,PSYC140/PSYC 140 Module Exam 5 | Developmental
(Lifespan) Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best defines middle childhood as a developmental period?
A) The period from birth to 2 years, marked by rapid physical growth and attachment formation
B) The period from approximately ages 6 to 11, characterized by steady physical growth, expanding
cognitive abilities, and increasing social awareness
C) The period from ages 2 to 6, defined by the development of symbolic thought and language
D) The period from ages 11 to 18, marked by puberty, identity formation, and abstract reasoning
Correct Answer: The period from approximately ages 6 to 11, characterized by steady physical growth,
expanding cognitive abilities, and increasing social awareness
Rationale: Middle childhood spans approximately ages 6 to 11, a time of steady physical growth,
cognitive advancement, and growing social awareness. The other options describe infancy/toddlerhood,
early childhood, and adolescence respectively.
2. What is the primary characteristic of Piaget's Concrete Operational stage of cognitive development?
A) Children can think abstractly and reason hypothetically
B) Children develop logical thinking about concrete, tangible objects and events
C) Children learn through sensory experiences and motor actions
D) Children use symbols and language but cannot yet perform logical operations
Correct Answer: Children develop logical thinking about concrete, tangible objects and events
Rationale: During Piaget's Concrete Operational stage (ages 7–11), children develop logical thinking
about concrete objects and events but still struggle with abstract and hypothetical reasoning. The
sensorimotor stage involves learning through senses and actions, the preoperational stage involves
symbolic but illogical thinking, and formal operations involve abstract reasoning.
,3. According to Piaget, what is seriation?
A) The ability to understand that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance
B) The ability to order objects in a row according to a dimension such as size or length
C) The ability to group objects based on shared characteristics
D) The ability to mentally reverse an action
Correct Answer: The ability to order objects in a row according to a dimension such as size or length
Rationale: Seriation is Piaget's term for a child's ability to order objects in a row based on a particular
dimension, such as size or length. Conservation is understanding quantity remains the same,
classification involves grouping objects, and reversibility is the ability to mentally reverse actions.
4. What is the age range for Piaget's Concrete Operational stage?
A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 7 years
C) 7 to 11 years
D) 11 years and older
Correct Answer: 7 to 11 years
Rationale: Piaget's Concrete Operational stage spans from approximately 7 to 11 years of age. During
this stage, children gain the ability to think logically about concrete events, develop conservation, and
master seriation and classification.
5. According to Piaget, children in the Concrete Operational stage can use logic but still struggle with
what type of reasoning?
A) Deductive reasoning
B) Abstract and hypothetical reasoning
C) Inductive reasoning
D) Transductive reasoning
, Correct Answer: Abstract and hypothetical reasoning
Rationale: Children in the Concrete Operational stage (ages 7–11) can use logic with concrete objects
but still struggle with abstract and hypothetical reasoning, which emerges in the Formal Operational
stage. Their logic is tied to real, physical objects they can see and manipulate.
6. Which of the following cognitive abilities is developed during the Concrete Operational stage?
A) Object permanence
B) Conservation
C) Egocentrism
D) Animism
Correct Answer: Conservation
Rationale: Conservation is a key achievement of the Concrete Operational stage—the understanding
that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance. Object permanence develops in the
sensorimotor stage, while egocentrism and animism are characteristics of the preoperational stage.
7. According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the preconventional level is characterized by:
A) Reasoning based on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards
B) Reasoning based on obeying rules to maintain social order
C) Reasoning based on universal ethical principles
D) Reasoning based on interpersonal relationships and approval
Correct Answer: Reasoning based on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards
Rationale: Kohlberg's preconventional level is characterized by moral reasoning focused on avoiding
punishment and gaining rewards. The conventional level involves obeying rules and seeking approval,
while the postconventional level involves conscience and justice.
(Lifespan) Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best defines middle childhood as a developmental period?
A) The period from birth to 2 years, marked by rapid physical growth and attachment formation
B) The period from approximately ages 6 to 11, characterized by steady physical growth, expanding
cognitive abilities, and increasing social awareness
C) The period from ages 2 to 6, defined by the development of symbolic thought and language
D) The period from ages 11 to 18, marked by puberty, identity formation, and abstract reasoning
Correct Answer: The period from approximately ages 6 to 11, characterized by steady physical growth,
expanding cognitive abilities, and increasing social awareness
Rationale: Middle childhood spans approximately ages 6 to 11, a time of steady physical growth,
cognitive advancement, and growing social awareness. The other options describe infancy/toddlerhood,
early childhood, and adolescence respectively.
2. What is the primary characteristic of Piaget's Concrete Operational stage of cognitive development?
A) Children can think abstractly and reason hypothetically
B) Children develop logical thinking about concrete, tangible objects and events
C) Children learn through sensory experiences and motor actions
D) Children use symbols and language but cannot yet perform logical operations
Correct Answer: Children develop logical thinking about concrete, tangible objects and events
Rationale: During Piaget's Concrete Operational stage (ages 7–11), children develop logical thinking
about concrete objects and events but still struggle with abstract and hypothetical reasoning. The
sensorimotor stage involves learning through senses and actions, the preoperational stage involves
symbolic but illogical thinking, and formal operations involve abstract reasoning.
,3. According to Piaget, what is seriation?
A) The ability to understand that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance
B) The ability to order objects in a row according to a dimension such as size or length
C) The ability to group objects based on shared characteristics
D) The ability to mentally reverse an action
Correct Answer: The ability to order objects in a row according to a dimension such as size or length
Rationale: Seriation is Piaget's term for a child's ability to order objects in a row based on a particular
dimension, such as size or length. Conservation is understanding quantity remains the same,
classification involves grouping objects, and reversibility is the ability to mentally reverse actions.
4. What is the age range for Piaget's Concrete Operational stage?
A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 7 years
C) 7 to 11 years
D) 11 years and older
Correct Answer: 7 to 11 years
Rationale: Piaget's Concrete Operational stage spans from approximately 7 to 11 years of age. During
this stage, children gain the ability to think logically about concrete events, develop conservation, and
master seriation and classification.
5. According to Piaget, children in the Concrete Operational stage can use logic but still struggle with
what type of reasoning?
A) Deductive reasoning
B) Abstract and hypothetical reasoning
C) Inductive reasoning
D) Transductive reasoning
, Correct Answer: Abstract and hypothetical reasoning
Rationale: Children in the Concrete Operational stage (ages 7–11) can use logic with concrete objects
but still struggle with abstract and hypothetical reasoning, which emerges in the Formal Operational
stage. Their logic is tied to real, physical objects they can see and manipulate.
6. Which of the following cognitive abilities is developed during the Concrete Operational stage?
A) Object permanence
B) Conservation
C) Egocentrism
D) Animism
Correct Answer: Conservation
Rationale: Conservation is a key achievement of the Concrete Operational stage—the understanding
that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance. Object permanence develops in the
sensorimotor stage, while egocentrism and animism are characteristics of the preoperational stage.
7. According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the preconventional level is characterized by:
A) Reasoning based on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards
B) Reasoning based on obeying rules to maintain social order
C) Reasoning based on universal ethical principles
D) Reasoning based on interpersonal relationships and approval
Correct Answer: Reasoning based on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards
Rationale: Kohlberg's preconventional level is characterized by moral reasoning focused on avoiding
punishment and gaining rewards. The conventional level involves obeying rules and seeking approval,
while the postconventional level involves conscience and justice.
