Piaget's _________ stage is the most complex period of development.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The formal operational stage in Piaget's theory is characterized by abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking, and logical reasoning. This stage represents the most complex period of cognitive development according to Piaget. Choices A, B, and C refer to earlier stages in Piaget's theory and do not involve the level of abstract thinking and logical reasoning seen in the formal operational stage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: During adolescence, individuals start to rely more on feedback from close friends to develop their self-concept. Close friends play a significant role during this transitional period as they provide peer validation, support, and influence. Family members, although important, may not hold the same level of influence on self-concept during adolescence as close friends do. Younger children are unlikely to provide the necessary feedback and validation needed during this developmental stage. While self-reflection and understanding the inner self are vital for personal growth, during adolescence, external feedback from close friends tends to have a more pronounced impact on shaping self-concept.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The frequency of family meals is strongly associated with healthy eating in teenagers. Research indicates that regular family meals provide structure, promote positive eating behaviors, and offer opportunities for modeling healthy food choices. Vitamin supplementation (Choice A) may be beneficial but is not as strongly linked to healthy eating habits as family meal frequency. The number of hours of sleep (Choice B) is important for overall health but is not as directly associated with healthy eating behaviors in teenagers. Dieting in adolescence (Choice C) can sometimes lead to unhealthy eating patterns and is not necessarily linked to consistently healthy food choices.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the information-processing system, information first enters the sensory register. This is where sensory information from the environment is briefly stored before being processed further. The central executive is responsible for coordinating cognitive processes, the short-term memory store holds information temporarily for immediate tasks, and the long-term memory store stores information for long periods, but the sensory register is the initial entry point for incoming information.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Development is best understood as a series of complex exchanges between nature (genetic factors) and nurture (environmental influences). This perspective emphasizes the interaction and interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental experiences in shaping an individual's development. Choices A and B are too extreme as they suggest that development is solely determined by genetics or solely influenced by the environment, which is not the case. Choice C is incorrect as development is not viewed as an unsolvable puzzle but rather as a dynamic process influenced by multiple factors.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Heaven is a preterm infant because she was born early, but her weight is appropriate for the time she spent in the womb. Choice A, 'small-for-date,' is incorrect as it does not specifically indicate that the infant was born before the due date. Choice B, 'small-for-weight,' is incorrect because the infant's weight is appropriate for the gestational age. Choice C, 'mature,' is incorrect as it does not reflect the early birth of the infant.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rejected children often face social difficulties that lead to negative outcomes later in life, including academic and behavioral problems. The term 'rejected' specifically refers to children who are socially excluded or shunned by their peers, leading to the mentioned negative consequences. 'Average,' 'Controversial,' and 'Popular' do not convey the same meaning and are not related to the risks mentioned in the question.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The formal operational stage in Piaget's theory is characterized by abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking, and logical reasoning. This stage represents the most complex period of cognitive development according to Piaget. Choices A, B, and C refer to earlier stages in Piaget's theory and do not involve the level of abstract thinking and logical reasoning seen in the formal operational stage.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: According to the lifespan perspective, no single period is considered supreme in its impact on the life course. Each stage of life, from prenatal period through adulthood, plays a significant role in shaping an individual's development. Therefore, the correct answer is 'D: no age period.' Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the lifespan perspective emphasizes that all stages are important and contribute uniquely to an individual's life course.