Module 1: Developmental Stages and Transitions Exam (Latest 2026)
Questions with Revised Answers, (A+ Guarantee) LATEST UPDATE
1. Many psychologists define a stage as a relatively stable period of
development that is followed by a transition. A transition is best described
as:
A period of change and adjustment as a person moves between stages.
Rationale: According to developmental literature, a transition involves flux
and reorganisation rather than a stable state
2. The concept that development involves both gains (e.g., new skills) and
losses (e.g., declining physical strength) is known as:
Multidirectionality.
Rationale: The life-span developmental perspective emphasises
multidirectional change across the lifespan.
3. When a teenager starts thinking about their future career, relationships, and
identity, this period is often referred to as:
Emerging adulthood.
Rationale: Emerging adulthood (approx. ages 18-25) is a transitional phase
marked by exploration and instability
4. According to Jean Piaget, the stage in which children master conservation
and logical thinking about concrete events is the:
Concrete operational stage.
Rationale: The concrete operational stage (about age 7-11) is characterized
1
by logical thinking about concrete tasks.
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, 5. In Erikson’s theory, the stage where young adults form intimate
relationships or experience isolation is called:
Intimacy vs. Isolation.
Rationale: This is Erikson’s sixth psychosocial stage; forming close
relationships is the central task.
6. A 45-year-old who decides to return to university and change careers is
experiencing what type of life event?
A transitional event in middle adulthood.
Rationale: Transitions can occur at various ages; this is an adult role
transition requiring adaptation.
7. The notion that certain developmental changes happen in predictable
age-related sequences (e.g., puberty, retirement) falls under:
Age-graded influences.
Rationale: Age-graded influences are typical events tied to specific age
ranges in development. ue
8. The time when infants understand that objects continue to exist even when
out of sight is called:
Object permanence.
Rationale: Piaget-based research shows this develops early in the
sensorimotor stage (~8-12 months
9. A change in social identity, role obligations, and self‐concept (e.g.,
becoming a parent) is called a:
Role transition.
Rationale: Role transitions involve changes in role and identity, often tied
to major life events.
10.The model that views career development and other life roles as evolving
throughout the lifespan is called:
Life-span, life-space theory.
Rationale: Developed by Donald Super, this theory integrates lifelong
development with role changes.
11.According to developmental research, when transitions are “off-time” (i.e.,
earlier or later than typical) this can lead to greater stress. This illustrates the
importance of:
Timing in developmental transitions.
Rationale: The age, sequence, and context of transitions influence outcomes
and adaptation.
12.The stage in Erikson’s theory when middle-aged adults strive to contribute
2
to future generations versus feel stagnant is:
Page
EXAMPREPMASTER
Questions with Revised Answers, (A+ Guarantee) LATEST UPDATE
1. Many psychologists define a stage as a relatively stable period of
development that is followed by a transition. A transition is best described
as:
A period of change and adjustment as a person moves between stages.
Rationale: According to developmental literature, a transition involves flux
and reorganisation rather than a stable state
2. The concept that development involves both gains (e.g., new skills) and
losses (e.g., declining physical strength) is known as:
Multidirectionality.
Rationale: The life-span developmental perspective emphasises
multidirectional change across the lifespan.
3. When a teenager starts thinking about their future career, relationships, and
identity, this period is often referred to as:
Emerging adulthood.
Rationale: Emerging adulthood (approx. ages 18-25) is a transitional phase
marked by exploration and instability
4. According to Jean Piaget, the stage in which children master conservation
and logical thinking about concrete events is the:
Concrete operational stage.
Rationale: The concrete operational stage (about age 7-11) is characterized
1
by logical thinking about concrete tasks.
Page
EXAMPREPMASTER
, 5. In Erikson’s theory, the stage where young adults form intimate
relationships or experience isolation is called:
Intimacy vs. Isolation.
Rationale: This is Erikson’s sixth psychosocial stage; forming close
relationships is the central task.
6. A 45-year-old who decides to return to university and change careers is
experiencing what type of life event?
A transitional event in middle adulthood.
Rationale: Transitions can occur at various ages; this is an adult role
transition requiring adaptation.
7. The notion that certain developmental changes happen in predictable
age-related sequences (e.g., puberty, retirement) falls under:
Age-graded influences.
Rationale: Age-graded influences are typical events tied to specific age
ranges in development. ue
8. The time when infants understand that objects continue to exist even when
out of sight is called:
Object permanence.
Rationale: Piaget-based research shows this develops early in the
sensorimotor stage (~8-12 months
9. A change in social identity, role obligations, and self‐concept (e.g.,
becoming a parent) is called a:
Role transition.
Rationale: Role transitions involve changes in role and identity, often tied
to major life events.
10.The model that views career development and other life roles as evolving
throughout the lifespan is called:
Life-span, life-space theory.
Rationale: Developed by Donald Super, this theory integrates lifelong
development with role changes.
11.According to developmental research, when transitions are “off-time” (i.e.,
earlier or later than typical) this can lead to greater stress. This illustrates the
importance of:
Timing in developmental transitions.
Rationale: The age, sequence, and context of transitions influence outcomes
and adaptation.
12.The stage in Erikson’s theory when middle-aged adults strive to contribute
2
to future generations versus feel stagnant is:
Page
EXAMPREPMASTER
