PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY FINAL EXAM / ACTUAL
PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY FINAL EXAM
Question 1
What is the main focus of developmental psychology?
A) The study of mental illnesses across the lifespan
B) The study of changes that occur across the human lifespan, including physical,
cognitive, and social development
C) The study of only childhood development
D) The study of genetic inheritance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Developmental psychology is the scientific study of how and why
human beings change over the course of their life. This includes all domains of
development—physical, cognitive, and social—across the entire lifespan, not just
one aspect or age period.
Question 2
The "nature" side of the nature vs. nurture debate refers to:
A) The environmental influences on an individual, such as family and culture
B) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
C) The influence of peer groups on behavior
D) The quality of education a person receives
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nature refers to an individual's hereditary makeup—the genes and
biological traits they are born with. Nurture encompasses the environmental
factors that shape the individual after conception.
,Question 3
A researcher who follows a group of individuals over several decades, assessing
them at multiple points in time, is conducting a:
A) Cross-sectional study
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Longitudinal study
D) Case study
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A longitudinal study follows the same group of participants over a long
period. This allows researchers to see how individuals change and develop in "real
time." In contrast, a cross-sectional study compares different age groups at a
single point in time.
Question 4
The Lifespan Approach to human development emphasizes that:
A) Important changes only occur in childhood
B) Development stops after adolescence
C) Significant developmental changes occur from conception to death
D) Adulthood is a period of stability with no psychological changes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unlike early theories that focused primarily on childhood, the lifespan
approach recognizes that development is a lifelong process. Each period of life is
considered important, with its own unique challenges and growth opportunities.
Question 5
What does the term "maturation" refer to in developmental psychology?
A) Learning a new skill through practice
B) Becoming more developed and advanced through biological unfolding
C) Adapting to a new cultural environment
D) Memorizing a set of facts
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maturation refers to the biological unfolding of genetic potential. It is
the natural process of growth and development that occurs as an organism ages,
independent of learning or experience.
Question 6
Which of the following is a key principle of lifespan development?
A) Development occurs only in childhood
B) Development is multidimensional and lifelong
C) Development is purely biological
D) Development stops after adolescence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lifespan development recognizes growth and change across all ages
and domains. Development is multidimensional, multidirectional, and lifelong,
involving gains and losses at every stage.
Question 7
According to Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental task
of infancy (first year) is:
A) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B) Trust vs. Mistrust
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's first stage, Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to approximately 18
months), centers on whether infants develop a sense of trust in their caregivers
and the world. If infants have loving caregivers who supply safety and security,
the baby will develop a sense of trust. If the infant's life is chaotic and lacks
reliable caregivers, the infant may develop a mistrustful outlook.
, Question 8
According to Erikson, what is a "crisis"?
A) A traumatic event
B) A moment of decision
C) A mental illness
D) A developmental delay
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Erikson, a crisis is a moment of decision where an
individual must choose between two opposing psychosocial outcomes.
Successfully resolving each crisis leads to a healthy personality and the acquisition
of basic virtues.
Question 9
The psychosocial crisis of adolescence, according to Erikson, is:
A) Intimacy vs. Isolation
B) Generativity vs. Stagnation
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
D) Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's adolescent stage (approximately ages 12-18) is Identity vs.
Role Confusion. During this period, individuals explore different roles and beliefs
to develop a coherent sense of self. Failure to establish a clear identity can lead to
confusion about who they are.
Question 10
The psychosocial crisis of early adulthood, according to Erikson, is:
A) Intimacy vs. Isolation
B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Generativity vs. Stagnation
D) Trust vs. Mistrust
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intimacy vs. Isolation (approximately ages 20-40) focuses on forming
PSYCHOLOGY FINAL EXAM / ACTUAL
PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY FINAL EXAM
Question 1
What is the main focus of developmental psychology?
A) The study of mental illnesses across the lifespan
B) The study of changes that occur across the human lifespan, including physical,
cognitive, and social development
C) The study of only childhood development
D) The study of genetic inheritance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Developmental psychology is the scientific study of how and why
human beings change over the course of their life. This includes all domains of
development—physical, cognitive, and social—across the entire lifespan, not just
one aspect or age period.
Question 2
The "nature" side of the nature vs. nurture debate refers to:
A) The environmental influences on an individual, such as family and culture
B) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
C) The influence of peer groups on behavior
D) The quality of education a person receives
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nature refers to an individual's hereditary makeup—the genes and
biological traits they are born with. Nurture encompasses the environmental
factors that shape the individual after conception.
,Question 3
A researcher who follows a group of individuals over several decades, assessing
them at multiple points in time, is conducting a:
A) Cross-sectional study
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Longitudinal study
D) Case study
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A longitudinal study follows the same group of participants over a long
period. This allows researchers to see how individuals change and develop in "real
time." In contrast, a cross-sectional study compares different age groups at a
single point in time.
Question 4
The Lifespan Approach to human development emphasizes that:
A) Important changes only occur in childhood
B) Development stops after adolescence
C) Significant developmental changes occur from conception to death
D) Adulthood is a period of stability with no psychological changes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unlike early theories that focused primarily on childhood, the lifespan
approach recognizes that development is a lifelong process. Each period of life is
considered important, with its own unique challenges and growth opportunities.
Question 5
What does the term "maturation" refer to in developmental psychology?
A) Learning a new skill through practice
B) Becoming more developed and advanced through biological unfolding
C) Adapting to a new cultural environment
D) Memorizing a set of facts
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maturation refers to the biological unfolding of genetic potential. It is
the natural process of growth and development that occurs as an organism ages,
independent of learning or experience.
Question 6
Which of the following is a key principle of lifespan development?
A) Development occurs only in childhood
B) Development is multidimensional and lifelong
C) Development is purely biological
D) Development stops after adolescence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lifespan development recognizes growth and change across all ages
and domains. Development is multidimensional, multidirectional, and lifelong,
involving gains and losses at every stage.
Question 7
According to Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental task
of infancy (first year) is:
A) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B) Trust vs. Mistrust
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's first stage, Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to approximately 18
months), centers on whether infants develop a sense of trust in their caregivers
and the world. If infants have loving caregivers who supply safety and security,
the baby will develop a sense of trust. If the infant's life is chaotic and lacks
reliable caregivers, the infant may develop a mistrustful outlook.
, Question 8
According to Erikson, what is a "crisis"?
A) A traumatic event
B) A moment of decision
C) A mental illness
D) A developmental delay
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Erikson, a crisis is a moment of decision where an
individual must choose between two opposing psychosocial outcomes.
Successfully resolving each crisis leads to a healthy personality and the acquisition
of basic virtues.
Question 9
The psychosocial crisis of adolescence, according to Erikson, is:
A) Intimacy vs. Isolation
B) Generativity vs. Stagnation
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
D) Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's adolescent stage (approximately ages 12-18) is Identity vs.
Role Confusion. During this period, individuals explore different roles and beliefs
to develop a coherent sense of self. Failure to establish a clear identity can lead to
confusion about who they are.
Question 10
The psychosocial crisis of early adulthood, according to Erikson, is:
A) Intimacy vs. Isolation
B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Generativity vs. Stagnation
D) Trust vs. Mistrust
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intimacy vs. Isolation (approximately ages 20-40) focuses on forming
