PYC2602 (Child & Adolscent development) Summary pack

Unlike her peer group, Jane’s body and brain show signs of early maturation. This early development affects her relationships with her friends negatively since they see her as “different” and feel unsure about her involvement in their activities and conversations. The situation also influences Jane’s sense of self-worth. To cope she considers them to be childish. However, in due course of time her reasoning becomes more flexible and she begins to understand their reactions based on her more mature understanding of people and social norms. To which domains of development are referred to in this example respectively? (1) cognitive, social and moral domains of development (2) biological, psychological and cognitive domains of development (3) physical, psychosocial and cognitive domains of development

Réponse: The correct answer is (3) – physical, psychosocial and cognitive domains.

Researchers prefer to refer to sensitive periods in human development in stead of critical periods since they found that aspects of human development show ... (1) plasticity. Although certain aspects of human development are especially responsive to specific kinds of experiences or influences during a particular developmental period, some of these aspects continue to be influenced by experiences at later stages. (2) plasticity. Even in the absence of specific kinds of experiences or influences certain typical characteristics of human behaviour develop at a certain stage and some of these aspects continue to develop throughout the life span. (3) spontaneous recovery. When a certain aspect of human development is exposed to a negative experience during a sensitive period of maturation, a positive experience or influence at a later stage could reverse the negative effect of the initial experience.

Réponse: (1) plasticity. Although certain aspects of human development are especially responsive to specific kinds of experiences or influences during a particular developmental period, some of these aspects continue to be influenced by experiences at later stages.

In which of the following periods of development is the child’s physical development the most vulnerable or sensitive to environmental influences? (1) Infancy, toddlerhood and adolescence (2) Prenatal period, infancy and toddlerhood (3) Embryonic stage, fetal stage and early childhood

Réponse: (2) Prenatal period, infancy and toddlerhood

Complete the following paragraph: In his theory of human development Erikson gave attention to (a)……………….. on the process of development and explained that development in each stage is characterised by a crisis in personality. Because the term crisis was often misunderstood, he replaced the term “crisis” in his later writings with (b)…………………….. . (1) (a) social and cultural influences (b) conflicting or competing tendencies (2) (a) the effect of physical maturation (b) critical themes (3) (a) interpersonal relationships (b) developmental issues

Réponse: (1) (a) social and cultural influences (b) conflicting or competing tendencies

When a sequential study design is used, which one of the following disadvantages of the crosssectional design is eliminated? The disadvantage that … (1) the collection of data and statistical analysis are time-consuming. (2) the findings report group averages rather than individual differences. (3) age-related changes are confounded by cohort effects.

Réponse: (3) age-related changes are confounded by cohort effects.

With regard to the effect of varying hereditary and environmental conditions on development, which one of the following statements explains the concepts of reaction range and canalisation in this regard? (1) Reaction range refers to the range of expression of a genetically determined trait regardless of maturation processes and environmental conditions. However, owing to canalisation the expression of such an inherited characteristic could be channelled into socially acceptable behaviour. (2) Reaction range refers to the range of expression of a hereditary trait which is limited or promoted by environmental conditions such as nutrition and climate. However, the influence of environmental conditions depends on how highly canalised the inherited trait is. (3) Since the reaction range of hereditary traits of older children shows greater variability, the importance of hereditary becomes less in favour of environmental influences. However, owing to canalisation the expression of a hereditary trait depends largely on biological maturation (eg the universal developmental pattern of a child to sit, crawl and walk at a certain stage shows no variations).

Réponse: (2) Reaction range refers to the range of expression of a hereditary trait which is limited or promoted by environmental conditions such as nutrition and climate. However, the influence of environmental conditions depends on how highly canalised the inherited trait is.

Why are babies of mothers with diabetes two to five times more inclined to develop heart and spinal cord defects than babies of other mothers? (1) High blood glucose levels delay the development of more complex organs such as the heart and neurological system during the fetal stage. (2) During the embryonic stage high blood glucose levels deprive the embryo of oxygen which causes cell damage in the developing organs. (3) High blood glucose levels affect the embryo in the same way as malnutrition and cause anemia and cell damage in the developing heart and central nervous system.

Réponse: (2) During the embryonic stage high blood glucose levels deprive the embryo of oxygen which causes cell damage in the developing organs.