Title: Introducing Lifespan Development
Course: Question Banks

Q: A pediatrician provides parents with a chart that plots changes in their child’s height and weight over time. This growth chart represents a ________ in human development.
- cognitive domain (Incorrect. The cognitive domain involves learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity. Consider which domain involves changes in the body.)
- psychosocial domain (Incorrect. The psychosocial domain involves emotions, personality, and social relationships. Consider which domain involves changes in the body.)
- lifespan domain (Incorrect. You may be thinking of lifespan development, which encompasses physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Consider which domain involves changes in the body.)
- physical domain (Correct! The physical domain involves growth and changes in the body and brain, the senses, motor skills, and health and wellness. Pediatricians consult height and weight charts that estimate if babies, children, and teens are growing within normative ranges of physical development.)
A: physical domain

Q: Parents track the number of new words their toddler learns each day and are surprised by how many new words their child has learned at the end of one month. By charting their child’s language development, these parents are showing an interest in the ________ of human development.
- physical domain (Incorrect. The physical domain involves growth and changes in the body and brain, the senses, motor skills, and health and wellness. Consider which domain involves learning and language development.)
- psychosocial domain (Incorrect. The psychosocial domain involves emotions, personality, and social relationships. Consider which domain involves learning and language development.)
- lifespan domain (Incorrect. You may be thinking of lifespan development, which encompasses physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Consider which domain involves learning and language development.)
- cognitive domain (Correct! The cognitive domain involves learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity.)
A: cognitive domain

Q: A counselor is conducting an initial evaluation with a client and asks questions to better understand the client’s feelings, relationships, identity, and personality. This counselor is exploring the ________ of human development.
- physical domain (Incorrect. The physical domain involves growth and changes in the body and brain, the senses, motor skills, and health and wellness. Consider which domain involves emotions, personality, and relationships.)
- cognitive domain (Incorrect. The cognitive domain involves learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity. Consider which domain involves emotions, personality, and relationships.)
- lifespan domain (Incorrect. You may be thinking of lifespan development, which encompasses physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Consider which domain involves emotions, personality, and relationships.)
- psychosocial domain (Correct! The psychosocial domain involves emotions, personality, and social relationships.)
A: psychosocial domain

Q: Parents exclaim, “One day my baby was crawling around on the floor, and the next day my toddler was wobbling around the house on two feet! It all happened so suddenly.” Which approach to describing how developmental changes occur does the parents’ statement reflect?
- Continuous development (Incorrect. Continuous development means that development is a cumulative process, gradually improving on existing skills. With this type of development, there is gradual change. Consider which type of development would appear more sudden.)
- Universal development (Incorrect. Stage theories hold that the sequence of development is universal or essentially the same for all children. Consider which type of development would appear more sudden.)
- Sequential development (Incorrect. You may be thinking of stage theories that hold that the sequence of development is universal and children reach certain milestones in a similar sequence. Consider which type of development would appear more sudden.)
- Discontinuous development (Correct! Discontinuous development refers to development that takes place in unique stages and that occurs at specific times or ages. With this type of development, the change is more sudden.)
A: Discontinuous development

Q: Childcare practices differ across cultures, and different practices have been found to influence when and how children reach certain developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling, and walking. Which approach to human development is conveyed by this finding?
- Development is essentially the same, or universal, for all children. (Incorrect. According to this approach, there is one course of development, and development is thought of as essentially the same, or universal, for all children. Consider which approach would allow for differences in environment, such as child care practices, to influence the course of development.)
- Development is a cumulative, smooth process of improvement. (Incorrect. You are thinking about continuous development, which means that development is a cumulative process, gradually improving on existing skills. Consider which approach would allow for differences in environment, such as child care practices, to influence the course of development.)
- Development occurs in specific stages, at specific times or ages. (Incorrect. You are thinking of discontinuous development, which refers to development that takes place in unique stages and that occurs at specific times or ages. Consider which approach would allow for differences in environment, such as childcare practices, to influence the course of development.)
- Development can follow a different course for each child. (Correct! There are many courses of development. Development follows a different course for each child, depending on the child’s specific genetics and environment.)
A: Development can follow a different course for each child.

Q: A theorist proposes that children learn language by observing and imitating their parents, who in turn reinforce the sounds and words their children produce. In the nature versus nurture debate, where does this theorist’s proposal fit?
- Nature (Incorrect. According to the nature side of the nature-nurture debate, we are who we are because of our genetic makeup and biological factors.)
- Interaction between nature and nurture (Incorrect. Scientists do believe that there is an interaction between our genes and our environment, such that our unique experiences in our environment influence whether and how particular genetic traits are expressed, and at the same time, our genes influence how we interact with our environment. In this example, consider the singular focus on the role of parents in children’s language learning.)
- Reciprocation between nature and nurture (Incorrect. Scientists do believe that our unique experiences in our environment influence whether and how particular genetic traits are expressed, and at the same time, our genes influence how we interact with our environment. In this example, consider the singular focus on the role of parents in children’s language learning.)
- Nurture (Correct! According to the nurture side of the nature-nurture debate, we are who we are because of our environment and culture, including our parents.)
A: Nurture

Q: As an elementary school student, Hayden’s life revolves around learning and testing new academic skills, refining motor skills, and developing social relationships with friends and students outside of the family. Hayden is in the ________ period of human development.
- early childhood (Incorrect. Early childhood is also referred to as the preschool years and includes ages 2 to 5 or 6. This period precedes formal schooling. Consider which period is connected to children’s involvement in the early grades of school.)
- adolescence (Incorrect. Adolescence includes the ages 12 to 18. While school and social relationships are important during this period, adolescence is also characterized by puberty, identity development, and struggles for independence.)
- elementary (Incorrect. Human development theorists do not use the term elementary to refer to a period of human development. Consider which term is used to refer to children in the early grades of school.)
- middle childhood (Correct! Middle childhood includes ages 6-11 and much of what children experience at this age is connected to their involvement in the early grades of school, refinement of their motor skills, and development of social relationships with peers.)
A: middle childhood

Q: A group of friends get together and their conversation revolves around love and work: relationships, planning for future marriage and children, finishing formal education and establishing their careers, developing independence, and feeling like an adult. This group of friends is in the ________ period of human development.
- adolescence (Incorrect. Adolescence includes the ages 12 to 18. While school and social relationships are important during this period, adolescence is also characterized by puberty, identity development, and struggles for independence. Consider the period that involves beginning to take on adult roles and identity.)
- middle adulthood (Incorrect. Middle adulthood includes the ages between the late thirties (or age 40) through the mid-60s. Many people experience their peak of productivity in love and work during this time. Consider the period that involves beginning to take on adult roles and identity.)
- mid-life crisis (Incorrect. A mid-life crisis is thought of as a period of emotional turmoil and desire for change that some people between the ages of 40 and 60 experience. Consider the period that involves beginning to take on adult roles and identity.)
- early adulthood (Correct! Early adulthood includes ages 20 to 40, and it is a time of focusing on the future with respect to relationships, education, and career as well as taking on adult roles and identity.)
A: early adulthood

Q: In a psychotherapy session, Adrienne talks with her therapist about the stress of raising two young children who are involved in competitive sports and preparing for standardized tests, while caring for her elderly parents who are experiencing ill health, including early signs of dementia. Adrienne’s therapist normalizes her experience as part of the “sandwiched generation,” sandwiched between caring for young kids and aging parents. Adrienne is in the ________ period of human development.
- early adulthood (Incorrect. Early adulthood includes ages 20 to 40, and it is a time of focusing on the future with respect to relationships, education, and career as well as just beginning to take on adult roles and identity.)
- late adulthood (Incorrect. Late adulthood involves ages 65 and older. While there are variations, adults in this age range are not usually considered part of the sandwiched generation.)
- mid-life crisis (Incorrect. A mid-life crisis is thought of as a period of emotional turmoil and desire to make life-altering changes that some people between the ages of 40 and 60 experience. While Adrienne is experiencing stress, she is not making significant, life-altering changes.)
- middle adulthood (Correct! Middle adulthood includes the ages between the late thirties (or age 40) through the mid-60s. Many people experience their peak of productivity in love and work during this time. Middle-aged adults may be in the middle of taking care of their children and also taking care of their aging parents, which is referred to as the sandwiched generation.)
A: middle adulthood

Q: While most human development theorists and researchers have focused on infancy and childhood, and some on adolescence, others have explored development over the course of one’s entire life, which aligns with Baltes’ key principle of lifespan development that ________.
- development is changeable (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is plastic, meaning that characteristics are malleable or changeable, consider which key principle reflects that development occurs across one’s entire life.)
- development has gains and losses (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is multidirectional and results in gains and losses throughout life, consider which key principle reflects that development occurs across one’s entire life.)
- development has socio-cultural influences (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is influenced by contextual and socio-cultural influences, consider which key principle reflects that development occurs across one’s entire life.)
- development is lifelong (Correct! Baltes is credited with an approach to studying development called the lifespan perspective, and one of his key principles is that development occurs across one’s entire life, or is lifelong. As individuals move through life, they are faced with many challenges, opportunities, and situations that impact their development.)
A: development is lifelong

Q: In a prenatal education class, an instructor informs parents that their child’s development will be influenced by many factors, including biological, cognitive, social, and emotional factors. This instructor is addressing which of Baltes’ key principles of lifespan development?
- Development is lifelong. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development occurs across one’s entire life, or is lifelong, consider which key principle reflects a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors that influence development across the lifespan.)
- Development is changeable. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is plastic, meaning that characteristics are malleable or changeable, consider which key principle reflects a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors that influence development across the lifespan.)
- Development has gains and losses. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is multidirectional and results in gains and losses throughout life, consider which key principle reflects a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors that influence development across the lifespan.)
- Development is multidimensional. (Correct! One of Baltes’ key principles is that a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors influence development across the lifespan.)
A: Development is multidimensional.

Q: Brain training programs, which are used to reverse cognitive decline seen in aging, capitalize on the brain’s lifelong capacity to reorganize cortical tissue, which aligns with Baltes’ key principle of lifespan development that ________.
- development has gains and losses (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is multidirectional and results in gains (or growth) and losses (or decline) throughout life, consider which key principle is demonstrated by a reverse in cognitive decline.)
- development is multidisciplinary (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that a combination of disciplines (e.g., psychologists, sociologists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, educators, economists, historians, medical researchers, and others) is necessary to understand development, consider which key principle is demonstrated by a reverse in cognitive decline.)
- development has socio-cultural influences (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is influenced by contextual and socio-cultural influences, consider which key principle is demonstrated by a reverse in cognitive decline.)
- development is plastic (Correct! One of Baltes’ key principles is that development is plastic, meaning that characteristics, including cognitive functions, are malleable or changeable.)
A: development is plastic

Q: A talk show host likes to interview guests who thought their course in life was set and determined by challenges they experienced as children and teens, but who later encountered situations and opportunities that transformed their lives into something they could not have envisioned earlier in life. This talk show host’s approach is aligned with Baltes’ key principle of lifespan development that ________.
- development is multidimensional (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors influence development across the lifespan, consider which principle describes how early events of one’s childhood can be transformed by later events in one’s life.)
- development is multidisciplinary (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that a combination of disciplines (e.g., psychologists, sociologists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, educators, economists, historians, medical researchers, and others) is necessary to understand development, consider which principle describes how early events of one’s childhood can be transformed by later events in one’s life.)
- development is plastic (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is plastic, meaning that characteristics are malleable or changeable, consider which principle describes how early events of one’s childhood can be transformed by later events in one’s life.)
- development is lifelong (Correct! One of Baltes’ key principles is that development occurs across one’s entire life, or is lifelong. As individuals move through life, they are faced with many challenges, opportunities, and situations that impact their development. The early events of one’s childhood can be transformed by later events in one’s life.)
A: development is lifelong

Q: In a health class for middle schoolers, the instructor discusses puberty, to the embarrassment of the students, and reviews the biological factors involved in how their bodies are changing, the cognitive factors involved in more advanced thinking skills, the emotional factors involved in regulating feelings, and the social factors involved in navigating relationships. This illustrates which of Baltes’ key principles of lifespan development?
- Development is plastic. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is plastic, meaning that characteristics are malleable or changeable, consider which principle focuses on the interplay of many factors that influence development across the lifespan.)
- Development is multidisciplinary. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that a combination of disciplines (e.g., psychologists, sociologists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, educators, economists, historians, medical researchers, and others) is necessary to understand development, consider which principle focuses on the interplay of many factors (e.g., biological, cognitive, socioemotional) that influence development across the lifespan.)
- Development has gains and losses. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is multidirectional and results in gains (or growth) and losses (or decline) throughout life, consider which principle focuses on the interplay of many factors (e.g., biological, cognitive, socioemotional) that influence development across the lifespan.)
- Development is multidimensional. (Correct! One of Baltes’ key principles is that a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors that influence development across the lifespan.)
A: Development is multidimensional.

Q: A teenager bemoans, “My life is a roller coaster. I’ve got all this new stuff to think about and I’m not as good at things I used to do well. I think I’m making progress in one area, but I’m losing ground in another.” This statement about alternating between gains and losses reflects which of Baltes’ key principles of lifespan development?
- Development is multidimensional. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors influence development across the lifespan, consider which principle describes alternating between gains (growth) and losses (decline).)
- Development is multidisciplinary. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that a combination of disciplines (e.g., psychologists, sociologists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, educators, economists, historians, medical researchers, and others) is necessary to understand development, consider which principle describes alternating between gains (growth) and losses (decline).)
- Development is plastic. (Incorrect. While one of Baltes’ key principles is that development is plastic, meaning that characteristics are malleable or changeable, consider which principle describes alternating between gains (growth) and losses (decline).)
- Development is multidirectional. (Correct! One of Baltes’ key principles is that development is multidirectional and results in gains (or growth) and losses (or decline) throughout life.)
A: Development is multidirectional.

Q: Millennials, those born between 1982 and 2000, are considered tech-savvy because they grew up with technology and rely on it for daily activities. Millennials are defined by characteristics that were formed while growing up with advancements in technology as part of their world and culture. Which of Baltes’ contextual influences does this represent?
- Normative age-graded influences (Incorrect. Normative age-graded influences are those biological and environmental factors that have a strong correlation with chronological age, such as puberty or menopause, or age-based social practices such as beginning school or entering retirement. Consider the term that captures the impact of the broader cultural context on development.)
- Nonnormative influences (Incorrect. Nonnormative influences are unpredictable and not tied to a certain developmental time or historical period. They are the unique experiences of an individual, whether biological or environmental, that shape the development process. Consider the term that captures the impact of the broader cultural context on development.)
- Normative contextual intelligence (Incorrect. You may be thinking of Sternberg’s contextual intelligence, which refers to the ability to understand what is called for in a situation. Consider the term that captures the impact of the broader cultural context on development.)
- Normative history-graded influences (Correct! Normative history-graded influences are associated with a specific time period that define the broader context in which an individual develops. Development and identity are influenced by historical events, such as advancements in technology, that people experience.)
A: Normative history-graded influences

Q: Research indicates that family education, income, and occupation strongly influence the academic achievement gap across racial/ethnic groups. Which contextual influence on development does this exemplify?
- Culture (Incorrect. Culture provides shared guidelines for how to live according to certain traditions and values. Culture includes ideas about what is right and wrong, what to strive for, what to eat, how to speak, what is valued, etc. Consider which contextual factor captures family education, income, and occupation.)
- Cohort (Incorrect. A cohort is a group of people who are born at roughly the same period in a particular society. Members of a cohort have experienced the same historical events and cultural climates which have an impact on the values, priorities, and goals that may influence their development. Consider which contextual factor captures family education, income, and occupation.)
- History (Incorrect. You may be thinking of normative history-graded influences, which are associated with a specific time period that define the broader context in which an individual develops. Development and identity are influenced by historical events that people experience. Consider which contextual factor captures family education, income, and occupation.)
- Socioeconomic status (Correct! Socioeconomic status is a way to identify families and households based on their shared levels of education, income, and occupation. While there are certainly individual differences, members of a social class tend to share similar parenting styles, stressors, and other aspects of daily life.)
A: Socioeconomic status

Q: Teresa believes her cultural practices are the best and right ones, and it is difficult for her to understand the cultural practices of other societies. Tanya expresses an appreciation for cultural differences and a willingness to consider the perspectives of people in other cultures. Teresa’s view demonstrates ________, while Tanya’s view demonstrates ________.
- a cohort effect; contextual intelligence (Incorrect. A cohort effect is a research result that occurs because of some shared historical or social experience of the group or cohort being studied. Contextual intelligence refers to the ability to understand what is called for in a situation.)
- nonnormative influences; normative history-graded influences (Incorrect. Nonnormative influences are the unique experiences of an individual, whether biological or environmental, that shape the development process. Normative history-graded influences are associated with a specific time period that define the broader context in which an individual develops. While both may impact a person’s views, there are more specific terms for one’s views on different cultures.)
- one dimensional culture; multidimensional culture (Incorrect. You may be thinking of one of Baltes’ key principles of lifespan development, that a complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors influence development across one’s life. While this may impact a person’s views, there are more specific terms for one’s views on different cultures.)
- ethnocentrism; cultural relativity (Correct! Ethnocentrism is the belief that our own culture is superior. While it is a normal by-product of growing up in a culture, it becomes a roadblock when it inhibits understanding of cultural practices from other societies. Cultural relativity is an appreciation for cultural differences and the understanding that cultural practices are best understood from the standpoint of that particular culture.)
A: ethnocentrism; cultural relativity

Q: Parenting advice from researchers has changed over time. Consider changes in recommendations for safe sleeping positions for infants. This demonstrates which value of the scientific method?
- The scientific method allows for personal inquiry and drawing conclusions based on what we have personally experienced. (Incorrect. The scientific method does not rely on knowing something based on your own history and personal experience (experiential reality). Science is falsifiable, and theories or beliefs that cannot be falsified are not scientific.)
- The scientific method allows for agreement based on what others have told you or cultural ideas. (Incorrect. The scientific method does not rely on what others have told you or cultural ideas (agreement reality). Science is falsifiable, and theories or beliefs that cannot be falsified are not scientific.)
- The scientific method allows for validating our own experience by discussing what we think is true with others who share the same views. (Incorrect. The scientific method does not rely on personal inquiry or validating our own experience by discussing what we think is true with others who share the same views. Science is falsifiable, and theories or beliefs that cannot be falsified are not scientific.)
- The scientific method allows for continuous updating of information to support best practices. (Correct! The scientific method involves continuously renewing our understanding of the topics in question and an ongoing investigation of how and why events occur. Findings from scientific research can inform healthcare recommendations.)
A: The scientific method allows for continuous updating of information to support best practices.

Q: Researchers build upon eachother’s work by following up on suggested directions for future research and addressing limitations of previous studies. For example, a researcher might extend a study that was originally conducted with an urban sample to include people living in suburban and rural areas. Which value of the scientific method does this demonstrate?
- The scientific method allows for theories that cannot be falsified. (Incorrect. This does not characterize the scientific method. Science is falsifiable, and theories or beliefs that cannot be falsified are not scientific.)
- The scientific method allows for asking only those individuals with whom we are familiar to participate in a study. (Incorrect. One technique used in the scientific method is random selection of participants. This is preferable to asking only those individuals with whom we are familiar to participate in a study; if we conveniently chose only people we know, we know nothing about those who had no opportunity to be selected.)
- The scientific method allows for the researchers own biases and assumptions in reporting findings. (Incorrect. Researchers following the scientific method are to be aware of their own biases and assumptions, acknowledge them, and bracket them in efforts to keep them from limiting accuracy in reporting.)
- The scientific method facilitates the establishment of a literature or knowledge base. (Correct! The findings of one research study can be used by others as they explore and extend the area of interest. Through this process, a literature or knowledge base is established.)
A: The scientific method facilitates the establishment of a literature or knowledge base.

Q: When researchers select participants for their studies in a random way to insure that all members have an equal chance of being selected, they are demonstrating which value of the scientific method?
- The scientific method allows for asking only those individuals with whom we are familiar to participate in a study. (Incorrect. Random selection of participants is preferable to asking only those individuals with whom we are familiar to participate in a study; if we conveniently chose only people we know, we know nothing about those who had no opportunity to be selected.)
- The scientific method allows for personal inquiry and drawing conclusions based on what we have personally experienced. (Incorrect. The scientific method does not rely on knowing something based on your own history and personal experience (experiential reality). Science is falsifiable, and theories or beliefs that cannot be falsified are not scientific.)
- The scientific method allows for validating our own experience by discussing what we think is true with others who share the same views. (Incorrect. The scientific method does not allow for personal inquiry or validating our own experience by discussing what we think is true with others who share the same views. Science is falsifiable, and theories or beliefs that cannot be falsified are not scientific.)
- The scientific method offers a systematic way to make comparisons and guard against bias. (Correct! One technique used to avoid sampling bias is to select participants for a study in a random way. This means using a technique to insure that all members have an equal chance of being selected. In this way, the scientific method offers a more systematic way to make comparisons and guard against bias.)
A: The scientific method offers a systematic way to make comparisons and guard against bias.

Q: Thompson uses observation and surveys to study how much time children spend playing outside. The objective of this research is to ________.
- formally test whether a relationship exists between time spent playing outside and some other variable. (Incorrect. Correlational research formally tests whether a relationship exists between two or more variables. In this case, the focus is only on describing the occurrence of a phenomenon.)
- randomly assign people to different conditions, then use hypothesis testing to make inferences about how these conditions influence time spent playing outside (Incorrect. Experimental research randomly assigns people to different conditions and uses hypothesis testing to make inferences about how these conditions affect behavior of interest. In this case, the focus is on only describing the occurrence of a phenomenon.)
- to explain why children play outside. (Incorrect. Explanatory studies are designed to answer questions about “why” something occurs. In this case, the focus is only on describing the occurrence of a phenomenon, not why it occurs.)
- describe the occurrence of time spent playing outside (Correct! Observation and surveys are used in descriptive studies to describe a phenomenon.)
A: describe the occurrence of time spent playing outside

Q: Petersen designed a correlational study to determine if time spent playing video games is related to obesity. What was the objective of this research?
- To randomly assign participants to different conditions, then use hypothesis testing to make inferences about how these conditions influence behavior. (Incorrect. Experimental research randomly assigns people to different conditions and uses hypothesis testing to make inferences about how these conditions affect behavior of interest. In this case, the focus is on evaluating the relationship between playing video games and obesity.)
- To describe the occurrence of a phenomenon. (Incorrect. Descriptive studies focus on describing an occurrence. In this case, the focus is on evaluating the relationship between playing video games and obesity.)
- To explain why people play video games. (Incorrect. Explanatory studies are designed to answer questions about “why” something occurs. In this case, the focus is on evaluating the relationship between playing video games and obesity.)
- To formally test whether a relationship exists between two or more variables. (Correct! Correlational research formally tests whether a relationship exists between two or more variables, in this case playing video games and obesity.)
A: To formally test whether a relationship exists between two or more variables.

Q: Carlton conducts evaluation research of language enrichment programs for preschool children from low-income families. The objective of this research is to ________.
- explain why children from low-income families have language enrichment needs. (Incorrect. Explanatory studies are designed to answer questions about “why” something occurs. In this case, the focus is on evaluating a program.)
- describe the language enrichment needs of children from low-income families (Incorrect. Descriptive studies focus on describing an occurrence of something. In this case, the focus is on evaluating a program.)
- randomly assign participants to different conditions, then use hypothesis testing to make inferences about how these conditions influence behavior. (Incorrect. Experimental research randomly assigns people to different conditions and uses hypothesis testing to make inferences about how these conditions affect behavior of interest. In this case, the focus is on evaluating a program.)
- assess the effectiveness of an academic enrichment program (Correct! Evaluation research is designed to assess the effectiveness of policies or programs.)
A: assess the effectiveness of an academic enrichment program

Q: A researcher conducted an in depth study of a child who was raised in isolation and had no contact with same-age peers until age 10. This researcher detailed the child’s development in a number of spheres: physical/motor, language/cognitive, social and emotional. What kind of research method is this?
- Observational study (Incorrect. Observational studies involve watching and recording the actions of participants. Consider the type of research that involves exploring a single case or situation in great detail.)
- Survey (Incorrect. A survey involves asking a standard set of questions to a group of participants. Consider the type of research that involves exploring a single case or situation in great detail.)
- Content analysis (Incorrect. Content analysis involves looking at media such as old texts, pictures, commercials, lyrics or other materials to explore patterns or themes in culture. Consider the type of research that involves exploring a single case or situation in great detail.)
- Case study (Correct! Case studies involve exploring a single case or situation in great detail to uncover as much as possible about a person or situation. Case studies are helpful when investigating unusual situations such as children reared in isolation.)
A: Case study

Q: A researcher wants to understand parents’ attitudes and opinions toward residential school programs for academically gifted students. This researcher would likely choose a ________ research method.
- case study (Incorrect. Case studies involve exploring a single case or situation in great detail to uncover as much as possible about a person or situation. While case studies are helpful when investigating unusual situations, consider what type of research is useful for examining values, attitudes, and opinions.)
- observational study (Incorrect. Observational studies involve watching and recording the actions of participants. Consider what type of research is useful for asking questions about values, attitudes, and opinions.)
- content analysis (Incorrect. Content analysis involves looking at media such as old texts, pictures, commercials, lyrics or other materials to explore patterns or themes in culture. Consider what type of research is useful for asking questions about values, attitudes, and opinions.)
- survey (Correct! A survey involves asking a standard set of questions to a group of participants. Surveys are useful in examining values, attitudes, and opinions.)
A: survey

Q: The National Institutes of Health released a large dataset from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, or the ABCD Study. Now researchers from around the world have access to this data and can conduct ________ on various factors related to brain, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
- content analysis (Incorrect. Content analysis involves looking at media such as old texts, pictures, commercials, lyrics or other materials to explore patterns or themes in culture. Consider what type of research involves analysis of data that has already been collected in another study.)
- observational studies (Incorrect. Observational studies involve watching and recording the actions of participants. Consider what type of research involves analysis of data that has already been collected in another study.)
- surveys (Incorrect. A survey involves asking a standard set of questions to a group of participants. Surveys are useful in examining values, attitudes, and opinions. While surveys were likely used in the ABCD Study, consider what type of research involves analysis of data that has already been collected in another study.)
- secondary content analysis (Correct! Secondary content analysis, or archival research, involves analyzing data that has already been collected, for example, from large datasets like the ABCD Study.)
A: secondary content analysis

Q: A researcher is interested in studying the relationship between sensitivity to negative information over positive (i.e., negativity bias) and hours of sleep at night (i.e., average total sleep time). Correlational research would allow this researcher to ________.
- determine if one variable, negativity bias, causes another variable, average total sleep time (Incorrect. In correlational research, the goal is not to determine if a cause-effect relationship exists. Think instead about the goal to find out how well two variables correspond.)
- watch and record the actions of research participants and how they respond to daily events (Incorrect. You are likely thinking of observational studies which involve watching and recording the actions of participants. Think instead about the goal to find out how well two variables correspond.)
- explore a single case of someone with a negativity bias and insomnia in great detail (Incorrect. You are likely thinking of a case study, which involves exploring a single case or situation in great depth to uncover as much as possible about a person or situation. Think instead about the goal to find out how well two variables correspond.)
- identify patterns of relationships between two variables, negativity bias and average total sleep time (Correct! In correlational research, the goal is to identify patterns of relationships.)
A: identify patterns of relationships between two variables, negativity bias and average total sleep time

Q: In a study of empathy across young adulthood to older adulthood, researchers found a negative correlation (r= -.75) between empathy and age. How is this finding interpreted?
- Older adults tended to have higher empathy scores than younger adults. (Incorrect. This describes a positive correlation, which occurs when the two variables go up or down together: the older one’s age, the higher their empathy scores.)
- Older age causes adults to be more empathic. (Incorrect. Remember, correlation is not causation. A correlation coefficient only tells you about relationships between variables, not if one causes the other.)
- Older age causes adults to be less empathic. (Incorrect. Remember, correlation is not causation. A correlation coefficient only tells you about relationships between variables, not if one causes the other.)
- Older adults tended to have lower empathy scores than younger adults. (Correct! This describes a negative correlation, which occurs when the two variables move in opposite directions. In this case, as age increases, empathy scores decrease.)
A: Older adults tended to have lower empathy scores than younger adults.

Q: In a study of children, let’s suppose that researchers found a positive correlation (r= .63) between creativity and resilience. How is this finding interpreted?
- Children who score higher on measures of creativity tend to score lower on measures of resilience. (Incorrect. This describes a negative correlation, which occurs when the two variables move in opposite directions: higher creativity is associated with lower resilience.)
- Greater creativity causes children to be more resilient when they are faced with challenges. (Incorrect. Remember, correlation is not causation. A correlation coefficient only tells you about relationships between variables, not if one causes the other.)
- Greater creativity causes children to be less resilient when they are faced with challenges. (Incorrect. Remember, correlation is not causation. A correlation coefficient only tells you about relationships between variables, not if one causes the other.)
- Children who score higher on measures of creativity also score higher on measures of resilience. (Correct! This describes a positive correlation, which occurs when the two variables go up or down together: higher creativity is associated with higher resilience.)
A: Children who score higher on measures of creativity also score higher on measures of resilience.

Q: In a study of the effect of playing video games on sleep quality, researchers randomly assigned some participants to play an up-tempo video game for either one or three hours before bed. Other participants had no engagement with electronics in the time before bed. Then, the researchers assessed all the participants’ sleep quality (e.g., number of awakenings, percentage of time in deep sleep) during an overnight sleep study. In this experiment, the time spent playing video games (e.g., one or three hours) is the ________.
- dependent variable (Incorrect. The dependent variable is the outcome or the factor affected by the introduction of the independent variable. In this case, the dependent variable is sleep quality. Consider the term used to describe what the researcher manipulates in an experiment.)
- experimental group (Incorrect. The experimental group is the group that is going to be exposed to a variable or condition that the researcher introduces or manipulates. Consider the term used to describe what the researcher manipulates in an experiment, not the group exposed to it.)
- control group (Incorrect. A control group is used for comparison in an experiment. The control group will have the same experience as the experimental group but will not be exposed to the variable or condition that the researcher introduces or manipulates. Consider the term used to describe what the researcher manipulates in an experiment.)
- independent variable (Correct! The independent variable is something altered or introduced by the researcher, and sometimes it is a treatment or intervention. In this case, the researcher manipulated time spent playing video games (one or three hours).)
A: independent variable

Q: To examine the effectiveness of two types of interventions for anxiety, researchers randomly assigned participants to a 12-week course of cognitive-behavioral therapy, a 12-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program, or a waitlist control group. The researchers administered a standardized measure of anxiety to participants before and after the interventions or waitlist period. In this experiment, what is the dependent variable?
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (Incorrect. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an independent variable, a treatment introduced by the researcher. Consider the outcome of interest that researchers hypothesize will be affected by cognitive-behavioral therapy.)
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction (Incorrect. Mindfulness-based stress reduction is an independent variable, an intervention introduced by the researcher. Consider the outcome of interest that researchers hypothesize will be affected by mindfulness-based stress reduction.)
- Waitlist control group (Incorrect. A control group is used for comparison in an experiment. The control group will have the same experience as the experimental group but will not be exposed to the variable or condition that the researcher introduces or manipulates. A waitlist control group will receive the treatment or intervention after the experimental group.)
- Anxiety (Correct! The dependent variable is the outcome or the factor affected by the introduction of the independent variable. In this case, the dependent variable, or outcome of interest, is anxiety.)
A: Anxiety

Q: Researchers conducted an experiment to study the effects of sleep training on sleep duration and quality. They randomly assigned some participants to a treatment condition where they received eight sessions of sleep enhancement training and some participants to a control condition where they did not receive the training. If the participants who received sleep enhancement training had better sleep duration and quality than the people who did not receive the training, then the researcher can conclude that the training works. What advantage of experimental research does this demonstrate?
- Experimental research allows the researcher to serve as a participant in the study. (Incorrect. You may be thinking of observational or naturalistic studies where the researcher may be a participant or a non-participant. The researcher does not serve as a participant in experimental research.)
- Experimental research uncovers as much as possible about a single person or situation. (Incorrect. You are likely thinking of a case study, which involves exploring a single case or situation in great depth to uncover as much as possible about a person or situation. Think instead about the benefit of experimental research.)
- Experimental research reviews media (e.g., old texts, pictures) to explore patterns in behavior. (Incorrect. You are likely thinking of content analysis, which involves looking at media such as old texts, pictures, commercials, lyrics or other materials to explore patterns or themes in culture. Think instead about the benefit of experimental research.)
- Experimental research helps establish cause and effect relationships. (Correct! The major advantage of the experimental design is that it helps to establish cause and effect relationships.)
A: Experimental research helps establish cause and effect relationships.

Q: A team of researchers are interested in studying changes in parenting style over time, as children and parents grow older. One researcher states, “If we choose a ________, then it would be less time consuming and expensive. Another researcher comments, “If we choose that design, then we have measurements of parenting style for one point in time, and we can’t be sure about changes with age over time.” They are discussing the advantages and disadvantages of which research design?
- longitudinal research design (Incorrect. Longitudinal research tends to be expensive and time consuming. Longitudinal research has the advantage of allowing researchers to examine changes with age over time.)
- sequential research design (Incorrect. Sequential research designs allow for both longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons—changes and/or stability with age over time can be measured and compared with differences between age and cohort groups.)
- cohort sequential research design (Incorrect. A cohort sequential design involves multiple measures taken over a period of time from two or more groups of different ages (cohorts). In this example, only one group is being studied.)
- cross-sectional research design (Correct! Cross-sectional research is less expensive and time consuming, but researchers cannot examine change over time.)
A: cross-sectional research design

Q: Suppose a group of researchers wants to investigate the relationship between daily mindfulness meditation and cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the body over a 20-year time period. Which research design would allow them to measure changes with age and within individuals over time, even though it would be expensive, limited to one cohort, take a long time, and they might have people drop out of the study?
- Cross-sectional research design (Incorrect. While cross-sectional research is limited to one cohort, researchers cannot examine change over time. Also, it is less expensive and time consuming than other research designs.)
- Sequential research design (Incorrect. Sequential research designs allow for both longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons—changes and/or stability with age over time can be measured and compared with differences between age and cohort groups. In this case, the study is limited to one cohort.)
- Cohort-sequential research design (Incorrect. A cohort sequential design involves multiple measures taken over a period of time from two or more groups of different ages (cohorts). In this example, only one group is being studied.)
- Longitudinal research design (Correct! Longitudinal research tends to be expensive and time consuming. Longitudinal research has the advantage of allowing researchers to examine changes with age and within individuals over time. Disadvantages include participant attrition and limit to only one cohort.)
A: Longitudinal research design

Q: Researchers studied frequency and amount of alcohol use in three groups of students (grades 6 to 8, grades 9 to 10, and grades 11 to 12) over five years. With this ________, researchers can examine age-related changes and changes within the same individuals as they age. In addition, researchers can account for the possibility of cohort and/or time of measurement effects.
- longitudinal research design (Incorrect. While longitudinal research has the advantage of allowing researchers to examine changes with age and within individuals over time, longitudinal research is limited to only one cohort. In this case, there are three age groups/cohorts.)
- cross-sectional research design (Incorrect. Cross-sectional research is limited to one cohort (in this case, there are three age groups/cohorts), and researchers cannot examine change over time as people age.)
- observational research design (Incorrect. You may be thinking of an observational study, which involves watching and recording the actions of participants. An observational study is a type of descriptive research.)
- sequential research design (Correct! Sequential research designs allow for both longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons—changes and/or stability with age over time can be measured and compared with differences between age/cohort groups.)
A: sequential research design

Q: A couple arrives at a research lab to participate in a research study of psychosocial factors related to relationship satisfaction. After they learn about the study, they are asked to review a(n) ________, which reviews the procedures to be used in the research, any expected risks or benefits, and serves as a contract stating that they agree to participate in research.
- recruitment agreement (Incorrect. While researchers are concerned about ethical recruitment, this term is not used for the contract stating that participants agree to take part in research after learning about a study.)
- IRB approval statement (Incorrect. While IRB approval is a required part of conducting ethical research, this term is not used for the contract stating that participants agree to take part in research after learning about a study.)
- attrition prevention statement (Incorrect. While researchers are concerned about participant attrition and ethical ways to prevent attrition, this term is not used for the contract stating that participants agree to take part in research after learning about a study.)
- informed consent statement (Correct! An informed consent statement is a contract stating that participants agree to take part in research after learning about a study. As part of this process, participants are informed of the procedures to be used in the research, along with any expected risks or benefits.)
A: informed consent statement

Q: A graduate student research team is giving an oral presentation of their research on self-efficacy and resilience in young adults. They note that a limitation of their study is that participants were recruited from the university that they attend. What makes this a study limitation?
- It is an ethical violation for graduate researchers to recruit participants from the college/university they attend. (Incorrect. There are ethical recruitment strategies for college students on the same campus as graduate students conducting research. Of course, any recruitment technique requires IRB approval. Consider the implications of having easy access to potential research participants.)
- University students tend to have higher rates of attrition compared to non-university students. (Incorrect. This statement is not supported by evidence. Consider the implications of having easy access to potential research participants.)
- It is more difficult to get IRB approval for studies involving college and university students. (Incorrect. It is not necessarily the case that it is more difficult to get IRB approval for studies with college/university students as participants. Consider the implications of having easy access to potential research participants.)
- College students are samples of convenience that are not randomly selected from the wider population and may not represent all young adults in our society. (Correct! While it is easy to recruit young college students to participate in research, some would argue that it is too easy and that college students are samples of convenience. They are not randomly selected from the wider population and they may not represent all young adults in our society.)
A: College students are samples of convenience that are not randomly selected from the wider population and may not represent all young adults in our society.

Q: In order to minimize attrition in studies with infants and children, researchers are advised to ________.
- provide more enticements in the form of rewards (Incorrect. While adults may be motivated to participate in research in order to receive money, extra course credit, or other rewards, infants and children are not as easily enticed.)
- withhold snacks until the study is complete (Incorrect. Researchers should also allow time for breaks in their study protocols so that infants and children can rest or have snacks as needed.)
- minimize breaks for rest (Incorrect. Researchers should also allow time for breaks in their study protocols so that infants and children can rest or have snacks as needed.)
- design the study to be as short as possible (Correct! Research studies should be designed to be as short as possible – it is likely better to break up a large study into multiple short sessions rather than cram all of the tasks into one long visit to the lab. Researchers should also allow time for breaks in their study protocols so that infants and children can rest or have snacks as needed.)
A: design the study to be as short as possible