CHAPTER 1
HISTORY, THEORY, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. 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
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of
the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
2. Although great diversity characterizes the interests and concerns of investigators who
study development, they share a single goal: to identify __________.
A) genetic factors that contribute to longevity
B) environmental factors that contribute to disease and illness
C) those factors that lead to abnormal development in children and adolescents
D) those factors that influence consistencies and transformations in people from
conception to death
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of
the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
3. Developmental science is __________ because it has grown through the combined
efforts of people from many fields of study.
A) interdisciplinary
B) empirical
C) applied
D) theoretical
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Remember
,Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of
the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. A theory of development __________.
A) illustrates the ultimate truth about human behavior
B) describes, explains, and predicts behavior
C) explains all aspects of human growth
D) does not require scientific verification
Answer: B
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
5. According to the __________ view of development, the difference between the
immature and the mature is simply one of amount or complexity.
A) nature
B) discontinuous
C) nurture
D) continuous
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
6. The discontinuous view of development holds that __________.
A) infants and preschoolers respond to the world in much the same way as adults do
B) growth is the process of gradually augmenting the skills that were present from the
beginning
C) infants and children have unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving
D) development is a smooth process limited only by a lack of information and precision
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
,Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
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: 6
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
8. New evidence suggests that __________.
A) there is very little cultural diversity in human development
B) environmental, but not personal, contexts shape development
C) development occurs in a neat, orderly sequence of stages unaffected by distinct
contexts
D) people not only are affected by but also contribute to the contexts in which they
develop
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
9. Tammy’s father is an exceptional gymnast. When Tammy was just a toddler, her father
believed that Tammy already showed great promise as a gymnast. Tammy’s father
probably believes that athletic ability is mostly determined by __________.
A) nurture
B) stages
C) nature
D) early experiences
Answer: C
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Apply
, Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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: 7
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
11. Theorists who contend that powerful negative events in the first few years cannot be
fully overcome by later, more positive ones emphasize __________.
A) plasticity
B) stability
C) nurture
D) discontinuity
Answer: B
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
12. Theorists who emphasize plasticity believe that __________.
A) change in response to influential experiences is possible
B) heredity, rather than the environment, influences behavior
C) individuals who are high in anxiety as children will remain so at later ages
D) early experiences establish a lifelong pattern of behavior
Answer: A
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Understand
HISTORY, THEORY, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. 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
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of
the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
2. Although great diversity characterizes the interests and concerns of investigators who
study development, they share a single goal: to identify __________.
A) genetic factors that contribute to longevity
B) environmental factors that contribute to disease and illness
C) those factors that lead to abnormal development in children and adolescents
D) those factors that influence consistencies and transformations in people from
conception to death
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of
the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
3. Developmental science is __________ because it has grown through the combined
efforts of people from many fields of study.
A) interdisciplinary
B) empirical
C) applied
D) theoretical
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Remember
,Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of
the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. A theory of development __________.
A) illustrates the ultimate truth about human behavior
B) describes, explains, and predicts behavior
C) explains all aspects of human growth
D) does not require scientific verification
Answer: B
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
5. According to the __________ view of development, the difference between the
immature and the mature is simply one of amount or complexity.
A) nature
B) discontinuous
C) nurture
D) continuous
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
6. The discontinuous view of development holds that __________.
A) infants and preschoolers respond to the world in much the same way as adults do
B) growth is the process of gradually augmenting the skills that were present from the
beginning
C) infants and children have unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving
D) development is a smooth process limited only by a lack of information and precision
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
,Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
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: 6
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
8. New evidence suggests that __________.
A) there is very little cultural diversity in human development
B) environmental, but not personal, contexts shape development
C) development occurs in a neat, orderly sequence of stages unaffected by distinct
contexts
D) people not only are affected by but also contribute to the contexts in which they
develop
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
9. Tammy’s father is an exceptional gymnast. When Tammy was just a toddler, her father
believed that Tammy already showed great promise as a gymnast. Tammy’s father
probably believes that athletic ability is mostly determined by __________.
A) nurture
B) stages
C) nature
D) early experiences
Answer: C
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Apply
, Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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: 7
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
11. Theorists who contend that powerful negative events in the first few years cannot be
fully overcome by later, more positive ones emphasize __________.
A) plasticity
B) stability
C) nurture
D) discontinuity
Answer: B
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a
stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
12. Theorists who emphasize plasticity believe that __________.
A) change in response to influential experiences is possible
B) heredity, rather than the environment, influences behavior
C) individuals who are high in anxiety as children will remain so at later ages
D) early experiences establish a lifelong pattern of behavior
Answer: A
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Understand
