PSYC 140 Module 4 Exam – Developmental Psychology (Portage Learning) (2026) – Original
Practice
Question 1
According to the Portage Learning PSYC 140 module, early childhood encompasses which age
range?
A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 6 or 7 years
C) 6 to 11 years
D) 11 to 18 years
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The Module 4 materials define early childhood as the toddler/preschool years extending up until
approximately 6 or 7 years of age.
Question 2
A 4-year-old insists that her stuffed bear feels sad when she leaves the room. This is an
example of which Piagetian concept?
A) Conservation
B) Animism
C) Centration
D) Reversibility
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Animism is the tendency of preoperational children to attribute human-like qualities, feelings, and
intentions to inanimate objects.
,Question 3
Piaget's preoperational stage spans approximately which age range?
A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 7 years
C) 7 to 11 years
D) 11 years and older
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Piaget's preoperational stage occurs from approximately 2 to 7 years of age.
Question 4
Which theorist emphasized the role of the teacher and expert in the learning process?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Lev Vygotsky
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Erik Erikson
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Vygotsky emphasized the critical role of social interaction and guidance from more knowledgeable
others in cognitive development.
Question 5
According to Vygotsky, the zone of proximal development refers to:
A) What a child can do independently
B) What a child can do with guidance from a more skilled person
C) The gap between independent and guided performance
D) The stage of cognitive development a child has reached
2
,Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The zone of proximal development (ZPD) is the difference between what a child can accomplish
independently and what they can achieve with assistance.
Question 6
In an ideal Vygotskian learning situation, adults provide substantial assistance initially and
gradually withdraw support as children become more competent. This process is called:
A) Discovery learning
B) Scaffolding
C) Conservation
D) Centration
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Scaffolding is the process by which a teacher or expert adjusts the level of support provided based on
the learner's current competence.
Question 7
Which of the following best defines the early childhood period in human development?
A) The period from birth to 12 months, characterized by rapid physical growth
B) The toddler and preschool years, approximately ages 1 to 6 or 7 years
C) The period from ages 6 to 11, focused on school readiness
D) The period from ages 3 to 5, defined exclusively by language acquisition
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
3
, Early childhood encompasses the toddler and preschool years, generally from about age 1 to 6 or 7
years.
Question 8
What is the primary characteristic of gross motor skills developed during early childhood?
A) Skills involving small muscle movements such as writing and drawing
B) Skills involving large muscle movements such as running, hopping, and throwing
C) Skills related to cognitive processing and problem-solving
D) Skills associated with language production and comprehension
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscle groups and include activities such as throwing a
ball, hopping, catching, running, and kicking.
Question 9
According to Piaget, which cognitive stage characterizes early childhood?
A) Sensorimotor stage
B) Preoperational stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Piaget's preoperational stage spans approximately ages 2 to 7, which corresponds to early childhood.
Question 10
Which theorist emphasized that self-discovery is key to cognitive development?
4
Practice
Question 1
According to the Portage Learning PSYC 140 module, early childhood encompasses which age
range?
A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 6 or 7 years
C) 6 to 11 years
D) 11 to 18 years
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The Module 4 materials define early childhood as the toddler/preschool years extending up until
approximately 6 or 7 years of age.
Question 2
A 4-year-old insists that her stuffed bear feels sad when she leaves the room. This is an
example of which Piagetian concept?
A) Conservation
B) Animism
C) Centration
D) Reversibility
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Animism is the tendency of preoperational children to attribute human-like qualities, feelings, and
intentions to inanimate objects.
,Question 3
Piaget's preoperational stage spans approximately which age range?
A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 7 years
C) 7 to 11 years
D) 11 years and older
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Piaget's preoperational stage occurs from approximately 2 to 7 years of age.
Question 4
Which theorist emphasized the role of the teacher and expert in the learning process?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Lev Vygotsky
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Erik Erikson
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Vygotsky emphasized the critical role of social interaction and guidance from more knowledgeable
others in cognitive development.
Question 5
According to Vygotsky, the zone of proximal development refers to:
A) What a child can do independently
B) What a child can do with guidance from a more skilled person
C) The gap between independent and guided performance
D) The stage of cognitive development a child has reached
2
,Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The zone of proximal development (ZPD) is the difference between what a child can accomplish
independently and what they can achieve with assistance.
Question 6
In an ideal Vygotskian learning situation, adults provide substantial assistance initially and
gradually withdraw support as children become more competent. This process is called:
A) Discovery learning
B) Scaffolding
C) Conservation
D) Centration
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Scaffolding is the process by which a teacher or expert adjusts the level of support provided based on
the learner's current competence.
Question 7
Which of the following best defines the early childhood period in human development?
A) The period from birth to 12 months, characterized by rapid physical growth
B) The toddler and preschool years, approximately ages 1 to 6 or 7 years
C) The period from ages 6 to 11, focused on school readiness
D) The period from ages 3 to 5, defined exclusively by language acquisition
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
3
, Early childhood encompasses the toddler and preschool years, generally from about age 1 to 6 or 7
years.
Question 8
What is the primary characteristic of gross motor skills developed during early childhood?
A) Skills involving small muscle movements such as writing and drawing
B) Skills involving large muscle movements such as running, hopping, and throwing
C) Skills related to cognitive processing and problem-solving
D) Skills associated with language production and comprehension
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscle groups and include activities such as throwing a
ball, hopping, catching, running, and kicking.
Question 9
According to Piaget, which cognitive stage characterizes early childhood?
A) Sensorimotor stage
B) Preoperational stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Piaget's preoperational stage spans approximately ages 2 to 7, which corresponds to early childhood.
Question 10
Which theorist emphasized that self-discovery is key to cognitive development?
4
