Nursing Elites

1. Evolutionary developmental psychology __________.

• A. focuses on how the structures of the mind develop to better fit with, or represent, the external world
• B. seeks to understand the adaptive value of species-wide competencies as those competencies change with age
• C. views the human mind as a symbol-manipulating system through which information flows
• D. brings together researchers from many fields to study changes in the brain and behavior patterns

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Evolutionary developmental psychology seeks to understand the adaptive value of species-wide competencies as those competencies change with age. This field focuses on how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved to enhance survival and reproduction over time. It emphasizes the interaction between evolutionary principles and developmental processes to provide insights into human behavior and cognition. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the primary focus of evolutionary developmental psychology. Choice A is more aligned with cognitive psychology, choice C relates to cognitive science, and choice D could pertain to multidisciplinary approaches but not specifically to evolutionary developmental psychology.

2. During prenatal development, the ectoderm folds over to form the __________, or primitive spinal cord.

• A. mesoderm; neuron tract
• B. neural tube
• C. endoderm; neural tube
• D. neuron tract

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. During prenatal development, the ectoderm folds over to form the neural tube, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. The neural tube is the precursor to the central nervous system, including the primitive spinal cord. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the mesoderm does not form the neural tube, the endoderm is not involved in the formation of the central nervous system, and neuron tract is not the structure that forms the primitive spinal cord.

3. Bernadette, a participant in a longitudinal study, became quite familiar with the test over time and, as a result, her performance improved. This limitation of longitudinal research is known as __________. Copyright © 2018 Laura E. Berk. All Rights Reserved. 34 Test Bank for Berk, Development Through the Lifespan, 7e

• A. biased sampling
• B. practice effects
• C. random assignment
• D. cohort effects Answer: B Page Ref: 35 Skill Level: Apply Topic: Studying Development Difficulty Level: Moderate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Practice effects refer to the phenomenon where participants in a longitudinal study show improvement in test performance over time due to becoming familiar with the tasks or test materials. This can be considered a limitation as it may distort the results by showing an artificial improvement rather than a true developmental change.

4. According to Piaget, in which stage of cognitive development is four-year-old R’Monte who engages in make-believe play by stirring beads in a bowl and saying, “Soup is ready!”?

• A. sensorimotor
• B. preoperational
• C. concrete operational
• D. sociocultural

Correct answer: B

Rationale: According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, four-year-old R’Monte's engagement in make-believe play, such as pretending to stir beads in a bowl and creating imaginary soup, indicates that he is in the preoperational stage of cognitive development. This stage is characterized by symbolic thinking, pretend play, language development, and egocentrism. Choice A, sensorimotor, is incorrect as this stage occurs in infancy and focuses on sensory experiences and object permanence. Choice C, concrete operational, is incorrect as this stage occurs around ages 7-11 and involves logical reasoning about concrete events. Choice D, sociocultural, is incorrect as it does not correspond to Piaget's stages of cognitive development.

5. In an experimental study examining whether children who are read to more often score higher on vocabulary tests in first grade, the independent variable would be the __________.

• A. frequency of read-alouds
• B. type of books parents read
• C. child’s vocabulary score Copyright © 2018 Laura E. Berk. All Rights Reserved. 31 Test Bank for Berk, Development Through the Lifespan, 7e
• D. difficulty of vocabulary words Answer: A Page Ref: 33 Skill Level: Apply and limitations of each. Topic: Studying Development Difficulty Level: Difficult

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In an experimental study, the independent variable is the factor being manipulated or controlled by the researcher. In this case, the frequency of read-alouds is the variable that researchers would intentionally change or vary to see its effect on the dependent variable, which is the children's vocabulary scores. The other options (B. type of books parents read, C. child's vocabulary score, and D. difficulty of vocabulary words) are not the independent variable in this study as they are either irrelevant or are the outcome being measured.

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