A major limitation of systematic observation is that it __________.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A major limitation of systematic observation is that it tells investigators little about the reasoning behind responses and behaviors. Systematic observation focuses more on recording observable behaviors rather than delving into the underlying reasons or thought processes driving those behaviors. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because systematic observation can indeed provide detailed information on how participants actually behave, it doesn't necessarily underestimate the capacities of individuals who struggle with verbal expression, and it doesn't solely ignore participants with poor memories as it can capture behavior in real-time regardless of memory recall.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Drawing the children's names out of a hat is a way to randomly assign them to treatment conditions. Random assignment helps to ensure that any differences in self-esteem that may be observed in the study are not due to pre-existing characteristics of the children. This method helps to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the teacher's use of encouragement and the children's self-esteem. Choice A is incorrect because assigning children based on test scores may introduce bias into the study. Choice B is incorrect as balancing gender is not relevant to the research question. Choice D is incorrect as it introduces a bias by selecting a specific group of children based on a characteristic unrelated to the study objective.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Longitudinal research involves tracking the performance of each person over time. By doing so, researchers can observe common patterns in development among a group of individuals and also identify individual differences in how each person progresses over time. This methodology allows researchers to gather data on the same individuals repeatedly, offering insights into how development unfolds over the lifespan. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because longitudinal research focuses on observing individuals over time rather than studying groups at a single point, randomly assigning participants to treatments, or conducting quasi-experiments.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Terrance exhibits a combination of physical abnormalities like a thin upper lip, short eyelid openings, a small head, and a smooth philtrum, along with developmental delays and cognitive impairments. These characteristics are indicative of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. FAS is a severe condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure and is characterized by a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral issues. Choice A, fetal alcohol syndrome, is the correct answer as it aligns with Terrance's symptoms and the effects of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not encompass the full spectrum of symptoms and impairments presented by Terrance, which are specific to fetal alcohol syndrome.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A rise in the baby's heart rate during pregnancy is usually followed within five seconds by a burst of motor activity. This indicates that the baby is responding to stimuli and is an important sign of healthy fetal development. A period of sleep, a rise in Liz's heart rate, or a drop in Liz's body temperature are not typically immediate responses to changes in the baby's heart rate. Sleep is less likely to be a direct response to changes in heart rate, Liz's heart rate is independent of the baby's heart rate changes, and a drop in Liz's body temperature is not a common immediate response to fetal heart rate changes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Epidural analgesia is the most common approach to controlling pain during labor. It involves the administration of pain medication through a catheter placed in the epidural space of the spine, providing pain relief while allowing the mother to remain alert and participate in the birthing process. It is preferred by many women due to its effectiveness in reducing labor pain. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly address pain management during labor. While an anesthetic and a spinal block are forms of pain relief, epidural analgesia is specifically the most common method used for pain control during labor.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The mother feels a natural urge to squeeze and push with her abdominal muscles during the second stage of labor. This stage occurs after the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the delivery of the baby. Choice A (first) is incorrect as the first stage is mainly characterized by the dilation of the cervix. Choice C (third) is incorrect as the third stage is the delivery of the placenta, and choice D (fourth) is incorrect as the fourth stage is the recovery period after childbirth.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Observations of imprinting in animals, such as ducklings following the first moving object they see after hatching, led to the major concept of the critical period in human development. The critical period is a specific time frame during which an organism must experience certain stimuli to develop properly. This concept has been influential in understanding various aspects of human development, such as language acquisition and social attachment. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Adaptation refers to adjusting to the environment, equilibrium is about balance in cognitive processes, and classical conditioning is a learning process associated with behaviorism, none of which directly relate to the concept derived from imprinting observations.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. During prenatal development, the ectoderm folds over to form the neural tube, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. The neural tube is the precursor to the central nervous system, including the primitive spinal cord. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the mesoderm does not form the neural tube, the endoderm is not involved in the formation of the central nervous system, and neuron tract is not the structure that forms the primitive spinal cord.