g stanley hall and his student arnold gesell

ATI RN

Human Growth and Development Final Exam

1. G. Stanley Hall and his student, Arnold Gesell, __________.

A. discovered that prenatal growth is strikingly similar in many species
B. launched the normative approach
C. constructed the first standardized intelligence test
D. were the forefathers of psychoanalytic theory

Correct answer: B

Rationale: G. Stanley Hall and his student, Arnold Gesell, launched the normative approach. This approach involves studying large numbers of people of different ages and examining the age-related averages of behaviors to establish norms or typical development patterns. These scholars focused on the systematic observation of how and when certain behaviors appear in children. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the contributions of G. Stanley Hall and Arnold Gesell in the field of developmental psychology.

2. The embryonic disk __________.

A. becomes the new organism
B. is the outer ring of cells on a blastocyst
C. has a good chance of survival outside the womb
D. is a protective membrane that surrounds the amnion Answer: A Page Ref: 77 Skill Level: Understand Topic: Prenatal Development Difficulty Level: Moderate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The embryonic disk becomes the new organism. It is a cluster of cells within the blastocyst that will develop into the fetus during the early stages of prenatal development. This cluster of cells is responsible for giving rise to all the tissues and organs of the developing organism.

3. One criticism of the information-processing approach is that it __________.

A. underestimates the individual's contribution to his or her own development
B. ignores transformation in adulthood, concluding that no major cognitive changes occur after adolescence
C. underestimates the competencies of infants and preschoolers, focusing on older children and adolescents
D. is better at analyzing thinking into its components than at putting them back together into a comprehensive theory

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The criticism that the information-processing approach ignores transformation in adulthood, concluding that no major cognitive changes occur after adolescence, suggests a limitation of the theory in not fully acknowledging that cognitive development continues throughout the lifespan. This criticism highlights a potential drawback of the approach in terms of its understanding of cognitive changes beyond adolescence. Choice A is incorrect because the criticism is not about underestimating the individual's contribution. Choice C is also incorrect as the criticism is not related to age-specific competencies. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on a different aspect of the information-processing approach.

4. Who is generally regarded as the founder of the child study movement?

A. Charles Darwin
B. G. Stanley Hall
C. Alfred Binet
D. Sigmund Freud

Correct answer: B

Rationale: G. Stanley Hall is generally regarded as the founder of the child study movement. He established the first American research laboratory dedicated to child psychology and education, helping to pioneer the scientific study of child development. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they were not primarily associated with founding the child study movement. Charles Darwin is known for his contributions to the theory of evolution, Alfred Binet is famous for developing the first intelligence test, and Sigmund Freud is renowned for his work in psychoanalysis.

5. The term teratogen refers to __________.

A. any environmental agent that causes damage during the prenatal period
B. a limited time span during which a part of the body is biologically prepared to develop rapidly
C. a rapid period of prenatal neurological development
D. a synthetic hormone used to prevent miscarriage

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'any environmental agent that causes damage during the prenatal period.' A teratogen is any substance or factor that can cause harm to the developing fetus during pregnancy. Choice B is incorrect because it describes a critical period, not a teratogen. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to a specific period of development, not a teratogen. Choice D is incorrect because it describes a synthetic hormone, not a teratogen.