increases from early to middle adulthood

ATI RN

Human Growth and Development Clep Practice Exam

1. What increases from early to middle adulthood?

A. Possible selves
B. Self-doubt
C. Destructiveness
D. Autonomy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Possible selves are ideas about what one might become in the future, which increase during the transition from early to middle adulthood. This period is characterized by individuals exploring and considering different potential future selves. Self-doubt (choice B) typically decreases as individuals become more confident and self-assured in middle adulthood. Destructiveness (choice C) is not a common developmental trend during this period. Autonomy (choice D) is a concept related to independence and self-governance, which may develop over a person's lifespan but does not specifically increase during the transition from early to middle adulthood.

2. Who believed that complex mental activities have their origins in social interaction?

A. Jean Piaget
B. Renée Baillargeon
C. Noam Chomsky
D. Lev Vygotsky

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is Lev Vygotsky. Vygotsky emphasized the role of social interaction and cultural tools in the development of higher cognitive functions. Jean Piaget focused more on individual cognitive development stages, Renée Baillargeon is known for her work in infant cognition and object permanence, and Noam Chomsky is renowned for his theories in linguistics and the study of language.

3. What is the goal of applied behavior analysis?

A. outline changes in temperament over the lifespan
B. eliminate undesirable behaviors and increase desirable responses
C. examine how we think about ourselves and other people
D. synthesize information from various sources into a detailed picture of a person's personality

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "eliminate undesirable behaviors and increase desirable responses." Applied behavior analysis aims to modify behavior by focusing on eliminating unwanted behaviors and reinforcing desirable ones. It does not primarily deal with changes in temperament (choice A), self-perception (choice C), or personality traits (choice D). The approach involves techniques such as reinforcement to target specific behaviors, rather than broader cognitive processes or personality characteristics.

4. Which statement about the newborn baby's appearance is true?

A. Girls tend to be slightly longer and heavier than boys.
B. Their round faces and big eyes make adults feel like picking them up.
C. The trunk is large in comparison to the head, and the legs are straight.
D. On average, they are 18 inches long and 5½ pounds in weight.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct statement about the newborn baby's appearance is that the trunk is large in comparison to the head, and the legs are straight. This is a common characteristic of newborn babies as their proportions are different from adults. Choice A is incorrect as there is no consistent trend of girls being longer and heavier than boys at birth. Choice B is incorrect as the perception of adults wanting to pick up babies is subjective and not a universal truth. Choice D is incorrect as the average length and weight provided may not apply to all newborn babies, as there can be variations.

5. It is difficult to isolate the precise damage caused by illegal drugs during pregnancy because __________.

A. most drug-using mothers refuse to participate in teratology research
B. the majority of babies born to drug-using mothers do not survive for more than a few days
C. most drug-using mothers quit using illegal drugs during the first trimester of pregnancy
D. drug users often take several drugs, display other high-risk behaviors, and suffer from other stresses

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The difficulty in isolating the precise damage caused by illegal drugs during pregnancy is due to the fact that drug users often take several drugs, display other high-risk behaviors, and suffer from other stresses. This makes it challenging to identify the specific impact of each individual factor on prenatal development. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not address the complexity of the situation involving drug users during pregnancy. Most drug-using mothers refusing to participate in teratology research, the majority of babies not surviving, or drug-using mothers quitting during the first trimester do not directly explain the difficulty in isolating the precise damage caused by illegal drugs during pregnancy.