Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

What was Itard's aim in studying the Wild Boy of Aveyron?

1. To understand animal behavior in natural habitats.

2. To identify causes of mental impairment.

3. To investigate behavior in the mentally ill.

4. To examine the environment's role in development.

The correct answer is: To examine the environment's role in development.

Itard's study of the Wild Boy of Aveyron was primarily aimed at understanding the role of the environment in human development, particularly how a lack of socialization and exposure to the normative environment affected the individual’s psychological and social skills. By observing the Wild Boy, Victor, Itard sought to explore how environmental factors influence learning, behavior, and overall development. His work laid foundational insights into educational psychology and the impact of nurturing on cognitive and social abilities. The other options, while they touch upon relevant themes in psychology, do not accurately reflect Itard's intentions or the primary focus of his research. For example, his work was not directly about animal behavior, nor was it primarily aimed at identifying causes of mental impairment or examining the behaviors of those with mental illnesses. Instead, Itard's focus was on the transformative power of education and the human capacity for development in response to environmental influences.