Human Growth and Development Exam Questions

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: C

Rationale: Drawing the children's names out of a hat is a way to randomly assign them to treatment conditions. Random assignment helps to ensure that any differences in self-esteem that may be observed in the study are not due to pre-existing characteristics of the children. This method helps to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the teacher's use of encouragement and the children's self-esteem. Choice A is incorrect because assigning children based on test scores may introduce bias into the study. Choice B is incorrect as balancing gender is not relevant to the research question. Choice D is incorrect as it introduces a bias by selecting a specific group of children based on a characteristic unrelated to the study objective.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: T. Berry Brazelton's Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) evaluates a newborn's reflexes, muscle tone, state changes, and responsiveness to stimulation. This assessment helps healthcare providers understand the newborn's behavioral responses and capabilities in various areas, providing valuable insights into their overall development and well-being. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the NBAS focuses on assessing the newborn's behavioral responses and capabilities, rather than their risk for developmental problems, compliance with commands, or physiological parameters like heart rate and respiratory effort.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The statement that the genetic makeup of the mother and the developing organism plays an important role in the harm done by teratogens is true. Genetic factors can influence susceptibility to teratogens, and the interaction between genetic and environmental factors plays a significant role in determining the impact on the developing fetus. This highlights the importance of considering both genetic and environmental influences when assessing risks to prenatal development. Choice A is incorrect as passive smoking can indeed be harmful to the developing fetus. Choice C is incorrect as the negative impact of teratogens is often not reversible. Choice D is incorrect as serious defects can occur throughout prenatal development, not just in the germinal period.

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.