Question

Brian has three children with very different personality traits. Even with such different personality traits, Brian sees strong maturation effects. Which of the following has Brian most likely observed?

a. All three children learned to walk at about 12 months of age.
b. All three children preferred to sleep with the lights on.
c. Two of the three children did not crawl.
d. One of his children did not have the grasping reflex.

Answer 1

Brian most likely observed that all three children learned to walk at about 12 months of age, which is a typical developmental milestone demonstrating the effect of maturation that occurs regardless of individual personality differences.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Brian observes strong maturation effects in his children, despite their different personalities, he is most likely witnessing the children undergoing similar developmental milestones at comparable stages, regardless of their individual characteristics. The observation that all three children learned to walk at about 12 months of age aligns with standard developmental patterns and maturation effects. Maturation refers to the sequential characteristic of biological growth and development. Developmental psychology indicates that certain physical and cognitive developmental landmarks are universally achieved around similar ages. For instance, learning to walk is a typical milestone that children reach as they develop gross motor skills, around the one-year mark. The process is guided by genetic factors as well as interaction with the environment, confirming that even with different personalities, certain aspects of development follow a normative approach. This example is consistent with the concept that stage theories hold the sequence of development to be universal, irrespective of cultural, social, or individual differences.