Human Growth and Development Exam 1

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: During the first week of pregnancy, the zygote (fertilized egg) undergoes rapid cell divisions and forms a blastocyst. This is a crucial stage where the cells differentiate and specialize, setting the foundation for the development of the embryo. It is during this time that the zygote implants itself into the uterine wall, initiating the process of pregnancy. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because during the first week of pregnancy, the focus is on the initial development and multiplication of the zygote, not on the development of heart muscles, a primitive brain and spinal cord, or the embryo's ability to move.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Newborn infants who are brain damaged or who have experienced birth trauma often display disturbed REM-NREM sleep cycles. This disruption in the sleep cycle can be a sign of neurological issues and can impact the newborn's overall health and development. Choice B is incorrect because infants with brain damage or birth trauma may actually cry more due to their discomfort or neurological issues. Choice C is incorrect because spending about 20 percent of total sleep time in REM sleep is not necessarily specific to brain-damaged or birth-traumatized infants. Choice D is incorrect because having very low or inaudible cries is not a common characteristic associated with brain damage or birth trauma in infants.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ethical standards permit deception in research studies if investigators satisfy institutional review boards that such practices are necessary. Institutional review boards are responsible for ensuring that research studies comply with ethical guidelines and protect the welfare of study participants. Deception should only be used when necessary, and the board's approval indicates that safeguards are in place to minimize harm to participants. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because ethical deception in research studies is not based on the age of participants, observing from behind mirrors, or obtaining informed consent without revealing the study's real purpose.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: By using random assignment of participants to treatment conditions, investigators increase the chances that participants' characteristics will be equally distributed across treatment groups. Random assignment helps reduce the likelihood of bias in the selection process and ensures that any differences between groups are due to the treatment and not pre-existing group differences. Sequential, systematic, and correlational assignment methods do not provide the same level of assurance in distributing participants' characteristics equally across treatment groups.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The concern Professor Higgins has regarding the findings of the longitudinal study is related to cohort effects. Cohort effects occur when a specific group of individuals experience a common event or circumstance that could influence the results of a study. In this case, the participants witnessing the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center could have had a significant impact on their development and mental health outcomes, leading to cohort effects observed in the study. Choice A, 'practice,' is incorrect as it refers to the repeated performance of an activity to improve skill. Choice B, 'cross-sectional,' is incorrect as it involves data collection at a single point in time. Choice C, 'dropout,' is incorrect as it refers to participants leaving a study prematurely.