Test Bank for Life-Span Development, 19th Edition by
John Santrock
Test Bank: Life-Span Development, 19th Edition by John Santrock
Chapter 1: Introduction
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The life-span perspective on development assumes that development is:
a) Largely characterized by decline after adolescence.
b) A process that is only influenced by biology.
c) Lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, and plastic.
d) Primarily focused on childhood and adolescence.
Answer: c) Lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, and plastic.
Page Ref: p. 5-6
2. The concept of "multidirectionality" in development suggests that:
a) Development always occurs in a straight, predictable line.
b) Some aspects of development expand while others shrink.
c) Culture is the primary direction of influence.
d) Everyone develops in the same universal sequence.
Answer: b) Some aspects of development expand while others shrink.
Page Ref: p. 6
3. A researcher who studies how a child's attachment to their caregiver influences their adult
romantic relationships is most interested in which developmental issue?
a) Nature and Nurture
b) Stability and Change
c) Continuity and Discontinuity
d) Critical and Sensitive Periods
Answer: b) Stability and Change
Page Ref: p. 12
4. The __________ period of development is a time of establishing personal and economic
independence, career development, and, for many, selecting a mate.
a) Early childhood
b) Adolescence
c) Early adulthood
, d) Middle adulthood
Answer: c) Early adulthood
Page Ref: p. 15
5. In a correlational study, a researcher finds a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between hours
spent playing video games and academic grades. This indicates:
a) A strong positive relationship.
b) A weak negative relationship.
c) A strong negative relationship.
d) No relationship.
Answer: c) A strong negative relationship.
Page Ref: p. 25
True/False Questions
1. True or False: A cohort effect occurs when differences between age groups are due to the
unique experiences of the specific generation.
Answer: True
Page Ref: p. 21
2. True or False: In an experimental study, the independent variable is the outcome that is
measured.
Answer: False (The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is
measured.)
Page Ref: p. 24
Short Answer/Essay Questions
1. Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Erikson. Discuss at least
two key differences.
Answer: Freud's theory is a psychosexual stage theory that emphasizes unconscious drives and
childhood experiences as the primary shapers of personality, with development largely
complete by adolescence. Erikson's theory is a psychosocial stage theory that spans the entire
life span. It focuses on social and cultural influences and the resolution of specific social crises
(e.g., trust vs. mistrust, integrity vs. despair) at each stage. Key differences include: (1) Freud
focused on sexuality; Erikson focused on social relationships. (2) Freud's stages end at puberty;
Erikson's stages cover the entire life span.
Page Ref: p. 16-17
2. Explain the difference between a cross-sectional and a longitudinal research design.
Provide one advantage and one disadvantage of each.
Answer: A cross-sectional design studies people of different ages at a single point in
John Santrock
Test Bank: Life-Span Development, 19th Edition by John Santrock
Chapter 1: Introduction
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The life-span perspective on development assumes that development is:
a) Largely characterized by decline after adolescence.
b) A process that is only influenced by biology.
c) Lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, and plastic.
d) Primarily focused on childhood and adolescence.
Answer: c) Lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, and plastic.
Page Ref: p. 5-6
2. The concept of "multidirectionality" in development suggests that:
a) Development always occurs in a straight, predictable line.
b) Some aspects of development expand while others shrink.
c) Culture is the primary direction of influence.
d) Everyone develops in the same universal sequence.
Answer: b) Some aspects of development expand while others shrink.
Page Ref: p. 6
3. A researcher who studies how a child's attachment to their caregiver influences their adult
romantic relationships is most interested in which developmental issue?
a) Nature and Nurture
b) Stability and Change
c) Continuity and Discontinuity
d) Critical and Sensitive Periods
Answer: b) Stability and Change
Page Ref: p. 12
4. The __________ period of development is a time of establishing personal and economic
independence, career development, and, for many, selecting a mate.
a) Early childhood
b) Adolescence
c) Early adulthood
, d) Middle adulthood
Answer: c) Early adulthood
Page Ref: p. 15
5. In a correlational study, a researcher finds a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between hours
spent playing video games and academic grades. This indicates:
a) A strong positive relationship.
b) A weak negative relationship.
c) A strong negative relationship.
d) No relationship.
Answer: c) A strong negative relationship.
Page Ref: p. 25
True/False Questions
1. True or False: A cohort effect occurs when differences between age groups are due to the
unique experiences of the specific generation.
Answer: True
Page Ref: p. 21
2. True or False: In an experimental study, the independent variable is the outcome that is
measured.
Answer: False (The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is
measured.)
Page Ref: p. 24
Short Answer/Essay Questions
1. Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Erikson. Discuss at least
two key differences.
Answer: Freud's theory is a psychosexual stage theory that emphasizes unconscious drives and
childhood experiences as the primary shapers of personality, with development largely
complete by adolescence. Erikson's theory is a psychosocial stage theory that spans the entire
life span. It focuses on social and cultural influences and the resolution of specific social crises
(e.g., trust vs. mistrust, integrity vs. despair) at each stage. Key differences include: (1) Freud
focused on sexuality; Erikson focused on social relationships. (2) Freud's stages end at puberty;
Erikson's stages cover the entire life span.
Page Ref: p. 16-17
2. Explain the difference between a cross-sectional and a longitudinal research design.
Provide one advantage and one disadvantage of each.
Answer: A cross-sectional design studies people of different ages at a single point in
