Human Growth and Development Exam Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, nurture. Nurture refers to the environmental influences that shape behavior and development. In this scenario, Justin's adoptive mother believes that providing sensitive caregiving will override the negative effects of his early experiences in the orphanage, highlighting the importance of nurture in promoting healthy development. Choice B, stages, is incorrect as it refers to the sequence of developmental milestones individuals pass through. Choice C, stability, is incorrect as it pertains to the consistency of behavior or development over time. Choice D, nature, is incorrect as it relates to genetic and biological factors influencing development, which is not the focus of Justin's mother's beliefs.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: At around 4 months of age, babies begin to develop a preference for salty taste over plain water. This preference is part of their sensory development and exploration of tastes. Introducing a variety of flavors, including salty tastes, at this stage helps broaden the baby's palate and acceptance of different foods later on. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as babies typically do not develop a preference for salty tastes over plain water at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, or 2 months of age. These earlier stages are more focused on milk feeding and the introduction of solid foods usually begins around 4-6 months of age.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Epidural analgesia is the most common approach to controlling pain during labor. It involves the administration of pain medication through a catheter placed in the epidural space of the spine, providing pain relief while allowing the mother to remain alert and participate in the birthing process. It is preferred by many women due to its effectiveness in reducing labor pain. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly address pain management during labor. While an anesthetic and a spinal block are forms of pain relief, epidural analgesia is specifically the most common method used for pain control during labor.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Sydney's approach of starting with a hypothesis, deducing testable inferences, and isolating and combining variables to confirm inferences aligns with the characteristics of the formal operational stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This stage typically emerges during adolescence and is characterized by advanced logical thinking, abstract reasoning, and the ability to think systematically about all possible outcomes of a problem. Choice A, sensorimotor, is incorrect as it pertains to the stage where infants learn through sensory experiences and motor actions. Choice B, preoperational, is incorrect as it involves egocentrism and lack of conservation. Choice C, concrete operational, is incorrect as it focuses on operational thought and logical reasoning in concrete contexts.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Observations of imprinting in animals, such as ducklings following the first moving object they see after hatching, led to the major concept of the critical period in human development. The critical period is a specific time frame during which an organism must experience certain stimuli to develop properly. This concept has been influential in understanding various aspects of human development, such as language acquisition and social attachment. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Adaptation refers to adjusting to the environment, equilibrium is about balance in cognitive processes, and classical conditioning is a learning process associated with behaviorism, none of which directly relate to the concept derived from imprinting observations.