LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT EXAM #1
(CHAPTERS 1-3) QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory - Answer-Bronfenbrenner's environmental systems
theory that fcuses on five environmental systems:
1) microsystem
2) mesosystem
3) exosystem
4) macrosystem
5) chronosystem
Eclectic theoretical orientation - Answer-An orientation that does not follow any one
theoretical approach but rather selects from each theory whatever is considered the
best in it
Laboratory - Answer-A controlled setting in which many of the complex factors of the
"real world" are removed
Naturalistic observation - Answer-Studies that involve observing behavior in real-world
settings
Standardized test - Answer-A test with uniform procedures for administration and
scoring. Many standardized tests allow a person's performance to be compared with the
performance of other individual's
Case study - Answer-An in-depth looks at a single individual
Descriptive research - Answer-Studies designed to observe and record behavior
Piaget's theory - Answer-Theory stating that children actively construct their
understanding of the world and go through four stages of cognitive development
Vygotsky's theory - Answer-A sociocultural cognitive theory that emphasizes how
culture and social interaction guide cognitive development
Information-processing theory - Answer-Emphasizes that individuals manipulate
information, monitor it, and strategize about it. Central to this theory are the processes
of memory and thinking
Social cognitive theory - Answer-The view of psychologists who emphasize behavior,
environment, and cognition's as the key factors in development
, Ethology - Answer-Stresses that behavior is strongly influenced by biology, is tied to
evolution, and is characterized by critical or sensitive periods
Correlational research - Answer-Research that attempts to determine the strength of the
relationship between to or more events or characteristics
Correlation coefficient - Answer-A number based on statistical analysis that is used to
describe the degree of association between two variables
Experiment - Answer-A carefully regulated procedure in which one or more of the
factors believed to influence the behavior being studies are manipulated while all other
factors are held constant
Cross-sectional approach - Answer-A research strategy in which individuals of different
ages are compared at one time
Longitudinal approach - Answer-A research strategy in which the same individuals are
studied over a period of time, usually several years or more
Cohort effects - Answer-Effects due to a person's time of birth, era, or generation rather
than the person's actual age
Ethnic gloss - Answer-Using an ethnic label such as African American or Latino in a
superficial way that portrays an ethnic group as being more homogeneous that it really
is
Evolutionary psychology - Answer-Emphasizes the importance of adaptation,
reproduction, and "survival of the fittest" in shaping behavior
Chromosomes - Answer-Threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, with one member
of each pair coming from each parent. Chromosomes contain the genetic substance
DNA
DNA - Answer-A complex molecule that contains genetic information
Genes - Answer-Units of hereditary information composed of DNA. Genes help cells to
reproduce themselves and help manufacture the proteins that maintain life
Mitosis - Answer-Cellular reproduction in which the cell's nucleus duplicates itself with
two new cells being formed, each containing the same DNA as the parents cell,
arranged in the same 23 pairs of chromosomes
Meiosis - Answer-A specialized form of cell division that occurs to form eggs and sperm
(also known as gametes)
(CHAPTERS 1-3) QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory - Answer-Bronfenbrenner's environmental systems
theory that fcuses on five environmental systems:
1) microsystem
2) mesosystem
3) exosystem
4) macrosystem
5) chronosystem
Eclectic theoretical orientation - Answer-An orientation that does not follow any one
theoretical approach but rather selects from each theory whatever is considered the
best in it
Laboratory - Answer-A controlled setting in which many of the complex factors of the
"real world" are removed
Naturalistic observation - Answer-Studies that involve observing behavior in real-world
settings
Standardized test - Answer-A test with uniform procedures for administration and
scoring. Many standardized tests allow a person's performance to be compared with the
performance of other individual's
Case study - Answer-An in-depth looks at a single individual
Descriptive research - Answer-Studies designed to observe and record behavior
Piaget's theory - Answer-Theory stating that children actively construct their
understanding of the world and go through four stages of cognitive development
Vygotsky's theory - Answer-A sociocultural cognitive theory that emphasizes how
culture and social interaction guide cognitive development
Information-processing theory - Answer-Emphasizes that individuals manipulate
information, monitor it, and strategize about it. Central to this theory are the processes
of memory and thinking
Social cognitive theory - Answer-The view of psychologists who emphasize behavior,
environment, and cognition's as the key factors in development
, Ethology - Answer-Stresses that behavior is strongly influenced by biology, is tied to
evolution, and is characterized by critical or sensitive periods
Correlational research - Answer-Research that attempts to determine the strength of the
relationship between to or more events or characteristics
Correlation coefficient - Answer-A number based on statistical analysis that is used to
describe the degree of association between two variables
Experiment - Answer-A carefully regulated procedure in which one or more of the
factors believed to influence the behavior being studies are manipulated while all other
factors are held constant
Cross-sectional approach - Answer-A research strategy in which individuals of different
ages are compared at one time
Longitudinal approach - Answer-A research strategy in which the same individuals are
studied over a period of time, usually several years or more
Cohort effects - Answer-Effects due to a person's time of birth, era, or generation rather
than the person's actual age
Ethnic gloss - Answer-Using an ethnic label such as African American or Latino in a
superficial way that portrays an ethnic group as being more homogeneous that it really
is
Evolutionary psychology - Answer-Emphasizes the importance of adaptation,
reproduction, and "survival of the fittest" in shaping behavior
Chromosomes - Answer-Threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, with one member
of each pair coming from each parent. Chromosomes contain the genetic substance
DNA
DNA - Answer-A complex molecule that contains genetic information
Genes - Answer-Units of hereditary information composed of DNA. Genes help cells to
reproduce themselves and help manufacture the proteins that maintain life
Mitosis - Answer-Cellular reproduction in which the cell's nucleus duplicates itself with
two new cells being formed, each containing the same DNA as the parents cell,
arranged in the same 23 pairs of chromosomes
Meiosis - Answer-A specialized form of cell division that occurs to form eggs and sperm
(also known as gametes)
