Development Short Response Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions in one to two paragraphs for each on your own sheet of paper. Make sure you cover every part of the question in your responses. Give examples from your textbook for each question. Due: Thursday, 03/25/10 (P.3) & Friday, 03/26/10 (P.6)

1.Describe the four stages of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget, and discuss the major developmental changes associated with each of the stages.

2.Research on adolescence indicates that for girls early maturation is particularly difficult, while for boys late maturation is especially hard. How would you explain this gender difference? Consider how your text's unifying theme that psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context might help to explain it.

3.The experience of midlife crisis has been likened by some to the adolescent search for identity. In what ways are these two developmental phenomena similar? How are they different?

4.Research indicates that there are genuine (although often small) gender differences in verbal ability, mathematical ability, spatial ability, aggression, and nonverbal communication. There is also some evidence that biological differences between the sexes in hormone levels and brain organization contribute to some or all of these behavioral differences. Adopt a functionalist/evolutionary perspective, and discuss why these biological differences and their consequent behavioral differences might exist.

5.According to Carol Gilligan (1982), Kohlberg's theory describes moral development from the "justice perspective," which tends to predominate in males, but neglects to consider the "care perspective," which tends to predominate in females. From the justice perspective, moral decisions are based on considerations of fairness and equal treatment for all. From the care perspective, moral decisions are based on considerations of meeting individuals' personal needs and preserving relationships. Do research findings on gender differences support Gilligan's views?