Michael, age 16, has recently gained a considerable amount of weight but has not grown any taller. His father experienced a similar pattern of growth when he was a teenager. Theorists who suggest that Michael's growth pattern was inherited from his father emphasize the ________ side of the nature-nurture debate?

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Psychological Exam Questions

Question 1 of 9

Michael, age 16, has recently gained a considerable amount of weight but has not grown any taller. His father experienced a similar pattern of growth when he was a teenager. Theorists who suggest that Michael's growth pattern was inherited from his father emphasize the ________ side of the nature-nurture debate?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: Nature.' In this scenario, the emphasis is on the genetic inheritance of the growth pattern from father to son, highlighting the role of nature in determining physical characteristics. Choice B, 'Nurture,' focuses on environmental influences, which are not the primary factor in this case. Choice C, 'Environmental,' is similar to 'Nurture' and does not address the genetic aspect mentioned. Choice D, 'Experiential,' pertains more to the learning and experiential aspects rather than genetic inheritance, making it an incorrect choice.

Question 2 of 9

William James, who was a pioneer in the development of functionalism, was most heavily influenced by?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: William James was heavily influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which shaped his functionalist views on psychology. This influence is evident in James's emphasis on adaptation, survival, and the functional purposes of behavior. Choice B, Sigmund Freud, is incorrect because Freud's psychoanalytic theory focused on unconscious processes and childhood experiences, which differ significantly from James's functionalism. Choice C, John Watson, is incorrect as Watson was a behaviorist who emphasized observable behavior and rejected mental processes, which contrasts with James's focus on mental processes. Choice D, B.F. Skinner, is also incorrect as Skinner was a behaviorist known for his work on operant conditioning, which is not directly aligned with James's functionalist perspective.

Question 3 of 9

What is the sequence in which growth starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Proximodistal pattern. This pattern describes growth starting at the center of the body and moving towards the extremities. Choice A, Cephalocaudal pattern, refers to growth starting from the head and moving downwards, which is not the sequence described in the question. Choice D, Gene-environment correlation, does not relate to the sequential pattern of growth described in the question, making it incorrect.

Question 4 of 9

Which of the following is an appropriate description of a child with conduct disorder?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Children with conduct disorder often exhibit behaviors such as arguing with adults, ignoring rules, deliberately annoying others, and displaying anger and resentment. Choice B describes symptoms more characteristic of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Choice C describes symptoms commonly seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Choice D outlines behaviors associated with oppositional defiant disorder rather than conduct disorder.

Question 5 of 9

Which orientation focuses on symptoms rather than looking at underlying causes?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Psychodynamic. The psychodynamic orientation focuses on symptoms rather than underlying causes, emphasizing the importance of the unconscious mind. This approach views symptoms as manifestations of underlying psychological issues rooted in the unconscious. Choice B, Adlerian, is focused on individual psychology, social interests, and the importance of feelings of inferiority. Choice C, Jungian, is based on analytical psychology and the concepts of the collective unconscious and archetypes. Choice D, Behavioral, concentrates on observable behaviors and how they are learned and reinforced through interactions with the environment, rather than focusing on underlying causes.

Question 6 of 9

Which field of psychology studies attitude change and group behavior?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Social psychology. Social psychology specifically focuses on studying topics like attitude change and group behavior. Developmental psychology (Choice A) primarily deals with human growth and development across the lifespan. Psychoanalysis (Choice C) is a theoretical approach to psychology developed by Sigmund Freud focusing on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences. Psychometrics (Choice D) involves the measurement of psychological variables such as intelligence, personality traits, and abilities.

Question 7 of 9

Which theoretical viewpoint is most closely associated with Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Humanism. Humanism, associated with Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization. The cognitive approach (choice A) focuses on mental processes such as thinking and memory, not specifically associated with Rogers and Maslow. Structuralism (choice C) is a historical school of psychology that aimed to identify the structures of consciousness, not linked to Rogers and Maslow. The biological approach (choice D) emphasizes the influence of biology on behavior, also not directly associated with Rogers and Maslow.

Question 8 of 9

Alicia, 5 years old, knows that she will take a bath at 6:05, change clothes at 6:15, eat breakfast at 6:20, commute to school at 6:40, and join the assembly at 7:00. A child's awareness of his or her scripts or daily routine is classified under which type of memory?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memory refers to the memory of a person's life events, such as daily routines and personal experiences. In this scenario, Alicia's awareness of her daily routine falls under autobiographical memory as she remembers specific events related to her own life. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Semantic memory is related to general knowledge about the world, nondeclarative memory involves memories that are not consciously recalled, and generic memory is not a recognized memory classification.

Question 9 of 9

What is the term for a fluid-filled sac in which the baby floats until just before it is born?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Amnion. The amnion is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and protects the developing fetus in the womb. It acts as a cushion, maintaining a stable temperature and protecting the fetus from external pressure. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the placenta is an organ that provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus and removes waste products, the umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta to facilitate nutrient exchange, and an embryo is an early stage of development before it becomes a fetus.

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