Human Development Across the Lifespan (7A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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In attachment theory, which attachment style shows intense distress and ambivalence on caregiver return?
In attachment theory, which attachment style shows intense distress and ambivalence on caregiver return?
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Ambivalent (resistant) attachment. Child seeks closeness but resists comfort due to inconsistent care.
Ambivalent (resistant) attachment. Child seeks closeness but resists comfort due to inconsistent care.
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What is a sensitive period in development?
What is a sensitive period in development?
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A window when experience has maximal effect but is not strictly required. Optimal timing for learning, but development can occur outside it.
A window when experience has maximal effect but is not strictly required. Optimal timing for learning, but development can occur outside it.
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Which research design compares different age groups at one time point to infer development?
Which research design compares different age groups at one time point to infer development?
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Cross-sectional study. Compares different age groups simultaneously to study development.
Cross-sectional study. Compares different age groups simultaneously to study development.
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What is the main confound in a cross-sectional study that can mimic age effects?
What is the main confound in a cross-sectional study that can mimic age effects?
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Cohort effects. Generational differences can be mistaken for age-related changes.
Cohort effects. Generational differences can be mistaken for age-related changes.
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What is the main practical drawback of longitudinal studies in lifespan development research?
What is the main practical drawback of longitudinal studies in lifespan development research?
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Attrition over time. Participants drop out over time, potentially biasing results.
Attrition over time. Participants drop out over time, potentially biasing results.
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What is meant by the term “nature” in the nature versus nurture debate?
What is meant by the term “nature” in the nature versus nurture debate?
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Genetic and biological influences on development. Refers to inherited traits and biological factors shaping development.
Genetic and biological influences on development. Refers to inherited traits and biological factors shaping development.
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In attachment theory, which attachment style reflects distress at separation and comfort on return?
In attachment theory, which attachment style reflects distress at separation and comfort on return?
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Secure attachment. Child uses caregiver as safe base for exploration.
Secure attachment. Child uses caregiver as safe base for exploration.
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In attachment theory, which attachment style shows little distress at separation and avoids caregiver on return?
In attachment theory, which attachment style shows little distress at separation and avoids caregiver on return?
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Avoidant attachment. Child appears independent but may struggle with intimacy later.
Avoidant attachment. Child appears independent but may struggle with intimacy later.
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In Erikson’s theory, which psychosocial crisis is central to adolescence?
In Erikson’s theory, which psychosocial crisis is central to adolescence?
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Identity versus role confusion. Teens explore values and beliefs to form coherent self-concept.
Identity versus role confusion. Teens explore values and beliefs to form coherent self-concept.
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Which parenting style is high warmth and high control, and is linked to the best child outcomes?
Which parenting style is high warmth and high control, and is linked to the best child outcomes?
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Authoritative parenting. Balances responsiveness with clear expectations and boundaries.
Authoritative parenting. Balances responsiveness with clear expectations and boundaries.
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Identify the correct term: gradual decline in fluid intelligence with relative stability of crystallized intelligence in aging.
Identify the correct term: gradual decline in fluid intelligence with relative stability of crystallized intelligence in aging.
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Fluid declines; crystallized remains relatively stable. Processing speed decreases while accumulated knowledge persists.
Fluid declines; crystallized remains relatively stable. Processing speed decreases while accumulated knowledge persists.
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In Piaget’s theory, which stage is marked by conservation and logical operations on concrete objects?
In Piaget’s theory, which stage is marked by conservation and logical operations on concrete objects?
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Concrete operational stage. Ages 7-11, children understand reversibility and conservation principles.
Concrete operational stage. Ages 7-11, children understand reversibility and conservation principles.
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In Piaget’s theory, which stage is characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism?
In Piaget’s theory, which stage is characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism?
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Preoperational stage. Ages 2-7, marked by language development but limited perspective-taking.
Preoperational stage. Ages 2-7, marked by language development but limited perspective-taking.
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According to Piaget, what is object permanence and when does it typically emerge?
According to Piaget, what is object permanence and when does it typically emerge?
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Knowing objects still exist when unseen; sensorimotor stage. Develops around 8-12 months as cognitive abilities mature.
Knowing objects still exist when unseen; sensorimotor stage. Develops around 8-12 months as cognitive abilities mature.
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What is a critical period in development?
What is a critical period in development?
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A narrow window when experience is essential for normal development. Missing experiences during this period causes irreversible deficits.
A narrow window when experience is essential for normal development. Missing experiences during this period causes irreversible deficits.
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What is meant by the term “nurture” in the nature versus nurture debate?
What is meant by the term “nurture” in the nature versus nurture debate?
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Environmental influences on development. Refers to experiences and social factors shaping development.
Environmental influences on development. Refers to experiences and social factors shaping development.
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In Piaget’s theory, which stage involves abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking?
In Piaget’s theory, which stage involves abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking?
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Formal operational stage. Begins around age 12, enabling scientific and philosophical thinking.
Formal operational stage. Begins around age 12, enabling scientific and philosophical thinking.
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What is Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development (ZPD)?
What is Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development (ZPD)?
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Tasks achievable with guidance but not yet independently. Gap between current ability and potential with expert help.
Tasks achievable with guidance but not yet independently. Gap between current ability and potential with expert help.
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What is scaffolding in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development?
What is scaffolding in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development?
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Temporary support that is gradually withdrawn as mastery increases. Like training wheels, helps learners until they're independent.
Temporary support that is gradually withdrawn as mastery increases. Like training wheels, helps learners until they're independent.
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Which research design follows the same individuals over time to measure developmental change?
Which research design follows the same individuals over time to measure developmental change?
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Longitudinal study. Tracks same people across multiple time points to observe changes.
Longitudinal study. Tracks same people across multiple time points to observe changes.
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What is the key confound in cross-sectional developmental research that can mimic age effects?
What is the key confound in cross-sectional developmental research that can mimic age effects?
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Cohort effects. Different generations may differ due to historical context, not just age.
Cohort effects. Different generations may differ due to historical context, not just age.
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What is the term for a time window when a stimulus is required for normal development?
What is the term for a time window when a stimulus is required for normal development?
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Critical period. Brief window when specific input is essential or development is impaired.
Critical period. Brief window when specific input is essential or development is impaired.
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In Piaget, which stage is characterized by object permanence and goal-directed behavior?
In Piaget, which stage is characterized by object permanence and goal-directed behavior?
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Sensorimotor stage. First Piagetian stage (0-2 years) where infants learn through senses and actions.
Sensorimotor stage. First Piagetian stage (0-2 years) where infants learn through senses and actions.
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What is the key practical limitation of longitudinal developmental research that threatens validity over time?
What is the key practical limitation of longitudinal developmental research that threatens validity over time?
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Attrition (loss of participants). Participants dropping out over time can bias results and reduce sample size.
Attrition (loss of participants). Participants dropping out over time can bias results and reduce sample size.
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What is the developmental concept that growth is continuous and involves quantitative change?
What is the developmental concept that growth is continuous and involves quantitative change?
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Continuous development. Development occurs gradually without distinct stages or sudden shifts.
Continuous development. Development occurs gradually without distinct stages or sudden shifts.
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In Piaget, which stage is marked by egocentrism and failure on conservation tasks?
In Piaget, which stage is marked by egocentrism and failure on conservation tasks?
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Preoperational stage. Second stage (2-7 years) with symbolic thinking but illogical reasoning.
Preoperational stage. Second stage (2-7 years) with symbolic thinking but illogical reasoning.
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In Piaget, which stage is marked by conservation and logical reasoning about concrete events?
In Piaget, which stage is marked by conservation and logical reasoning about concrete events?
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Concrete operational stage. Third stage (7-11 years) with logical thinking about physical objects.
Concrete operational stage. Third stage (7-11 years) with logical thinking about physical objects.
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In Piaget, which stage enables abstract reasoning and hypothetical-deductive thinking?
In Piaget, which stage enables abstract reasoning and hypothetical-deductive thinking?
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Formal operational stage. Final stage (11+ years) allowing abstract and systematic reasoning.
Formal operational stage. Final stage (11+ years) allowing abstract and systematic reasoning.
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What is the Piagetian process of interpreting new experiences using existing schemas?
What is the Piagetian process of interpreting new experiences using existing schemas?
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Assimilation. Fitting new experiences into existing mental frameworks without changing them.
Assimilation. Fitting new experiences into existing mental frameworks without changing them.
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What is the Piagetian process of modifying schemas to incorporate new information?
What is the Piagetian process of modifying schemas to incorporate new information?
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Accommodation. Changing mental frameworks to fit new experiences that don't match.
Accommodation. Changing mental frameworks to fit new experiences that don't match.
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