, following the implantation of the blastocyst. Signup and view all the answers

At what stage can the sex of the fetus first be detected?

The sex of the fetus can be detected three months after conception. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of justice in prenatal research involving diverse participants?

Justice ensures that diverse groups are included in research, protecting them from potential negative impacts. Signup and view all the answers

What are teratogens and how do they affect prenatal development?

Teratogens are environmental agents, such as drugs or radiation, that can disrupt normal prenatal development. Signup and view all the answers

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and its association with prenatal exposure?

FASD refers to the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the term 'viable' in the context of fetal development.

A fetus is considered viable at six months gestation when it has a chance of surviving outside the womb. Signup and view all the answers

What role does quickening play in a pregnant woman's experience?

Quickening refers to the first movements of the fetus felt by the mother, occurring around the fourth month. Signup and view all the answers

What risks do incompatible blood types pose during pregnancy?

Incompatible blood types between the mother and father can pose risks to prenatal development, potentially leading to complications. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a double-blind procedure in research?

To eliminate bias by ensuring that neither participants nor experimenters know who is receiving the treatment or placebo. Signup and view all the answers

Define the independent variable in the context of an experiment.

The independent variable is the factor that the experimenter has direct control over and manipulates to observe its effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operational definition?

An operational definition explains a phenomenon solely in terms of the operations used to measure it. Signup and view all the answers

Identify one major advantage and disadvantage of cross-sectional research.

An advantage is that it can show differences among age groups quickly, while a disadvantage is that it cannot establish age effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of informed consent in research?

Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the study's purpose and any risks involved before agreeing to participate. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of confidentiality in psychological research.

Confidentiality refers to the obligation of researchers to keep participant data completely confidential and, whenever possible, anonymous. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of debriefing in psychological studies?

Debriefing involves informing participants about the study's purpose and methods after its completion. Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers consider when employing deception in a study?

Researchers must ensure that the deception will not cause harm to participants and provide debriefing afterward to explain the deception. Signup and view all the answers

What is parturition, and when does it typically begin in relation to delivery?

Parturition is the act or process of giving birth, and it typically begins 2 weeks before delivery. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Braxton-Hicks contractions and their significance during pregnancy.

Braxton-Hicks contractions are false contractions that occur when the muscles of the uterus tighten for up to 2 minutes, signaling the body in preparation for real labor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of early prenatal care?

The primary focus of early prenatal care is to ensure healthy development by detecting defects and disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main stages of childbirth?

The three main stages of childbirth are: Stage 1 - Dilation, Stage 2 - Descent and emergence of the baby, and Stage 3 - Expulsion of the placenta. Signup and view all the answers

How does the frequency and intensity of real labor contractions compare to Braxton-Hicks contractions?

Real labor contractions are more frequent, rhythmic, and painful, increasing in frequency and intensity, unlike Braxton-Hicks contractions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of ultrasound and other tests during prenatal care?

Ultrasound and other tests help determine whether an unborn baby is developing normally and can detect potential defects. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the expulsion stage of childbirth?

During the expulsion stage, the placenta and the remainder of the umbilical cord are expelled from the mother. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the time frame and contraction patterns during Stage 1 of childbirth.

Stage 1 lasts for about 12 to 14 hours, with contractions initially 15 to 20 minutes apart, becoming more frequent at 2 to 5 minutes towards the end. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical weight threshold that categorizes a baby as low birth weight?

Less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds). Signup and view all the answers

Describe two distinctive physical features of neonates.

Neonates typically have a large head and a receding chin. Signup and view all the answers

What is meconium and when is it secreted?

Meconium is a stringy, greenish-black waste formed in the fetal intestinal tract and is secreted during the first few days after birth. Signup and view all the answers

What causes neonatal jaundice and when does it typically occur?

Neonatal jaundice is caused by the immaturity of the liver and typically occurs around three to four days after birth. Signup and view all the answers

How do the activity levels of newborns relate to temperament?

Newborns' activity levels may show stability and can be early indicators of their temperament. Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'small-for-date' infants.

Small-for-date infants are babies born at or around their due dates but are smaller than expected due to poor nutrition. Signup and view all the answers

List two demographic factors that can increase the risk of giving birth to a low birth weight baby.

Age (very young or old), poor socioeconomic status. Signup and view all the answers

What role does vernix caseosa play in newborns?

Vernix caseosa, a cheesy varnish, protects the skin of the newborn and aids in its development. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Double-Blind Procedures

Neither participants nor experimenters are aware of who is receiving the treatment or a placebo.
The independent variable is directly controlled by the experimenter.
The dependent variable can change as a result of changes in the independent variable.
Operational definition explains a phenomenon using specific measurements.

Research Methods - Time Span of Research

Developmental research focuses on change over time.
Cross-sectional studies assess individuals of different ages at a single point in time.
- Advantages include demonstrating similarities and differences among age groups, being quick and cost-effective, and not encountering attrition or repeat testing issues.
- Disadvantages include not establishing age effects, masking individual differences, and being prone to cohort effects.
Longitudinal studies follow the same individuals over time, sometimes for years.
- Advantages include showing age-related change or consistency and avoiding confounding age with cohort effects.
- Disadvantages include being time-consuming, costly, and prone to attrition, sample bias, and repeated testing effects.
Sequential studies follow individuals of different ages over time, combining aspects of both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs.
- Requires significant time, effort, and complex data analysis.

Participants must be fully informed about their research involvement and potential risks.

Conducting Ethical Research - Confidentiality

Researchers are responsible for maintaining confidentiality and anonymity of all participant data.

Conducting Ethical Research - Debriefing

Upon completion of the study, participants should be informed about its purpose and methods.

Conducting Ethical Research - Deception

Deception is acceptable only when it is not harmful and participants are debriefed promptly.

Three Ethical Principles in Resolving Dilemmas

Beneficence: Maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants.
Respect: Ensuring participant autonomy and protecting individuals with diminished autonomy.
Justice: Including diverse groups and addressing potential research impacts on them.

Prenatal Development & Gestation

Prenatal development encompasses three gestational stages.
Gestation refers to the period between conception and birth.
Gestational age is the age of the unborn baby calculated from the first day of the mother's last menstrual cycle.

Prenatal Development Principles

Cephalocaudal principle: Development proceeds from head to toe.
Proximodistal principle: Development progresses from the center of the body outwards.

Prenatal Development - Germinal Stage

From fertilization to two weeks, involving zygote formation, cell division, and attachment to the uterine wall.
Fertilization (conception) creates a single cell called a zygote.
The zygote replicates through cell division (mitosis).
The dividing zygote travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus (3-4 days).
The blastocyst implants in the uterine wall.
An embryonic disc forms, dividing into three layers:
- Ectoderm: Develops into the nervous system, brain, sensory receptors, and skin parts.
- Mesoderm: Forms the circulatory system, bones, muscles, excretory system, and reproductive system.
- Endoderm: Develops the digestive and respiratory systems.

Prenatal Development - Embryonic Stage

Begins after implantation (2 to 8 weeks).
Rapid cell differentiation, support system development, and organ appearance.
Embryo: The mass of cells after differentiation.
Life-support systems develop for the embryo:
- Amniotic cavity/ amniotic sac/ amnion: Fluid-filled membrane protecting the embryo.
- Umbilical cord: Connects the baby to the placenta.
- Placenta: Facilitates transfer of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between mother and embryo.
Organogenesis: Rapid development of organs and major body systems.
Critical period: The embryo is highly vulnerable during organogenesis.
Spontaneous abortion or miscarriage: Expulsion of an embryo or fetus unable to survive outside the womb.
Stillborn: Miscarriage occurring after 20 weeks of gestation.

Prenatal Development - Fetal Stage

Marked by the appearance of bone cells.
Rapid growth, development of finishing touches.
Sex is detectable at three months.
Quickening: Mother can feel fetal movement at four months.
Fetal lie: Fetuses develop a preferred position in the womb by the fifth month.
Viable: The fetus can survive outside the womb at six months.
Reflex patterns: Fully developed reflex patterns are present at seven months.

Hazards to Prenatal Development - Teratogens

The prenatal environment can influence development greatly.
Teratogen: An environmental agent that disrupts normal prenatal development (viruses, drugs, radiation).
The extent of damage and defect type depend on dose, genetic susceptibility, and exposure timing.
Prescription and nonprescription drugs can act as teratogens.
Psychoactive drugs: Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin.
- Alcohol: Leads to Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
- Nicotine: Increases risk of Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Incompatible blood types between mother and father pose a risk.
Environmental hazards: Radiation, toxic wastes, chemical pollutants.
Maternal diseases and infections: Can affect offspring by crossing the placental barrier or during birth.

Prenatal Care - Testing and Early Care

Ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, embryoscopy, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, umbilical cord sampling, and maternal blood tests can assess fetal development.
Early, high-quality prenatal care is crucial for healthy development. It helps detect abnormalities, reduce maternal and infant mortality, low birthweight, and birth complications.

The Birth Process - Stages of Labor

Parturition: The act of giving birth.
Preparatory period typically begins two weeks before delivery.
Braxton-Hicks contractions: False contractions that can occur during the final months of pregnancy.
Real labor contractions: More frequent, rhythmic, and painful, increasing in intensity.

Stages of Childbirth

Stage 1: Dilation of the cervix
- The longest stage (12 to 14 hours).
- Contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes intervals and increase to 2 to 5 minutes.
- The cervix fully opens to 10 centimeters.
Stage 2: Descent and emergence of the baby
- Baby's head moves through the cervix and birth canal (up to an hour).
- Ends with the baby's complete emergence.
Stage 3: Expulsion of the placenta/ Afterbirth
- Placenta and umbilical cord are expelled from the mother.

The Neonatal Period - Size and Appearance

The first four weeks of life, a transition to independence.
Neonates lose weight initially then regain.
Distinguishing features include a large head, receding chin, and fontanels (soft spots on the head).
Lanugo: Hair covering newborns.
Vernix caseosa: Cheesy varnish on newborns.

The Neonatal Period - Body Systems and State of Arousal

Body systems must operate independently after birth.
Meconium: Stringy, greenish-black waste matter expelled by infants.
Neonatal jaundice: Yellow discoloration due to liver immaturity (occurs in half of infants).
States of arousal: Cycles of wakefulness, sleep, and activity are innate.
Sleep occupies the most time, gradually decreasing.
Activity levels show stability and might be early indications of temperament.

Complications of Childbirth - Low Birth Weight

A major factor in infant mortality and long-term physical and cognitive issues.
Low-birth-weight babies (LBW): Neonates weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds).
Preterm (premature) infants: Born before the 37th week of gestation.
Small-for-date (small-for-gestational-age) infants: Born at or around due date but smaller than expected.
Very-low-birthweight babies have a less favorable prognosis.
Risk factors for low birth weight:
- Demographic and socioeconomic factors (age, poverty, marital status, education).
- Medical factors preceding pregnancy (number of children, height, weight, previous low birth weight, UTI, hypertension).
- Prenatal behavioral and environmental factors (nutrition, prenatal care, drug use, stress).

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Description

Test your knowledge on various research methods in psychology, including double-blind procedures and the time span of research. This quiz covers developmental, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies, their advantages and disadvantages. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of these essential concepts.