Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

During early childhood, growth in brain volume is primarily attributed to what?

1. Increasing white matter

2. Increasing grey matter

3. Increasing myelination

4. Increasing blood volume

The correct answer is: Increasing white matter

The increase in brain volume during early childhood is primarily attributed to the growth of white matter. As children grow, their brains undergo significant development, characterized by the proliferation of neurons and the connections between them. White matter, which consists of myelinated axons that facilitate communication between different brain regions, plays a crucial role in this development. The increase in white matter enhances the speed and efficiency of neural transmission, which is essential for cognitive and motor skills development during this formative stage. While other factors, such as increasing grey matter and myelination, contribute to brain development, the marked increase in white matter is particularly significant for overall brain volume increase during early childhood. Blood volume, while important for overall brain health, does not directly correlate with the structural volume increase attributed to the aforementioned components. Understanding this growth helps in assessing cognitive abilities and developmental milestones in early childhood psychology.