MSW Human Growth and Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'resilience' in human development?
- The absence of any adverse childhood experiences
- The ability to adapt positively in the face of significant adversity or stress (Correct answer)
- Genetic immunity to mental health disorders
- A fixed personality trait present from birth
Correct answer: The ability to adapt positively in the face of significant adversity or stress
Resilience refers to the dynamic process by which individuals successfully adapt to significant adversity, trauma, or stress through protective factors.
Question 2: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need must generally be satisfied before 'esteem needs' can be addressed?
- Self-actualization needs
- Cognitive needs
- Love and belonging needs (Correct answer)
- Transcendence needs
Correct answer: Love and belonging needs
In Maslow's hierarchy, love and belonging needs (social needs) must be met before individuals can focus on esteem needs such as achievement and recognition.
Question 3: The term 'epigenetics' in developmental theory refers to:
- The study of gene mutations caused by environmental toxins
- Changes in gene expression influenced by environmental factors without altering DNA sequence (Correct answer)
- The genetic blueprint that determines all developmental outcomes
- A branch of biology that studies the aging process
Correct answer: Changes in gene expression influenced by environmental factors without altering DNA sequence
Epigenetics involves heritable changes in gene expression that occur without changes to the underlying DNA sequence, often triggered by environmental experiences.
Question 4: A toddler clings to their caregiver before exploring a new room, periodically returning for reassurance. This behavior best illustrates:
- Disorganized attachment
- Secure attachment using the caregiver as a safe base (Correct answer)
- Anxious-ambivalent attachment
- Separation anxiety disorder
Correct answer: Secure attachment using the caregiver as a safe base
Using the caregiver as a secure base from which to explore — and returning for reassurance — is the hallmark of secure attachment.
Question 5: Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development is characterized by logical thinking applied to concrete objects but difficulty with abstract reasoning?
- Sensorimotor
- Preoperational
- Concrete operational (Correct answer)
- Formal operational
Correct answer: Concrete operational
During the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11), children develop logical thinking about concrete objects but have not yet mastered abstract thought.
Question 6: In the context of human development, 'temperament' is best defined as:
- The set of learned behaviors acquired through socialization
- Biologically based individual differences in emotional reactivity and self-regulation (Correct answer)
- A child's attachment style shaped entirely by parenting
- The cognitive style a child adopts in school settings
Correct answer: Biologically based individual differences in emotional reactivity and self-regulation
Temperament refers to constitutionally based individual differences in emotional, motor, and attentional reactivity that appear early in life and are relatively stable.
Question 7: The theory that people adjust to major life changes through a predictable sequence of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance is associated with:
- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (Correct answer)
- Daniel Levinson
- George Vaillant
- Robert Peck
Correct answer: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Kübler-Ross identified these five stages of grief in her 1969 work 'On Death and Dying,' originally describing responses to terminal illness.
MSW Human Growth and Development 3
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'resilience' in human development?