Applied Human Development
Take Home Exam I
- There are sensitive periods in prenatal and
postnatal (infant) development in which infants may be harmed by exposure
to teratogenic agents. Describe
two examples that illustrate the importance of development in mediating
the effects of teratogens, making sure to clarify the role of timing in
the effects on the infant (i.e., the mother is exposed to the same
teratogenic agents—why, specifically, does she not experience the same
types of brain damage).
- Imagine that the current state is planning to
cut early childhood programs severely.
An advisor to the Governor has convinced him that early childhood
programs make no difference in children’s test results once they are in school
and that they therefore won’t be missed.
Respond to the advisor in a way that supports the usefulness of
early childhood programs and focuses on who is being served and how the
outcomes are measured.
- Bowlby and Ainsworth contributed greatly to our
understanding of the importance of primary relations in infant
development. However, the use of
the Strange Situation as a metric for the assessment of attachment has
been criticized. What are three
pieces of evidence suggesting that the SS might not be a valid method of
assessing attachment security.
- The Smiths intend to adopt a child who is eight
years old. They were told that
because this child had reached age eight without developing basic trust in
the world or secure attachments with caregivers, she would never do
so. In other words, they were told
that because she hadn’t resolved Erikson’s first stage of trust vs.
mistrust by age two that she wouldn’t ever be able to do so. What about that advice is not
consistent with stage theory?
Explain to the Smiths what stage theory really would say about (a)
the likelihood their daughter will develop trust and secure relationships,
(b) what it would take to do do, and (c) what her future psychosocial
development will be like if she does not resolve stage one.
- Define resiliency. Identify and describe four characteristics associated with
this phenomenon.
- Susan’s mother has a demanding and rigid
boss. Susan is five years old. She
has never met her mother’s boss and never been to her mother’s place of
employment. At what level of Susan’s ecosystem does the boss operate? Explain and provide one example of
bi-directional effects between these Susan and her mother’s job.
Due Wednesday 10/13/04
Type and double- space your answers`
Keep it concise!!