Portage Learning PSYC 140 Developmental
(Lifespan) Psychology 150 Exam Questions with
Answers & Rationales 2026/2027 Academic Year
UNIVERSITY: Portage Learning
COURSE: PSYC 140 - Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology
EXAM TYPE: Comprehensive Final Exam (Modules 1-8)
TOTAL QUESTIONS: 150
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2026/2027
MODULE 1: Foundations, Research Methods & Major Theories
QUESTION 1
Question: What is developmental psychology?
A) The study of abnormal behavior and mental illness
B) The study of changes that occur across the human lifespan, whether physical, cognitive, or
social
C) The study of how the brain processes information
D) The study of animal behavior
Correct Answer: B) The study of changes that occur across the human lifespan, whether
physical, cognitive, or social
Rationale: Developmental psychology focuses on the changes that occur throughout the entire
human lifespan—from conception to death—encompassing physical, cognitive, and
social-emotional development.
QUESTION 2
Question: Define "nature" in the context of developmental psychology.
A) The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family, and culture
B) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
,C) The process of learning through observation
D) The cultural norms that shape behavior
Correct Answer: B) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
Rationale: Nature refers to the genetic and biological inheritance that influences development,
including traits passed down from parents.
QUESTION 3
Question: Define "nurture" in the context of developmental psychology.
A) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
B) The process of maturation
C) The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family, and culture
D) The innate drive for self-actualization
Correct Answer: C) The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family, and
culture
Rationale: Nurture encompasses all environmental factors that influence development, including
family, peers, education, culture, and life experiences.
QUESTION 4
Question: Discuss the lifespan approach to human development.
A) Development only occurs during childhood
B) Development stops after adolescence
C) Development occurs from conception to death, with each period of life considered important
D) Development is only relevant during adulthood
Correct Answer: C) Development occurs from conception to death, with each period of life
considered important
Rationale: The lifespan approach recognizes that development is a lifelong process. In the past,
developmental psychologists focused primarily on childhood, but modern approaches
emphasize that significant changes occur throughout adulthood as well.
QUESTION 5
,Question: What is the difference between a cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study?
A) Cross-sectional studies follow participants over time; longitudinal studies examine people at
one time
B) Cross-sectional studies examine people at one period of time; longitudinal studies follow
participants over a longer period
C) There is no difference between the two designs
D) Cross-sectional studies are always more accurate than longitudinal studies
Correct Answer: B) Cross-sectional studies examine people at one period of time; longitudinal
studies follow participants over a longer period
Rationale: Cross-sectional research compares different age groups at a single point in time,
while longitudinal research follows the same individuals over an extended period to track
developmental changes.
QUESTION 6
Question: A researcher designs a study to examine the relationship between maternal stress
during pregnancy and infant temperament at 6 months. She measures maternal cortisol levels
at three time points during pregnancy and uses a standard temperament questionnaire at 6
months. Which research design best describes this study?
A) Experimental design with random assignment
B) Longitudinal correlational design
C) Cross-sectional correlational design
D) Quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent groups
Correct Answer: B) Longitudinal correlational design
Rationale: The study involves measuring variables (cortisol and temperament) over time without
manipulation or random assignment, making it a longitudinal correlational design.
QUESTION 7
Question: What is maturation?
A) The process of learning through observation
B) The process of becoming more developed and more advanced
C) The influence of peers on behavior
D) The cultural transmission of values
, Correct Answer: B) The process of becoming more developed and more advanced
Rationale: Maturation refers to the biological unfolding of genetic potential, resulting in
increasingly complex and advanced capabilities.
QUESTION 8
Question: According to Erikson, unsuccessful completion of the first psychosocial stage will
result in _______ of the world.
A) Trust
B) Mistrust
C) Independence
D) Shame
Correct Answer: B) Mistrust
Rationale: Erikson's first stage is Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy). If an infant's needs are not
consistently met, they develop a sense of mistrust toward the world and others.
QUESTION 9
Question: Human development is comprised of biological, social, and cognitive changes, to
name a few. Therefore, development is multi ________.
A) Disciplinary
B) Directional
C) Dimensional
D) Modal
Correct Answer: C) Dimensional
Rationale: Development is multidimensional, meaning it involves changes across multiple
domains—biological, cognitive, and socioemotional—that interact and influence each other.
QUESTION 10
Question: Sandra is 60 and feels she is in the prime of her life, at least mentally. However, she
is starting to experience some problems with arthritis and knows she doesn't have quite the
stamina she used to. These trends are a good illustration of development being multi ________.
(Lifespan) Psychology 150 Exam Questions with
Answers & Rationales 2026/2027 Academic Year
UNIVERSITY: Portage Learning
COURSE: PSYC 140 - Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology
EXAM TYPE: Comprehensive Final Exam (Modules 1-8)
TOTAL QUESTIONS: 150
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2026/2027
MODULE 1: Foundations, Research Methods & Major Theories
QUESTION 1
Question: What is developmental psychology?
A) The study of abnormal behavior and mental illness
B) The study of changes that occur across the human lifespan, whether physical, cognitive, or
social
C) The study of how the brain processes information
D) The study of animal behavior
Correct Answer: B) The study of changes that occur across the human lifespan, whether
physical, cognitive, or social
Rationale: Developmental psychology focuses on the changes that occur throughout the entire
human lifespan—from conception to death—encompassing physical, cognitive, and
social-emotional development.
QUESTION 2
Question: Define "nature" in the context of developmental psychology.
A) The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family, and culture
B) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
,C) The process of learning through observation
D) The cultural norms that shape behavior
Correct Answer: B) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
Rationale: Nature refers to the genetic and biological inheritance that influences development,
including traits passed down from parents.
QUESTION 3
Question: Define "nurture" in the context of developmental psychology.
A) The genetic and biological disposition of an individual
B) The process of maturation
C) The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family, and culture
D) The innate drive for self-actualization
Correct Answer: C) The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family, and
culture
Rationale: Nurture encompasses all environmental factors that influence development, including
family, peers, education, culture, and life experiences.
QUESTION 4
Question: Discuss the lifespan approach to human development.
A) Development only occurs during childhood
B) Development stops after adolescence
C) Development occurs from conception to death, with each period of life considered important
D) Development is only relevant during adulthood
Correct Answer: C) Development occurs from conception to death, with each period of life
considered important
Rationale: The lifespan approach recognizes that development is a lifelong process. In the past,
developmental psychologists focused primarily on childhood, but modern approaches
emphasize that significant changes occur throughout adulthood as well.
QUESTION 5
,Question: What is the difference between a cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study?
A) Cross-sectional studies follow participants over time; longitudinal studies examine people at
one time
B) Cross-sectional studies examine people at one period of time; longitudinal studies follow
participants over a longer period
C) There is no difference between the two designs
D) Cross-sectional studies are always more accurate than longitudinal studies
Correct Answer: B) Cross-sectional studies examine people at one period of time; longitudinal
studies follow participants over a longer period
Rationale: Cross-sectional research compares different age groups at a single point in time,
while longitudinal research follows the same individuals over an extended period to track
developmental changes.
QUESTION 6
Question: A researcher designs a study to examine the relationship between maternal stress
during pregnancy and infant temperament at 6 months. She measures maternal cortisol levels
at three time points during pregnancy and uses a standard temperament questionnaire at 6
months. Which research design best describes this study?
A) Experimental design with random assignment
B) Longitudinal correlational design
C) Cross-sectional correlational design
D) Quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent groups
Correct Answer: B) Longitudinal correlational design
Rationale: The study involves measuring variables (cortisol and temperament) over time without
manipulation or random assignment, making it a longitudinal correlational design.
QUESTION 7
Question: What is maturation?
A) The process of learning through observation
B) The process of becoming more developed and more advanced
C) The influence of peers on behavior
D) The cultural transmission of values
, Correct Answer: B) The process of becoming more developed and more advanced
Rationale: Maturation refers to the biological unfolding of genetic potential, resulting in
increasingly complex and advanced capabilities.
QUESTION 8
Question: According to Erikson, unsuccessful completion of the first psychosocial stage will
result in _______ of the world.
A) Trust
B) Mistrust
C) Independence
D) Shame
Correct Answer: B) Mistrust
Rationale: Erikson's first stage is Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy). If an infant's needs are not
consistently met, they develop a sense of mistrust toward the world and others.
QUESTION 9
Question: Human development is comprised of biological, social, and cognitive changes, to
name a few. Therefore, development is multi ________.
A) Disciplinary
B) Directional
C) Dimensional
D) Modal
Correct Answer: C) Dimensional
Rationale: Development is multidimensional, meaning it involves changes across multiple
domains—biological, cognitive, and socioemotional—that interact and influence each other.
QUESTION 10
Question: Sandra is 60 and feels she is in the prime of her life, at least mentally. However, she
is starting to experience some problems with arthritis and knows she doesn't have quite the
stamina she used to. These trends are a good illustration of development being multi ________.
