Developmental PSYCHOLOGY UPDATED EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Developmental Psychology - CORRECT ANSWERS a branch of psychology that studies
physical, cognitive, and social change throughout a life span
Reflexes - CORRECT ANSWERS Involuntary and often self-protective movements
Critical Period - CORRECT ANSWERS an optimal period shortly after birth when an
organism's exposure to certain stimuli or experience produces proper development
Rooting reflex - CORRECT ANSWERS a baby's tendency, when touched on the cheek, to
turn toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the nipple.
Moro Reflex - CORRECT ANSWERS Infant startle response to sudden, intense noise or
movement. When startled the newborn arches its back, throws back its head, and flings out its
arms and legs. Usually disappears after four months.
Babinski Reflex - CORRECT ANSWERS when a baby's foot is stroked, he/she will spread
their toes
Synaptic Pruning - CORRECT ANSWERS A process whereby the synaptic connections in the
brain that are used are preserved, and those that are not used are lost.
Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS The strong bond a child forms with his or her primary
caregiver.
, Imprinting - CORRECT ANSWERS The process by which certain animals form attachments
during a critical period very early in life.
Mary Ainsworth - CORRECT ANSWERS American psychologist who studied attachment in
infants using the "strange situation" model. Label infants "secure", "insecure" (etc.) in
attachment
Strange Situation - CORRECT ANSWERS Ainsworth's method for assessing infant
attachment to the mother, based on a series of brief separations and reunions with the mother
in a playoom situation
Secure Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS Ainsworth experiment; confidently explore the
novel environment while parents are present, are distressed when they leave, and come to
parents when they return
Insecure Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS Ainsworth experiment; avoid attachment,
marked by anxiety or avoidance of trusting relationships ; less likely to explore strange situation
and cling to mother or cry when mother leaves
Anxious - Ambivalent Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS A style of attachment in which
children are uncertain in their response to their mothers, going back and forth between seeking
and shunning her attention. These mothers have been characterized as insensitive and less
involved.
Avoidance Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS A style of attachment in which children act
as if they are unconcerned about being separated from their mothers- These children may be
showing the effects of repeated rejections in the past
Maturation - CORRECT ANSWERS The natural physical changes that occur due to a
person's genetic code.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Developmental Psychology - CORRECT ANSWERS a branch of psychology that studies
physical, cognitive, and social change throughout a life span
Reflexes - CORRECT ANSWERS Involuntary and often self-protective movements
Critical Period - CORRECT ANSWERS an optimal period shortly after birth when an
organism's exposure to certain stimuli or experience produces proper development
Rooting reflex - CORRECT ANSWERS a baby's tendency, when touched on the cheek, to
turn toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the nipple.
Moro Reflex - CORRECT ANSWERS Infant startle response to sudden, intense noise or
movement. When startled the newborn arches its back, throws back its head, and flings out its
arms and legs. Usually disappears after four months.
Babinski Reflex - CORRECT ANSWERS when a baby's foot is stroked, he/she will spread
their toes
Synaptic Pruning - CORRECT ANSWERS A process whereby the synaptic connections in the
brain that are used are preserved, and those that are not used are lost.
Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS The strong bond a child forms with his or her primary
caregiver.
, Imprinting - CORRECT ANSWERS The process by which certain animals form attachments
during a critical period very early in life.
Mary Ainsworth - CORRECT ANSWERS American psychologist who studied attachment in
infants using the "strange situation" model. Label infants "secure", "insecure" (etc.) in
attachment
Strange Situation - CORRECT ANSWERS Ainsworth's method for assessing infant
attachment to the mother, based on a series of brief separations and reunions with the mother
in a playoom situation
Secure Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS Ainsworth experiment; confidently explore the
novel environment while parents are present, are distressed when they leave, and come to
parents when they return
Insecure Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS Ainsworth experiment; avoid attachment,
marked by anxiety or avoidance of trusting relationships ; less likely to explore strange situation
and cling to mother or cry when mother leaves
Anxious - Ambivalent Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS A style of attachment in which
children are uncertain in their response to their mothers, going back and forth between seeking
and shunning her attention. These mothers have been characterized as insensitive and less
involved.
Avoidance Attachment - CORRECT ANSWERS A style of attachment in which children act
as if they are unconcerned about being separated from their mothers- These children may be
showing the effects of repeated rejections in the past
Maturation - CORRECT ANSWERS The natural physical changes that occur due to a
person's genetic code.
