NBCC Human Growth & Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'scaffolding' in educational contexts?
- Structuring a curriculum from simple to complex topics
- Providing temporary support that is gradually withdrawn as competence increases (Correct answer)
- Repeating instructions until a student masters material
- Using rewards to reinforce academic performance
Correct answer: Providing temporary support that is gradually withdrawn as competence increases
Scaffolding, derived from Vygotsky's work, involves adjustable support that fades as the learner gains independence.
Question 2: Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg centered on the idea that his theory:
- Ignored cognitive development in moral reasoning
- Overemphasized postconventional reasoning in children
- Was biased toward male perspectives emphasizing justice over care (Correct answer)
- Failed to account for cultural differences in morality
Correct answer: Was biased toward male perspectives emphasizing justice over care
Gilligan argued that Kohlberg's justice-oriented framework undervalued a care-based ethic more common in women's moral reasoning.
Question 3: Selective optimization with compensation (SOC) is a model associated with successful aging proposed by:
- Daniel Levinson
- Paul Baltes (Correct answer)
- Robert Havighurst
- George Vaillant
Correct answer: Paul Baltes
Baltes's SOC model describes how older adults manage losses by selecting priority goals, optimizing resources, and compensating for declining capacities.
Question 4: The term 'emerging adulthood' coined by Jeffrey Arnett refers to the period from approximately:
- 12 to 17 years
- 18 to 25 years (Correct answer)
- 25 to 35 years
- 30 to 40 years
Correct answer: 18 to 25 years
Arnett identified ages 18–25 as a distinct developmental phase marked by identity exploration, instability, and self-focus.
Question 5: According to Havighurst's developmental tasks framework, which task is associated with middle adulthood?
- Establishing an intimate relationship
- Achieving civic and social responsibility (Correct answer)
- Accepting the changes of aging
- Learning gender-appropriate behaviors
Correct answer: Achieving civic and social responsibility
Havighurst listed achieving civic and social responsibility among the developmental tasks of middle adulthood (ages 30–60).
Question 6: In the context of lifespan development, 'plasticity' refers to:
- The fixed genetic blueprint for development
- The ability of development to take different paths depending on conditions (Correct answer)
- Rigid adherence to developmental stages
- Cognitive flexibility only during childhood
Correct answer: The ability of development to take different paths depending on conditions
Plasticity emphasizes that development is modifiable and open to change across the entire lifespan, not fixed or inevitable.
Question 7: Piaget's concept of 'egocentrism' in the preoperational stage means children:
- Are selfish and unwilling to share
- Cannot distinguish fantasy from reality
- Assume others perceive the world as they do (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on one dimension of a problem
Correct answer: Assume others perceive the world as they do
Preoperational egocentrism is a cognitive limitation—children cannot easily adopt another person's perspective, not a moral failing.
NBCC Human Growth & Development 3
Which of the following best describes 'scaffolding' in educational contexts?