Who believed that complex mental activities have their origins in social interaction?
- A. Jean Piaget
- B. Ren©e Baillargeon
- C. Noam Chomsky
- D. Lev Vygotsky
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is Lev Vygotsky. Vygotsky emphasized the role of social interaction and cultural tools in the development of higher cognitive functions. Jean Piaget focused more on individual cognitive development stages, Ren©e Baillargeon is known for her work in infant cognition and object permanence, and Noam Chomsky is renowned for his theories in linguistics and the study of language.
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In all societies studied, the most common attachment quality is the __________ pattern.
- A. insecure-avoidant
- B. insecure-resistant
- C. disorganized/disoriented
- D. secure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'secure.' Research shows that the secure attachment pattern is the most common across various societies. In this pattern, children feel safe, secure, and loved, allowing them to explore the world and seek comfort from their caregivers when needed. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while these attachment patterns exist, they are not as prevalent or universal as the secure attachment pattern. Insecure-avoidant attachment involves children avoiding or ignoring their caregiver, insecure-resistant attachment consists of ambivalence and mixed emotions towards the caregiver, and disorganized/disoriented attachment is characterized by inconsistent and often chaotic behaviors towards the caregiver.
According to the cognitive perspective of perceptual development, what do babies do?
- A. are blank slates
- B. impose meaning on what they perceive
- C. actively search for discontinuous stimuli
- D. seek variant features in the environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the cognitive perspective of perceptual development, babies impose meaning on what they perceive. This means that babies actively interpret and make sense of the stimuli they encounter. Choice A is incorrect because babies are not seen as blank slates in this context; they actively engage with their environment. Choice C is incorrect as babies do not necessarily search for discontinuous stimuli, but rather interpret what they perceive. Choice D is incorrect as seeking variant features in the environment is not a core concept of the cognitive perspective of perceptual development.
To study the impact of biological aging on motor skills, researchers focus on __________.
- A. sedentary adults
- B. competitive athletes
- C. men in their mid- to late thirties
- D. women in their childbearing years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: competitive athletes. Competitive athletes are often studied by researchers to investigate the impact of biological aging on motor skills because their performance is closely linked to physical abilities. Sedentary adults (choice A) may not provide a clear understanding of the relationship between biological aging and motor skills as they may not engage in consistent physical activity. Men in their mid- to late thirties (choice C) and women in their childbearing years (choice D) may not represent a group where motor skills are as finely tuned and critical to performance as in competitive athletes.
A __________ is a means of building schemes in which an infant who has stumbled onto a new experience caused by his or her own motor activity tries to repeat the event again and again.
- A. sensorimotor reflex
- B. circular reaction
- C. mental representation
- D. goal-directed behavior
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A circular reaction is a process where an infant repeats a specific action to explore and learn about the environment through their own motor activity. This repetition helps the infant to understand the consequences of their actions and build cognitive schemes. Sensorimotor reflex (choice A) refers to automatic responses to stimuli, not a purposeful repetition of actions to learn. Mental representation (choice C) involves internal cognitive structures to represent objects or events in the mind, which is different from the repetitive behavior described in the question. Goal-directed behavior (choice D) is purposeful and intentional, unlike the repetitive nature of circular reactions in infants' learning process.
Most cognitive aging research has focused on intellectual ________.
- A. stability
- B. gains
- C. competence
- D. deficits
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: deficits.' Most cognitive aging research has indeed focused on deficits rather than stability, gains, or competence. Studies have consistently shown that deficits in processing speed and memory are common in aging individuals, making it a primary area of interest in research. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because cognitive aging research primarily aims to understand and address deficits associated with aging rather than focusing on stability, gains, or overall competence.