Developmental
Psychology: Methods,
Stages & Theories 2026 |
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,What is human development? The scientific study of the changes that occur in people as they age from conception
until death.
What is a longitudinal design in developmental research? A research design in which one participant or group of participants is studied over a
long period of time.
What is a cross-sectional design? A research design in which several different age groups of participants are studied
at one particular point in time.
What is a cross-sequential design? A research design in which participants are first studied by means of a cross-
sectional design but also followed and assessed for a period of no more than six
years.
What is a cohort effect? The impact on development when a group of people share a common time period or
life experience.
What are the two major questions of developmental Continuity or discontinuity in development, and stability or change over the course
psychology? of human development.
What is physical development? The development of the body, which is fairly discontinuous, occurring in clearly
defined stages.
What is cognitive development? The development of thinking and reasoning skills, which is fairly continuous and
changes over time.
What is psychosocial development? Development that encompasses emotional and social lives.
What is temperament in the context of psychosocial A child's innate personality and emotional characteristics.
development?
What is attachment in psychosocial development? The first emotional bond a child forms with its primary caretaker.
What does 'nature' refer to in development? The influence of our inherited characteristics on personality, physical growth,
intellectual growth, and social interactions.
, What does 'nurture' refer to in development? The influence of the environment on personality, physical growth, intellectual
growth, and social interactions.
What are DNA molecules? Structures that contain the instructions for all of an organism's traits known as
genes.
What is a gene? A section of DNA having a certain pattern of chemical elements.
What is a dominant gene? A gene that actively controls the expression of a trait.
What is a recessive gene? A gene that tends to fade into the background when paired with a dominant gene.
What are some disorders carried by dominant genes? Huntington's disease and Marfan's syndrome.
What are some diseases carried by recessive genes? Cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disorder, and phenylketonuria (PKU).
What are chromosomes? Rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of each cell, tightly wound strands of
genes.
How many chromosomes does each egg and sperm have? 23 chromosomes.
What can a missing or extra chromosome in a cell cause? Mild to severe problems in development.
What are chromosome disorders? Conditions such as Trisomy-21 and Fragile X syndrome.
Psychology: Methods,
Stages & Theories 2026 |
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,What is human development? The scientific study of the changes that occur in people as they age from conception
until death.
What is a longitudinal design in developmental research? A research design in which one participant or group of participants is studied over a
long period of time.
What is a cross-sectional design? A research design in which several different age groups of participants are studied
at one particular point in time.
What is a cross-sequential design? A research design in which participants are first studied by means of a cross-
sectional design but also followed and assessed for a period of no more than six
years.
What is a cohort effect? The impact on development when a group of people share a common time period or
life experience.
What are the two major questions of developmental Continuity or discontinuity in development, and stability or change over the course
psychology? of human development.
What is physical development? The development of the body, which is fairly discontinuous, occurring in clearly
defined stages.
What is cognitive development? The development of thinking and reasoning skills, which is fairly continuous and
changes over time.
What is psychosocial development? Development that encompasses emotional and social lives.
What is temperament in the context of psychosocial A child's innate personality and emotional characteristics.
development?
What is attachment in psychosocial development? The first emotional bond a child forms with its primary caretaker.
What does 'nature' refer to in development? The influence of our inherited characteristics on personality, physical growth,
intellectual growth, and social interactions.
, What does 'nurture' refer to in development? The influence of the environment on personality, physical growth, intellectual
growth, and social interactions.
What are DNA molecules? Structures that contain the instructions for all of an organism's traits known as
genes.
What is a gene? A section of DNA having a certain pattern of chemical elements.
What is a dominant gene? A gene that actively controls the expression of a trait.
What is a recessive gene? A gene that tends to fade into the background when paired with a dominant gene.
What are some disorders carried by dominant genes? Huntington's disease and Marfan's syndrome.
What are some diseases carried by recessive genes? Cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disorder, and phenylketonuria (PKU).
What are chromosomes? Rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of each cell, tightly wound strands of
genes.
How many chromosomes does each egg and sperm have? 23 chromosomes.
What can a missing or extra chromosome in a cell cause? Mild to severe problems in development.
What are chromosome disorders? Conditions such as Trisomy-21 and Fragile X syndrome.
