Human Growth and Development Exam Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: eye-blink. The eye-blink reflex is the one that protects an infant from strong stimulation by causing them to quickly shut their eyes in response to sudden bright light or a loud noise. This reflex helps to safeguard the infant's sensitive eyes from potential harm. The Moro reflex (choice A) is the startle reflex, the sucking reflex (choice C) helps with feeding, and the palmar grasp reflex (choice D) is when the infant's fingers close around an object placed in their hand; none of these reflexes specifically protect the infant from strong stimulation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Longitudinal research involves tracking the performance of each person over time. By doing so, researchers can observe common patterns in development among a group of individuals and also identify individual differences in how each person progresses over time. This methodology allows researchers to gather data on the same individuals repeatedly, offering insights into how development unfolds over the lifespan. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because longitudinal research focuses on observing individuals over time rather than studying groups at a single point, randomly assigning participants to treatments, or conducting quasi-experiments.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Many theorists believe that behaviorism and social learning theory offer too narrow a view of important environmental influences. This is because they focus mainly on observable behaviors and external factors, neglecting the role of internal cognitive processes and individual differences in shaping development. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because behaviorism and social learning theory do not specifically emphasize the plasticity of cognitive development, overestimate people's contributions to their own development, or overemphasize each individual's unique life history. Instead, they are criticized for providing a limited perspective by focusing predominantly on external stimuli and behaviors.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Observations of imprinting in animals, such as ducklings following the first moving object they see after hatching, led to the major concept of the critical period in human development. The critical period is a specific time frame during which an organism must experience certain stimuli to develop properly. This concept has been influential in understanding various aspects of human development, such as language acquisition and social attachment. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Adaptation refers to adjusting to the environment, equilibrium is about balance in cognitive processes, and classical conditioning is a learning process associated with behaviorism, none of which directly relate to the concept derived from imprinting observations.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A rise in the baby's heart rate during pregnancy is usually followed within five seconds by a burst of motor activity. This indicates that the baby is responding to stimuli and is an important sign of healthy fetal development. A period of sleep, a rise in Liz's heart rate, or a drop in Liz's body temperature are not typically immediate responses to changes in the baby's heart rate. Sleep is less likely to be a direct response to changes in heart rate, Liz's heart rate is independent of the baby's heart rate changes, and a drop in Liz's body temperature is not a common immediate response to fetal heart rate changes.