ATI RN
Human Growth and Development Exam Questions
1. An experimental design __________.
- A. allows researchers to gather information in natural life circumstances without altering the participants' experiences
- B. looks at relationships between participants' characteristics and their behavior or development
- C. permits inferences about cause and effect because researchers evenhandedly assign people to treatment conditions
- D. has one major limitation: researchers cannot infer cause and effect
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An experimental design permits inferences about cause and effect because researchers evenhandedly assign people to treatment conditions. This means that researchers can manipulate certain variables and observe the effects on participants, allowing them to determine causation between variables. This is a key strength of experimental research designs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the primary purpose or strength of experimental designs. Experimental designs do not focus on gathering information in natural life circumstances (A), looking at relationships between characteristics and behavior (B), or have the limitation of not being able to infer cause and effect (D).
2. Baby Gabriella claps her hands after her mother does. Gabriella is displaying __________.
- A. reinforcement
- B. classical conditioning
- C. observational learning
- D. adaptation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Observational learning is when an individual learns by watching others and mimicking their actions or behaviors. In this scenario, Baby Gabriella claps her hands after her mother does, indicating she is learning through observing her mother's behavior and imitating it. The other choices are incorrect: Reinforcement typically involves a consequence that strengthens a behavior, classical conditioning is a type of learning where an association is made between two stimuli, and adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to new conditions.
3. Longitudinal research can identify common patterns as well as individual differences in development because the investigator __________.
- A. studies groups of participants differing in age at the same point in time
- B. randomly assigns participants to treatment conditions
- C. tracks the performance of each person over time
- D. conducts quasi-experiments, comparing conditions that already exist
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Longitudinal research involves tracking the performance of each person over time. By doing so, researchers can observe common patterns in development among a group of individuals and also identify individual differences in how each person progresses over time. This methodology allows researchers to gather data on the same individuals repeatedly, offering insights into how development unfolds over the lifespan. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because longitudinal research focuses on observing individuals over time rather than studying groups at a single point, randomly assigning participants to treatments, or conducting quasi-experiments.
4. In ecological systems theory, how does Toby's move just before entering fourth grade represent a significant change in his life?
- A. Microsystem
- B. Mesosystem
- C. Exosystem
- D. Chronosystem
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In ecological systems theory, the chronosystem refers to the dimension of time and how events and transitions over time can influence an individual's development. Toby's move just before entering fourth grade represents a significant change in his life that falls under the chronosystem. The microsystem involves the immediate environments and relationships that directly influence an individual, the mesosystem relates to connections between these environments, and the exosystem includes external settings that indirectly influence the individual, such as parents' workplaces. Therefore, Toby's move best exemplifies a change in the chronosystem due to the temporal influence on his development.
5. Ethnographic research is directed toward understanding a culture through __________ observation.
- A. naturalistic
- B. participant
- C. systematic
- D. structured
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Ethnographic research is directed toward understanding a culture through participant observation. This type of observation involves the researcher immersing themselves in the culture being studied, actively participating in the daily activities and interactions of the group being studied. Through participant observation, researchers can gain a deep and nuanced understanding of the culture from the inside. Choice A, naturalistic observation, typically refers to observing subjects in their natural environment without interference, but it does not involve actively participating in the culture. Choice C, systematic observation, focuses on carefully planned and structured data collection methods but may not involve direct participation. Choice D, structured observation, implies a predefined set of guidelines for observation but lacks the immersive aspect of participant observation.
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