Human Growth and Development Exam Questions

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Sydney's approach of starting with a hypothesis, deducing testable inferences, and isolating and combining variables to confirm inferences aligns with the characteristics of the formal operational stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This stage typically emerges during adolescence and is characterized by advanced logical thinking, abstract reasoning, and the ability to think systematically about all possible outcomes of a problem. Choice A, sensorimotor, is incorrect as it pertains to the stage where infants learn through sensory experiences and motor actions. Choice B, preoperational, is incorrect as it involves egocentrism and lack of conservation. Choice C, concrete operational, is incorrect as it focuses on operational thought and logical reasoning in concrete contexts.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: At around 4 months of age, babies begin to develop a preference for salty taste over plain water. This preference is part of their sensory development and exploration of tastes. Introducing a variety of flavors, including salty tastes, at this stage helps broaden the baby's palate and acceptance of different foods later on. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as babies typically do not develop a preference for salty tastes over plain water at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, or 2 months of age. These earlier stages are more focused on milk feeding and the introduction of solid foods usually begins around 4-6 months of age.

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: 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: The blank in the statement refers to an approach that can be used in combination with an experimental strategy. Longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches are two common research methods in developmental psychology. Longitudinal studies involve following the same group of individuals over an extended period, while cross-sectional studies compare different groups of individuals of different ages at the same time. By combining an experimental strategy with either a longitudinal or a cross-sectional approach, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of developmental processes and changes over time. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because correlational and sequential are not the most relevant approaches when studying developmental changes over time in research.