piagets critics point out that

ATI RN

Human Growth and Development Final Exam

1. Piaget's critics point out that __________.

A. he overestimated the competencies of infants and young children
B. his stagewise account pays insufficient attention to social and cultural influences
C. discovery learning rather than adult teaching is the best way to foster development
D. children's performances on Piagetian tasks cannot be improved with training

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Piaget's critics point out that his stagewise account pays insufficient attention to social and cultural influences. Critics argue that Piaget's theory does not fully consider the impact of social interactions, cultural differences, and individual experiences on children's cognitive development. They believe that these factors play a crucial role in shaping a child's thinking and problem-solving abilities, which should be given more emphasis. Choice A is incorrect because Piaget's critics do not focus on him overestimating the competencies of infants and young children. Choice C is incorrect as it discusses a different aspect of learning rather than the critique of Piaget's theory. Choice D is also incorrect since critics do not argue that children's performances on Piagetian tasks cannot be improved with training.

2. Which statement provides an example of an age-graded influence?

A. Paul learned to play the violin at a young age.
B. Jack enjoys hiking in the mountains.
C. Sarah prefers reading mystery novels.
D. Alex excels in mathematics.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The corrected statement 'Paul learned to play the violin at a young age' provides an example of an age-graded influence. This is because learning to play the violin is a behavior that is typical or expected at a certain age, reflecting how age influences individuals' experiences and development. In contrast, choices B, C, and D do not directly relate to age-graded influences. Jack's enjoyment of hiking, Sarah's preference for reading mystery novels, and Alex's proficiency in mathematics are not inherently tied to age-related developmental influences.

3. Dr. Langley's work is devoted to understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan. Dr. Langley's field of study is __________.

A. genetics
B. clinical psychology
C. adolescent development
D. developmental science

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Dr. Langley's work being focused on understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan aligns with the field of developmental science, which studies how individuals grow and change from birth through old age. This field encompasses the study of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and other aspects of development across the lifespan. Choice A, genetics, primarily focuses on the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation, which is not directly related to understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan. Choice B, clinical psychology, concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders rather than the broader study of development across the lifespan. Choice C, adolescent development, is more specific and limited in scope compared to the comprehensive study of development across the entire lifespan, which is the focus of developmental science.

4. A major limitation of systematic observation is that it __________.

A. provides little information on how participants actually behave
B. tells investigators little about the reasoning behind responses and behaviors
C. underestimates the capacities of individuals who have difficulty putting their thoughts into words
D. ignores participants with poor memories, who may have trouble recalling exactly what happened

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A major limitation of systematic observation is that it tells investigators little about the reasoning behind responses and behaviors. Systematic observation focuses more on recording observable behaviors rather than delving into the underlying reasons or thought processes driving those behaviors. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because systematic observation can indeed provide detailed information on how participants actually behave, it doesn't necessarily underestimate the capacities of individuals who struggle with verbal expression, and it doesn't solely ignore participants with poor memories as it can capture behavior in real-time regardless of memory recall.

5. Dr. Kostel believes that development takes place in stages. This belief is consistent with the __________ perspective.

A. nurture
B. continuous
C. discontinuous
D. nature

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Dr. Kostel's belief in stage-based development aligns with the discontinuous perspective, which sees development as a series of distinct stages. The continuous perspective (choice B) suggests development as a smooth and gradual process without distinct stages. The nature perspective (choice D) focuses on genetic and hereditary influences on development. The nurture perspective (choice A) emphasizes the impact of environment and upbringing on development, which is not directly related to the belief in stage-based development.