What is the best-known effect of smoking during the prenatal period?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The best-known effect of smoking during the prenatal period is low birth weight. Smoking during pregnancy is a known teratogen that can lead to negative outcomes for the developing fetus, such as growth restrictions resulting in low birth weight. This condition can have significant long-term consequences on the child's health and development. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not the primary effect associated with smoking during the prenatal period. Colic is typically associated with digestive issues, respiratory distress at birth can be caused by various factors other than smoking, and delayed language development is not directly linked to smoking during pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Central to Piaget's theory is the concept of adaptation, which refers to the process by which individuals adjust to new information and experiences by modifying their existing cognitive structures. Piaget believed that this process of adaptation involved two key components: assimilation, where individuals incorporate new information into their existing schemas, and accommodation, where individuals adjust their schemas to fit new information. This concept highlights the dynamic nature of cognitive development and the importance of interaction between individuals and their environment in shaping intellectual growth. Choice A, 'imitation,' is incorrect as Piaget's theory focuses on how individuals actively construct their understanding of the world through their interactions with it, rather than simply imitating others. Choice C, 'self-efficacy,' is not the central concept in Piaget's theory; self-efficacy is a concept from Bandura's social cognitive theory. Choice D, 'scaffolding,' is associated with Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, not Piaget's theory.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Dr. Dias's research findings indicate a correlation between the death of a spouse and a decline in the surviving partner's physical health. This correlation suggests a relationship between the two variables, but it does not necessarily imply a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Therefore, the correct conclusion supported by this study is option B - 'The death of a spouse is related to a decline in the surviving partner's physical health.' Option A is too direct in its causation claim, which is not proven by correlation alone. Option C reverses the cause and effect relationship suggested by the research. Option D introduces an unrelated third variable, which is not supported by the study's findings.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Arnold Gesell is generally regarded as the founder of the child study movement, emphasizing the importance of observing and documenting children's behaviors to understand their development. While he was a significant figure in child development research, he did not specifically write child-rearing books for parents, foreshadow lifespan research, or construct the first successful intelligence test. Choice A is incorrect as Gesell's focus was more on research rather than writing child-rearing books. Choice C is incorrect as Gesell's main contributions were in child development, not specifically in aging research. Choice D is incorrect as Gesell is not credited with constructing the first successful intelligence test.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rotunda, age 16, is the most likely to have had inadequate prenatal care due to her young age and possibly limited access to healthcare resources and support. Adolescents are at higher risk for inadequate prenatal care compared to older mothers due to various factors such as lack of awareness, financial constraints, and inconsistent health behaviors. Young mothers may face challenges in seeking proper prenatal care due to reasons like lack of knowledge, fear of judgment, or limited financial means. Older mothers like Lupe, Marissa, and Janette are less likely to have inadequate prenatal care compared to a younger mother like Rotunda, as they may have more access to resources, experience, and support systems.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'poorer the child's achievement scores in the school years.' Prenatal exposure to alcohol has been linked to a range of cognitive and behavioral difficulties, including lower academic achievement in children. These difficulties may manifest as poor achievement scores in later school years. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because alcohol consumption during pregnancy is not associated with higher birth weight of the child, the likelihood of ARND instead of FAS or p-FAS, or greater speed of information processing in the child.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct statement about epidural analgesia is that it limits pain reduction to the pelvic region by blocking nerve signals from that specific area, providing pain relief during labor and delivery. Choice A is incorrect because epidural analgesia does not numb the entire lower half of the body. Choice C is incorrect because epidural analgesia does not strengthen uterine contractions; in fact, it may sometimes weaken them. Choice D is incorrect because epidural analgesia does not shorten the length of labor; it can sometimes prolong labor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The corrected statement 'Paul learned to play the violin at a young age' provides an example of an age-graded influence. This is because learning to play the violin is a behavior that is typical or expected at a certain age, reflecting how age influences individuals' experiences and development. In contrast, choices B, C, and D do not directly relate to age-graded influences. Jack's enjoyment of hiking, Sarah's preference for reading mystery novels, and Alex's proficiency in mathematics are not inherently tied to age-related developmental influences.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Mr. Takashi should be allowed to participate in the study only if it is likely to benefit him directly. This decision aligns with the principle of beneficence in research ethics, which emphasizes maximizing benefits and minimizing risks for research participants. Since Mr. Takashi is incapable of giving consent, his participation should be based on the likelihood of direct benefits to him rather than solely for the benefit of others or solely for research purposes. Option A is too restrictive and does not consider potential benefits to Mr. Takashi. Option B is flawed as it disregards the need for the study to benefit Mr. Takashi. Option C focuses on benefiting others, which is not the primary consideration when the participant cannot give consent.