WGU D202 Human Growth and Development – 60+
Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
WGU D202 (Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan) covers
physical, cognitive, and social development from conception through death. The
course uses Santrock's Life-Span Development textbook and assesses competency
across 10 domains: theories, beginnings, infancy, early childhood, middle
childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood, and
death/dying/grieving . The OA is a proctored, multiple-choice exam . Key theorists
include Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, and Bronfenbrenner
,KEY THEORIES & STAGES QUICK REFERENCE
Theorist Theory Key Concepts
Psychosocial 8 stages from infancy to late adulthood; each stage has a c
Erik Erikson
Development vs. Mistrust, Identity vs. Role Confusion)
Cognitive 4 stages: Sensorimotor (0-2), Preoperational (2-7), Concret
Jean Piaget
Development (7-11), Formal Operational (11+)
Lev Vygotsky Sociocultural Theory ZPD, Scaffolding, Private Speech; learning is a social proces
Lawrence Kohlberg Moral Development 3 levels: Preconventional, Conventional, Postconventional
Urie Ecological Systems
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chro
Bronfenbrenner Theory
John Bowlby Attachment Theory Emotional bonds with caregivers; secure base for explorat
Mary Ainsworth Attachment Styles Secure, Avoidant, Ambivalent, Disorganized
Elisabeth Kübler-
Stages of Grief Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance
Ross
James Marcia Identity Statuses Diffusion, Foreclosure, Moratorium, Achievement
, SECTION 1: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS & RESEARCH METHODS
Questions 1-30
Q1. Which developmental theory proposes eight stages across the lifespan, each
characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis that must be resolved for healthy
personality development?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Lawrence Kohlberg
C) Erik Erikson
D) Sigmund Freud
Answer: C) Erik Erikson
Rationale: Erikson's psychosocial theory outlines eight stages from infancy to late
adulthood, each presenting a crisis (e.g., Trust vs. Mistrust, Identity vs. Role
Confusion, Integrity vs. Despair). Successfully navigating each crisis contributes to
healthy personality development and a strong sense of self .
Q2. According to Piaget, during which stage do infants learn about the world
through their senses and motor actions, and develop object permanence?
A) Preoperational stage
B) Concrete operational stage
C) Sensorimotor stage
D) Formal operational stage
Answer: C) Sensorimotor stage
Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage (birth to about 2 years) is characterized by
infants learning through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. A key
milestone of this stage is the development of object permanence—the
understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen .
Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
WGU D202 (Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan) covers
physical, cognitive, and social development from conception through death. The
course uses Santrock's Life-Span Development textbook and assesses competency
across 10 domains: theories, beginnings, infancy, early childhood, middle
childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood, and
death/dying/grieving . The OA is a proctored, multiple-choice exam . Key theorists
include Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, and Bronfenbrenner
,KEY THEORIES & STAGES QUICK REFERENCE
Theorist Theory Key Concepts
Psychosocial 8 stages from infancy to late adulthood; each stage has a c
Erik Erikson
Development vs. Mistrust, Identity vs. Role Confusion)
Cognitive 4 stages: Sensorimotor (0-2), Preoperational (2-7), Concret
Jean Piaget
Development (7-11), Formal Operational (11+)
Lev Vygotsky Sociocultural Theory ZPD, Scaffolding, Private Speech; learning is a social proces
Lawrence Kohlberg Moral Development 3 levels: Preconventional, Conventional, Postconventional
Urie Ecological Systems
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chro
Bronfenbrenner Theory
John Bowlby Attachment Theory Emotional bonds with caregivers; secure base for explorat
Mary Ainsworth Attachment Styles Secure, Avoidant, Ambivalent, Disorganized
Elisabeth Kübler-
Stages of Grief Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance
Ross
James Marcia Identity Statuses Diffusion, Foreclosure, Moratorium, Achievement
, SECTION 1: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS & RESEARCH METHODS
Questions 1-30
Q1. Which developmental theory proposes eight stages across the lifespan, each
characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis that must be resolved for healthy
personality development?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Lawrence Kohlberg
C) Erik Erikson
D) Sigmund Freud
Answer: C) Erik Erikson
Rationale: Erikson's psychosocial theory outlines eight stages from infancy to late
adulthood, each presenting a crisis (e.g., Trust vs. Mistrust, Identity vs. Role
Confusion, Integrity vs. Despair). Successfully navigating each crisis contributes to
healthy personality development and a strong sense of self .
Q2. According to Piaget, during which stage do infants learn about the world
through their senses and motor actions, and develop object permanence?
A) Preoperational stage
B) Concrete operational stage
C) Sensorimotor stage
D) Formal operational stage
Answer: C) Sensorimotor stage
Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage (birth to about 2 years) is characterized by
infants learning through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. A key
milestone of this stage is the development of object permanence—the
understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen .
