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. Basic emotions __________.

A. appear in the middle of the second year
B. are universal in humans
C. are found only among humans
D. involve injury to our sense of self

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Basic emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger are universal across humans, meaning they are experienced by people worldwide regardless of cultural differences. These emotions are not limited to a specific group of individuals or exclusive to humans; they are observed in various species. Choice A is incorrect because basic emotions actually appear early in life, not specifically in the middle of the second year. Choice C is incorrect as basic emotions are not exclusive to humans but are observed in other animals as well. Choice D is incorrect because basic emotions do not necessarily involve injury to our sense of self, but rather represent fundamental and instinctual feelings that are part of human nature.

3. Like Piaget's theory, the information-processing approach __________.

A. divides development into stages
B. views development as discontinuous
C. regards people as actively making sense of their own thinking
D. has much to say about nonlinear cognition, such as imagination and creativity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'regards people as actively making sense of their own thinking.' The information-processing approach, similar to Piaget's theory, focuses on how individuals actively process information, encode it, store it, and retrieve it to understand the world around them. Choices A and B are incorrect because the information-processing approach does not necessarily divide development into stages or view development as discontinuous. Choice D is incorrect because the information-processing approach is more concerned with cognitive processes like encoding, storage, and retrieval, rather than nonlinear cognition such as imagination and creativity.

4. Which statement is supported by research on newborn taste preferences?

A. Newborns cannot distinguish basic tastes.
B. Not until 4 months do babies prefer a salty taste to plain water.
C. Newborns prefer the taste of formula to breast milk.
D. Unlike adults, babies relax their facial muscles in response to sour tastes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Research on newborn taste preferences has found that not until around 4 months of age do babies start to show a preference for a salty taste over plain water. This indicates that newborns do have some ability to distinguish tastes, contrary to the statement in option A. The statement in option C that newborns prefer the taste of formula to breast milk is not supported by research on newborn taste preferences. Option D, stating that babies relax their facial muscles in response to sour tastes, is also not a supported statement regarding newborn taste preferences.

5. Students who are foreign-born or first-generation Americans _______ than students of native-born parents.

A. are more likely to commit delinquent and violent acts
B. are more likely to be obese
C. often achieve in school as well as or better
D. tend to report lower self-esteem

Correct answer: C

Rationale: According to the information provided in the text box 'CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Immigrant Youths: Adapting to a New Land' on page 32, students who are foreign-born or first-generation Americans often achieve in school as well as or better than students of native-born parents. This implies that they excel academically despite facing challenges related to cultural adaptation and assimilation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the provided information specifically highlights the academic achievement of foreign-born or first-generation American students compared to students of native-born parents, not their likelihood of committing delinquent acts, obesity rates, or self-esteem levels.