Nursing Elites

1. Most cognitive aging research has focused on intellectual ________.

• A. stability
• B. gains
• C. competence
• D. deficits

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: deficits.' Most cognitive aging research has indeed focused on deficits rather than stability, gains, or competence. Studies have consistently shown that deficits in processing speed and memory are common in aging individuals, making it a primary area of interest in research. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because cognitive aging research primarily aims to understand and address deficits associated with aging rather than focusing on stability, gains, or overall competence.

2. Professor Higgins is concerned about the findings of a longitudinal study on childhood depression that she conducted between 1985 and 2015 in New York because many of the participants witnessed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Professor Higgins is concerned about __________ effects.

• A. practice
• B. cross-sectional
• C. dropout
• D. cohort

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The concern Professor Higgins has regarding the findings of the longitudinal study is related to cohort effects. Cohort effects occur when a specific group of individuals experience a common event or circumstance that could influence the results of a study. In this case, the participants witnessing the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center could have had a significant impact on their development and mental health outcomes, leading to cohort effects observed in the study. Choice A, 'practice,' is incorrect as it refers to the repeated performance of an activity to improve skill. Choice B, 'cross-sectional,' is incorrect as it involves data collection at a single point in time. Choice C, 'dropout,' is incorrect as it refers to participants leaving a study prematurely.

3. 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.

4. Longitudinal research can identify common patterns as well as individual differences in development because the investigator __________.

• A. studies groups of participants differing in age at the same point in time
• B. randomly assigns participants to treatment conditions
• C. tracks the performance of each person over time
• D. conducts quasi-experiments, comparing conditions that already exist

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Longitudinal research involves tracking the performance of each person over time. By doing so, researchers can observe common patterns in development among a group of individuals and also identify individual differences in how each person progresses over time. This methodology allows researchers to gather data on the same individuals repeatedly, offering insights into how development unfolds over the lifespan. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because longitudinal research focuses on observing individuals over time rather than studying groups at a single point, randomly assigning participants to treatments, or conducting quasi-experiments.

5. School-age children master concrete operational tasks ________.

• A. all at once
• B. gradually, in a continuum of acquisition
• C. much later than Piaget believed
• D. after they master abstract thinking

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Correct answer: School-age children master concrete operational tasks gradually, in a continuum of acquisition. Piaget's theory suggests that children develop cognitive abilities in stages, with concrete operational tasks being acquired gradually as part of this process. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because concrete operational tasks are not typically mastered all at once, much later than Piaget believed, or necessarily after mastering abstract thinking.

Similar Questions