1
Psychology Modules for Active Learning 12th Edition Study
Guide | Comprehensive Review Notes, Practice Questions &
Exam Prep 2026
Chapter 3: Human Development
Module 3.1
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Developmental psychology is the study of
a. the language, personality, and emotions of children and adolescents.
b. the stages of life and the important tasks of each.
c. progressive changes in behavior and abilities from conception to death.
d. the role of maturation in the unfolding of human potential.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
2. The study of changes in behavior from conception to death encompasses the field known as
a. gerontology.
b. thanatology.
c. developmental psychology.
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, lOMoAR cPSD| 67928686
d. social psychology.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
3. Dianne is a psychologist who is interested in the progressive changes that people show in their
behavior and abilities from conception to death. Dianne is most likely a psychologist.
a. social
b. behavioral
c. comparative
d. developmental
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Application
4. Developmental psychologists are interested in changes in behavior that occur from
a. conception on to death (the womb to the tomb).
b. birth to adolescence (infant to teen).
c. birth to adulthood (child to grown-up).
d. conception to senescence.
pg. 2
,3
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
5. Achieving sexual maturity is mainly governed by
a. nurture.
b. nature.
c. the environment.
d. evolutionary senescence.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1
KEY: * MSC: TYPE: Concept
6. Learning to swim or to use a computer is primarily a matter of
a. nurture.
b. nature.
c. heredity.
d. maturation.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1
KEY: * MSC: TYPE: Concept
pg. 3
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67928686
7. The importance of heredity stems from the fact that it
a. is not subject to environmental influences.
b. determines the overall health of an organism.
c. sets the limits of development by providing a framework of potentials and limitations.
d. is more fragile than the environment and, consequently, can be more changeable.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
8. Psychologists generally resolve the nature-nurture debate by agreeing that
a. heredity and environment are interacting and inseparable factors in development.
b. heredity is more important because it precedes the effects of experience.
c. environment is more important because its effects are less flexible than those of heredity.
d. environment is more important because most behaviors of interest to psychologists are lear
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
9. According to the text, what conclusions can be drawn in the nature-nurture debate?
pg. 4
Psychology Modules for Active Learning 12th Edition Study
Guide | Comprehensive Review Notes, Practice Questions &
Exam Prep 2026
Chapter 3: Human Development
Module 3.1
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Developmental psychology is the study of
a. the language, personality, and emotions of children and adolescents.
b. the stages of life and the important tasks of each.
c. progressive changes in behavior and abilities from conception to death.
d. the role of maturation in the unfolding of human potential.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
2. The study of changes in behavior from conception to death encompasses the field known as
a. gerontology.
b. thanatology.
c. developmental psychology.
pg. 1
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67928686
d. social psychology.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
3. Dianne is a psychologist who is interested in the progressive changes that people show in their
behavior and abilities from conception to death. Dianne is most likely a psychologist.
a. social
b. behavioral
c. comparative
d. developmental
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Application
4. Developmental psychologists are interested in changes in behavior that occur from
a. conception on to death (the womb to the tomb).
b. birth to adolescence (infant to teen).
c. birth to adulthood (child to grown-up).
d. conception to senescence.
pg. 2
,3
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
5. Achieving sexual maturity is mainly governed by
a. nurture.
b. nature.
c. the environment.
d. evolutionary senescence.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1
KEY: * MSC: TYPE: Concept
6. Learning to swim or to use a computer is primarily a matter of
a. nurture.
b. nature.
c. heredity.
d. maturation.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1
KEY: * MSC: TYPE: Concept
pg. 3
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67928686
7. The importance of heredity stems from the fact that it
a. is not subject to environmental influences.
b. determines the overall health of an organism.
c. sets the limits of development by providing a framework of potentials and limitations.
d. is more fragile than the environment and, consequently, can be more changeable.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
8. Psychologists generally resolve the nature-nurture debate by agreeing that
a. heredity and environment are interacting and inseparable factors in development.
b. heredity is more important because it precedes the effects of experience.
c. environment is more important because its effects are less flexible than those of heredity.
d. environment is more important because most behaviors of interest to psychologists are lear
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Module 3.1 MSC: TYPE: Fact
9. According to the text, what conclusions can be drawn in the nature-nurture debate?
pg. 4
