W 11 Exam Developmental Psych

Q: How do weight, SES, and gender affect puberty?

A: - Weight: Higher body fat can lead to earlier puberty in girls. SES: Low SES can result in earlier onset due to stress and health factors.
- Gender: Girls tend to mature earlier than boys

Q: Create a timeline of pubertal changes.

Girls (8–13 years): Breast development → growth spurt → menarche.
- Boys (9–14 years): Testicle enlargement → voice deepening → growth spurt.

Q: How does being an early-maturing teen affect behavior?

A: Early-maturing girls: Higher risk of anxiety, depression, and risky behavior. Early-maturing boys: Higher social status but increased aggression.

Q: How has sports participation changed in the past five decades?

A: Increased participation for both genders, especially girls due to Title IX.

Q: Consequences of sleep deprivation?

A: Poor academic performance, mood disorders, increased risk of obesity.

Q: Similarities and differences between anorexia and bulimia?

Similarities: Distorted body image, fear of weight gain.
- Differences: Anorexia: Severe weight loss. Bulimia: Binge-purge cycles.

Q: How do North American parents approach discussions of sexuality?

A: Often avoid or provide incomplete information, focusing on abstinence.

Q: Who is more likely to engage in early sexual activity?

A: Teens with low parental monitoring, early puberty, or delinquent peers.

Q: What should programs include to reduce drug experimentation?

A: Education, peer support, family involvement, and community engagement.

Q: Why don’t teens use contraception?

A: Fear of judgment, lack of knowledge, or impulsive decision-making.

Q: Define personal fable, imaginary audience, metacognition, and inhibition.

Personal fable: Belief in one’s uniqueness and invulnerability.
- Imaginary audience: Feeling constantly watched and judged.
- Metacognition: Thinking about thinking, improving problem-solving.
- Inhibition: Ability to suppress distractions or impulsive actions.

Q: Techniques to minimize high school dropout?

A: Counseling, mentoring, engaging curricula, vocational training.

Q: Gender gaps in verbal, writing, math, and spatial abilities?

A: Girls excel in verbal and writing; boys excel in math and spatial skills.

Q: How should vocational education be taught?

A: With real-world applications and internships for skill-building.

Q: How can we help high school dropouts?

A: GED programs, mentoring, job training, and counseling services.

Q: What is Erikson’s crisis for adolescence?

A: Identity vs. Role Confusion.

Q: How does self-esteem and self-concept change in adolescence?

A: Self-esteem stabilizes or improves; self-concept becomes more nuanced.

Q: What contributes to high self-esteem?

A: Supportive parents, peer acceptance, and competence in valued areas.

Q: Paths to identity? Examples?

Achievement: Clear commitments.
- Moratorium: Exploration without decisions.
- Foreclosure: Decisions without exploration.
- Diffusion: Lack of direction or goals.

Examples of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

Preconventional: Avoiding punishment.
- Conventional: Upholding laws.
- Postconventional: Abstract ethical principles.

Q: What helps higher moral reasoning?

A: Education, diverse perspectives, and reflection on moral dilemmas.

Q: Gilligan’s critique of Kohlberg’s theory?

A: Overemphasized justice; ignored care and relationships in moral reasoning.

Q: What is the most valuable friendship trait to teens?

A: Loyalty and emotional support.

Q: Clique vs. crowd?

Clique: Small, close-knit group.
- Crowd: Larger group based on shared interests or reputation.

Q: Gender differences in depression and suicide?

A: Girls: Higher rates of depression. Boys: Higher rates of completed suicide.

Q: What do we know about teen delinquency?

A: Often tied to family and peer influences; early intervention reduces risks.

Q: Define senescence.

A: Gradual physical decline starting in early adulthood.

Q: What are telomeres?

A: Protective caps on DNA that shorten with age, affecting cell division.

Q: Free-radical damage?

A: Unstable molecules cause cell damage, contributing to aging.

Q: Define atherosclerosis, vital capacity, and T cells.

A: - Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup in arteries.

- Vital capacity: Maximal lung capacity.

- T cells: Immune cells decreasing with age.

Q: How is weight loss maintained?

A: Regular exercise, portion control, and consistent habits.

Q: When do many adults gain weight?

A: During middle adulthood due to slower metabolism.

Q: Erikson’s conflict for early adulthood?

A: Intimacy vs. Isolation.

Q: Parent-child attachment and future relationships?

A: Secure attachment fosters healthy romantic relationships.

Q: Factors relating to divorce?

A: Poor communication, financial strain, infidelity, lack of shared goals.

Q: Are most women with children stay-at-home moms?

A: No, the majority work outside the home.