Nature vs Nurture, Prenatal Development, Physical and Cognitive Development

Question 1

Because most human characteristics are complex, many genes act together to determine a single trait. This is called

Answer 1

polygenic inheritance

Question 2

We discussed in class the research that involved boys with a gene that produces lower levels of MAO-A (which has been associated with aggression) as an example of gene-environment interaction. This research found that these boys had

Answer 2

higher levels of aggression as adults, but only if they had experienced abuse during their childhood.

Question 3

Jody has a high activity level and engages in rough-and-tumble play a lot. Jody wants to play with James, but he refuses her invitation because he does not enjoy physical activities. Most children who approach Jody are those who enjoy high levels of physical activity. If we focus on the role of Jody’s genes in shaping her environment, this is an example of ________ gene-environment correlation.

Answer 3

evocative

Question 4

Many organ systems are particularly sensitive to the effects of teratogens during

Answer 4

the embryonic stage

Question 5

A preterm baby may not be necessarily a small-for-date baby. (true or false?)

Answer 5

true

Question 6

Violinists constantly use the fingers of the left hand. Research shows that the area of the right side of the brain that controls the left hand has many more synaptic connections than the same area of the left side of the brain in violinists. This is an example of:

Answer 6

experience-dependent brain development

Question 7

Myelination starts in adolescence for most individuals. (true or false?)

Answer 7

false

Question 8

Two-year-old Viola sees swimming goggles for the first time and calls them “water glasses.” Viola is:

Answer 8

accommodating

Question 9

When 18-month-old James is given peas for the first time, he picks one up, throws it, and says “ball.” According to Piaget’s theory, James is most likely __________ the pea into his ball scheme.

Answer 9

assimilating

Question 10

If you ask a child to watch you as you take one of two identical balls of clay and roll that ball into a clay snake, and the child then thinks there is more clay in the snake because it is longer than the other ball, the child is in the ________ stage.

Answer 10

pre operational

Question 11

According to Piaget, children who are in the concrete operational stage are egocentric. (true or false?)

Answer 11

false