,PSYC 140 Module 3 Exam - Developmental
(Lifespan) Psychology - Portage - Latest 26/27
1. According to the cephalocaudal principle of growth, which body part develops first?
A) The trunk and torso
B) The arms and legs
C) The head and brain
D) The fingers and toes
Correct Answer: C) The head and brain
Rationale: The cephalocaudal principle states that growth proceeds from the head downward, with
the head and brain developing before the trunk and limbs. Option A describes the proximodistal
pattern, B is incorrect ordering, and D represents the last areas to develop.
2. The proximodistal pattern of growth is best illustrated by an infant who:
A) Gains head control before sitting independently
B) Gains control of the trunk before mastering fine finger movements
C) Walks before crawling
D) Develops language before motor skills
Correct Answer: B) Gains control of the trunk before mastering fine finger movements
Rationale: Proximodistal growth proceeds from the center of the body outward, so trunk control
develops before fine motor control of the fingers. Option A describes cephalocaudal growth, C is an
incorrect sequence, and D compares different developmental domains.
3. By the end of infancy (approximately 2 years of age), the average child's weight and height are
closest to:
A) 20 pounds and 28 inches
B) 25 pounds and 30 inches
C) 30 pounds and 32–35 inches
D) 35 pounds and 38 inches
Correct Answer: C) 30 pounds and 32–35 inches
,Rationale: By age 2, most children weigh about 30 pounds and are between 32 and 35 inches tall.
Options A and B underestimate typical growth, and D overestimates both weight and height for the
average 2-year-old.
4. Synaptic overproduction in the infant brain refers to:
A) The loss of unnecessary neural connections
B) The creation of more synaptic connections than will ultimately be needed
C) The development of motor skills
D) The formation of myelin sheaths
Correct Answer: B) The creation of more synaptic connections than will ultimately be needed
Rationale: Synaptic overproduction is the process by which the brain generates an excess of synaptic
connections, which are later pruned based on experience. Option A describes neural pruning, C is
unrelated, and D describes myelination.
5. Neural pruning is the process by which:
A) The brain creates new synaptic connections
B) Unnecessary synaptic connections are eliminated to strengthen important ones
C) Neurons multiply rapidly during infancy
D) The brain grows in size
Correct Answer: B) Unnecessary synaptic connections are eliminated to strengthen important ones
Rationale: Neural pruning removes unused or weak synaptic connections, allowing the brain to
become more efficient. Option A describes synaptogenesis, C is unrelated, and D describes overall
brain growth.
6. REM sleep in infants is characterized by:
A) Nearly motionless sleep with regular breathing
B) Irregular breathing and rapid eye movements
C) Complete stillness and no eye movement
D) Deep sleep with no dreaming
Correct Answer: B) Irregular breathing and rapid eye movements
, Rationale: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep in infants is characterized by irregular breathing and
rapid eye movements, making up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep pattern. Option A describes
nREM sleep, C is incorrect, and D is false.
7. nREM sleep in infants is best described as:
A) Sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and irregular breathing
B) Sleep in which the baby is nearly motionless with regular breathing
C) Sleep that occurs only during the daytime
D) Sleep associated with dreaming
Correct Answer: B) Sleep in which the baby is nearly motionless with regular breathing
Rationale: nREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, also known as regular sleep, is characterized by the
baby being nearly motionless with regular breathing. Option A describes REM sleep, C is incorrect, and
D is associated with REM sleep.
8. Which of the following statements about infant sleep patterns is accurate?
A) REM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep
B) nREM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep
C) Infants spend most of their sleep time in nREM sleep
D) REM sleep decreases significantly after the first month
Correct Answer: A) REM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep
Rationale: REM sleep accounts for approximately 50% of an infant's daily sleep pattern. Option B is
incorrect (REM, not nREM, is half), C is incorrect, and D is not accurate for infancy.
9. The rooting reflex is triggered when:
A) A finger is placed in the infant's palm
B) The infant is held upright with feet touching a surface
C) Something touches the infant's cheek or mouth
D) The infant hears a sudden loud noise
Correct Answer: C) Something touches the infant's cheek or mouth
(Lifespan) Psychology - Portage - Latest 26/27
1. According to the cephalocaudal principle of growth, which body part develops first?
A) The trunk and torso
B) The arms and legs
C) The head and brain
D) The fingers and toes
Correct Answer: C) The head and brain
Rationale: The cephalocaudal principle states that growth proceeds from the head downward, with
the head and brain developing before the trunk and limbs. Option A describes the proximodistal
pattern, B is incorrect ordering, and D represents the last areas to develop.
2. The proximodistal pattern of growth is best illustrated by an infant who:
A) Gains head control before sitting independently
B) Gains control of the trunk before mastering fine finger movements
C) Walks before crawling
D) Develops language before motor skills
Correct Answer: B) Gains control of the trunk before mastering fine finger movements
Rationale: Proximodistal growth proceeds from the center of the body outward, so trunk control
develops before fine motor control of the fingers. Option A describes cephalocaudal growth, C is an
incorrect sequence, and D compares different developmental domains.
3. By the end of infancy (approximately 2 years of age), the average child's weight and height are
closest to:
A) 20 pounds and 28 inches
B) 25 pounds and 30 inches
C) 30 pounds and 32–35 inches
D) 35 pounds and 38 inches
Correct Answer: C) 30 pounds and 32–35 inches
,Rationale: By age 2, most children weigh about 30 pounds and are between 32 and 35 inches tall.
Options A and B underestimate typical growth, and D overestimates both weight and height for the
average 2-year-old.
4. Synaptic overproduction in the infant brain refers to:
A) The loss of unnecessary neural connections
B) The creation of more synaptic connections than will ultimately be needed
C) The development of motor skills
D) The formation of myelin sheaths
Correct Answer: B) The creation of more synaptic connections than will ultimately be needed
Rationale: Synaptic overproduction is the process by which the brain generates an excess of synaptic
connections, which are later pruned based on experience. Option A describes neural pruning, C is
unrelated, and D describes myelination.
5. Neural pruning is the process by which:
A) The brain creates new synaptic connections
B) Unnecessary synaptic connections are eliminated to strengthen important ones
C) Neurons multiply rapidly during infancy
D) The brain grows in size
Correct Answer: B) Unnecessary synaptic connections are eliminated to strengthen important ones
Rationale: Neural pruning removes unused or weak synaptic connections, allowing the brain to
become more efficient. Option A describes synaptogenesis, C is unrelated, and D describes overall
brain growth.
6. REM sleep in infants is characterized by:
A) Nearly motionless sleep with regular breathing
B) Irregular breathing and rapid eye movements
C) Complete stillness and no eye movement
D) Deep sleep with no dreaming
Correct Answer: B) Irregular breathing and rapid eye movements
, Rationale: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep in infants is characterized by irregular breathing and
rapid eye movements, making up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep pattern. Option A describes
nREM sleep, C is incorrect, and D is false.
7. nREM sleep in infants is best described as:
A) Sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and irregular breathing
B) Sleep in which the baby is nearly motionless with regular breathing
C) Sleep that occurs only during the daytime
D) Sleep associated with dreaming
Correct Answer: B) Sleep in which the baby is nearly motionless with regular breathing
Rationale: nREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, also known as regular sleep, is characterized by the
baby being nearly motionless with regular breathing. Option A describes REM sleep, C is incorrect, and
D is associated with REM sleep.
8. Which of the following statements about infant sleep patterns is accurate?
A) REM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep
B) nREM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep
C) Infants spend most of their sleep time in nREM sleep
D) REM sleep decreases significantly after the first month
Correct Answer: A) REM sleep makes up roughly half of an infant's daily sleep
Rationale: REM sleep accounts for approximately 50% of an infant's daily sleep pattern. Option B is
incorrect (REM, not nREM, is half), C is incorrect, and D is not accurate for infancy.
9. The rooting reflex is triggered when:
A) A finger is placed in the infant's palm
B) The infant is held upright with feet touching a surface
C) Something touches the infant's cheek or mouth
D) The infant hears a sudden loud noise
Correct Answer: C) Something touches the infant's cheek or mouth
