PSYC 140 Complete Exam Prep
2026/2027 | Modules 1–8 + Final |
Verified-Style Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Module 1: Introduction to Lifespan Development
1. Which of the following best defines lifespan development?
A) Development that occurs only during childhood
B) The pattern of change that begins at conception and continues
through the human life span
C) Development that focuses exclusively on cognitive changes
D) The study of aging in late adulthood
Answer: B — Rationale: Lifespan development examines growth and
change from conception through death, encompassing physical, cognitive,
and psychosocial domains across the entire life span.
2. According to Freud's psychosexual theory, which stage occurs
during infancy (0–1 year)?
A) Phallic stage
, B) Anal stage
C) Oral stage
D) Genital stage
Answer: C — Rationale: Freud proposed that the oral stage is the first
psychosexual stage, occurring from birth to approximately 1 year, during
which the infant's pleasure centers on the mouth.
3. Erikson's psychosocial theory differs from Freud's psychosexual
theory primarily because Erikson emphasized:
A) Sexual drives as the primary motivator
B) Social and cultural influences across the lifespan
C) Unconscious conflicts
D) Biological maturation only
Answer: B — Rationale: Unlike Freud, who focused on psychosexual stages
driven by biological urges, Erikson emphasized psychosocial crises and the
influence of social relationships and culture throughout life.
4. Piaget's theory of cognitive development is characterized by:
A) Stages that are universal and invariant in order
B) Stages that can occur in any order
C) A focus on emotional development
D) No distinct stages
,Answer: A — Rationale: Piaget proposed that cognitive development
proceeds through four universal, invariant stages: sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
5. A researcher is interested in how memory changes as people age.
They test a group of 20-year-olds, 40-year-olds, and 60-year-olds at
one point in time. This is an example of:
A) Longitudinal design
B) Cross-sectional design
C) Sequential design
D) Case study design
Answer: B — Rationale: A cross-sectional design compares different age
groups at a single point in time, making it efficient but vulnerable to cohort
effects.
6. Which of the following is a critique of Freud's psychosexual theory
discussed in the module?
A) It covers the entire lifespan
B) It relies on a diverse, representative sample
C) It lacks a lifespan approach and relies only on a clinical sample
D) It is too focused on social factors
, Answer: C — Rationale: Freud's theory has been criticized for its lack of a
lifespan perspective and its reliance on a clinical, non-representative
sample, limiting its generalizability.
7. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes the role of:
A) Genetic predispositions
B) Social interaction and cultural tools in cognitive development
C) Unconscious drives
D) Reinforcement and punishment
Answer: B — Rationale: Vygotsky argued that cognitive development is
fundamentally shaped by social interaction, language, and cultural tools,
particularly through the concept of the zone of proximal development.
8. What is the primary difference between a theory and a hypothesis?
A) A theory is a specific prediction; a hypothesis is a broad explanation
B) A theory is a broad explanation supported by evidence; a
hypothesis is a testable prediction derived from a theory
C) They are the same thing
D) A theory cannot be tested
Answer: B — Rationale: A theory provides a comprehensive framework for
understanding phenomena, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable
prediction that can be empirically investigated.
2026/2027 | Modules 1–8 + Final |
Verified-Style Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Module 1: Introduction to Lifespan Development
1. Which of the following best defines lifespan development?
A) Development that occurs only during childhood
B) The pattern of change that begins at conception and continues
through the human life span
C) Development that focuses exclusively on cognitive changes
D) The study of aging in late adulthood
Answer: B — Rationale: Lifespan development examines growth and
change from conception through death, encompassing physical, cognitive,
and psychosocial domains across the entire life span.
2. According to Freud's psychosexual theory, which stage occurs
during infancy (0–1 year)?
A) Phallic stage
, B) Anal stage
C) Oral stage
D) Genital stage
Answer: C — Rationale: Freud proposed that the oral stage is the first
psychosexual stage, occurring from birth to approximately 1 year, during
which the infant's pleasure centers on the mouth.
3. Erikson's psychosocial theory differs from Freud's psychosexual
theory primarily because Erikson emphasized:
A) Sexual drives as the primary motivator
B) Social and cultural influences across the lifespan
C) Unconscious conflicts
D) Biological maturation only
Answer: B — Rationale: Unlike Freud, who focused on psychosexual stages
driven by biological urges, Erikson emphasized psychosocial crises and the
influence of social relationships and culture throughout life.
4. Piaget's theory of cognitive development is characterized by:
A) Stages that are universal and invariant in order
B) Stages that can occur in any order
C) A focus on emotional development
D) No distinct stages
,Answer: A — Rationale: Piaget proposed that cognitive development
proceeds through four universal, invariant stages: sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
5. A researcher is interested in how memory changes as people age.
They test a group of 20-year-olds, 40-year-olds, and 60-year-olds at
one point in time. This is an example of:
A) Longitudinal design
B) Cross-sectional design
C) Sequential design
D) Case study design
Answer: B — Rationale: A cross-sectional design compares different age
groups at a single point in time, making it efficient but vulnerable to cohort
effects.
6. Which of the following is a critique of Freud's psychosexual theory
discussed in the module?
A) It covers the entire lifespan
B) It relies on a diverse, representative sample
C) It lacks a lifespan approach and relies only on a clinical sample
D) It is too focused on social factors
, Answer: C — Rationale: Freud's theory has been criticized for its lack of a
lifespan perspective and its reliance on a clinical, non-representative
sample, limiting its generalizability.
7. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes the role of:
A) Genetic predispositions
B) Social interaction and cultural tools in cognitive development
C) Unconscious drives
D) Reinforcement and punishment
Answer: B — Rationale: Vygotsky argued that cognitive development is
fundamentally shaped by social interaction, language, and cultural tools,
particularly through the concept of the zone of proximal development.
8. What is the primary difference between a theory and a hypothesis?
A) A theory is a specific prediction; a hypothesis is a broad explanation
B) A theory is a broad explanation supported by evidence; a
hypothesis is a testable prediction derived from a theory
C) They are the same thing
D) A theory cannot be tested
Answer: B — Rationale: A theory provides a comprehensive framework for
understanding phenomena, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable
prediction that can be empirically investigated.
