CHAPTER 1
HISTORY, THEORY, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1) Developmental science is a field of study devoted to
A) proving contemporary theories of development.
B) understanding abnormal development in children and adolescents.
C) understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan.
D) identifying genetic contributions to disease and illness.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 3
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.1
2) The field of developmental science is considered to be __________ because investigators often are
interested in the practical implications of their research.
A) biased
B) applied
C) theoretical
D) interdisciplinary
Answer: B
Page Ref: 3
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.1
3) Developmental science is ___________ because it has grown through the combined efforts of people
from many fields of study.
A) theoretical
B) empirical
C) applied
D) interdisciplinary
Answer: D
Page Ref: 3
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.1
4) Theories are vital tools for developmental researchers because they
A) ensure proper use of research procedures.
B) illustrate the ultimate truth regarding human behavior.
C) provide organizing frameworks for our observations of people.
D) do not require scientific verification.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.2
,5) The ___________ view of development holds that infants and preschoolers respond to the world in
much the same way as adults do.
A) discontinuous
B) nature
C) continuous
D) nurture
Answer: C
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
6) Within the ________________ view of development, new ways of understanding and responding to
the world emerge at specific times.
A) discontinuous
B) nature
C) continuous
D) nurture
Answer: A
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
7) Dr. Kostel believes that development takes place in stages. This belief is consistent with the
_________ perspective.
A) nurture
B) continuous
C) discontinuous
D) nature
Answer: C
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
8) Kim is interested in comparing the language development of shy versus outgoing preschoolers. Kim
is most likely interested in ______________ that shape development.
A) genetic factors
B) the contexts
C) therapeutic techniques
D) historical factors
Answer: B
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
9) Jackson, a professional baseball player, is convinced that his two sons will both be outstanding
athletes. Jackson probably believes that athletic ability is mostly determined by
A) nurture.
B) stages.
C) early experiences.
D) nature.
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
,10) Although Justin spent his first 18 months in an orphanage, his adoptive mother believes that sensitive
caregiving will help Justin overcome his early experiences. Justin’s mother emphasizes the role of
____________ in development.
A) nurture
B) stages
C) stability
D) nature
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
11) Theorists who point to early experiences as establishing a lifelong pattern of behavior emphasize
A) stages.
B) discontinuity.
C) stability.
D) continuity.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
12) Theorists who believe that change is possible and even likely if new experiences support it emphasize
A) stages.
B) plasticity.
C) nature.
D) stability.
Answer: B
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
13) The increase in the number of healthier, more active older adults suggests that human development is
a
A) controversial area of research.
B) unidirectional system.
C) dynamic system.
D) biological, rather than environmental, science.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
14) Max, age 65, learned to play the piano at a local senior center. Max demonstrates that
A) aging is an eventual “shipwreck.”
B) learning follows a predictable timetable.
C) development is plastic at all ages.
D) musical talent peaks in late adulthood.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.3
, 15) In the lifespan perspective, every age period of human development
A) has its own agenda and its unique demands and opportunities that yield some similarities in
development across many individuals.
B) is met with a significant crisis that must be overcome prior to moving on to the next age period.
C) is unidirectional and marked by improved performance.
D) has a greater impact on the life course than the previous age period.
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5–6
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
16) The lifespan perspective on development assumes that
A) development is static and stable.
B) events that occur during infancy and early childhood have the strongest impact on the life
course.
C) development is affected by a blend of biological, psychological, and social forces.
D) individual development is continuous, rather than discontinuous.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
17) Which of the following is an assumption of the lifespan perspective?
A) Development is largely the result of heredity.
B) Development is primarily characterized by declines in functioning.
C) Development is a joint expression of growth and decline.
D) Plasticity is limited to early childhood.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
18) Which of the following is an example of an age-graded influence?
A) Paul started babysitting at age 13.
B) Frank got his driver’s license at age 16.
C) Martina got married at age 34.
D) Jesse learned to use a computer at age 21.
Answer: B
Page Ref: 7
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.3
19) Although Betty grew up in a rundown neighborhood, had divorced parents, and rarely saw her father,
she is a successful, happy, and healthy adult. Betty’s ability to adapt effectively in the face of threats
to development is known as
A) assimilation.
B) resilience.
C) age-graded development.
D) multidimensional development.
Answer: B
Page Ref: 8 Box: B&E: Resilience
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.3
HISTORY, THEORY, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1) Developmental science is a field of study devoted to
A) proving contemporary theories of development.
B) understanding abnormal development in children and adolescents.
C) understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan.
D) identifying genetic contributions to disease and illness.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 3
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.1
2) The field of developmental science is considered to be __________ because investigators often are
interested in the practical implications of their research.
A) biased
B) applied
C) theoretical
D) interdisciplinary
Answer: B
Page Ref: 3
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.1
3) Developmental science is ___________ because it has grown through the combined efforts of people
from many fields of study.
A) theoretical
B) empirical
C) applied
D) interdisciplinary
Answer: D
Page Ref: 3
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.1
4) Theories are vital tools for developmental researchers because they
A) ensure proper use of research procedures.
B) illustrate the ultimate truth regarding human behavior.
C) provide organizing frameworks for our observations of people.
D) do not require scientific verification.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.2
,5) The ___________ view of development holds that infants and preschoolers respond to the world in
much the same way as adults do.
A) discontinuous
B) nature
C) continuous
D) nurture
Answer: C
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
6) Within the ________________ view of development, new ways of understanding and responding to
the world emerge at specific times.
A) discontinuous
B) nature
C) continuous
D) nurture
Answer: A
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
7) Dr. Kostel believes that development takes place in stages. This belief is consistent with the
_________ perspective.
A) nurture
B) continuous
C) discontinuous
D) nature
Answer: C
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
8) Kim is interested in comparing the language development of shy versus outgoing preschoolers. Kim
is most likely interested in ______________ that shape development.
A) genetic factors
B) the contexts
C) therapeutic techniques
D) historical factors
Answer: B
Page Ref: 4
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
9) Jackson, a professional baseball player, is convinced that his two sons will both be outstanding
athletes. Jackson probably believes that athletic ability is mostly determined by
A) nurture.
B) stages.
C) early experiences.
D) nature.
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
,10) Although Justin spent his first 18 months in an orphanage, his adoptive mother believes that sensitive
caregiving will help Justin overcome his early experiences. Justin’s mother emphasizes the role of
____________ in development.
A) nurture
B) stages
C) stability
D) nature
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.2
11) Theorists who point to early experiences as establishing a lifelong pattern of behavior emphasize
A) stages.
B) discontinuity.
C) stability.
D) continuity.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
12) Theorists who believe that change is possible and even likely if new experiences support it emphasize
A) stages.
B) plasticity.
C) nature.
D) stability.
Answer: B
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Factual
Objective: 1.2
13) The increase in the number of healthier, more active older adults suggests that human development is
a
A) controversial area of research.
B) unidirectional system.
C) dynamic system.
D) biological, rather than environmental, science.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
14) Max, age 65, learned to play the piano at a local senior center. Max demonstrates that
A) aging is an eventual “shipwreck.”
B) learning follows a predictable timetable.
C) development is plastic at all ages.
D) musical talent peaks in late adulthood.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 5
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.3
, 15) In the lifespan perspective, every age period of human development
A) has its own agenda and its unique demands and opportunities that yield some similarities in
development across many individuals.
B) is met with a significant crisis that must be overcome prior to moving on to the next age period.
C) is unidirectional and marked by improved performance.
D) has a greater impact on the life course than the previous age period.
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5–6
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
16) The lifespan perspective on development assumes that
A) development is static and stable.
B) events that occur during infancy and early childhood have the strongest impact on the life
course.
C) development is affected by a blend of biological, psychological, and social forces.
D) individual development is continuous, rather than discontinuous.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
17) Which of the following is an assumption of the lifespan perspective?
A) Development is largely the result of heredity.
B) Development is primarily characterized by declines in functioning.
C) Development is a joint expression of growth and decline.
D) Plasticity is limited to early childhood.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill: Conceptual
Objective: 1.3
18) Which of the following is an example of an age-graded influence?
A) Paul started babysitting at age 13.
B) Frank got his driver’s license at age 16.
C) Martina got married at age 34.
D) Jesse learned to use a computer at age 21.
Answer: B
Page Ref: 7
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.3
19) Although Betty grew up in a rundown neighborhood, had divorced parents, and rarely saw her father,
she is a successful, happy, and healthy adult. Betty’s ability to adapt effectively in the face of threats
to development is known as
A) assimilation.
B) resilience.
C) age-graded development.
D) multidimensional development.
Answer: B
Page Ref: 8 Box: B&E: Resilience
Skill: Applied
Objective: 1.3
