PSYC 140 Final Exam: Developmental Lifespan
Psychology – Exam Questions with Verified
Solutions Portage Learning 2026/2027
Question 1: According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, during which stage do children
begin to think logically about concrete events but struggle with abstract concepts?
A) Sensorimotor stage
B) Preoperational stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
ANSWER✔✨-: C) Concrete operational stage
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years) involves learning
through senses and actions, not logical thinking about concrete events. Option B is incorrect because
the preoperational stage (2-7 years) is characterized by egocentrism and lack of conservation, not logical
reasoning. Option C is correct because the concrete operational stage (7-11 years) marks the beginning
of logical thought about concrete events, though abstract thinking remains difficult. Option D is
incorrect because formal operational stage (11+ years) involves abstract and hypothetical thinking.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes Erikson's psychosocial crisis during the toddlerhood
stage (approximately 1-3 years)?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
,D) Industry vs. Inferiority
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because Trust vs. Mistrust occurs during infancy (0-1 year) and focuses
on developing trust in caregivers. Option B is correct because toddlerhood involves children asserting
independence, and success leads to autonomy while failure results in shame and doubt. Option C is
incorrect because Initiative vs. Guilt occurs during the preschool years (3-6 years). Option D is incorrect
because Industry vs. Inferiority occurs during middle childhood (6-12 years).
Question 3: In the context of prenatal development, the period when the developing organism is most
vulnerable to teratogens is the:
A) Germinal period
B) Embryonic period
C) Fetal period
D) Postnatal period
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Embryonic period
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because the germinal period (first 2 weeks) involves cell division and
implantation; teratogens rarely cause major structural damage during this time due to the "all-or-none"
principle. Option B is correct because the embryonic period (weeks 3-8) involves rapid cell
differentiation and organ formation, making it the most vulnerable time for teratogen exposure. Option
C is incorrect because while teratogens can still cause damage during the fetal period, the major
structures are already formed. Option D is incorrect because it occurs after birth.
Question 4: A researcher is interested in studying how memory changes with age. She tests the same
group of participants at age 20, 30, 40, and 50. This research design is called:
A) Cross-sectional design
B) Longitudinal design
,C) Sequential design
D) Correlational design
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Longitudinal design
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because cross-sectional design involves testing different age groups at
one point in time. Option B is correct because longitudinal design follows the same individuals over
time, measuring them at multiple points. Option C is incorrect because sequential design combines
cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. Option D is incorrect because correlational design
examines relationships between variables without manipulating them.
Question 5: The cephalocaudal principle of development states that growth proceeds:
A) From the center of the body outward
B) From the head downward
C) From the extremities inward
D) In a random pattern
ANSWER✔✨-: B) From the head downward
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because this describes the proximodistal principle (center outward).
Option B is correct because cephalocaudal means "head to tail," indicating development proceeds from
the head downward. Option C is incorrect because it reverses the proximodistal pattern. Option D is
incorrect because development follows predictable patterns, not random ones.
Question 6: According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, the zone of proximal development (ZPD) refers
to:
A) What a child can do independently
B) What a child cannot do even with assistance
C) What a child can do with guidance from a more skilled individual
, D) The stage at which formal operational thought emerges
ANSWER✔✨-: C) What a child can do with guidance from a more skilled individual
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because it describes the actual developmental level, not the ZPD. Option
B is incorrect because it describes tasks beyond the child's current capabilities. Option C is correct
because the ZPD represents the gap between what a child can do independently and what they can
achieve with guidance. Option D is incorrect because it relates to Piaget's theory, not Vygotsky's.
Question 7: In Piaget's theory, the concept of object permanence develops during which stage?
A) Sensorimotor stage
B) Preoperational stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
ANSWER✔✨-: A) Sensorimotor stage
Rationale: Option A is correct because object permanence—understanding that objects continue to exist
when out of sight—develops during the sensorimotor stage, typically around 8-12 months. Option B is
incorrect because preoperational children already possess object permanence. Option C is incorrect
because concrete operational children demonstrate logical thinking about concrete objects. Option D is
incorrect because formal operational thinkers can reason abstractly.
Question 8: The Harlow monkey studies demonstrated that attachment in infant monkeys was primarily
based on:
A) Food provision
B) Contact comfort
C) Visual stimulation
D) Auditory stimulation
Psychology – Exam Questions with Verified
Solutions Portage Learning 2026/2027
Question 1: According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, during which stage do children
begin to think logically about concrete events but struggle with abstract concepts?
A) Sensorimotor stage
B) Preoperational stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
ANSWER✔✨-: C) Concrete operational stage
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years) involves learning
through senses and actions, not logical thinking about concrete events. Option B is incorrect because
the preoperational stage (2-7 years) is characterized by egocentrism and lack of conservation, not logical
reasoning. Option C is correct because the concrete operational stage (7-11 years) marks the beginning
of logical thought about concrete events, though abstract thinking remains difficult. Option D is
incorrect because formal operational stage (11+ years) involves abstract and hypothetical thinking.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes Erikson's psychosocial crisis during the toddlerhood
stage (approximately 1-3 years)?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
,D) Industry vs. Inferiority
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because Trust vs. Mistrust occurs during infancy (0-1 year) and focuses
on developing trust in caregivers. Option B is correct because toddlerhood involves children asserting
independence, and success leads to autonomy while failure results in shame and doubt. Option C is
incorrect because Initiative vs. Guilt occurs during the preschool years (3-6 years). Option D is incorrect
because Industry vs. Inferiority occurs during middle childhood (6-12 years).
Question 3: In the context of prenatal development, the period when the developing organism is most
vulnerable to teratogens is the:
A) Germinal period
B) Embryonic period
C) Fetal period
D) Postnatal period
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Embryonic period
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because the germinal period (first 2 weeks) involves cell division and
implantation; teratogens rarely cause major structural damage during this time due to the "all-or-none"
principle. Option B is correct because the embryonic period (weeks 3-8) involves rapid cell
differentiation and organ formation, making it the most vulnerable time for teratogen exposure. Option
C is incorrect because while teratogens can still cause damage during the fetal period, the major
structures are already formed. Option D is incorrect because it occurs after birth.
Question 4: A researcher is interested in studying how memory changes with age. She tests the same
group of participants at age 20, 30, 40, and 50. This research design is called:
A) Cross-sectional design
B) Longitudinal design
,C) Sequential design
D) Correlational design
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Longitudinal design
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because cross-sectional design involves testing different age groups at
one point in time. Option B is correct because longitudinal design follows the same individuals over
time, measuring them at multiple points. Option C is incorrect because sequential design combines
cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. Option D is incorrect because correlational design
examines relationships between variables without manipulating them.
Question 5: The cephalocaudal principle of development states that growth proceeds:
A) From the center of the body outward
B) From the head downward
C) From the extremities inward
D) In a random pattern
ANSWER✔✨-: B) From the head downward
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because this describes the proximodistal principle (center outward).
Option B is correct because cephalocaudal means "head to tail," indicating development proceeds from
the head downward. Option C is incorrect because it reverses the proximodistal pattern. Option D is
incorrect because development follows predictable patterns, not random ones.
Question 6: According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, the zone of proximal development (ZPD) refers
to:
A) What a child can do independently
B) What a child cannot do even with assistance
C) What a child can do with guidance from a more skilled individual
, D) The stage at which formal operational thought emerges
ANSWER✔✨-: C) What a child can do with guidance from a more skilled individual
Rationale: Option A is incorrect because it describes the actual developmental level, not the ZPD. Option
B is incorrect because it describes tasks beyond the child's current capabilities. Option C is correct
because the ZPD represents the gap between what a child can do independently and what they can
achieve with guidance. Option D is incorrect because it relates to Piaget's theory, not Vygotsky's.
Question 7: In Piaget's theory, the concept of object permanence develops during which stage?
A) Sensorimotor stage
B) Preoperational stage
C) Concrete operational stage
D) Formal operational stage
ANSWER✔✨-: A) Sensorimotor stage
Rationale: Option A is correct because object permanence—understanding that objects continue to exist
when out of sight—develops during the sensorimotor stage, typically around 8-12 months. Option B is
incorrect because preoperational children already possess object permanence. Option C is incorrect
because concrete operational children demonstrate logical thinking about concrete objects. Option D is
incorrect because formal operational thinkers can reason abstractly.
Question 8: The Harlow monkey studies demonstrated that attachment in infant monkeys was primarily
based on:
A) Food provision
B) Contact comfort
C) Visual stimulation
D) Auditory stimulation
