Growth and Development Exam

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Practice effects refer to the phenomenon where participants in a longitudinal study show improvement in test performance over time due to becoming familiar with the tasks or test materials. This can be considered a limitation as it may distort the results by showing an artificial improvement rather than a true developmental change.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: High doses of caffeine contained in coffee and tea have been linked to an increased risk of low birth weight. Consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy can interfere with the baby's growth and development, leading to a lower birth weight than expected. It is important for pregnant women to limit their caffeine intake to reduce the risk of complications such as low birth weight.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In an experimental study, the independent variable is the factor being manipulated or controlled by the researcher. In this case, the frequency of read-alouds is the variable that researchers would intentionally change or vary to see its effect on the dependent variable, which is the children's vocabulary scores. The other options (B. type of books parents read, C. child's vocabulary score, and D. difficulty of vocabulary words) are not the independent variable in this study as they are either irrelevant or are the outcome being measured.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Newborns of smoking mothers display more muscle tension. This is because nicotine in cigarettes can lead to increased muscle tension in babies, which can affect their physical development and potentially lead to future health issues. This is one of the negative effects of smoking during pregnancy on the developing fetus.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the statement aligns with the concept of reciprocal influences in human development. The new evidence suggests that individuals are not only influenced by the contexts in which they develop but also contribute to shaping those contexts. This idea highlights the dynamic and interactive nature of human development, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between individuals and their environments.