physical activity

ATI RN

Human Growth and Development Clep Practice Exam

1. How does physical activity impact mental health?

A. Reduces anxiety and depression
B. Improves mood, but decreases alertness
C. Decreases mood, alertness, and energy
D. Decreases neural activity in the cerebral cortex

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Physical activity is known to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Choice B is incorrect because physical activity generally improves both mood and alertness. Choice C is incorrect as physical activity tends to increase mood, alertness, and energy levels. Choice D is incorrect as physical activity actually increases neural activity in the cerebral cortex, which is associated with improved cognitive function and mental well-being.

2. Which of the following best describes a sequential design?

A. Does not address diversity in developmental outcomes.
B. Permits researchers to check if cohort effects are operating.
C. Is less efficient than a longitudinal design.
D. Makes cross-sectional, but not longitudinal, comparisons.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A sequential design permits researchers to check if cohort effects are operating. This design involves combining cross-sectional and longitudinal research, allowing for the comparison of different cohorts at different ages. By using this approach, researchers can determine if developmental changes observed are due to age or generation-specific factors. Therefore, a sequential design is valuable in addressing the potential influence of cohort effects on developmental outcomes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because a sequential design does not neglect diversity in developmental outcomes, is not necessarily less efficient than a longitudinal design, and can make both cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons.

3. The first successful intelligence test was originally constructed to __________.

A. measure individual differences in IQ
B. document age-related improvements in children's intellectual functioning
C. identify children with learning problems who needed to be placed in special classes
D. compare the scores of people who varied in gender, ethnicity, and birth order

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The first successful intelligence test, the Binet-Simon Scale, was originally developed to identify children with learning problems who required special educational interventions. Choice A is incorrect because measuring individual differences in IQ was not the primary purpose of the test. Choice B is incorrect because documenting age-related improvements in children's intellectual functioning was not the main goal of the test. Choice D is incorrect because comparing the scores of people based on gender, ethnicity, and birth order was not the intended use of the intelligence test.

4. What did Ivan Pavlov discover?

A. observational learning
B. classical conditioning
C. the ego's positive contributions to development
D. the clinical method

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning. This is a form of learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response. Pavlov's famous experiment with dogs, where he conditioned them to salivate at the sound of a bell, demonstrated this principle. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because Pavlov's work primarily focused on classical conditioning, not observational learning, ego contributions to development, or the clinical method.

5. What is a characteristic of structured interviews?

A. Do not yield the same depth of information as a clinical interview
B. Are flexible because questions are phrased differently for each participant
C. Bring together a wide range of information on one person
D. Tell researchers little about the reasoning behind participants' responses

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Structured interviews do not yield the same depth of information as a clinical interview because they involve a set of standardized questions that are asked in the same way to all participants. This lack of flexibility may limit the depth and richness of the responses obtained compared to a more open-ended clinical interview. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because structured interviews are not flexible in question phrasing, do not necessarily bring together a wide range of information on one person, and can provide insights into participants' reasoning behind responses depending on the design of the structured questions.