Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
THEMES AND THEORIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Development is defined as the
a. period of time between birth and adolescence.
b. period during which a child becomes an adult.
c. physical and psychological changes in an individual over a lifetime.
d. physical and psychological changes that occur from conception to adolescence.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 4
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
2. ________ is the discipline concerned with the scientific study of changes in human behaviors and
mental activities over time.
a. Child psychology c. Systematic theory research
b. Behavioral science d. Developmental psychology
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 5
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
3. Dr. Barenboin is a biologist and a researcher interested in children and their development, thus she is
part of the field of ________.
a. developmental psychology c. child psychology
b. developmental science d. behavioral science
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: D REF: 5
OBJ: What Is Development? KEY: WWW MSC: TYPE: A
4. A good theory goes beyond the simple explanation of a phenomenon to ________ the occurrence of
that phenomenon.
a. describe c. change
b. refute d. predict
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
5. A theory that explains and predicts behavior is useful for
a. translating ideas into applications.
b. translating theories into hypotheses.
c. turning hypotheses into social policy.
d. turning research methods into training programs.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: D REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
1
, Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
6. ________ are plans and efforts established by local, regional, or national organizations and agencies
designed to achieve a particular purpose with respect to the members of a society.
a. Social theories c. Social hypotheses
b. Social policies d. Social gatherings
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
7. Which of the following is not an example of the ways in which research can assist in the social policy?
a. Identifying social problems that limit or interfere with child development
b. Designing and carrying out programs to reduce or eliminate factors that hinder children’s
psychological health
c. Lobbying for government involvement in the allocation of funds to child welfare
d. Shedding light on the cultural and social goals that are most beneficial to children
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: A
8. A central question in developmental psychology is whether the child’s development is the result of
genetic endowment or environmental influences. This question is usually referred to as the
a. behavior analysis debate. c. psychosocial debate.
b. biology-destiny debate. d. nature-nurture debate.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 7
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
9. A psychologist who attributes the development of a particular trait to nature is presuming that the trait
is a result of
a. sociocultural influences.
b. genetic endowment.
c. an imitated set of behaviors.
d. a learned response to environmental stimuli.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 7
OBJ: How Do Nature and Nurture Interact in Development? KEY: WWW
MSC: TYPE: C
10. As a very curious child, Andrea is constantly asking her parents numerous questions about everything
she experiences. Based on these question and answer exchanges, Andrea is constantly learning new
things about the world around her. This is an example of
a. the sociocultural influence on development.
b. the role of resilience in development.
2
, Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
c. the importance of nurture in development.
d. the importance of nature in development.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 7–8
OBJ: How Does the Sociocultural Context Influence Development?
MSC: TYPE: A
11. If a psychologist believes that the unique customs, values, and beliefs of a larger social community are
responsible for the development of a particular trait, to which key theme in development does that
psychologist subscribe?
a. Continuity versus discontinuity c. Child’s active role
b. Sociocultural influence d. Nature versus nurture
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 8
OBJ: How Does the Sociocultural Context Influence Development?
MSC: TYPE: C
12. Development can be viewed as a ________ process in which new attainments in thinking, language,
and social behavior are characterized by gradual, steady, and small quantitative advances.
a. stagelike c. continuous
b. discontinuous d. retrograde
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 9
OBJ: Is Development Continuous or Discontinuous? KEY: WWW
MSC: TYPE: C
13. A stage in development is a period of time in which behavior
a. is not noticeably different from that of another period.
b. is quantitatively different from that of another period.
c. changes in gradual and continuous increments.
d. is qualitatively different from that of another period.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 9
OBJ: Is Development Continuous or Discontinuous? MSC: TYPE: C
14. Dr. Marchant views development as a ________ process, where quantitative advances are made
gradually. Dr. Bowman, on the other hand, views development as a ________ process, where advances
are characterized by abrupt, qualitative shifts in thinking and behavior.
a. discontinuous; continuous c. cognitive; metacognitive
b. continuous; discontinuous d. metacognitive; cognitive
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 9
OBJ: Is Development Continuous or Discontinuous? MSC: TYPE: A
15. Individual differences in development are
3
, Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
a. the result of random mutations of genes inherited from parents.
b. most likely a product of a wide range of interacting biological and environmental
influences.
c. primarily the outcome of sociocultural influences.
d. merely the expression of an individual’s personal experiences.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 10
OBJ: How Do the Various Domains of Development Interact? MSC: TYPE: C
16. Andy is small for his age and is usually picked last when his classmates choose teams for sports. As a
result, Andy is very shy and has had a hard time developing good social skills. This example illustrates
that
a. various domains of development interact with one another.
b. school children are unsympathetic toward their shy classmates.
c. school children are unsympathetic toward their small classmates.
d. social development does not interact with physical development.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 10
OBJ: How Do the Various Domains of Development Interact? KEY: WWW
MSC: TYPE: A
17. Even though medieval children were incorporated quickly into the adult world, they were
a. often sold into apprenticeships as teenagers.
b. not allowed to work until they were teenagers.
c. recognized both as different from adults and as possessing special needs.
d. considered to be the same as adults but with less physical strength and stature.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 13
OBJ: The Concept of Childhood MSC: TYPE: C
18. John Locke’s view of the newborn mind as a tabula rasa means that the child is
a. a noble savage incapable of wrongdoing.
b. a noble savage capable of wrongdoing.
c. a blank slate upon which a genetic program unfolds its plans.
d. a blank slate upon which experiences are etched.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 13
OBJ: The Concept of Childhood MSC: TYPE: C
19. The philosophical theory that environmental experiences shape the individual’s development is known
as
a. tabula rasa. c. empiricism.
b. enlightenment. d. behaviorism.
4
Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
THEMES AND THEORIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Development is defined as the
a. period of time between birth and adolescence.
b. period during which a child becomes an adult.
c. physical and psychological changes in an individual over a lifetime.
d. physical and psychological changes that occur from conception to adolescence.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 4
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
2. ________ is the discipline concerned with the scientific study of changes in human behaviors and
mental activities over time.
a. Child psychology c. Systematic theory research
b. Behavioral science d. Developmental psychology
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 5
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
3. Dr. Barenboin is a biologist and a researcher interested in children and their development, thus she is
part of the field of ________.
a. developmental psychology c. child psychology
b. developmental science d. behavioral science
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: D REF: 5
OBJ: What Is Development? KEY: WWW MSC: TYPE: A
4. A good theory goes beyond the simple explanation of a phenomenon to ________ the occurrence of
that phenomenon.
a. describe c. change
b. refute d. predict
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
5. A theory that explains and predicts behavior is useful for
a. translating ideas into applications.
b. translating theories into hypotheses.
c. turning hypotheses into social policy.
d. turning research methods into training programs.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: D REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
1
, Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
6. ________ are plans and efforts established by local, regional, or national organizations and agencies
designed to achieve a particular purpose with respect to the members of a society.
a. Social theories c. Social hypotheses
b. Social policies d. Social gatherings
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
7. Which of the following is not an example of the ways in which research can assist in the social policy?
a. Identifying social problems that limit or interfere with child development
b. Designing and carrying out programs to reduce or eliminate factors that hinder children’s
psychological health
c. Lobbying for government involvement in the allocation of funds to child welfare
d. Shedding light on the cultural and social goals that are most beneficial to children
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 6
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: A
8. A central question in developmental psychology is whether the child’s development is the result of
genetic endowment or environmental influences. This question is usually referred to as the
a. behavior analysis debate. c. psychosocial debate.
b. biology-destiny debate. d. nature-nurture debate.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 7
OBJ: What Is Development? MSC: TYPE: C
9. A psychologist who attributes the development of a particular trait to nature is presuming that the trait
is a result of
a. sociocultural influences.
b. genetic endowment.
c. an imitated set of behaviors.
d. a learned response to environmental stimuli.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 7
OBJ: How Do Nature and Nurture Interact in Development? KEY: WWW
MSC: TYPE: C
10. As a very curious child, Andrea is constantly asking her parents numerous questions about everything
she experiences. Based on these question and answer exchanges, Andrea is constantly learning new
things about the world around her. This is an example of
a. the sociocultural influence on development.
b. the role of resilience in development.
2
, Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
c. the importance of nurture in development.
d. the importance of nature in development.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 7–8
OBJ: How Does the Sociocultural Context Influence Development?
MSC: TYPE: A
11. If a psychologist believes that the unique customs, values, and beliefs of a larger social community are
responsible for the development of a particular trait, to which key theme in development does that
psychologist subscribe?
a. Continuity versus discontinuity c. Child’s active role
b. Sociocultural influence d. Nature versus nurture
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 8
OBJ: How Does the Sociocultural Context Influence Development?
MSC: TYPE: C
12. Development can be viewed as a ________ process in which new attainments in thinking, language,
and social behavior are characterized by gradual, steady, and small quantitative advances.
a. stagelike c. continuous
b. discontinuous d. retrograde
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 9
OBJ: Is Development Continuous or Discontinuous? KEY: WWW
MSC: TYPE: C
13. A stage in development is a period of time in which behavior
a. is not noticeably different from that of another period.
b. is quantitatively different from that of another period.
c. changes in gradual and continuous increments.
d. is qualitatively different from that of another period.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 9
OBJ: Is Development Continuous or Discontinuous? MSC: TYPE: C
14. Dr. Marchant views development as a ________ process, where quantitative advances are made
gradually. Dr. Bowman, on the other hand, views development as a ________ process, where advances
are characterized by abrupt, qualitative shifts in thinking and behavior.
a. discontinuous; continuous c. cognitive; metacognitive
b. continuous; discontinuous d. metacognitive; cognitive
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 9
OBJ: Is Development Continuous or Discontinuous? MSC: TYPE: A
15. Individual differences in development are
3
, Test Bank For Child Development: A Thematic Approach
Chapter 1
a. the result of random mutations of genes inherited from parents.
b. most likely a product of a wide range of interacting biological and environmental
influences.
c. primarily the outcome of sociocultural influences.
d. merely the expression of an individual’s personal experiences.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 10
OBJ: How Do the Various Domains of Development Interact? MSC: TYPE: C
16. Andy is small for his age and is usually picked last when his classmates choose teams for sports. As a
result, Andy is very shy and has had a hard time developing good social skills. This example illustrates
that
a. various domains of development interact with one another.
b. school children are unsympathetic toward their shy classmates.
c. school children are unsympathetic toward their small classmates.
d. social development does not interact with physical development.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 10
OBJ: How Do the Various Domains of Development Interact? KEY: WWW
MSC: TYPE: A
17. Even though medieval children were incorporated quickly into the adult world, they were
a. often sold into apprenticeships as teenagers.
b. not allowed to work until they were teenagers.
c. recognized both as different from adults and as possessing special needs.
d. considered to be the same as adults but with less physical strength and stature.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: M REF: 13
OBJ: The Concept of Childhood MSC: TYPE: C
18. John Locke’s view of the newborn mind as a tabula rasa means that the child is
a. a noble savage incapable of wrongdoing.
b. a noble savage capable of wrongdoing.
c. a blank slate upon which a genetic program unfolds its plans.
d. a blank slate upon which experiences are etched.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: E REF: 13
OBJ: The Concept of Childhood MSC: TYPE: C
19. The philosophical theory that environmental experiences shape the individual’s development is known
as
a. tabula rasa. c. empiricism.
b. enlightenment. d. behaviorism.
4
