Theories Of Development Flashcards
What is the core argument of continuous development theories?
1) Development occurs in distinct, qualitative stages
2) Children are qualitatively different from adults
3) Development is gradual, with no fundamental differences between children and adults
4) Development is driven by biological maturation
Development is gradual, with no fundamental differences between children and adults
How does stage-based development differ from continuous development?
1) It emphasizes environmental over genetic factors
2) It views children and adults as qualitatively different
3) It assumes development occurs through constant learning
4) It focuses solely on intellectual growth
It views children and adults as qualitatively different
What is a key feature of behaviourism according to BF Skinner?
1) Focus on innate faculties
2) Emphasis on reinforcement and shaping behaviour
3) Exploration of cognitive processes
4) Rejection of environmental influences
Emphasis on reinforcement and shaping behaviour
What principle underpins reinforcement in behaviourism?
1) Positive reinforcement increases desired behaviours
2) Negative reinforcement eliminates unwanted behaviours
3) Both positive and negative reinforcement shape behaviour
4) Reinforcement only applies to animal learning
Both positive and negative reinforcement shape behaviour
What does nativism, as proposed by Noam Chomsky, emphasize?
1) Behaviour is shaped by environmental factors
2) Language acquisition is genetically determined
3) All learning requires external reinforcement
4) Development progresses through distinct stages
Language acquisition is genetically determined
What is “deep structure” in Chomsky’s nativist theory?
1) Innate structuring of language unique to humans
2) Environmentally learned linguistic patterns
3) Specific cultural rules for language
4) Genetic coding for physical development
Innate structuring of language unique to humans
What is a critical period according to Konrad Lorenz’s ethology?
1) A timeframe for rapid cognitive development
2) A genetically determined sensitive period for attachment
3) A phase of environmental dependency for survival
4) A lifespan phase where imprinting becomes irrelevant
A genetically determined sensitive period for attachment
How does Bowlby’s theory of attachment relate to ethology?
1) It dismisses the importance of environmental factors
2) It views attachment as an evolutionarily adaptive process
3) It emphasizes the role of societal norms in attachment
4) It assumes attachment is a learned behaviour
It views attachment as an evolutionarily adaptive process
What did Bowlby and Ainsworth suggest about disruption in attachment?
1) It has no long-term effects on development
2) It may lead to delays in physical, intellectual, and emotional development
3) It strengthens the bond between caregiver and child
4) It is primarily caused by external environmental factors
It may lead to delays in physical, intellectual, and emotional development
What does Piaget’s constructivism propose about knowledge acquisition?
1) Knowledge is transmitted from adults to children
2) Knowledge is actively generated by the individual
3) Cognitive growth is determined by genetics alone
4) Children’s thoughts are identical to adults’
Knowledge is actively generated by the individual
How does Piaget view the transition between developmental stages?
1) It is gradual and continuous
2) It is revolutionary, requiring shedding previous limitations
3) It depends entirely on environmental stimuli
4) It occurs at consistent ages across all individuals
It is revolutionary, requiring shedding previous limitations
What is egocentrism in Piaget’s theory?
1) A cognitive ability to solve abstract problems
2) Difficulty taking another person’s perspective
3) The belief that others share one’s exact thoughts
4) A preference for social interactions
Difficulty taking another person’s perspective
What is solipsism in the sensorimotor stage?
1) Recognition of the self as separate from the universe
2) Failure to distinguish between the self and the external world
3) Awareness of object permanence
4) Mastery of mental imagery
Failure to distinguish between the self and the external world
At what age does Piaget suggest infants develop object permanence?
1) 6-12 months
2) 12-18 months
3) 18-24 months
4) 24-36 months
12-18 months
What developmental theory is most closely aligned with intellectual growth?
1) Behaviourism
2) Nativism
3) Constructivism
4) Ethology
Constructivism
What is a limitation of behaviourism in explaining development?
1) It ignores environmental influences
2) It focuses solely on innate abilities
3) It excludes cognitive processes in shaping behaviour
4) It emphasizes genetics over reinforcement
It excludes cognitive processes in shaping behaviour
What is the focus of maturation in ethological theories?
1) Social learning and language development
2) Environmental structuring of behaviour
3) Genetically determined developmental progression
4) Continuous learning throughout life
Genetically determined developmental progression
What does comparative psychology contribute to behaviourism?
1) It isolates cognitive processes in humans
2) It demonstrates that reinforcement principles apply across species
3) It focuses on genetic differences in behaviour
4) It emphasizes unique behaviours in humans
It demonstrates that reinforcement principles apply across species
Which theory emphasizes the interaction between nature and nurture?
1) Nativism
2) Constructivism
3) Behaviourism
4) Ethology
Constructivism
What principle distinguishes Piaget’s stages from continuous development?
1) Stages emphasize gradual knowledge accumulation
2) Each stage represents qualitative differences in thinking
3) Stages depend entirely on environmental reinforcement
4) Continuous development explains cognitive changes
Each stage represents qualitative differences in thinking
