,PSYC101/PSYC 101 Module Exam 5 | General
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Developmental psychology is the scientific study of:
A) How people change and grow across the lifespan
B) How people learn and remember information
C) How the brain processes sensory information
D) How people interact with others in social situations
Correct Answer: How people change and grow across the lifespan
Rationale: Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the physical, cognitive,
and social changes that occur throughout the human lifespan, from conception to death. It focuses on
how people grow, adapt, and change over time.
2. The "nature vs. nurture" debate in developmental psychology concerns the relative influence of:
A) Genetics and environment
B) Conscious and unconscious thoughts
C) Rewards and punishments
D) Childhood and adulthood experiences
Correct Answer: Genetics and environment
Rationale: The nature-nurture debate is a central issue in developmental psychology. "Nature" refers to
the genetic inheritance and biological factors that influence development, while "nurture" refers to the
environmental factors, such as upbringing, culture, and experiences.
3. Which of the following developmental issues addresses whether development is a gradual,
continuous process or a series of distinct stages?
A) Nature vs. nurture
B) Continuity vs. stages
,C) Stability vs. change
D) Universality vs. cultural specificity
Correct Answer: Continuity vs. stages
Rationale: The continuity vs. stages issue asks whether development is a smooth, gradual accumulation
of skills (continuity) or a series of abrupt, qualitatively different changes (stages). Theorists like Piaget
and Erikson proposed stage theories of development.
4. The "stability vs. change" issue in development asks:
A) Whether development is influenced by genetics or environment
B) Whether development is continuous or discontinuous
C) Whether personality traits remain consistent or change throughout life
D) Whether development is universal or culture-specific
Correct Answer: Whether personality traits remain consistent or change throughout life
Rationale: The stability vs. change issue examines the extent to which early personality traits and
behaviors persist into adulthood or change over time. This debate explores the persistence of individual
differences.
5. The germinal stage of prenatal development is the:
A) Period from implantation to 8 weeks
B) First 2 weeks after conception
C) Period from 9 weeks to birth
D) Period of rapid brain development
Correct Answer: First 2 weeks after conception
, Rationale: The germinal stage is the first stage of prenatal development, lasting from conception to
about 2 weeks. During this stage, the zygote divides and implants in the uterine wall.
6. The embryonic stage of prenatal development is the:
A) First 2 weeks after conception
B) Period from 2 to 8 weeks
C) Period from 9 weeks to birth
D) Period of organ development
Correct Answer: Period from 2 to 8 weeks
Rationale: The embryonic stage lasts from approximately 2 to 8 weeks after conception. During this
stage, the major organs and body systems begin to form, and the developing organism is called an
embryo.
7. The fetal stage of prenatal development is the:
A) First 2 weeks after conception
B) Period from 2 to 8 weeks
C) Period from 9 weeks to birth
D) Period of implantation
Correct Answer: Period from 9 weeks to birth
Rationale: The fetal stage begins around the 9th week and continues until birth. During this stage, the
developing organism (now a fetus) grows rapidly, and the organs and systems mature.
8. Which of the following is a teratogen, an agent that can harm the developing fetus?
A) Folic acid
B) Alcohol
C) Iron
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Developmental psychology is the scientific study of:
A) How people change and grow across the lifespan
B) How people learn and remember information
C) How the brain processes sensory information
D) How people interact with others in social situations
Correct Answer: How people change and grow across the lifespan
Rationale: Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the physical, cognitive,
and social changes that occur throughout the human lifespan, from conception to death. It focuses on
how people grow, adapt, and change over time.
2. The "nature vs. nurture" debate in developmental psychology concerns the relative influence of:
A) Genetics and environment
B) Conscious and unconscious thoughts
C) Rewards and punishments
D) Childhood and adulthood experiences
Correct Answer: Genetics and environment
Rationale: The nature-nurture debate is a central issue in developmental psychology. "Nature" refers to
the genetic inheritance and biological factors that influence development, while "nurture" refers to the
environmental factors, such as upbringing, culture, and experiences.
3. Which of the following developmental issues addresses whether development is a gradual,
continuous process or a series of distinct stages?
A) Nature vs. nurture
B) Continuity vs. stages
,C) Stability vs. change
D) Universality vs. cultural specificity
Correct Answer: Continuity vs. stages
Rationale: The continuity vs. stages issue asks whether development is a smooth, gradual accumulation
of skills (continuity) or a series of abrupt, qualitatively different changes (stages). Theorists like Piaget
and Erikson proposed stage theories of development.
4. The "stability vs. change" issue in development asks:
A) Whether development is influenced by genetics or environment
B) Whether development is continuous or discontinuous
C) Whether personality traits remain consistent or change throughout life
D) Whether development is universal or culture-specific
Correct Answer: Whether personality traits remain consistent or change throughout life
Rationale: The stability vs. change issue examines the extent to which early personality traits and
behaviors persist into adulthood or change over time. This debate explores the persistence of individual
differences.
5. The germinal stage of prenatal development is the:
A) Period from implantation to 8 weeks
B) First 2 weeks after conception
C) Period from 9 weeks to birth
D) Period of rapid brain development
Correct Answer: First 2 weeks after conception
, Rationale: The germinal stage is the first stage of prenatal development, lasting from conception to
about 2 weeks. During this stage, the zygote divides and implants in the uterine wall.
6. The embryonic stage of prenatal development is the:
A) First 2 weeks after conception
B) Period from 2 to 8 weeks
C) Period from 9 weeks to birth
D) Period of organ development
Correct Answer: Period from 2 to 8 weeks
Rationale: The embryonic stage lasts from approximately 2 to 8 weeks after conception. During this
stage, the major organs and body systems begin to form, and the developing organism is called an
embryo.
7. The fetal stage of prenatal development is the:
A) First 2 weeks after conception
B) Period from 2 to 8 weeks
C) Period from 9 weeks to birth
D) Period of implantation
Correct Answer: Period from 9 weeks to birth
Rationale: The fetal stage begins around the 9th week and continues until birth. During this stage, the
developing organism (now a fetus) grows rapidly, and the organs and systems mature.
8. Which of the following is a teratogen, an agent that can harm the developing fetus?
A) Folic acid
B) Alcohol
C) Iron
