Tammy's father is an exceptional gymnast. When Tammy was just a toddler, her father believed that Tammy already showed great promise as a gymnast. Tammy's father probably believes that athletic ability is mostly determined by __________.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Tammy's father likely believes that athletic ability is mostly determined by nature because he believes she showed great promise at a young age, indicating a natural talent or genetic predisposition towards gymnastics. This suggests that he attributes Tammy's abilities to her inherent qualities rather than her upbringing or experiences (nurture). While stages and early experiences can play a role in skill development, in this context, the emphasis is on innate abilities, making 'nature' the most suitable choice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Nonnormative. Nonnormative influences are events or experiences that are irregular and unique to the individual, so they do not follow a predictable timetable. These influences can include major life events like winning the lottery or experiencing a natural disaster, and they have a significant impact on a person's development. Choice B, History-graded influences, are events that are common to people of a particular generation due to historical circumstances. Choice C, Age-graded influences, are events that are typical for people of a certain age group. Choice D, Bio-historical, is not a recognized term in developmental psychology.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution emphasized natural selection and survival of the fittest. Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment are more likely to pass on these traits to their offspring. Survival of the fittest refers to the idea that the organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of species over time. Both concepts are central to Darwin's theory of evolution. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the key principles highlighted by Darwin in his theory of evolution.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The first successful intelligence test, the Binet-Simon Scale, was originally developed to identify children with learning problems who required special educational interventions. Choice A is incorrect because measuring individual differences in IQ was not the primary purpose of the test. Choice B is incorrect because documenting age-related improvements in children's intellectual functioning was not the main goal of the test. Choice D is incorrect because comparing the scores of people based on gender, ethnicity, and birth order was not the intended use of the intelligence test.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: One criticism of Freud's psychosexual theory was that it did not apply to other cultures. Freud developed his theory based on observations and cases from his clinical practice in a specific cultural context, mainly Western society. This limited cultural scope raised concerns about the generalizability and applicability of his theories to diverse cultural settings. Choice B is incorrect because Freud's theory actually emphasized the significant influence of sexual feelings on human development. Choice C is incorrect because Freud's theory focused on stages of psychosexual development rather than comparing human development to the evolution of the human species. Choice D is incorrect because Freud's psychosexual theory considered environmental influences, although it primarily centered on internal drives and conflicts.