,PSYC 140 Module Exam 3 | Developmental (Lifespan)
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
(PDF)
1. Which of the following best defines the infancy period in human development?
A) The first six months of life, characterized by rapid physical growth only
B) The first two years of life, characterized by dramatic physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes
C) The period from birth to three years, focused primarily on language acquisition
D) The first year of life, during which attachment to caregivers is the sole developmental task
Correct Answer: The first two years of life, characterized by dramatic physical, cognitive, and
socioemotional changes
Rationale: Infancy is generally defined as the first two years of life, a period of remarkable development
across all domains. Physical growth is rapid, cognitive abilities emerge through Piaget's sensorimotor
stage, and socioemotional development includes attachment formation. The other options either
shorten the period incorrectly or focus on only one aspect of development.
2. What is the primary characteristic of the rooting reflex in newborns?
A) The infant arches their back and throws out their limbs in response to a sudden noise
B) The infant turns their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
C) The infant makes stepping motions when held upright above a surface
D) The infant grasps an object placed in their palm
Correct Answer: The infant turns their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
Rationale: The rooting reflex is an automatic response in which a newborn turns their head toward a
touch on the cheek or mouth, helping the infant find the breast or bottle for feeding. The Moro reflex
involves arching the back and throwing out limbs, the stepping reflex involves stepping motions, and the
grasping reflex involves closing the hand around an object.
,3. According to Piaget, which cognitive stage encompasses the entirety of infancy?
A) Preoperational stage
B) Sensorimotor stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
Correct Answer: Sensorimotor stage
Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage spans from birth to approximately 2 years of age, covering the
entire infancy period. During this stage, infants learn about the world through their senses and motor
actions. The preoperational stage begins at age 2, the concrete operational stage at age 7, and the
formal operational stage at age 11.
4. A 2-month-old infant accidentally sucks their thumb and then repeatedly brings their thumb to their
mouth to recreate the pleasurable sensation. According to Piaget, this behavior occurs in which
sensorimotor substage?
A) Simple reflexes
B) First habits and primary circular reactions
C) Secondary circular reactions
D) Coordination of secondary circular reactions
Correct Answer: First habits and primary circular reactions
Rationale: In the first habits and primary circular reactions substage (1–4 months), infants begin to
reproduce pleasurable events that initially occurred by chance, such as thumb sucking. The behavior is
focused on the infant's own body (primary). Simple reflexes are innate responses, secondary circular
reactions focus on external objects, and coordination involves combining actions.
5. Which type of growth pattern describes development that proceeds from the head downward?
A) Proximodistal pattern
B) Cephalocaudal pattern
, C) Mass-to-specific pattern
D) Distal-proximal pattern
Correct Answer: Cephalocaudal pattern
Rationale: Cephalocaudal growth means that development proceeds from the head (cephalic)
downward (caudal). Infants gain control of their head and neck before their trunk and legs.
Proximodistal growth proceeds from the trunk outward to the limbs. The other terms are not standard
patterns of growth.
6. Which of the following best describes the Moro reflex?
A) A reflex where the infant turns their head when the cheek is touched
B) A startled response in which the infant arches their back and throws out their limbs
C) A spontaneous grasp made by the infant when the palm is rubbed
D) An automatic stepping motion when the infant is held above a surface
Correct Answer: A startled response in which the infant arches their back and throws out their limbs
Rationale: The Moro reflex is a startle response triggered by a sudden noise or loss of support. The
infant arches their back, throws out their arms and legs, and then brings them back toward the body.
The rooting reflex involves head turning, the palmar grasp involves hand closure, and the stepping reflex
involves stepping motions.
7. According to Piaget, what is the hallmark achievement of the sensorimotor stage?
A) Conservation
B) Object permanence
C) Abstract reasoning
D) Egocentrism
Correct Answer: Object permanence
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
(PDF)
1. Which of the following best defines the infancy period in human development?
A) The first six months of life, characterized by rapid physical growth only
B) The first two years of life, characterized by dramatic physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes
C) The period from birth to three years, focused primarily on language acquisition
D) The first year of life, during which attachment to caregivers is the sole developmental task
Correct Answer: The first two years of life, characterized by dramatic physical, cognitive, and
socioemotional changes
Rationale: Infancy is generally defined as the first two years of life, a period of remarkable development
across all domains. Physical growth is rapid, cognitive abilities emerge through Piaget's sensorimotor
stage, and socioemotional development includes attachment formation. The other options either
shorten the period incorrectly or focus on only one aspect of development.
2. What is the primary characteristic of the rooting reflex in newborns?
A) The infant arches their back and throws out their limbs in response to a sudden noise
B) The infant turns their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
C) The infant makes stepping motions when held upright above a surface
D) The infant grasps an object placed in their palm
Correct Answer: The infant turns their head when their cheek or mouth is touched
Rationale: The rooting reflex is an automatic response in which a newborn turns their head toward a
touch on the cheek or mouth, helping the infant find the breast or bottle for feeding. The Moro reflex
involves arching the back and throwing out limbs, the stepping reflex involves stepping motions, and the
grasping reflex involves closing the hand around an object.
,3. According to Piaget, which cognitive stage encompasses the entirety of infancy?
A) Preoperational stage
B) Sensorimotor stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
Correct Answer: Sensorimotor stage
Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage spans from birth to approximately 2 years of age, covering the
entire infancy period. During this stage, infants learn about the world through their senses and motor
actions. The preoperational stage begins at age 2, the concrete operational stage at age 7, and the
formal operational stage at age 11.
4. A 2-month-old infant accidentally sucks their thumb and then repeatedly brings their thumb to their
mouth to recreate the pleasurable sensation. According to Piaget, this behavior occurs in which
sensorimotor substage?
A) Simple reflexes
B) First habits and primary circular reactions
C) Secondary circular reactions
D) Coordination of secondary circular reactions
Correct Answer: First habits and primary circular reactions
Rationale: In the first habits and primary circular reactions substage (1–4 months), infants begin to
reproduce pleasurable events that initially occurred by chance, such as thumb sucking. The behavior is
focused on the infant's own body (primary). Simple reflexes are innate responses, secondary circular
reactions focus on external objects, and coordination involves combining actions.
5. Which type of growth pattern describes development that proceeds from the head downward?
A) Proximodistal pattern
B) Cephalocaudal pattern
, C) Mass-to-specific pattern
D) Distal-proximal pattern
Correct Answer: Cephalocaudal pattern
Rationale: Cephalocaudal growth means that development proceeds from the head (cephalic)
downward (caudal). Infants gain control of their head and neck before their trunk and legs.
Proximodistal growth proceeds from the trunk outward to the limbs. The other terms are not standard
patterns of growth.
6. Which of the following best describes the Moro reflex?
A) A reflex where the infant turns their head when the cheek is touched
B) A startled response in which the infant arches their back and throws out their limbs
C) A spontaneous grasp made by the infant when the palm is rubbed
D) An automatic stepping motion when the infant is held above a surface
Correct Answer: A startled response in which the infant arches their back and throws out their limbs
Rationale: The Moro reflex is a startle response triggered by a sudden noise or loss of support. The
infant arches their back, throws out their arms and legs, and then brings them back toward the body.
The rooting reflex involves head turning, the palmar grasp involves hand closure, and the stepping reflex
involves stepping motions.
7. According to Piaget, what is the hallmark achievement of the sensorimotor stage?
A) Conservation
B) Object permanence
C) Abstract reasoning
D) Egocentrism
Correct Answer: Object permanence
