Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Brain development during the first postnatal year:

1. does not appreciably affect cortical development.

2. does not include increases in brain weight, which has already reached adult levels.

3. results, for the first time, in an imbalance in rates of development among various areas of the brain.

4. results in myelination of connections between different areas of the brain.

The correct answer is: results in myelination of connections between different areas of the brain.

The process of myelination refers to the formation of a protective fatty sheath around the axons of nerve cells, which significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of neural communication. During the first postnatal year, myelination occurs extensively across various parts of the brain, facilitating improved connectivity between different brain regions. This is crucial for cognitive development, motor skills, and overall brain function during infancy. Myelination allows for faster transmission of signals between neurons, which is essential as infants begin to interact with their environment and learn new skills. This process not only supports the maturation of existing connections but also contributes to the formation of new neural pathways as the infant engages in sensory and motor experiences. In contrast, the other statements do not accurately capture the dynamics of brain development during this critical period. While some aspects of cortical development may occur concurrently, it is not true that the weight of the brain has reached adult levels during the first year. Furthermore, although there may be variations in the rates of development across regions, the predominant developmental feature of this time is indeed the myelination that helps unify the brain's function. Hence, focusing on myelination emphasizes its central role in the development of the infant brain during the first postnatal year.