Theories of Human Development

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary aim of a theory in developmental psychology?

Explain observed phenomena.
Dictate societal norms. (correct)
Describe existing knowledge.
Provide testable predictions.

Human development exclusively involves positive changes and growth throughout life.

False (B)

What is the primary focus of developmental psychologists during childhood, and why?

Developmental psychologists mainly concentrate on childhood, as this period is characterized by the most significant transformations that shape individuals' paths throughout adolescence and adulthood.

________ development involves changes in abilities such as thinking, reasoning, memory, attention, imagination and language.

Cognitive Signup and view all the answers

Match each lifespan stage with its corresponding age range.

Infancy = Birth to 2 years Childhood = 2 to 10 years Adolescence = 10 to 20 years Middle adulthood = 40 to 65 years Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between how Piaget and Vygotsky viewed cognitive development?

Piaget believed children primarily learn alone, while Vygotsky highlighted the importance of learning from others. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Schemas, according to Piaget, remain static and are not subject to change based on new experiences.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between gross motor skills and fine motor skills, providing an example of each.

Gross motor skills involve larger movements (e.g., crawling), while fine motor skills involve smaller, precise movements (e.g., picking up small objects). Signup and view all the answers

The trend of children entering puberty earlier in the 21st century compared to previous generations is known as ________.

secular growth trends Signup and view all the answers

Match each type of play (according to Parten) with its description.

Solitary play = Child plays alone and seems uninterested in other children's activities. Parallel play = Child plays alongside others with similar toys but does not interact. Associative play = Social interaction with little organization; children are interested in each other. Cooperative play = Children interact in a group with a sense of identity, purpose, and set roles. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of an emotional experience?

Immutable genetic predispositions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Longitudinal research involves studying different age groups at the same point in time.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'nature versus nurture' debate?

It's the discussion about whether development is primarily influenced by inherited genetic factors (nature) or by environmental experiences (nurture). Signup and view all the answers

________ studies involve examining similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins to understand the influence of genetics on various traits.

Twin Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms with their definitions in the context of intelligence measurement.

Mean = The average score. Standard Deviation = Measure of the spread of scores around the mean. Normal Distribution = A bell-shaped curve that shows the distribution of scores. Range = The difference between the highest and lowest scores. Signup and view all the answers

Which of Piaget's stages of cognitive development is characterized by logical thinking about concrete events but difficulty with abstract concepts?

Concrete operational stage. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Adolescence is universally recognized as a distinct stage of development in all cultures.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) affect children's development?

FASD is characterized by stunted growth and brain damage in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, the process of adjusting existing schemas to incorporate new experiences is called ________.

accommodation Signup and view all the answers

Match the description of developmental phases.

Infancy Stage = From birth to 2 years of age Childhood Stage = From age 2 years old to age 10 years old Adolescence Stage = From age 10 years old to age 20 years old Signup and view all the answers

What did Piaget mean when he described children as “little scientists”?

Children actively explore and try to make sense of the world, rather than passively absorbing information. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Intelligence tests measure social and emotional intelligence as well as intellectual potential.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Define social cognition and provide an example of how it develops.

Social cognition is understanding the world through watching, interpreting and remembering social information, and then using it to assess ourselves and others. An example of its development is children learning to take into account others' perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

According to Vygotsky, learning occurs through collaboration, particularly between children adults (often parents or teachers), other children and more ________ peers.

competent Signup and view all the answers

Match types of play styles to a particular age range.

Mastery Play = Up to two years Symbolic Play = Two to six years Play with Rules = Seven years and older Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Human development

Relatively permanent changes in thinking, feeling, and behavior that occur with age.

Theory

Describes what we know, explains what we observe, and provides testable predictions.