(The Developing Person Through the Life Span, 12e Kathleen Stassen Berger)
(Test Bank all Chapters)
Chapter 1 - Essay
1. Describe each of the five steps of the scientific method.
ANSWER: Step 1: Begin with curiosity. Pose a question based on a theory, prior research, or personal
observation. Step 2: Develop a hypothesis, which is a specific prediction that can be tested through
research. Step 3: Test the hypothesis. Design and conduct research to gather empirical evidence
(data). Step 4: Analyze the evidence gathered in the research. Draw conclusions. Using the evidence
gathered in the research, conclude whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted. Step 5: Report the
results by sharing the data, conclusions, and alternative explanations with other scientists.
Good (5 pts) Fair (3 pts) Weak (1–0 pts)
Lists steps of States five of the steps States three of the States fewer than three
scientific method in in order steps in order steps or does not state
order the steps in order
Explains each step Describes the five Describes three steps Describes fewer than
steps three steps or does not
describe steps
accurately
2. Explain the nature–nurture debate within developmental psychology and provide an example of both nature
and nurture.
ANSWER: Nature refers to the influence of genes on a person, and nurture refers to environmental influences
on a person. Environmental influences include the health and diet of the embryo's mother and
continue lifelong, including experiences in the family, school, community, and society. An example
of nature would be inheriting a gene that predisposes one to addiction. An example of nurture would
be having a predisposition to addiction but being raised in a warm, stimulating environment in
which parents do not abuse drugs or alcohol, reducing the individual's risk for addiction as a result
of not being exposed to abuse or parental addictions. The debate concerns how many of any person's
characteristics, behaviors, or emotions are the result of genes and how many are the result of the
person's experiences.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Defines nature and Accurately defines Accurately defines Does not accurately
nurture both terms and gives one term and gives at define both terms or
an example of both least one accurate supply accurate
example examples
Describes the debate Accurately describes Accurately describes Does not accurately
both sides of the one side of the debate describe the debate
debate
3. Explain differential susceptibility and provide an example.
ANSWER: Differential susceptibility refers to the idea that people vary in how sensitive they are to particular
experiences. These differences are often genetic. Examples provided may vary. One may be asthma.
Some people begin wheezing when they are near a cat, but others never do. Asthma is also an
example of differential susceptibility because of past experience. Because of their parents' reactions
in their early years, some older children are terrified at the first signs of an attack; others aren't.
Another example involves dogs as well as cats. If a person lives in a rural area, fur-bearing pets
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Chapter 1 - Essay
reduce the rate of asthma; but in urban areas, such animals increase the incidence. That is
differential susceptibility.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Defines Accurately defines the Partially defines the Does not accurately
differential term term define the term
susceptibility
Provides an Provides an example Provides a partial Does not provide an
example example example
4. Define what intersectionality means and how it can impact development.
ANSWER: Intersectionality is the idea that the various identities that we have need to be combined.
Developmental psychologists highlight that this idea is important in determining if discrimination
has occurred. Intersectionality focuses attention on power differences between groups and can
highlight discrimination in many institutions. For instance, research has found that multiple
identities are related to the prison sentences that are given to those convicted of committing crimes,
such as age, gender, and race, placing young African American males at risk of receiving harsher
sentences compared to others.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Intersectionality Provides a clear Provides a vague Provides an incorrect
defined definition definition definition
Developmental Provides a clear Provides a vague Does not provide an
impact example of how this example of how this example of how this
impacts development impacts impacts development
development
5. Define a critical period and a sensitive period. Explain the difference between the two, and give an example
of each.
ANSWER: A critical period is a time when something must occur to ensure normal development, and a
sensitive period is a time when a specific developmental task occurs most easily. An example of a
critical period would be the fetus growing arms and legs and hands and feet—this can occur only at
a specific time in utero. Language development is an example of a sensitive period. It occurs most
easily at a young age but can still develop at a later age as well.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Defines and Defines both periods Defines just one Fails to define both
differentiates and differentiates period or is vague periods or fails to
between them about differentiation differentiate
Gives examples Gives a correct example Gives a correct Does not give any
for both periods example of either examples
period
6. Explain Bronfenbrenner's ecological-systems approach. Make sure to include all six systems, including the
last one he added to the model before his death.
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Chapter 1 - Essay
ANSWER: Bronfenbrenner's ecological-systems approach is a perspective on human development that
considers all the influences from the various contexts of development. This approach recognizes
three nested levels as well as two systems that affect these levels. Bronfenbrenner believed that each
person is affected by their social context. Over the course of his career, he identified five systems.
The first is the microsystem (e.g., one's family and peer group), the second is the exosystem (school,
clubs, and church), and the third is the macrosystem (larger social setting, such as cultural values
and economic policies). The fourth system, called the chronosystem, is the role of historical context,
and the fifth system, called the mesosystem, is the interaction that occurs between all the other
systems. Before he died, Bronfenbrenner added a sixth system, the bioecological system, which is
the internal biology of the person.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Explains ecological- Clearly states what the Gives a vague Is unable to describe
systems approach approach is explanation of the the approach
approach
Identifies the systems Identifies the six Identifies three of the Identifies fewer than
systems and gives an systems or gives three of the systems or
example of each examples of three of gives fewer than three
the systems examples
7. Define cohort, explain its effects, and give an example of one.
ANSWER: A cohort is a group of people born within a few years of each other who move through time
together. Cohorts travel through life affected by the interaction of their chronological age with the
values, events, technologies, and culture of the historical period. Cohort examples will vary but
should show an understanding of a cohort. Examples include the names that parents give their
babies, "Occupy Wall Street," "Black Lives Matter," the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the assassination of
John F. Kennedy, and attitudes about marijuana. The baby-boom generation is the example given in
the text. Other common examples include the Greatest Generation (people who lived through the
Depression and WWII) and the Millennials (Generation Y, born between the early 1980s and the
early 2000s). Another example would be Generation X, born between the early 1960s and the early
1980s.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Explains cohort Correctly defines Defines cohort Does not define cohort
cohort and explains its without explaining its correctly
impact on members effect on members
Gives an example Gives an example of a Gives a vague Gives an incorrect
cohort example of cohort example or does not
give an example
8. Explain the term SES, including four components of SES.
ANSWER: SES, or socioeconomic status, is a person's position in society and is determined by education,
occupation, neighborhood, and income.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
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, Name: Class: Date:
Chapter 1 - Essay
Explains the term Correctly explains the Partially explains the Does not explain the
term term term
Provides the four Includes the four Includes two Does not include the
components components components of SES four components or
includes incorrect
components
9. Describe culture, and explain why researchers interested in human development study different cultures.
ANSWER: Culture is the system of shared beliefs, conventions, norms, behaviors, expectations, and symbolic
representations that persist over time and prescribe social rules of conduct. Culture is a powerful
social construction, or a concept created by a society. Such social constructions affect how people
think and act—what they value, praise, ignore, and punish. Different cultures may view the same
behaviors or phenomena as either assets or deficits. Therefore, by studying different cultures,
researchers can identify which patterns are universal among humans and which occur only in certain
cultures. This information provides insights into the effects of different environments.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Describes culture Clearly describes Gives a definition of Does not define
culture culture without culture
describing it
Explains why Clearly explains why Is vague about why Does not explain why
researchers study researchers study researchers study researchers study
different cultures different cultures different cultures different cultures
10. Irma is under the impression that culture, ethnicity, and race mean the same thing and are interchangeable.
Explain why Irma is mistaken and outline the differences between these terms.
ANSWER: Ethnic groups often share a culture, but not necessarily. There are multiple intersecting and
interacting dimensions to ethnic identity. People may share ethnicity but differ culturally. For
example, people of Irish descent in Ireland, Australia, and North America may come from several
ethnic groups. In another example, African-born people in North America typically consider
themselves African, but African people in Africa identify with more specific ethnic groups. Race
refers to people who are regarded by themselves or by others on the basis of their physical
appearance, typically skin color. However, social scientists are convinced that race is a social
construction and that color terms exaggerate minor differences. For instance, dark-skinned people
with African ancestors have high levels of within-population genetic diversity, and many dark-
skinned people whose ancestors were not African share neither culture nor ethnicity with Africans.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Differentiates the Explains how culture, Differentiates between Does not differentiate
three terms ethnicity, and race two of the terms the three terms
differ
Provides examples Illustrates by example Partially illustrates by Does not provide
how the three terms example differences examples or provides
differ between the three incorrect examples
terms
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(Test Bank all Chapters)
Chapter 1 - Essay
1. Describe each of the five steps of the scientific method.
ANSWER: Step 1: Begin with curiosity. Pose a question based on a theory, prior research, or personal
observation. Step 2: Develop a hypothesis, which is a specific prediction that can be tested through
research. Step 3: Test the hypothesis. Design and conduct research to gather empirical evidence
(data). Step 4: Analyze the evidence gathered in the research. Draw conclusions. Using the evidence
gathered in the research, conclude whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted. Step 5: Report the
results by sharing the data, conclusions, and alternative explanations with other scientists.
Good (5 pts) Fair (3 pts) Weak (1–0 pts)
Lists steps of States five of the steps States three of the States fewer than three
scientific method in in order steps in order steps or does not state
order the steps in order
Explains each step Describes the five Describes three steps Describes fewer than
steps three steps or does not
describe steps
accurately
2. Explain the nature–nurture debate within developmental psychology and provide an example of both nature
and nurture.
ANSWER: Nature refers to the influence of genes on a person, and nurture refers to environmental influences
on a person. Environmental influences include the health and diet of the embryo's mother and
continue lifelong, including experiences in the family, school, community, and society. An example
of nature would be inheriting a gene that predisposes one to addiction. An example of nurture would
be having a predisposition to addiction but being raised in a warm, stimulating environment in
which parents do not abuse drugs or alcohol, reducing the individual's risk for addiction as a result
of not being exposed to abuse or parental addictions. The debate concerns how many of any person's
characteristics, behaviors, or emotions are the result of genes and how many are the result of the
person's experiences.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Defines nature and Accurately defines Accurately defines Does not accurately
nurture both terms and gives one term and gives at define both terms or
an example of both least one accurate supply accurate
example examples
Describes the debate Accurately describes Accurately describes Does not accurately
both sides of the one side of the debate describe the debate
debate
3. Explain differential susceptibility and provide an example.
ANSWER: Differential susceptibility refers to the idea that people vary in how sensitive they are to particular
experiences. These differences are often genetic. Examples provided may vary. One may be asthma.
Some people begin wheezing when they are near a cat, but others never do. Asthma is also an
example of differential susceptibility because of past experience. Because of their parents' reactions
in their early years, some older children are terrified at the first signs of an attack; others aren't.
Another example involves dogs as well as cats. If a person lives in a rural area, fur-bearing pets
Copyright Macmillan Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 1
,Name: Class: Date:
Chapter 1 - Essay
reduce the rate of asthma; but in urban areas, such animals increase the incidence. That is
differential susceptibility.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Defines Accurately defines the Partially defines the Does not accurately
differential term term define the term
susceptibility
Provides an Provides an example Provides a partial Does not provide an
example example example
4. Define what intersectionality means and how it can impact development.
ANSWER: Intersectionality is the idea that the various identities that we have need to be combined.
Developmental psychologists highlight that this idea is important in determining if discrimination
has occurred. Intersectionality focuses attention on power differences between groups and can
highlight discrimination in many institutions. For instance, research has found that multiple
identities are related to the prison sentences that are given to those convicted of committing crimes,
such as age, gender, and race, placing young African American males at risk of receiving harsher
sentences compared to others.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Intersectionality Provides a clear Provides a vague Provides an incorrect
defined definition definition definition
Developmental Provides a clear Provides a vague Does not provide an
impact example of how this example of how this example of how this
impacts development impacts impacts development
development
5. Define a critical period and a sensitive period. Explain the difference between the two, and give an example
of each.
ANSWER: A critical period is a time when something must occur to ensure normal development, and a
sensitive period is a time when a specific developmental task occurs most easily. An example of a
critical period would be the fetus growing arms and legs and hands and feet—this can occur only at
a specific time in utero. Language development is an example of a sensitive period. It occurs most
easily at a young age but can still develop at a later age as well.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Defines and Defines both periods Defines just one Fails to define both
differentiates and differentiates period or is vague periods or fails to
between them about differentiation differentiate
Gives examples Gives a correct example Gives a correct Does not give any
for both periods example of either examples
period
6. Explain Bronfenbrenner's ecological-systems approach. Make sure to include all six systems, including the
last one he added to the model before his death.
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,Name: Class: Date:
Chapter 1 - Essay
ANSWER: Bronfenbrenner's ecological-systems approach is a perspective on human development that
considers all the influences from the various contexts of development. This approach recognizes
three nested levels as well as two systems that affect these levels. Bronfenbrenner believed that each
person is affected by their social context. Over the course of his career, he identified five systems.
The first is the microsystem (e.g., one's family and peer group), the second is the exosystem (school,
clubs, and church), and the third is the macrosystem (larger social setting, such as cultural values
and economic policies). The fourth system, called the chronosystem, is the role of historical context,
and the fifth system, called the mesosystem, is the interaction that occurs between all the other
systems. Before he died, Bronfenbrenner added a sixth system, the bioecological system, which is
the internal biology of the person.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Explains ecological- Clearly states what the Gives a vague Is unable to describe
systems approach approach is explanation of the the approach
approach
Identifies the systems Identifies the six Identifies three of the Identifies fewer than
systems and gives an systems or gives three of the systems or
example of each examples of three of gives fewer than three
the systems examples
7. Define cohort, explain its effects, and give an example of one.
ANSWER: A cohort is a group of people born within a few years of each other who move through time
together. Cohorts travel through life affected by the interaction of their chronological age with the
values, events, technologies, and culture of the historical period. Cohort examples will vary but
should show an understanding of a cohort. Examples include the names that parents give their
babies, "Occupy Wall Street," "Black Lives Matter," the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the assassination of
John F. Kennedy, and attitudes about marijuana. The baby-boom generation is the example given in
the text. Other common examples include the Greatest Generation (people who lived through the
Depression and WWII) and the Millennials (Generation Y, born between the early 1980s and the
early 2000s). Another example would be Generation X, born between the early 1960s and the early
1980s.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Explains cohort Correctly defines Defines cohort Does not define cohort
cohort and explains its without explaining its correctly
impact on members effect on members
Gives an example Gives an example of a Gives a vague Gives an incorrect
cohort example of cohort example or does not
give an example
8. Explain the term SES, including four components of SES.
ANSWER: SES, or socioeconomic status, is a person's position in society and is determined by education,
occupation, neighborhood, and income.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Copyright Macmillan Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 3
, Name: Class: Date:
Chapter 1 - Essay
Explains the term Correctly explains the Partially explains the Does not explain the
term term term
Provides the four Includes the four Includes two Does not include the
components components components of SES four components or
includes incorrect
components
9. Describe culture, and explain why researchers interested in human development study different cultures.
ANSWER: Culture is the system of shared beliefs, conventions, norms, behaviors, expectations, and symbolic
representations that persist over time and prescribe social rules of conduct. Culture is a powerful
social construction, or a concept created by a society. Such social constructions affect how people
think and act—what they value, praise, ignore, and punish. Different cultures may view the same
behaviors or phenomena as either assets or deficits. Therefore, by studying different cultures,
researchers can identify which patterns are universal among humans and which occur only in certain
cultures. This information provides insights into the effects of different environments.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Describes culture Clearly describes Gives a definition of Does not define
culture culture without culture
describing it
Explains why Clearly explains why Is vague about why Does not explain why
researchers study researchers study researchers study researchers study
different cultures different cultures different cultures different cultures
10. Irma is under the impression that culture, ethnicity, and race mean the same thing and are interchangeable.
Explain why Irma is mistaken and outline the differences between these terms.
ANSWER: Ethnic groups often share a culture, but not necessarily. There are multiple intersecting and
interacting dimensions to ethnic identity. People may share ethnicity but differ culturally. For
example, people of Irish descent in Ireland, Australia, and North America may come from several
ethnic groups. In another example, African-born people in North America typically consider
themselves African, but African people in Africa identify with more specific ethnic groups. Race
refers to people who are regarded by themselves or by others on the basis of their physical
appearance, typically skin color. However, social scientists are convinced that race is a social
construction and that color terms exaggerate minor differences. For instance, dark-skinned people
with African ancestors have high levels of within-population genetic diversity, and many dark-
skinned people whose ancestors were not African share neither culture nor ethnicity with Africans.
Good (5 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Weak (1–0 pts.)
Differentiates the Explains how culture, Differentiates between Does not differentiate
three terms ethnicity, and race two of the terms the three terms
differ
Provides examples Illustrates by example Partially illustrates by Does not provide
how the three terms example differences examples or provides
differ between the three incorrect examples
terms
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