When Baby Ian is held horizontally on his back, he sometimes makes an "embracing" motion by arching his back, extending his legs, throwing his arms outward, and then bringing his arms in toward his body. Ian is demonstrating the __________.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Baby Ian is demonstrating the Moro reflex. The Moro reflex is a normal newborn reflex that occurs when a baby feels like they are falling or losing support. It is characterized by arching the back, extending the legs, throwing the arms outward, and then bringing the arms in toward the body. This reflex is a primitive survival instinct that typically disappears around 6 months of age. Choice A, palmar grasp, involves the baby's fingers closing around an object when it touches their palm. Choice C, tonic neck reflex, involves the baby assuming a fencing position when their head is turned to one side. Choice D, Babinski reflex, is characterized by the fanning out and curling of the baby's toes when the sole of the foot is stroked.

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: C

Rationale: According to psychosexual theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, how parents manage their child's sexual and aggressive drives in the first few years is crucial for healthy personality development. This theory suggests that personality development is heavily influenced by a child's experiences during early stages of development, particularly related to handling sexual and aggressive impulses. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the core principles of psychosexual theory, which focuses on the importance of early childhood experiences, especially in the context of sexual and aggressive drives.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Impaired brain functioning is a major contributor to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research has shown that abnormalities in the brainstem, which controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate, can play a role in SIDS cases. As such, mounting evidence suggests that compromised brain functioning is a significant factor in the occurrence of SIDS. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Higher-than-average birth weight, organized and patterned sleep behavior, and a family history of chromosomal abnormalities are not identified as major contributors to SIDS according to the provided information.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In developing countries, the most readily available intervention for promoting the recovery of preterm babies is skin-to-skin 'kangaroo care.' This involves direct skin-to-skin contact between the baby and a caregiver, typically the mother, which helps regulate the baby's body temperature, improve bonding, and support overall development. Kangaroo care can be easily implemented even in resource-limited settings and has been shown to have positive effects on preterm infants' health outcomes. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because hospitalization, care in an isolette, and lying on a waterbed are not specifically tailored interventions that address the unique needs of preterm babies in developing countries like kangaroo care does.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Three-month-old Jefferson will likely listen longer to human speech compared to nonspeech sounds because infants have a natural preference for speech sounds. This preference is believed to be attributed to their biological readiness to learn language and communicate with others. Choice A is incorrect because voices are a form of human speech, which is preferred over pure tones. Choice B is incorrect as noises do not necessarily engage infants' attention as effectively as human speech. Choice D is incorrect because Jefferson is more likely to listen longer to his native language rather than a foreign language at this early age.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Theorists who emphasize plasticity believe that change in response to influential experiences is possible. They argue that individuals have the capacity to adapt and change their behavior based on their experiences, rather than being limited by genetic predispositions or early childhood experiences. This perspective highlights the importance of environmental influences in shaping behavior and development. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the concept of plasticity, which emphasizes the flexibility and adaptability of individuals in response to their experiences, rather than being fixed by heredity, childhood traits, or early experiences.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Dr. Rizvi's approach to development, involving studying the relationship between changes in the brain and cognitive processing and behavior patterns, aligns with developmental cognitive neuroscience. This field combines research from various disciplines to understand how brain development influences cognitive processes and behaviors. Choice A, behaviorism, focuses on observable behaviors influenced by external stimuli. Choice B, cognitive-development theory, emphasizes cognitive growth stages. Choice C, the information-processing approach, centers on how individuals perceive, store, and retrieve information.

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.