Author Question: Belinda is eight months old. She turns away and starts crying when a stranger approaches her at the ... (Read 55 times)

sabina · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Belinda is eight months old. She turns away and starts crying when a stranger approaches her at the grocery store. This reaction would

a. be unusual in a child of that age.
b. be evidence that Belinda was insecurely attached.
c. be considered a typical response to a stranger for a child of that age (but not necessarily a universal response).
d. simply indicate that Belinda is tired or hungry.

Question 2

Give one example of a topic in this chapter that illustrates each of the four developmental themes this text emphasizes.

What will be an ideal response?

jackie · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C

Answer to Question 2

The first developmental theme is active/passive. Scarr and McCartney emphasize how children's characteristics influence the environment they in turn experience in an active, though not intentional, way.

The second developmental theme is nature/nurture. In a sense, this whole chapter has been about this very theme. Family studies discussed here attempt to determine the relative contributions (and interactive nature) of genetics to behavioral traits.

The third developmental theme is continuity/discontinuity. The distinction made in this chapter between critical periods (qualitative/discontinuous change) and sensitive periods (quantitative/continuous change) fits well with this theme.

The final developmental theme is the holistic nature of childhood. This chapter's emphasis on the interaction between genetics and environment to influence child development takes a more holistic view, rather than choosing one path and emphasizing it alone.