PSYC 140 Module 1 Exam Developmental
Psychology Portage Learning Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
SECTION 1: The Lifespan Perspective
Q1: According to the lifespan perspective, development is best described as:
A. Occurring primarily during childhood and adolescence
B. A process that is lifelong, multidirectional, and plastic
C. Determined entirely by genetic inheritance
D. A series of fixed, unchangeable stages
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the lifespan perspective states that development is lifelong,
multidirectional (involving both gains and losses), multidimensional, multidisciplinary,
and plastic (the capacity for change throughout life).
Q2: A researcher who believes that development occurs gradually and cumulatively, like
a tree growing taller, supports which view of development?
A. Discontinuous development
B. Stage theory
C. Continuous development
D. Critical period theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because continuous development views change as gradual and
cumulative, whereas stage theorists argue for discontinuous development with distinct,
qualitatively different stages.
, Q3: The debate over whether biology/genetics or environment/experience has the
greater influence on development is known as:
A. Stability vs. change
B. Nature vs. nurture
C. Continuous vs. discontinuous
D. Universality vs. context-specificity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate concerns the relative
influence of biology/genetics versus environment/experience on development.
Q4: A biologist studying developmental psychology would most likely emphasize which
side of the nature-nurture debate?
A. Nurture
B. Environment
C. Nature
D. Social context
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because a biologist emphasizes nature (biology/genetics), while
someone who believes parents are the primary contributor emphasizes nurture
(environment/experience).
Q5: The concept that development is shaped by the specific physical, social, and
cultural environment in which a person lives reflects which lifespan perspective
principle?
A. Plasticity
B. Multidirectionality
C. Contextual development
D. Multidimensionality
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because development being "contextual" means it is shaped by the
specific physical, social, and cultural environment.
Q6: Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory includes which of the following nested
environmental systems?
A. Microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, chronosystem
B. Nature system, nurture system, biosystem, sociosystem
C. Internal system, external system, proximal system, distal system
Psychology Portage Learning Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
SECTION 1: The Lifespan Perspective
Q1: According to the lifespan perspective, development is best described as:
A. Occurring primarily during childhood and adolescence
B. A process that is lifelong, multidirectional, and plastic
C. Determined entirely by genetic inheritance
D. A series of fixed, unchangeable stages
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the lifespan perspective states that development is lifelong,
multidirectional (involving both gains and losses), multidimensional, multidisciplinary,
and plastic (the capacity for change throughout life).
Q2: A researcher who believes that development occurs gradually and cumulatively, like
a tree growing taller, supports which view of development?
A. Discontinuous development
B. Stage theory
C. Continuous development
D. Critical period theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because continuous development views change as gradual and
cumulative, whereas stage theorists argue for discontinuous development with distinct,
qualitatively different stages.
, Q3: The debate over whether biology/genetics or environment/experience has the
greater influence on development is known as:
A. Stability vs. change
B. Nature vs. nurture
C. Continuous vs. discontinuous
D. Universality vs. context-specificity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate concerns the relative
influence of biology/genetics versus environment/experience on development.
Q4: A biologist studying developmental psychology would most likely emphasize which
side of the nature-nurture debate?
A. Nurture
B. Environment
C. Nature
D. Social context
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because a biologist emphasizes nature (biology/genetics), while
someone who believes parents are the primary contributor emphasizes nurture
(environment/experience).
Q5: The concept that development is shaped by the specific physical, social, and
cultural environment in which a person lives reflects which lifespan perspective
principle?
A. Plasticity
B. Multidirectionality
C. Contextual development
D. Multidimensionality
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because development being "contextual" means it is shaped by the
specific physical, social, and cultural environment.
Q6: Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory includes which of the following nested
environmental systems?
A. Microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, chronosystem
B. Nature system, nurture system, biosystem, sociosystem
C. Internal system, external system, proximal system, distal system
