Nursing Elites

1. Many theorists believe that behaviorism and social learning theory ________.

• A. overemphasize the plasticity of cognitive development
• B. overestimate people's contributions to their own development
• C. offer too narrow a view of important environmental influences
• D. overemphasize each individual's unique life history

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Many theorists believe that behaviorism and social learning theory offer too narrow a view of important environmental influences. This is because they focus mainly on observable behaviors and external factors, neglecting the role of internal cognitive processes and individual differences in shaping development. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because behaviorism and social learning theory do not specifically emphasize the plasticity of cognitive development, overestimate people's contributions to their own development, or overemphasize each individual's unique life history. Instead, they are criticized for providing a limited perspective by focusing predominantly on external stimuli and behaviors.

2. To overcome some of the limitations of traditional developmental designs, investigators sometimes use __________ designs, in which they conduct several similar cross-sectional or longitudinal studies.

• A. sequential
• B. experimental
• C. correlational
• D. quasi-experimental Answer: A Page Ref: 36 Skill Level: Remember Topic: Studying Development Difficulty Level: Easy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Sequential designs involve conducting multiple similar cross-sectional or longitudinal studies to overcome limitations of traditional developmental designs. By combining different types of study designs, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of development over time. This approach allows for more robust conclusions and can help address potential confounding variables that may impact the results.

3. According to Jean Piaget's cognitive-developmental theory, __________?

• A. children actively construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore their world
• B. children's learning depends on reinforcers, such as rewards from adults
• C. adult teaching is the best way to foster development
• D. rapid development occurs during sensitive periods

Correct answer: A

Rationale: According to Jean Piaget's cognitive-developmental theory, children actively construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore their world. Piaget emphasized that children learn through their own actions and interactions with the environment, leading to cognitive development. Choice B is incorrect because Piaget's theory focuses on children's active engagement in learning rather than passive reinforcement. Choice C is incorrect because Piaget's theory highlights the child's role in constructing knowledge, not solely relying on adult teaching. Choice D is incorrect as it refers to sensitive periods, a concept more associated with other developmental theories like Erikson's psychosocial theory, not Piaget's cognitive-developmental theory.

4. 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).

5. Konrad Lorenz and Niko Tinbergen laid the modern foundations for __________.

• A. ethology
• B. social learning theory
• C. psychoanalytic theory
• D. cognitive-developmental theory

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Konrad Lorenz and Niko Tinbergen are considered the founders of ethology, a branch of biology and psychology that focuses on the study of animal behavior in natural environments. Their work laid the modern foundations for ethology, which examines the behavior of animals in relation to their natural habitats and evolutionary history. Choice B, social learning theory, is incorrect as it pertains to a different area of psychology that focuses on how people learn through observing others. Choice C, psychoanalytic theory, is also incorrect as it is a psychological theory developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts in determining behavior. Choice D, cognitive-developmental theory, is incorrect as it refers to the work of Jean Piaget in understanding the development of human cognition in children.

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