Exam 1: History/ Theories Flashcards
What does John Locke’s concept of “tabula rasa” suggest about children?
A. Children are born with innate knowledge.
B. Children learn through imitation of adults.
C. Children are born as a “blank slate,” shaped by experiences.
D. Children develop according to a predetermined plan.
C. Children are born as a “blank slate,” shaped by experiences.
According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, what is the role of adults in a child’s education?
A. Adults should impose strict discipline and structure.
B. Adults should provide unlimited freedom without guidance.
C. Adults should allow children to learn naturally through experiences.
D. Adults should ensure children learn adult concepts early.
C. Adults should allow children to learn naturally through experiences.
In the “Little Albert” experiment, what was John Watson trying to demonstrate?
A. That children learn through play.
B. That emotions can be conditioned through experiences.
C. That children’s personalities are fixed from birth.
D. That cognitive development follows a specific sequence.
B. That emotions can be conditioned through experiences.
Which of the following describes a defense mechanism according to Sigmund Freud?
A. A technique for enhancing memory retention.
B. An unconscious strategy to protect the ego from anxiety.
C. A method for reinforcing positive behavior.
D. A way to learn through observation.
B. An unconscious strategy to protect the ego from anxiety.
What is the primary focus of B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory?
A. The impact of childhood experiences on adult behavior.
B. The role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior.
C. The importance of social interaction in cognitive development.
D. The process of learning through observation.
B. The role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior.
In Jean Piaget’s theory, what is a key characteristic of the preoperational stage of cognitive development?
A. Logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
B. Egocentric thinking and limited understanding of others’ perspectives.
C. Mastery of abstract reasoning.
D. Ability to perform complex calculations.
B. Egocentric thinking and limited understanding of others’ perspectives.
What key concept did Albert Bandura emphasize in his social learning theory?
A. Children learn best through structured lessons.
B. Learning occurs primarily through direct reinforcement.
C. Observational learning through modeling is crucial for development.
D. Cognitive development follows a fixed sequence.
C. Observational learning through modeling is crucial for development.
What is imprinting, as described by Konrad Lorenz?
A. A child’s ability to mimic adult behavior.
B. A rapid learning process that occurs during a critical period after birth.
C. A form of cognitive development through play.
D. A method of emotional regulation in children.
B. A rapid learning process that occurs during a critical period after birth.
According to Vygotsky, what is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
A. The stage where a child can learn independently.
B. The difference between what a child can do alone and with guidance.
C. The period when children develop attachment.
D. The phase where children rely on reinforcement for learning.
B. The difference between what a child can do alone and with guidance.
How do cultural factors influence child development according to John and Beatrice Whiting?
A. They have little to no impact on social skills.
B. They dictate that all children learn the same way.
C. They shape social bonds, skills, and identity through communal practices.
D. They ensure children receive strict academic education.
C. They shape social bonds, skills, and identity through communal practices.
According to John Locke, what should parents provide to help shape their child’s development?
A. Strict discipline and obedience training.
B. Freedom without boundaries.
C. Respect and affection, along with a balance of authority.
D. Minimal interaction to foster independence.
C. Respect and affection, along with a balance of authority.
In Rousseau’s view, what is the term he uses to describe children as inherently good?
A. “Blank slate”
B. “Noble savage”
C. “Tabula rasa”
D. “Natural learner”
B. “Noble savage”
What was the main goal of Watson’s Little Albert experiment?
A. To demonstrate the effectiveness of positive reinforcement.
B. To illustrate how fears can be conditioned through association.
C. To show the importance of early attachment.
D. To study cognitive development in children.
B. To illustrate how fears can be conditioned through association.
Freud’s concept of the superego is best described as:
A. The part of the mind that seeks immediate gratification.
B. The moral conscience that develops through societal norms.
C. The center of rational thought and decision-making.
D. The mechanism for defending against anxiety.
B. The moral conscience that develops through societal norms.
What is an example of positive reinforcement in Skinner’s operant conditioning?
A. Taking away a privilege for misbehavior.
B. Giving a child a sticker for completing homework.
C. Ignoring a child’s bad behavior.
D. Punishing a child for not listening.
B. Giving a child a sticker for completing homework.
What does Piaget’s concept of “symbolic thinking” in the preoperational stage refer to?
A. The ability to think logically about concrete objects.
B. The ability to use symbols, like words or images, to represent objects.
C. The ability to perform abstract reasoning.
D. The understanding of conservation and reversibility.
B. The ability to use symbols, like words or images, to represent objects.
In Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment, what did children demonstrate after observing aggressive behavior?
A. They ignored the doll entirely.
B. They showed no change in behavior.
C. They imitated the aggressive behavior they observed.
D. They became more empathetic toward the doll.
C. They imitated the aggressive behavior they observed.
What does the critical period in Lorenz’s imprinting theory refer to?
A. A time when children learn to speak.
B. A sensitive timeframe for forming attachments.
C. A phase where children gain independence.
D. A period of rapid cognitive development.
B. A sensitive timeframe for forming attachments.
How does Vygotsky define “scaffolding” in learning?
A. A method for testing a child’s knowledge.
B. Support provided to a child as they learn new skills.
C. The independent learning process.
D. The direct instruction of adult concepts.
B. Support provided to a child as they learn new skills.
What cultural aspect did the Whitings emphasize in their study of child development?
A. The impact of media on children’s behavior.
B. The importance of competitive education systems.
C. The role of communal child-rearing practices.
D. The influence of technology on learning.
C. The role of communal child-rearing practices.
