Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: fluid. Fluid intelligence, which involves problem-solving and reasoning, tends to decline earlier than crystallized intelligence. Crystallized intelligence, on the other hand, involves knowledge and skills acquired over time and is more stable with age. Emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence are not directly related to the decline of mental abilities mentioned in the question, making them incorrect choices.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A warm, sensitive parent-child relationship is crucial in fostering a positive and coherent early self-concept in children. This type of relationship provides support, security, and emotional guidance, helping children develop a strong sense of self-worth and self-identity. Permissive parenting (Choice A) may lead to confusion and inconsistency in discipline, impacting the child's self-concept negatively. Authoritarian parenting (Choice C), characterized by strict rules and a lack of warmth, can result in a child feeling insecure and having a negative self-concept. Strong identification with an other-sex parent (Choice D) may influence gender identity development but may not directly impact the early self-concept in the same way a warm and sensitive parent-child relationship does.

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: In cognitive-developmental theory, a scheme is an organized way of making sense of experience. This term refers to mental structures or frameworks that help individuals interpret and understand the world around them. Choice A is incorrect because schemes are developed through interaction with the environment. Choice B refers to object permanence, a concept from Piaget's theory of cognitive development, not schemes. Choice C describes observational learning, which is different from the concept of schemes in cognitive development.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'can lead to cognitive deterioration.' Depression, particularly in older adults, can significantly impair cognitive function, leading to further mental health challenges. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Depression does not necessarily decline with age, treatment coverage may vary, and depression can indeed be related to physical illness or pain.