Question 1

Which of the following best describes Bronfenbrenner's 'mesosystem' in his ecological systems theory?

Accepted Answer

The interconnections between the different microsystems in a child's life, such as the relationship between home and school.

Question 2

A developmental psychologist is designing a study to examine the impact of a new teaching method on children's reading skills. She randomly assigns students to either the new method or the traditional method and measures their reading scores after six months. Which research design is she using?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Question 3

Which of the following is a key difference between monozygotic and dizygotic twins?

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins are genetically identical, while dizygotic twins are as genetically similar as regular siblings.

Question 4

A researcher wants to study the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol on cognitive development. She follows a group of children from birth to age 10, assessing their cognitive abilities every two years. What type of research design is this?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal design

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates a gene-environment correlation?

Accepted Answer

A child inherits a genetic tendency for high intelligence and is also provided with intellectually stimulating experiences by their parents.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a major ethical responsibility for developmental psychologists when conducting research with children?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing potential harm to obtain significant results.

Question 7

A psychologist is interested in the cohort effect. Which research design would best help her identify cohort effects in cognitive development?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional design

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the concept of heritability in behavioral genetics?

Accepted Answer

The proportion of a trait in a population that is due to genetic differences among individuals.

Question 9

A child is born with a genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome 21. What is the name of this disorder?

Accepted Answer

Down syndrome

Question 10

Which of the following is a limitation of correlational research designs in developmental psychology?

Accepted Answer

They cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 11

A pregnant woman is prescribed thalidomide during the sensitive period of limb development. What is the most likely outcome for the fetus?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal limb development or limb malformations

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the Apgar scale?

Accepted Answer

A measure of newborns’ physical condition immediately after birth, assessing five criteria.

Question 13

Which of the following is a major difference between REM and non-REM sleep in newborns?

Accepted Answer

REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements and irregular breathing, while non-REM sleep is more regular and less active.

Question 14

A researcher finds that children who watch more educational TV programs tend to have higher reading scores. Which of the following statements is correct based on this finding?

Accepted Answer

There is a positive correlation between watching educational TV and reading scores.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a sensitive period in prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

A period when the developing organism is especially responsive to certain environmental influences.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a passive gene-environment correlation?

Accepted Answer

Parents who are avid readers provide both the genes and a home filled with books, fostering reading skills in their child.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains the concept of canalization in development?

Accepted Answer

The tendency of heredity to restrict the development of some characteristics to just one or a few outcomes.

Question 18

A newborn is assessed using the NBAS (Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale). What does this assessment primarily measure?

Accepted Answer

The newborn’s behavioral responses and neurological well-being.

Question 19

Which of the following is a recommended precaution to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)?

Accepted Answer

Placing the infant to sleep on their back.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual, while phenotype is the observable expression of those genes.

Developmental Psychology: Key Concepts and Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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