Lifespan Development - Boyd 6th Canadian ed. Chapter 01
Questions with Answers
Human Development - correct answers>>>The scientific study of age-related changes in our bodies,
behavior, thinking, emotions, social relationships and personalities
Original Sin - correct answers>>>4th century philosopher, Augustine of Hippo taught that all humans are
born with a selfish and stubborn nature leading to sinfulness and must seek spiritual redemption
through a disciplined life. Parental responsibility: intervene to correct inborn tendency to act immorally.
Includes Judaic and Islamic traditions. This doctrine is based on Eve being tempted by snake to eat the
apple and then she offered it to Adam. The apple came from the tree of wisdom => Do not use or perfect
knowledge to destroy living things
The Blank Slate - correct answers>>>17th century philosopher., John Locke taught that children are born
blank slates. Differences come from environment and experiences. Parental responsibility: shape
behaviours. Environment shapes human beings
Empiricism - correct answers>>>The view that humans possess no innate tendencies and that all
differences are attributable to experience
Innate Goodness - correct answers>>>18th century philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau taught that
humans are naturally good and seek out experiences to help them grow. Parental responsibility: nurture
and protect. Assumed human beings are innately good but society corrupts them.
Charles Darwin - correct answers>>>19th century scientist. Taught heredity and environment determines
development. He observed his own children's early development and kept detailed records in baby
biographies. JDarwin's theory of evolution is the source of many important ideas in modern human
development.
G. Stanley Hall - correct answers>>>Used questionnaires and interviews to study large numbers of
children. Published the first scientific study of children. Agreed with Darwin that the milestones in
childhood were similar to those that had occurred during development of the human species. He
thought developmentalists should identify norms
Norms - correct answers>>>Average ages at which developmental milestones are reached.
, Arnold Gesell - correct answers>>>His research suggested the existence of genetically programmed
sequential pattern of change. He used the term maturation to describe this pattern. He thought that
maturationally determined development occurred regardless of practice, training, or effort. He
pioneered the use of cameras and 1-way observation devices to study children's behaviour. His findings
became the basis for many norm-referenced tests. Human development is based on our genetic makeup
I.e. onset of human puberty is after age 10 . Genetically programmed to die. Approximate lifespan is 120
years
Maturation - correct answers>>>The gradual unfolding of a genetically programmed sequential pattern
of change.
Norm-Referenced Tests - correct answers>>>Standardized tests that compare an individual child's score
to the average score of same-age peers
Developmental psychology has changed in the following three ways since the early days: - correct
answers>>>1) The term development now encompasses the entire human lifespan ...until death
2) Developmentalists have come to understand that inborn characteristics interact with environmental
factors in complex ways
3) The pioneers thought of change almost exclusively in terms of norms, while today's developmentalists
view norms as representing only one kind of change I.e. autistic and Downs people don't develop
according to norms
Jean Piaget - correct answers>>>Described 4 stages in the development of logical thinking between birth
and adolescence
Lifespan Perspective - correct answers>>>Current view of developmentalists: Important changes occur
throughout entire lifespan and must be interpreted in terms of culture and context. Interdisciplinary
research is important.
Psychologists' views of adulthood have changed for the following reasons:
1) Developmental psychology has become more interdisciplinary, incorporating research in other
sciences such as anthropology, sociology, and biology
2) Adults more commonly go through major life changes, like divorce and career shifts, resulting in stage
models of development that include adult phases
Questions with Answers
Human Development - correct answers>>>The scientific study of age-related changes in our bodies,
behavior, thinking, emotions, social relationships and personalities
Original Sin - correct answers>>>4th century philosopher, Augustine of Hippo taught that all humans are
born with a selfish and stubborn nature leading to sinfulness and must seek spiritual redemption
through a disciplined life. Parental responsibility: intervene to correct inborn tendency to act immorally.
Includes Judaic and Islamic traditions. This doctrine is based on Eve being tempted by snake to eat the
apple and then she offered it to Adam. The apple came from the tree of wisdom => Do not use or perfect
knowledge to destroy living things
The Blank Slate - correct answers>>>17th century philosopher., John Locke taught that children are born
blank slates. Differences come from environment and experiences. Parental responsibility: shape
behaviours. Environment shapes human beings
Empiricism - correct answers>>>The view that humans possess no innate tendencies and that all
differences are attributable to experience
Innate Goodness - correct answers>>>18th century philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau taught that
humans are naturally good and seek out experiences to help them grow. Parental responsibility: nurture
and protect. Assumed human beings are innately good but society corrupts them.
Charles Darwin - correct answers>>>19th century scientist. Taught heredity and environment determines
development. He observed his own children's early development and kept detailed records in baby
biographies. JDarwin's theory of evolution is the source of many important ideas in modern human
development.
G. Stanley Hall - correct answers>>>Used questionnaires and interviews to study large numbers of
children. Published the first scientific study of children. Agreed with Darwin that the milestones in
childhood were similar to those that had occurred during development of the human species. He
thought developmentalists should identify norms
Norms - correct answers>>>Average ages at which developmental milestones are reached.
, Arnold Gesell - correct answers>>>His research suggested the existence of genetically programmed
sequential pattern of change. He used the term maturation to describe this pattern. He thought that
maturationally determined development occurred regardless of practice, training, or effort. He
pioneered the use of cameras and 1-way observation devices to study children's behaviour. His findings
became the basis for many norm-referenced tests. Human development is based on our genetic makeup
I.e. onset of human puberty is after age 10 . Genetically programmed to die. Approximate lifespan is 120
years
Maturation - correct answers>>>The gradual unfolding of a genetically programmed sequential pattern
of change.
Norm-Referenced Tests - correct answers>>>Standardized tests that compare an individual child's score
to the average score of same-age peers
Developmental psychology has changed in the following three ways since the early days: - correct
answers>>>1) The term development now encompasses the entire human lifespan ...until death
2) Developmentalists have come to understand that inborn characteristics interact with environmental
factors in complex ways
3) The pioneers thought of change almost exclusively in terms of norms, while today's developmentalists
view norms as representing only one kind of change I.e. autistic and Downs people don't develop
according to norms
Jean Piaget - correct answers>>>Described 4 stages in the development of logical thinking between birth
and adolescence
Lifespan Perspective - correct answers>>>Current view of developmentalists: Important changes occur
throughout entire lifespan and must be interpreted in terms of culture and context. Interdisciplinary
research is important.
Psychologists' views of adulthood have changed for the following reasons:
1) Developmental psychology has become more interdisciplinary, incorporating research in other
sciences such as anthropology, sociology, and biology
2) Adults more commonly go through major life changes, like divorce and career shifts, resulting in stage
models of development that include adult phases
