Example essay answers from the 2023 mock exam and Nov 2022 exam answers. Contains 6 essays based on the 2023 textbook and 4 essays from the 2022 exam. GET THE BUNDLE which contains summaries, super summaries and video tips for the exam!
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TEXTBOOK USED:
Kail, R. V., Cavanaugh, J. C. & Muller, J. (2019). Human Development. A Life-span View (1 South African ed.). Cengage.
(ISBN978-4743-5957-2)
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2023 mock exam – example answers
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PYC4805
SECTION A
QUESTION A1
Evaluate the potential threats that occur during a sensitive period in human development. Consider how
these may impact the various competencies of a newborn and infant. Refer to relevant research findings
to validate your discussion.
[20]
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EXAMPLE ANSWER from Tutor Jay using the textbook notes – ch2,th1
1. Introduction
Human development is a complex process that has the potential to be influenced by both internal and external
threats. These threats may have major implications in the healthy development of babies and may harm the
competencies of new-borns and infants. These negative impacts begin during the sensitive period of
development.
2. The sensitive period and Teratogens
Prenatal development may be seen as the sensitive period. During this time frame, body parts and systems are
more vulnerable to the effects of potential threats. Potential threats may enter in the form of teratogens. A
teratogen is a harmful substance which enters the mother’s body from the outside. Teratogens may effect an
organism differently, depending on their genotype and hereditary. The impact of the teratogen may be different
depending on when, during parental development, the teratogen entered. For instance, the development of
systems can be majorly affected - when exposed during the embryo phase, or less severely affected –being
exposed during the foetal phase. In the Zygote Phase, exposure to teratogens causes immediate abortion of the
baby. This is why prenatal development is known as the sensitive period.
3. Teratogens
Different teratogens have differing effects on the competencies of new-borns and infants. Rubella causes sight
and hearing problems, whereas PCB-contaminated fish impacts verbal and memory skills, but does not result in
bodily impairment. Dosage of teratogens also influences exposure levels, as the greater the exposure during the
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sensitive period, the greater the impact on developmental competencies. While physical impacts are noticeable
from birth, the cognitive impacts of teratogens may only be apparent later in life. Like in the case of PCB-
contaminated fish, the below-average cognitive skills were only apparent several months in. Teratogens can
take the form of drugs, diseases and environmental hazards.
3.1.Drugs
Drugs, when consumed by pregnant women, present special dangers to the healthy development of new-borns
and infant. According to research findings, in the 1950’s in Germany, women took Thalidomide to help them
sleep, which impacted the developing babies with deformed limbs and fingers. A simple drug, taken by
millions, known as Aspirin, may results in intellectual, attention and motor skills defects when consumed by the
mother during the sensitive period.
Nicotine, which is found in cigarettes, reduces oxygen to the foetus through the mother’s placenta and may
result in miscarriages or physically smaller babies being born. These harmful effects will depend on the amount
of exposure and the foetal genotype. Second hand smoke may also cause birth defects such as cleft palate or
spina bifida. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy may result in developmental competencies as these
babies are likely to be born with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), cognitive deficits, heart damage or stunted
growth. Children with FAS have attention, cognitive and behavioural issues, which affects their overall
competencies and ability to function. There is no safe level of consumption for drugs as every mother and child
have different thresholds for substances, as well as a range of impacts. Therefore it is suggested to have zero
exposure to secure optimal development during the sensitive period.
3.2.Diseases
If a mother becomes sick during pregnancy, bacterial and viral infections may result in a detrimental
developmental affect. Diseases pass through the placenta and into the embryo or foetus, such as Rubella and
Syphilis. Syphilis results in damage to the central nervous system, teeth and bones, while Rubella affects the
eyes, brain and presents learning disabilities for children. Other diseases may attach during birth such as AIDS.
This occurs as the baby asses through the birth canal.
3.3.Environmental Hazards
Industrialisation exposes people to toxins within air, food and drinks. These quantities are minute and may not
affect the mother, but causes damage to the baby during the sensitive period. In the 1970’s, Polychlorinated
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