Observations of imprinting led to which major concept in human development?

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: D

Rationale: Research indicates that a childbirth leave of 12 weeks or more leads to favorable outcomes for maternal physical and mental health, supportive marital interaction, and sensitive caregiving. This extended period of leave allows mothers to recover physically, adjust psychologically, and establish strong bonds with their newborn, which ultimately benefits the whole family. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not provide the optimal duration needed for mothers to experience the full range of benefits associated with an extended childbirth leave.

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: C

Rationale: The correct statement about the newborn baby's appearance is that the trunk is large in comparison to the head, and the legs are straight. This is a common characteristic of newborn babies as their proportions are different from adults. Choice A is incorrect as there is no consistent trend of girls being longer and heavier than boys at birth. Choice B is incorrect as the perception of adults wanting to pick up babies is subjective and not a universal truth. Choice D is incorrect as the average length and weight provided may not apply to all newborn babies, as there can be variations.

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: 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: A

Rationale: Vygotsky's emphasis on culture and social experience did not lead him to neglect the biological side of development. Instead, he believed that biological factors and social influences interact to shape cognitive development. Choice A is correct because it reflects Vygotsky's view that biological factors and social experiences work together in cognitive development. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as Vygotsky's emphasis was not on overemphasizing heredity, focusing solely on independent efforts of children, or placing too much emphasis on children's capacity to shape their own development.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to the information provided in the text box 'CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Immigrant Youths: Adapting to a New Land' on page 32, students who are foreign-born or first-generation Americans often achieve in school as well as or better than students of native-born parents. This implies that they excel academically despite facing challenges related to cultural adaptation and assimilation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the provided information specifically highlights the academic achievement of foreign-born or first-generation American students compared to students of native-born parents, not their likelihood of committing delinquent acts, obesity rates, or self-esteem levels.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The blank in the statement refers to an approach that can be used in combination with an experimental strategy. Longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches are two common research methods in developmental psychology. Longitudinal studies involve following the same group of individuals over an extended period, while cross-sectional studies compare different groups of individuals of different ages at the same time. By combining an experimental strategy with either a longitudinal or a cross-sectional approach, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of developmental processes and changes over time. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because correlational and sequential are not the most relevant approaches when studying developmental changes over time in research.