What is the goal of applied behavior analysis?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "eliminate undesirable behaviors and increase desirable responses." Applied behavior analysis aims to modify behavior by focusing on eliminating unwanted behaviors and reinforcing desirable ones. It does not primarily deal with changes in temperament (choice A), self-perception (choice C), or personality traits (choice D). The approach involves techniques such as reinforcement to target specific behaviors, rather than broader cognitive processes or personality characteristics.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In a structured observation, each participant has an equal opportunity to display the behavior of interest because the researcher designs a specific set of conditions or tasks for all participants to engage in, providing a standardized environment for observation. This allows for fair and equitable observations across all participants, ensuring that each individual has the same opportunities to exhibit the behavior being studied. Choice A, clinical interview, typically involves a one-on-one interaction between a researcher and a participant focusing on collecting information through questions and answers, not providing equal opportunities for behavior display. Choice B, naturalistic observation, involves observing individuals in their natural environment without intervention or manipulation of conditions, which may not always ensure equal opportunities for behavior display. Choice D, case study, focuses on in-depth analysis of a single individual or a small group, providing detailed information but not necessarily ensuring equal opportunities for behavior display among participants.

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.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Mateo, being born prematurely to a cocaine-addicted mother, is at risk for several health issues. One common effect of prenatal drug exposure is a higher likelihood of sensory and regulatory problems, such as having abnormally shrill and piercing cries. This is a potential outcome that Mateo's caregivers can expect due to his circumstances. Choice A is incorrect as there is no direct correlation between being born prematurely to a cocaine-addicted mother and being very attentive to the environment. Choice C is incorrect as overcoming harmful effects of drug exposure by age 3 is overly optimistic and may not be the case for all children exposed to drugs prenatally. Choice D is incorrect as rapid motor development is not typically associated with prenatal drug exposure.

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: D

Rationale: Dr. Anderson should use an experimental design to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between domestic violence and anger in children. In an experimental design, the researcher manipulates the independent variable (in this case, exposure to domestic violence) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (anger in children). This design allows for the establishment of a cause-and-effect relationship by controlling for other variables that may influence the outcomes. Observational design (Choice B) involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference, correlational design (Choice C) examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them, and structured design (Choice A) typically refers to a study with predetermined procedures and data collection methods, which may not be suitable for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'regards people as actively making sense of their own thinking.' The information-processing approach, similar to Piaget's theory, focuses on how individuals actively process information, encode it, store it, and retrieve it to understand the world around them. Choices A and B are incorrect because the information-processing approach does not necessarily divide development into stages or view development as discontinuous. Choice D is incorrect because the information-processing approach is more concerned with cognitive processes like encoding, storage, and retrieval, rather than nonlinear cognition such as imagination and creativity.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A small-for-date baby, also known as a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby, is a baby who is born below their expected weight considering the length of the pregnancy. This can be due to various factors including issues with growth restriction in the womb. Being small-for-date is different from being preterm (born prematurely) and does not necessarily mean that the baby was born early. Choice A is incorrect because being small-for-date does not specifically indicate being born several weeks or more before the due date. Choice C is incorrect because being small-for-date does not guarantee fewer problems than a preterm infant, as each baby's health outcomes can vary. Choice D is incorrect because while small-for-date babies may have initial difficulties, it does not guarantee that these issues will be outgrown by the preschool years.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Low-level radiation, whether from industrial leakage or medical X-rays, can increase the risk of childhood cancer by potentially damaging the developing fetus's cells. Even though the risk is relatively low, it is still a significant concern that should be acknowledged and monitored closely, especially during prenatal development. Choice A is incorrect as low-level radiation can still be harmful on its own without the need to be combined with other teratogens. Choice C is incorrect because low-level radiation exposure can indeed cause lasting damage, especially in the context of childhood cancer risk. Choice D is incorrect because low-level radiation exposure, even during the last trimester, can pose risks to the developing fetus and is not considered entirely safe.