PSYC 620 QUIZ 4 — 400 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES & LIFESPAN APPROACHES
(Questions 1–70)
1. Which developmental theorist is most associated with the concept of
"psychosocial crises" that occur across the entire lifespan?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Erik Erikson
C) Lev Vygotsky
D) B.F. Skinner
Answer: B — Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines eight
stages from infancy to late adulthood, each characterized by a central crisis
(e.g., trust vs. mistrust, integrity vs. despair). Piaget focused on cognitive
stages, Vygotsky on sociocultural learning, and Skinner on operant
conditioning.
2. According to Piaget, a child who can think logically about concrete objects
but struggles with abstract, hypothetical reasoning is in which stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
,C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Answer: C — The concrete operational stage (ages 7–11) is characterized by
logical thought about tangible objects, conservation, and classification.
Abstract thinking emerges in the formal operational stage (adolescence).
3. A 9monthold infant who becomes distressed when her mother leaves the
room is displaying:
A) Stranger anxiety
B) Separation anxiety
C) Social referencing
D) Attachment avoidance
Answer: B — Separation anxiety typically emerges around 8–10 months as
infants develop object permanence and attachment to primary caregivers.
4. A 4yearold believes that the moon follows him at night. This illustrates:
A) Animism
B) Egocentrism
C) Artificialism
D) Conservation
,Answer: B — Egocentrism in Piaget's preoperational stage is the inability to
distinguish one's own perspective from that of others. The child assumes the
moon is following him because he cannot conceptualize a different viewpoint.
5. The "still face paradigm" is used to assess:
A) Infant attachment styles
B) Infant mother interaction and the infant's response to emotional
unavailability
C) Object permanence
D) Motor development
Answer: B — In the still face experiment, the caregiver suddenly adopts a
neutral, unresponsive expression. Infants typically become distressed,
demonstrating their expectation of reciprocal social interaction and emotional
attunement.
6. According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, an individual who
obeys rules to avoid punishment is in which stage?
A) Postconventional
B) Conventional
C) Preconventional
D) Principled
, Answer: C — The preconventional level (Stages 1–2) is characterized by
moral reasoning based on consequences, including avoiding punishment and
seeking rewards.
7. Vygotsky's concept of the "zone of proximal development" refers to:
A) The stage at which children develop abstract reasoning
B) The gap between what a child can do independently and with assistance
C) The period of most rapid brain growth
D) The time when moral reasoning develops
Answer: B — The ZPD is the difference between a child's actual
developmental level (independent problemsolving) and their potential level
(with adult guidance or peer collaboration).
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains developmental
psychologists study?
A) Cognitive
B) Psychological
C) Biological
D) Socioemotional
WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES & LIFESPAN APPROACHES
(Questions 1–70)
1. Which developmental theorist is most associated with the concept of
"psychosocial crises" that occur across the entire lifespan?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Erik Erikson
C) Lev Vygotsky
D) B.F. Skinner
Answer: B — Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines eight
stages from infancy to late adulthood, each characterized by a central crisis
(e.g., trust vs. mistrust, integrity vs. despair). Piaget focused on cognitive
stages, Vygotsky on sociocultural learning, and Skinner on operant
conditioning.
2. According to Piaget, a child who can think logically about concrete objects
but struggles with abstract, hypothetical reasoning is in which stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
,C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Answer: C — The concrete operational stage (ages 7–11) is characterized by
logical thought about tangible objects, conservation, and classification.
Abstract thinking emerges in the formal operational stage (adolescence).
3. A 9monthold infant who becomes distressed when her mother leaves the
room is displaying:
A) Stranger anxiety
B) Separation anxiety
C) Social referencing
D) Attachment avoidance
Answer: B — Separation anxiety typically emerges around 8–10 months as
infants develop object permanence and attachment to primary caregivers.
4. A 4yearold believes that the moon follows him at night. This illustrates:
A) Animism
B) Egocentrism
C) Artificialism
D) Conservation
,Answer: B — Egocentrism in Piaget's preoperational stage is the inability to
distinguish one's own perspective from that of others. The child assumes the
moon is following him because he cannot conceptualize a different viewpoint.
5. The "still face paradigm" is used to assess:
A) Infant attachment styles
B) Infant mother interaction and the infant's response to emotional
unavailability
C) Object permanence
D) Motor development
Answer: B — In the still face experiment, the caregiver suddenly adopts a
neutral, unresponsive expression. Infants typically become distressed,
demonstrating their expectation of reciprocal social interaction and emotional
attunement.
6. According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, an individual who
obeys rules to avoid punishment is in which stage?
A) Postconventional
B) Conventional
C) Preconventional
D) Principled
, Answer: C — The preconventional level (Stages 1–2) is characterized by
moral reasoning based on consequences, including avoiding punishment and
seeking rewards.
7. Vygotsky's concept of the "zone of proximal development" refers to:
A) The stage at which children develop abstract reasoning
B) The gap between what a child can do independently and with assistance
C) The period of most rapid brain growth
D) The time when moral reasoning develops
Answer: B — The ZPD is the difference between a child's actual
developmental level (independent problemsolving) and their potential level
(with adult guidance or peer collaboration).
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains developmental
psychologists study?
A) Cognitive
B) Psychological
C) Biological
D) Socioemotional
