Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a true statement about cognitive changes during the first year of life?

1. Psychologists generally agree on the ages when children first represent the world conceptually.

2. Psychologists generally do not agree on the ages at which children first represent the world conceptually.

3. Psychologists generally agree that Piaget's reliance on actions as the measure for how much infants understand is valid.

4. Psychologists generally do not agree that development in the frontal cortex influences a child's ability to understand the world around him.

The correct answer is: Psychologists generally do not agree on the ages at which children first represent the world conceptually.

The correct assertion highlights the variability in psychologists' perspectives regarding the ages at which children first achieve conceptual representation of the world. This area of cognitive development, particularly in infancy, is complex and influenced by several factors, including individual differences, cultural background, and the varied methodologies used in research. Consequently, while some psychologists may propose specific ages based on their studies, there is no universal consensus, as different theories and evidence can lead to different interpretations. Contrastingly, the other statements present notions that either oversimplify or misrepresent the ongoing debates within the field. For instance, the claim that psychologists agree on specific ages is too definitive given the diversity of research findings and theoretical frameworks. Additionally, the statement regarding Piaget’s reliance on actions does not reflect the scrutiny and critique of his methods, which some researchers argue may not fully capture the complexities of infant cognition. Lastly, the idea regarding the influence of the frontal cortex on understanding overlooks the well-documented links between neural development and cognitive abilities, a connection widely recognized rather than debated among psychologists.