KME's EPPP Developmental Psychology
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
GxE Interaction - CORRECT ANSWER - a term referring to the nature versus nurture
debate, indicating that most experts agree that there is an interaction between genes &
environment
Genotype - CORRECT ANSWER - characteristics that are determined by genetic code
Phenotype - CORRECT ANSWER - develops from an interaction between genes and
environment
measurable, observable characteristics (physical & psychological)
Reaction Range - CORRECT ANSWER - our genes set limits on the type of phenotypes
that can occur
the reaction range is larger for those with "high genetic endowment"
Critical Period - CORRECT ANSWER - limited time span during which biologically
prepared to acquire a specific bx, env't must be right
Lorenz & imprinting
Sensitive Period - CORRECT ANSWER - used more often than "critical period" w/
humans
there is an optimal time for bx to develop, but can vary
Maturation - CORRECT ANSWER - refers to genetically determined patterns of
development
little env't influence
(learning to walk; puberty)
,Canalization - CORRECT ANSWER - term used to describe the narrow developmental
path of some characteristics (characteristics that are not influenced by env't)
i.e., sensorimotor
Secular Trends - CORRECT ANSWER - long-term patterns or differences across different
cohorts
provide evidence for importance of env't
(increase in height, earlier menarche)
Heritability Index - CORRECT ANSWER - a statistic used to estimate the degree to which
a characteristic can be attributed to genetics
i.e., intelligence average is .50, meaning 50% of individual differences in IQ scores can be
explained by genetics
Down Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - AKA trisomy 21
disorder due to a chromosomal abnormality: an extra #21 chromosome
1 in 800 births
Kinefelter's Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - disorder due to a chromosomal
abnormality: affects males, caused by extra X chromosome
incomplete secondary sex characteristics, sterile
Turner's Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - disorder due to a chromosomal abnormality:
all or part of the 2nd X chromosome is missing (female)
don't develop secondary sex characteristics, sterile
Fragile X Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - disorder due to a chromosomal
abnormality: a weak site on the X chromosome, usually more evident in males
, Teratogens & the germinal period - CORRECT ANSWER - conception to implantation (8-
10 days)
little or no effect or death (all or none)
Teratogens & the embryonic period - CORRECT ANSWER - 2nd week - 8th week
most susceptible during this time, which organ depends on which week
Teratogens & the fetal period - CORRECT ANSWER - 9th week- birth
organs are less impacted, effects can be severe for genitalia & brain
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - IQ range 65-70, leading cause of
mental retardation in US
fetal alcohol effects: sxs but not full criteria
1 in 100 births are FAS or FAE
Visual Development in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - few days: preference for faces
over non faces
one month: mother's face from others
2-3 months: color vision
6 months: depth perception
Hearing Development in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - few days: prefers human
voices, recognize mother's, distinguish basic sounds
sound or auditory localization disappears around 2-4 months, reemerges at 12 months
Taste in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - sensitive, prefer sweet
Smell in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - sensitive, distinguish by 2-7 days
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
GxE Interaction - CORRECT ANSWER - a term referring to the nature versus nurture
debate, indicating that most experts agree that there is an interaction between genes &
environment
Genotype - CORRECT ANSWER - characteristics that are determined by genetic code
Phenotype - CORRECT ANSWER - develops from an interaction between genes and
environment
measurable, observable characteristics (physical & psychological)
Reaction Range - CORRECT ANSWER - our genes set limits on the type of phenotypes
that can occur
the reaction range is larger for those with "high genetic endowment"
Critical Period - CORRECT ANSWER - limited time span during which biologically
prepared to acquire a specific bx, env't must be right
Lorenz & imprinting
Sensitive Period - CORRECT ANSWER - used more often than "critical period" w/
humans
there is an optimal time for bx to develop, but can vary
Maturation - CORRECT ANSWER - refers to genetically determined patterns of
development
little env't influence
(learning to walk; puberty)
,Canalization - CORRECT ANSWER - term used to describe the narrow developmental
path of some characteristics (characteristics that are not influenced by env't)
i.e., sensorimotor
Secular Trends - CORRECT ANSWER - long-term patterns or differences across different
cohorts
provide evidence for importance of env't
(increase in height, earlier menarche)
Heritability Index - CORRECT ANSWER - a statistic used to estimate the degree to which
a characteristic can be attributed to genetics
i.e., intelligence average is .50, meaning 50% of individual differences in IQ scores can be
explained by genetics
Down Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - AKA trisomy 21
disorder due to a chromosomal abnormality: an extra #21 chromosome
1 in 800 births
Kinefelter's Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - disorder due to a chromosomal
abnormality: affects males, caused by extra X chromosome
incomplete secondary sex characteristics, sterile
Turner's Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - disorder due to a chromosomal abnormality:
all or part of the 2nd X chromosome is missing (female)
don't develop secondary sex characteristics, sterile
Fragile X Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - disorder due to a chromosomal
abnormality: a weak site on the X chromosome, usually more evident in males
, Teratogens & the germinal period - CORRECT ANSWER - conception to implantation (8-
10 days)
little or no effect or death (all or none)
Teratogens & the embryonic period - CORRECT ANSWER - 2nd week - 8th week
most susceptible during this time, which organ depends on which week
Teratogens & the fetal period - CORRECT ANSWER - 9th week- birth
organs are less impacted, effects can be severe for genitalia & brain
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - IQ range 65-70, leading cause of
mental retardation in US
fetal alcohol effects: sxs but not full criteria
1 in 100 births are FAS or FAE
Visual Development in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - few days: preference for faces
over non faces
one month: mother's face from others
2-3 months: color vision
6 months: depth perception
Hearing Development in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - few days: prefers human
voices, recognize mother's, distinguish basic sounds
sound or auditory localization disappears around 2-4 months, reemerges at 12 months
Taste in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - sensitive, prefer sweet
Smell in Infants - CORRECT ANSWER - sensitive, distinguish by 2-7 days
