BAPSY Dynamics of Human Development and Behavior 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A child watches a ball of clay being rolled into a snake shape and correctly states the amount of clay hasn't changed. This demonstrates which Piagetian concept?
- Object permanence
- Conservation (Correct answer)
- Centration
- Egocentrism
Correct answer: Conservation
Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains constant despite changes in appearance, typically mastered during the concrete operational stage.
Question 2: Which biological process refers to the brain's selective elimination of unused synaptic connections during development?
- Neurogenesis
- Myelination
- Synaptic pruning (Correct answer)
- Cortical thickening
Correct answer: Synaptic pruning
Synaptic pruning is the process by which the brain eliminates weaker neural connections, increasing efficiency and specialization over development.
Question 3: According to Thomas and Chess's temperament research, a child who is irregular in biological rhythms, slow to adapt, and frequently negative in mood is classified as:
- Easy temperament
- Slow-to-warm-up temperament
- Difficult temperament (Correct answer)
- Inhibited temperament
Correct answer: Difficult temperament
Thomas and Chess categorized children with irregular schedules, negative mood, and poor adaptability as having a 'difficult' temperament.
Question 4: Kohlberg's post-conventional level of moral reasoning is characterized by:
- Obedience to authority to avoid punishment
- Adherence to social rules to maintain order
- Moral principles based on universal ethical standards (Correct answer)
- Reciprocal exchange and personal benefit
Correct answer: Moral principles based on universal ethical standards
Post-conventional reasoning involves evaluating morality based on abstract principles such as justice and human rights that transcend specific laws or social agreements.
Question 5: What term describes the process by which adolescents gradually become less dependent on parents and develop a more autonomous sense of self?
- Separation-individuation
- Psychosocial moratorium
- Individuation (Correct answer)
- Decentering
Correct answer: Individuation
Individuation in adolescence refers to the developmental process of establishing a distinct personal identity while maintaining family connections.
Question 6: Research on 'serve-and-return' interactions in early childhood primarily emphasizes the importance of:
- Structured academic instruction
- Responsive caregiver-child communication for brain development (Correct answer)
- Peer play over adult interaction
- Genetic predispositions on intelligence
Correct answer: Responsive caregiver-child communication for brain development
Serve-and-return interactions—where caregivers respond contingently to infants' cues—are critical for building neural connections and social-emotional development.
Question 7: Which concept from Bandura's social learning theory explains why children are more likely to imitate models who are perceived as similar to themselves?
- Vicarious reinforcement
- Identification (Correct answer)
- Self-efficacy
- Observational modeling
Correct answer: Identification
Identification refers to the tendency to imitate individuals with whom one shares characteristics, increasing the likelihood of modeling their behavior.
BAPSY Dynamics of Human Development and Behavior 3
A child watches a ball of clay being rolled into a snake shape and correctly states the amount of clay hasn't changed.
This demonstrates which Piagetian concept?