Human Growth and Development Exam 1

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The second leading cause of neonatal mortality in the United States is low birth weight, which is largely preventable through proper prenatal care, nutrition, and health interventions. Low birth weight infants are at higher risk for various health complications and mortality, making it an important issue to address in maternal and child health programs. Malnutrition (choice A) can contribute to low birth weight but is not the direct cause of neonatal mortality. Physical abnormality (choice B) can be a factor in some cases but is not the second leading cause overall. Sudden infant death syndrome (choice D) refers to unexplained deaths of seemingly healthy babies and is not related to low birth weight as a leading cause of neonatal mortality.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Research on newborn taste preferences has found that not until around 4 months of age do babies start to show a preference for a salty taste over plain water. This indicates that newborns do have some ability to distinguish tastes, contrary to the statement in option A. The statement in option C that newborns prefer the taste of formula to breast milk is not supported by research on newborn taste preferences. Option D, stating that babies relax their facial muscles in response to sour tastes, is also not a supported statement regarding newborn taste preferences.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Konrad Lorenz and Niko Tinbergen are considered the founders of ethology, a branch of biology and psychology that focuses on the study of animal behavior in natural environments. Their work laid the modern foundations for ethology, which examines the behavior of animals in relation to their natural habitats and evolutionary history. Choice B, social learning theory, is incorrect as it pertains to a different area of psychology that focuses on how people learn through observing others. Choice C, psychoanalytic theory, is also incorrect as it is a psychological theory developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts in determining behavior. Choice D, cognitive-developmental theory, is incorrect as it refers to the work of Jean Piaget in understanding the development of human cognition in children.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The harm done by teratogens depends on the age at the time of exposure. This means that the effects may vary depending on the developmental stage of the fetus when exposed to the teratogen. Teratogens can have different impacts at different stages of pregnancy, leading to a range of potential outcomes in terms of physical and/or cognitive development. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the harm caused by teratogens is not straightforward, may not be apparent at birth, and can go beyond physical damage, affecting cognitive development as well.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A small-for-date baby, also known as a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby, is a baby who is born below their expected weight considering the length of the pregnancy. This can be due to various factors including issues with growth restriction in the womb. Being small-for-date is different from being preterm (born prematurely) and does not necessarily mean that the baby was born early. Choice A is incorrect because being small-for-date does not specifically indicate being born several weeks or more before the due date. Choice C is incorrect because being small-for-date does not guarantee fewer problems than a preterm infant, as each baby's health outcomes can vary. Choice D is incorrect because while small-for-date babies may have initial difficulties, it does not guarantee that these issues will be outgrown by the preschool years.