PSYC140 / PSYC 140 Module 2 Exam | Latest
2026/2027 Portage Learning | Developmental
Psychology | Verified Questions & Answers |
Grade A | 100% Corre
...
ct
Q: Zeke's father is a volleyball coach and Zeke grew up wanting to play volleyball. In
fifth grade, he asked his father to show him how to play and teach him basic skills. By
the time that he reaches junior high, he's skilled enough to make the varsity volleyball
team. What type of genotype- environment interaction best explains Zeke's sports
success?
Answer
Active
Q: Jillian's mother is a librarian and her father is a high school English teacher. When
Jillian began elementary school, her teacher found her reading fourth-grade level books
in the school library. The teacher then encouraged Jillian to read high quality fiction
books. By high school, Jillian is one of her school's top English students. What type of
genotype-environment interaction might best explain how this occurred?
Answer
Evocative
Q: Dan's parents both perform in the city orchestra. When Dan was three they bought
him his first violin and began giving him music lessons. Dan shows early promise as a
musician. What type of genotype-environment interaction best explains Dan's musical
prowess?
Answer
Passive
Q: Jillian's mother is a librarian and her father is a high school English teacher. When
Jillian began elementary school, her teacher found her reading fourth- grade level books
in the school library. The teacher then encouraged Jillian to read high quality fiction
books. By high school, Jillian is one of her school's top English students. What type of
genotype-environment interaction might best explain how this occurred?
Q: In which type of genotype-environment interaction does the child take very little
role in personally choosing and seeking out environments that foster a particular
interest
Answer
Passive
Q: Which research design would best investigate the everyday behavior of children in a
middle school math class?
Answer
Naturalistic Observation
Q: A researcher follows a group of children over ten years to assess socioemotional
development. Which research design is the researcher using?
Answer
Longitudinal
Q: A doctor might recommend the use of a/an _________________ drug during
childbirth if there is a need to stimulate labor contractions.
Answer
oxytocic
Q: Place the following prenatal events in order from earliest to latest -
Answer
Lanugo is nearly gone
Basic spinal cord begins to form
Heartbeat can be heard
Basic spinal cord begins to form
Heartbeat can be heard
Lanugo is nearly gone
Q: What is Lamaze?
Answer
The use of breathing techniques and education to control pain and fear
Q: A/An _______________ is an agent that causes birth defect.
Answer
teratogen
Q: T or F? The risk of miscarriage during amniocenteses is 1 in 300
Answer
TRUE
Q: When are a developing baby's organs most susceptible. Be specific.
Answer
during organogenesis
Q: What is the term for the prenatal period of organ formation?
Answer
Organogenesis
Q: Which of the following are typical reasons for undertaking Chorionic Villus
Sampling?
Answer
Maternal age (35 or younger)
Desire to confirm and date the pregnancy
Family history of a genetic disease
All of the above
Family history of a genetic disease
Q: During which trimester does spinal cord formation begin?
Answer
First
Q: What are the advantage and disadvantages of naturalistic observations? Describe
one advantage and one disadvantage.
Answer
An advantage would be that researchers can observe participant's realistic, natural
behavior
A disadvantage would be that researchers can only observe the behavior, no interview is
conducted so subject can't share thoughts.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of conducting a correlational study?
Describe one advantage and disadvantage
Answer
Correlation study advantage is to see if two variables are related together and the degree
of correlation will tell you how strongly they go together A disadvantage with correlation
is that is doesn't tell you what actually changes therefore it can be limiting when trying
to gather information on what the data can tell you Advantages should include the
following: helps investigate which variables relate together, addresses key issues in
social sciences. Disadvantage: correlation does not equal causation.
Q: For the following scenarios, identify whether the study's design is cross-sectional or
longitudinal.
A) Martha's children participated in a study from the time they were in preschool until
they reached middle school
B) A researcher is studying a group of baby boomers to see whether, as they age, they
become increasingly religious
C) teenagers in a study are interviewed regarding who are the most popular peers in
their grade
Answer
A) Longitudinal
B) Longitudinal
C) Cross-Sectional
Q: Short essay questions should be answered in complete sentences.
What are the two key features of an experiment that enable it to determine causality?
Name these features and then describe them
Answer
Tight controls with the setting, participants and other variables that could be in the
study The researcher has access to manipulate the variable/ factor that can have an
influence
Q: Passive Interaction
Answer
parents can provide both the genetic predisposition as well as a nurturing context to
foster certain qualities in a child.
Example: a musical family provides many opportunities for musical development. This
is considered passive due to the child's role being a passive one (a genotype is the
genetic make-up of an individual).
Q: Evocative Interaction
Answer
parents can provide the genetic predisposition for the child to then evoke certain
reactions in others. In short, our own behaviors may play a role in our development.
Example: a very social child will affect others around her to behave in certain ways,
which will then influence her own development. This child may develop a large social
group and be viewed favorably by teachers who value strong interpersonal skills.
Q: Active Interaction
Answer
parents may provide a genetic predisposition that results in the child actively seeking
out environmental conditions that foster the development of certain qualities.
Example: a musically gifted child may single-mindedly pursue musical outlets
regardless of whether others encourage him or her to do so.
Answer the following Essay -
Answer
Describe in detail the three stags of childbirth as well as postpartum. In your answer
include the following: names for each stage general length of time for each, and key
events that occur during eat stage
Stage 1 is dilation and effacement of cervix
Stage 2 is delivery of baby
Stage 3 is delivery of placenta
Stage 4 is postpartum
Childbirth Stage 1
Answer
dilation and effacement of cervix. Longest stage, begins at onset of true labor and ends
when cervix is completely dilated. Comprised of early labor and active labor. Early labor
last 8- 12 hours during this time contracts begin every 5 to 30 minutes and last 30-45
seconds. Sometimes a woman's water breaks (amniotic sac rupture). Active labor is 3-5
hours contractions are every 3- 5 min and last about 45 to 60 seconds.
Childbirth Stage 2
Answer
delivery of baby. Begins after cervix is dilated the full 10 cm and ends with delivery of
baby. May last 20 min to 2 hours. Strong urge to push occurs with strong sense of
pressure on rectum. Baby's head will crown or become visible. Health provider will
direct how and when to push.
Childbirth Stage 3
Answer
Stage 3 is delivery of placenta or afterbirth. This typically takes 5-10 mins. Contractions
can start up again as placenta begins to separate from the uterine wall so it can be
delivered. Normal to experience shaking or shivering
Childbirth Stage 4
Answer
postpartum. This stage lasts approximately 6 weeks. The mother's body begins to heal
and she emotionally adjusts from childbearing to childrearing. Biological adjustments
include involution which is where the uterus returns to normal size going from 2-3 lbs
back to 2-3 ounces. Breastfeeding begins as well. Numerous Psychological adjustments
begin such as coordination of parent's and baby's sleep schedule and bonding with baby.
Compare and contrast longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.
Answer
A longitudinal design enables researchers to observe change over time as well as which
qualities in an individual remain stable, while a cross-sectional design does not address
either of these very well. However, it is generally more difficult to conduct longitudinal
researcher due to the extensive time required. A cross-sectional study simply
investigates a cross-section of a population at once. Both study approaches, however,
can be used to answer questions about certain aspects of lifespan development.
For the five research methods discussed in this module (naturalistic observation
through experiments), write out the following:
1) What are the advantages of choosing this research design?
2) What are the disadvantages?
3) Summarize the main reason why the study design might be chosen.
Answer
Naturalistic Observation Can observe how people act naturally.
Researchers can only access the information that they directly observe. The child may
act differently in other settings or at other times.
A good design for obtaining detailed information on a person’s behaviors.
Case Study
Provides rich and detailed information on one individual.
May not be applicable to other cases. Particularly helpful for showcasing an unusual
case to spur additional discussion. Survey Can obtain a large amount of information
with a large sample. People may not accurately report on their own thoughts and
behaviors! The most straightforward way to know what someone thinks is to simply ask
them, as in a survey or interview.
Correlational study
Gives concise summary on how two variables relate to one another. Correlation does not
equal causation; a correlational study doesn’t tell what actually caused any change.
Popular study design, shows how different aspects of human nature relate to other
aspects.
Experiment Researchers can directly observe a manipulated variable effecting change.
People may act unnaturally in experimental settings.
A researcher seeking to know what causes something else should choose this design.
Describe the three types of prenatal tests described in this module, including the
purposes and problems associated with each.
Ultrasound directs high frequency soundwaves into the mother's abdomen to create an
image of the developing baby. Ultrasound can show the position of the baby, gender,
gestational age, and some brain defects. Noninvasive and generally viewed to be safe, a
general rule is to have fewer than five ultrasounds during pregnancy due to a possible
risk of low birthweight. Amniocentesis involves removing a sample of amniotic fluid
through a syringe. The fluid is then tested for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities.
However, there is a risk of miscarriage with amniocentesis. Chorionic villus sampling
involves inserting a tube and removing tissue from the end of one or more chorionic
villi. CVS is used to detect genetic abnormalities, but there is a risk of miscarriage and
limb deformity
Reflect: What are your thoughts about the use of the various prenatal diagnostic tests?
For a patient predisposed to genetic abnormalities they ca be effective tools in
identifying conditions early but for a healthy expecting mother it can expose her and the
unborn baby to unnecessary risks
Compare and contrast the three types of genotype-environment interactions discussed
in this module.
Passive genotype-environment interaction: the child's role is passive; the genes passed
along by the parents, as well as the environmental stimulation, work together to bring
out certain qualities in the child. Evocative genotype-environment interaction: genes
passed along by the parents result in the child behaving in ways that evoke particular
responses in others, resulting in environmental stimulation of certain qualities in the
child. Active genotype-environment interaction: genes passed along by the parents
result in the child actively seeking out environmental stimulation for certain qualities.
Describe precisely when the germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods occur.
The Germinal Period takes place during the first two weeks after conception. The
Embryonic Period is 2-8 weeks after conception, and the Fetal Period begins two
months after conception and lasts approximately seven months.
If a teratogen is introduced during the first trimester of pregnancy, what parts of the
baby's body might be harmed?
Since these are systems under major development in the first trimester, they are the
most likely to be affected: spinal cord, brain, all major organs, limbs, face
A friend of yours says that she smoked throughout pregnancy and her baby is fine. "So,"
she concludes," nicotine doesn't harm babies." How would you respond, based on data
on teratogens?
Nicotine is a known teratogen that when consumed while pregnant can cause
miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, learning difficulties, and SIDS. She likely
didn't experience one of these possible consequences due to low susceptibility to the
teratogen. Since every women is different, she is lucky her baby was unharmed but
another women could experience serious complications so it is important to not expose
the baby to any teratogen. It would also be interesting to see if the child truly was
Google