Vygotsky saw ______ play as the ideal social context for fostering cognitive development in early childhood.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Vygotsky viewed make-believe play as the ideal social context for fostering cognitive development in early childhood. Make-believe play encourages children to explore various roles and scenarios, promoting cognitive and social development. Sensorimotor play focuses on physical interactions with the environment, while block play involves building and construction activities. Parallel play refers to children playing alongside each other without direct interaction, which is not the type of play Vygotsky emphasized for cognitive development.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Fraternal twins are no more alike than ordinary siblings because they share about 50% of their genes, just like other siblings. Choice A is incorrect as fraternal twins are not genetically identical. Choice C is incorrect as fraternal twins are actually the most common type of multiple offspring. Choice D is incorrect as the likelihood of fraternal twins is not affected by the number of births a mother has had.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: According to the cognitive perspective of perceptual development, babies impose meaning on what they perceive. This means that babies actively interpret and make sense of the stimuli they encounter. Choice A is incorrect because babies are not seen as blank slates in this context; they actively engage with their environment. Choice C is incorrect as babies do not necessarily search for discontinuous stimuli, but rather interpret what they perceive. Choice D is incorrect as seeking variant features in the environment is not a core concept of the cognitive perspective of perceptual development.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the danger in middle childhood is 'inferiority.' During this stage, children may develop a sense of inadequacy and inferiority if they are unable to master the social and academic tasks expected of them. This feeling of inferiority can lead to low self-esteem and pessimism about their abilities. Choice A, 'shame,' is more closely associated with Erikson's stage of autonomy vs. shame and doubt in early childhood. Choice B, 'mistrust,' is linked to Erikson's stage of trust vs. mistrust in infancy. Choice D, 'despair,' is related to Erikson's stage of integrity vs. despair in late adulthood.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, when parents support a child's growing independence with guidance and reassurance, the child develops a sense of autonomy. Autonomy is characterized by a growing sense of self-control, confidence, and independence. Basic trust (choice A) is associated with the first stage of Erikson's theory (trust vs. mistrust) during infancy. Mistrust (choice B) arises when a child's basic needs are not met consistently, leading to a lack of trust in the world. Industry (choice D) is related to Erikson's later stages of development and involves competence and productivity in work and tasks.