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. An experimental design __________.

A. allows researchers to gather information in natural life circumstances without altering the participants' experiences
B. looks at relationships between participants' characteristics and their behavior or development
C. permits inferences about cause and effect because researchers evenhandedly assign people to treatment conditions
D. has one major limitation: researchers cannot infer cause and effect

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An experimental design permits inferences about cause and effect because researchers evenhandedly assign people to treatment conditions. This means that researchers can manipulate certain variables and observe the effects on participants, allowing them to determine causation between variables. This is a key strength of experimental research designs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the primary purpose or strength of experimental designs. Experimental designs do not focus on gathering information in natural life circumstances (A), looking at relationships between characteristics and behavior (B), or have the limitation of not being able to infer cause and effect (D).

3. Vygotsky saw __________ as the foundation for all higher cognitive processes.

A. egocentrism
B. language
C. sensorimotor activity
D. self-reflection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Vygotsky believed that language plays a crucial role in the development of higher cognitive functions. Language enables individuals to communicate, think abstractly, and engage in complex problem-solving, forming the foundation for higher cognitive processes. Egocentrism (Choice A) refers to a stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, not Vygotsky's. Sensorimotor activity (Choice C) is part of Piaget's stages of cognitive development, focusing on how infants understand the world through sensory experiences and physical actions. Self-reflection (Choice D) involves introspection and examination of one's thoughts and feelings, which is not the central concept in Vygotsky's theory.

4. Which state of arousal is considered the most fleeting?

A. Regular sleep
B. REM sleep
C. Drowsiness
D. Quiet alertness

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Quiet alertness is indeed the most fleeting state of arousal. This state is characterized by a newborn infant being awake, calm, and attentive, but it is short-lived and transitions quickly to other states of arousal. Regular sleep, REM sleep, and drowsiness are not considered as brief and transitional as quiet alertness in newborn infants.

5. The negative outcome of Erikson's midlife stage, stagnation, focuses on __________.

A. role confusion
B. selflessness
C. self-indulgence
D. guilt and shame

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'self-indulgence'. Stagnation in Erikson's midlife stage refers to a lack of growth and self-indulgence, leading to a feeling of unproductiveness. This contrasts with 'role confusion' (A), which is associated with Erikson's adolescence stage, 'selflessness' (B) which is a positive trait, and 'guilt and shame' (D) which are emotions typically associated with earlier stages of development.