Human Growth and Development Final Exam

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Natural childbirth experts Grantly Dick-Read and Fernand Lamaze recognized that cultural attitudes about childbirth had taught women to fear the birth experience. They believed that this fear contributed to increased pain during labor and advocated for methods to reduce fear and promote relaxation during childbirth. Choice B is incorrect as the focus is on fear, not on techniques to lessen pain. Choice C is incorrect as the experts did not advocate against medical intervention but rather against unnecessary fear. Choice D is incorrect as the experts aimed to change attitudes towards childbirth, not redirect focus to child rearing.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Having access to social support during stressful periods can greatly reduce the effects of stress on the developing organism. Social support can provide emotional comfort, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging, which can help the expectant mother cope with stress more effectively. This support system can also help mitigate the negative impact of stress on the developing baby during pregnancy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while folic acid is important for prenatal health, it does not directly address the effects of stress. Taking anti-anxiety medication should be done under medical supervision and as a last resort due to potential risks to the developing baby. Bed rest during the last trimester is not a solution to reduce the effects of stress and may not address the underlying causes of stress.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Theorists who emphasize stability argue that powerful negative events early in life cannot be completely overcome by later, more positive experiences. They believe that early experiences have a lasting impact on development and are not easily erased or reversed by subsequent events. This perspective contrasts with the idea of plasticity, which suggests that development can be influenced by experiences at any point in life, and that individuals have the capacity for change and growth throughout the lifespan. 'Nurture' does not directly address the concept of overcoming negative events, while 'discontinuity' refers to developmental stages being separate and distinct, not the idea that negative events early in life persist despite later positive experiences.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In an experiment, the independent variable is the one that the investigator expects to cause changes in another variable. It is the factor that is deliberately manipulated or changed by the researcher to observe its effects on the dependent variable. The purpose of manipulating the independent variable is to study its impact on the outcome, allowing researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships in their investigations. Choice A is incorrect because the independent variable is not influenced but rather influences another variable. Choice C is incorrect as the independent variable is intentionally manipulated by the researcher. Choice D is incorrect as it refers to a different concept unrelated to the independent variable in an experiment.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ethnographies reveal that immigrant parents prioritize education as the surest way to improve life chances for their children. While learning English is important for integration, education is considered the key for better opportunities and success in the long term. Close ties to an ethnic community can provide support but may not directly lead to improved life chances. Moving into an urban area is not highlighted in the context of immigrant parents' views on improving life chances through their children's development.