2890 - Unit 1 - CH 1 - 3

Abby is interested in the scientific study of age-related changes in behavior, thinking, emotion, and personality. She decides to pursue a career in the field of ________.

• neuroscience

• psychology

• human development

• social psychology

Answer explanation

Abby is studying age-related changes in behavior and personality, which aligns with human development. This field specifically focuses on how individuals grow and change throughout their lifespan, making it the correct choice.

Paige is learning in her developmental psychology class about changes such as puberty and menopause that occur in a genetically programmed, sequential way. Her teacher asks, "What term did Arnold Gesell use to describe these patterns of change?"

• Maturation

• Growth

• Social clock

• Age norms

Answer explanation

Arnold Gesell used the term 'maturation' to describe genetically programmed, sequential changes like puberty and menopause. This term emphasizes the natural progression of development over time.

Young Emily's parents are curious about her development and want to know: When does the period of middle childhood occur?

• After a child begins walking

• After a child begins talking

• After a child enters school

• After a child begins puberty

Answer explanation

Middle childhood typically begins when a child enters school, around ages 6 to 12. This period is characterized by significant cognitive, social, and emotional development, distinguishing it from earlier stages.

Steven is keeping track of the number of apples he picks each day. One day, he notices that the number of apples he picked has changed compared to the previous day. Which term best describes this change in amount?

• Qualitative change

• Quantitative change

• Significant change

• Metric change

Answer explanation

The change in the number of apples Steven picked is a measurable difference, which is best described as a quantitative change. This term refers to changes in numerical values, unlike qualitative changes that describe characteristics.

Jayce learns in his developmental psychology class that for girls, puberty often begins with the onset of menstruation. Based on this, puberty could be considered a matter of:

• discontinuity

• continuity

• quantitative development

• ecological development

Answer explanation

Puberty is marked by distinct changes, such as the onset of menstruation, indicating a shift from one developmental stage to another. This aligns with the concept of discontinuity, where development occurs in distinct stages.

Aria is thinking about when to go to college, get married, have children, and retire. Her sense of the “right time” for these life events is determined by her:

• biological clock

• intuition

• social clock

• cultural and cohort continuity

Answer explanation

Aria's sense of the "right time" for life events is influenced by societal expectations and norms, which is referred to as the social clock. This concept encompasses the timing of significant life milestones.

Michael notices that many people at his workplace assume older employees are less capable and often exclude them from important projects. What term is used for this general negative attitude about aging, typified by the belief that older persons are incompetent?

• Sexism

• Relativism

• Ageism

• Racism

Answer explanation

The term for the negative attitude towards aging, which includes the belief that older individuals are less capable, is 'ageism'. This reflects the bias that Michael observes in his workplace.

Elias grew up during the Israel–Palestine War of 2023, and his life experiences were shaped by this historical event. Variations in life experiences that are associated with a certain historical event, such as the Israel–Palestine War of 2023, can be considered:

• nonnormative changes

• general normative changes

• normative age-graded changes

• normative history-graded changes

Answer explanation

Elias's experiences during the Israel–Palestine War of 2023 are shaped by a specific historical context, making them normative history-graded changes, as they reflect the impact of significant historical events on individuals.

Samantha moved to a new country and experienced changes in her life resulting from this unique, unshared event. Which term refers to changes like these?

• Nonnormative change

• General normative change

• Normative age-graded change

• Normative history-graded change

Answer explanation

Nonnormative change refers to unique, individual experiences that are not shared by most people, such as Samantha's move to a new country. This contrasts with normative changes that are common across individuals.

Ella and Kyle are studying child development and learn that there may be significant periods in development when an organism is especially sensitive to the presence or absence of some particular kind of experience. This idea is referred to as a:

• cohort influence

• critical period

• collectivist cultural influence

• timing influence

Answer explanation

The term 'critical period' refers to specific times in development when an organism is particularly sensitive to certain experiences. This concept highlights the importance of timing in developmental processes.