Human Growth and Development Exam Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Vygotsky's emphasis on culture and social experience did not lead him to neglect the biological side of development. Instead, he believed that biological factors and social influences interact to shape cognitive development. Choice A is correct because it reflects Vygotsky's view that biological factors and social experiences work together in cognitive development. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as Vygotsky's emphasis was not on overemphasizing heredity, focusing solely on independent efforts of children, or placing too much emphasis on children's capacity to shape their own development.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: An experimental design permits inferences about cause and effect because researchers evenhandedly assign people to treatment conditions. This means that researchers can manipulate certain variables and observe the effects on participants, allowing them to determine causation between variables. This is a key strength of experimental research designs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the primary purpose or strength of experimental designs. Experimental designs do not focus on gathering information in natural life circumstances (A), looking at relationships between characteristics and behavior (B), or have the limitation of not being able to infer cause and effect (D).

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Swaddling newborns restricts their movement by wrapping them snugly in a blanket, which helps to mimic the feeling of security they had in the womb. It also helps to maintain their warmth and can promote better sleep patterns. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because swaddling does not increase crying, hinder early motor development, or promote an insecure attachment relationship. Instead, it provides comfort, warmth, and a sense of security for newborns.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. According to the continuous view of development, the difference between the immature and the mature is seen as simply one of amount or complexity. This view suggests that development is a gradual and continuous process where individuals steadily acquire new abilities without abrupt changes or stages. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because nature, discontinuous, and nurture do not align with the description provided in the question. Nature typically refers to genetic or biological factors, discontinuous implies stages or abrupt changes, and nurture relates to environmental influences, none of which are synonymous with the continuous view of development.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Observational learning is when an individual learns by watching others and mimicking their actions or behaviors. In this scenario, Baby Gabriella claps her hands after her mother does, indicating she is learning through observing her mother's behavior and imitating it. The other choices are incorrect: Reinforcement typically involves a consequence that strengthens a behavior, classical conditioning is a type of learning where an association is made between two stimuli, and adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to new conditions.