Theoretical Issues in Development – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Some psychologists argue that development does not occur in stages and should be thought of as __________.
answer
C.
continuous
question
Which of the following is not an assumption of stage theories?
answer
B.
Stages are continuous and gradual.
question
Personal characteristics such as one's __________ and __________ are often stable throughout one's lifetime.
answer
A.
temperament . . . emotionality
question
Anxiety and friendliness are personality traits that appear to __________.
answer
B.
show mild or no long-term change
question
All of the following are examples of stage theories in development except __________.
answer
Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development
question
Personality appears to _________ as individuals age.
answer
gradually stabilize
question
Jim, who believes in stage theories of human development, is reading a paper on famous psychologist Erik Erikson. In Erikson's psychosocial development theory, children aged 3 to 5 years old struggle with becoming responsible for beginning tasks.
Since Jim believes that human development often occurs in distinct stages, which of the following statements would he agree with?
answer
D.
Children will complete their struggle with responsibility before they move onto the next stage.
question
Which of the following is an assumption of continuity theories?
answer
Developmental milestones may be achieved gradually.
question
All aspects of personality are stable and do not change through out one's life.
answer
T
question
Research indicates that if an individual has issues controlling anger when they are young, then that person is more likely to have the same issue when they are older.
answer
T
question
Personality is most malleable before __________.
answer
D.
adulthood
question
If human development really does proceed continuously, what value does stage theories of development have?
answer
Even if human development is continuous, there is some value in stage theories of development. A stage theory of development allows experts to examine the developmental progress of individuals and establish a basis for developmental changes. This can help identify developmental issues earlier. Stage theories can also help researchers who are examining physical development examine discrete changes in the brain that allow certain developmental milestones to be reached. Finally, stage theories can give one a sense of where an individual is developmentally, and can prepare the person for changes that may occur during their lifetime.
question
What is the main difference between continuity theories of development and stage theories of development?
answer
Stage development theories, which are largely influenced by biological processes, state that human growth or development occurs in distinct stages that are qualitatively different from each other. Continuity theories of development state that development occurs gradually and is pushed by one's experiences and learning.
question
Provide one reason that leads psychologists to believe personality changes and one reason that leads psychologists to believe personality remains stable.
answer
Psychological research indicates that personality seems to be malleable or changing as one experiences child and adolescent development, but aspects of personality, such as one's temperament and emotionality, seem to remain stable into adulthood.
question
Temperament is an aspect of personality that often changes throughout someone's life.
answer
F
question
Which of the following statements concerning personality stability is not correct?
answer
D.
Personality is often more malleable after one reaches adulthood.
question
Research indicates that stage theories are more accurate than developmental theories when it comes to assessing developmental changes.
answer
F
question
Stage theories and continuity theories of development can be used together to adequately assess changes in growth that occur throughout life.
answer
T
question
When a psychologist claims that developmental processes occur rapidly and are marked by distinct periods, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development?
answer
NOT
A.
stable
question
Brooke, who believes in continuous human development, is reading a paper on famous psychologist Erik Erikson. In Erikson's psychosocial development theory, children aged 3 to 5 years old struggle with becoming responsible for beginning tasks.
Since Brooke believes in continuous human development, which of the following statements would she agree with?
answer
A.
Children may begin their struggle with responsibility earlier than age 3 or later than age 5.
question
Which personality trait appears to be stable over the course of a person's life?
answer
A.
neuroticism
question
When a psychologist claims that experience and learning are key elements in initiating developmental changes, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development?
answer
D.
fluid
question
Psychologists who favor the theory of continuous development tend to refer to stage theories of development as "discontinuous."
answer
T
question
Over the course of an individual's life, personality is __________.
answer
D.
capable of both change and stability
