Test on Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Question 1: During middle childhood, parents' influence on a child's social development diminishes significantly as peers become the sole important socialisation agents.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: While peers assume central importance during middle childhood, parents are still crucial socialisation agents. The study materials state, "Parents are not the only socialisation agents the child encounters. Peers, teachers, other community members, and the media all play important roles in the process," indicating parents remain significant, not solely peers.

Question 2: According to the study materials, which of the following are significant factors in the development of children's gender identity and gender roles?

A. Parents' perceptions and responses to newborns based on gender

B. The development of gender schemas, which are informal theories about gender-appropriate behavior

C. Influence from peers, teachers, and media, reinforcing stereotypical gender models

D. The child's innate intellectual capacity for abstract thought

Explanation: The study materials state that 'Lessons in gender roles begin in parents’ perceptions of their newborns,' and parents respond differently to boys and girls. It also explains that children develop 'gender schemas' by about age three, which are informal theories about suitable behavior for males and females. Furthermore, the text highlights that 'Peers also apply gender roles to one another,' 'Teachers reinforce gender roles,' and 'the media – newspapers, magazines, books, movies, and television – provide children with many stereotypical gender models.' The child's innate intellectual capacity for abstract thought is not mentioned as a factor for gender identity or role development in the provided materials.

Question 3: Assimilation is the incorporation of new knowledge into existing schemes, while accommodation involves a child modifying existing schemes to make sense of new information.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials state that in assimilation, a child adapts new information so that it fits into the framework of existing schemes, which is the incorporation of new knowledge. In accommodation, a child modifies existing schemes to make sense of new information.

Question 4: According to the provided study materials, which of the following statements about teratogens and their effects on fetal development is accurate?

A. Teratogens are agents that can alter or kill the developing organism and can reach the fetus through the placenta.

B. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is characterized by mental retardation, slowed growth, and physical malformation in babies born to alcoholic mothers.

C. Common reflexes in newborns like sucking and swallowing are examples of teratogenic effects.

D. Diseases such as measles and AIDS are classified as teratogens, alongside toxins like drugs and alcohol, and radiation.

Explanation: Teratogens are defined as agents that can alter or kill the developing organism and reach the fetus through the placenta. The text also states that babies of alcoholic mothers often have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, characterized by mental retardation, slowed growth, and physical malformation. Furthermore, the materials explicitly list diseases such as measles and AIDS, toxins like drugs and alcohol, and radiation as examples of teratogens. Newborn reflexes, however, are described as unlearned responses that help babies adapt and master essential motor skills, not as teratogenic effects.

Question 5: High-quality day care centers are typically characterized by crowded conditions, high adult-child ratios, and untrained teachers.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials state that high-quality day care centers are 'spacious, well-equipped, low adult-child ratios, well-trained teachers,' while poor-quality centers are described as 'crowded, poorly equipped, high adult-child ratios, untrained teachers.' Therefore, the statement is incorrect.