Stages of Development

Developmental psychologists study physical, cognitive, and ________ change throughout the human life span.

• cross-sectional
• embryonic
• genetic
• social

Which one of the following refers to the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring?

• social identity
• conservation
• maturation
• heredity

When a placenta first develops, it transfers nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the 

• egg cell.
• fetus.
• embryo.
• zygote.

Compared with identical twins, fraternal twins are ________ similar in their abilities and _______similar in their interests

• more; less
• less; more
• more; more
• less; less

A reflex refers to 

• a biochemical unit of heredity.
• an emotional tie to another person.
• an automatic response to sensory stimulation.
• a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Maturation refers to 

• acquiring socially acceptable behaviors.
• biological growth processes that influence development.
• learned behavior patterns that accompany personal growth.
• the physical and sexual development of early adolescence.

From ages 3 to 6, brain growth is most rapid in the 

• frontal lobes.
• hypothalamus.
• cerebellum.
• brainstem.

Infant motor development is typically characterized by individual differences in __________ of the major development milestones.

• both the sequence and age-related timing.
• the sequence but not age-related timing.
• the age-related timing but not the sequence.
• neither the sequence nor age-related timing.

Our earliest conscious memories seldom predate our third birthday.  This best illustrates

• egocentrism.
• role confusion.
• accommodation.
• infantile amnesia.

Cognition refers to 

• an emotional linking one person to another.
• all the menal activities associated with thinking, knowing remembering, and communicating.
• any process that promotes the physical development of the brain.
• any process of change that accompanies maturation.