Chapter 2 - Theoretical Foundations of Adolescent Development

Question 0

Theory

Answer 0

A theory is a set of testable statements derived from the axioms of a model.

Question 1

Model

Answer 1

A model is a set of assumptions about reality in general and about human nature in particular from which theories proceed.

Question 2

Laws

Answer 2

Laws are relationships that are derived from axioms and can be proven to be true or false.

Question 3

Nature-Nurture Controversy

Answer 3

The nature-nurture controversy is a controversy concerning the primary source of development: nature (heredity) or nurture (environment).

Question 4

Continuity-Discontinuity Issue

Answer 4

The continuity-discontinuity issue is disagreement as to whether the same set of laws is sufficient to explain behavior at all developmental levels and for all species (continuity assumption) or whether lawful relationships change with age and across species (discontinuity assumption).

Question 5

Reductionism

Answer 5

Reductionism is explaining complex behaviors by reducing them to their simpler components.

Question 6

Epigenesis

Answer 6

Epigenesis is the emergence of new complexities in development that cannot be predicted from, or reduced to, earlier forms.

Question 7

Environmental Model

Answer 7

The environmental model is a set of assumptions in which the environment is taken to be the primary determinant of psychological development.

Question 8

Organismic Model

Answer 8

The organismic model is a set of assumptions in which the unfolding of genetically organized processes is taken to be the primary determinant of psychological development.

Question 9

Habituation

Answer 9

Habituation is decreased responsiveness to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it.

Question 10

Stage

Answer 10

A stage is a level of development that is assumed to be qualitatively different from the earlier level from which it evolves. Stages are assumed to occur in a fixed sequence and to occur universally within a species.

Question 11

Developmental Tasks

Answer 11

Developmental tasks are age-related norms that reflect social expectations for normal development.

Question 12

Radical Behaviorism

Answer 12

Radical behaviorism is a form of behaviorism, founded by Skinner, that reduces the causes of behavior to contingencies of reinforcement.

Question 13

Reinforcement

Answer 13

Reinforcement is any event that when contingent of a behavior increases the probability of that behavior occurring again.

Question 14

Reciprocal Determinism

Answer 14

Reciprocal determinism refers to the two-way influence between person and environment; not only does the environment influence behavior, but the behavior changes the environment.

Question 15

Assimilation

Answer 15

Assimilation is Piaget’s term for the process by which new events and experiences are adjusted to fit existing cognitive structures.

Question 16

Accomodation

Answer 16

Accommodation is Piaget’s term for the process by which cognitive structures are altered to fit new events or experiences.

Question 17

Equilibration

Answer 17

Equilibration is Piaget’s term for the balance between assimilation and accommodation that is responsible for the growth of thought.

Question 18

Oedipal complex

Answer 18

The Oedipal complex is a Freudian concept in which the young boy is sexually attracted to his mother, and the young girl to her father.

Question 19

Electra Complex

Answer 19

The Electra complex is a Freudian complex in which the young girl is sexually attracted to her father and regards her mother as her rival.

Question 20

Castration Anxiety

Answer 20

Castration anxiety is, in Freudian theory, a young boy’s fear of being castrated by his father in punishment for the boy’s sexual attraction to his mother.

Question 21

Superego

Answer 21

The superego is the aspect of personality in Freudian theory that represents the internalized standards and values of society.

Question 22

Penis Envy

Answer 22

Penis envy is, in Freudian theory, a girl’s envy of and desire for a male sex organ.

Question 23

Id

Answer 23

The id is the primitive aspect of the personality in Freudian theory, which seeks immediate gratification of biological impulses.

Question 24

Ego

Answer 24

The ego is the executive aspect of the personality in Freudian theory, which seeks to satisfy impulses in socially acceptable ways.

Question 25

Identity

Answer 25

Identity is the part of one’s personality of which one is aware and able to see as a meaningful and coherent whole.

Question 26

Epigenetic Principle

Answer 26

The epigenetic principle is Erikson’s assumption that an internal ground plan governs the timing or period of ascendence for each new development.

Question 27

Zone of Proximal Development

Answer 27

The zone of proximal development is Vygotsky’s term for the distance separating a novice’s performance from what that performance might optimally be; for individuals to profit from working with those who are more skilled, their performance must already approximate that of the other person.

Question 28

Apprenticeship

Answer 28

Apprenticeship is the process by which a child internalizes cultural concepts and skills through association with older members of a group.

Question 29

Guided Participation

Answer 29

Guided participation is Rogoff’s term for the shared activity of a novice and one who is more skilled in which both participate to decrease the distance between their respective contributions to the activity.

Question 30

Developmental Contextualism

Answer 30

Developmental contextualism is the position that development must be studied in real life settings, thereby facilitating the integration of research with applied policies and programs.

Question 31

Risk Factors

Answer 31

Risk factors are conditions present in individuals, families, communities, or society that place adolescents at risk for developmental problems.

Question 32

Protective Factors

Answer 32

Protective factors are conditions present in individuals, families, communities, or society that promote healthy development.

Question 33

Temperament

Answer 33

Temperament is the underlying predispositions contributing to an individual’s activity level, emotionality, and sociability.