PSYC 140 Developmental Lifespan Psychology Final Exam |
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions and Verified
Answers | Portage Learning Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY & MAJOR THEORIES (Questions 125)
1. Which of the following is a key principle of lifespan development according to Baltes?
A) Development occurs only in childhood
B) Development is multidimensional and lifelong
C) Development is purely biological
D) Development stops after adolescence
Answer: B
Rationale: Lifespan development recognizes growth and change across all ages and domains. Baltes
identified key principles including that development is lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, and
plastic.
2. Which domain of development focuses on changes in thinking, intelligence, and language?
A) Physical development
B) Cognitive development
C) Socioemotional development
D) Moral development
Answer: B
,Rationale: Cognitive development studies thought processes, problemsolving, memory, and language
acquisition.
3. Erikson's psychosocial theory emphasizes:
A) Stages of moral reasoning
B) The impact of early childhood only
C) Lifespan challenges and psychosocial crises
D) Classical conditioning
Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson proposed eight stages of psychosocial development across the lifespan, each
characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis or challenge that must be resolved.
4. Which of the following is an example of a normative agegraded influence?
A) Puberty
B) Divorce of parents
C) Winning the lottery
D) Being in a car accident
Answer: A
Rationale: Normative agegraded influences are predictable biological and social events tied to
chronological age, such as puberty, menopause, and starting school.
,5. A research method that involves observing participants in their natural environment without
interference is called:
A) Experiment
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Survey
D) Longitudinal study
Answer: B
Rationale: Naturalistic observation allows researchers to study behavior in real world settings without
manipulating variables, providing high ecological validity.
6. According to Freud, which part of the personality operates on the pleasure principle?
A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Libido
Answer: A
Rationale: The id is the primitive, instinctual part of personality that operates on the pleasure principle,
seeking immediate gratification of basic needs and desires.
7. Piaget's sensorimotor stage occurs during which age range?
, A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 7 years
C) 7 to 11 years
D) 12 years and beyond
Answer: A
Rationale: The sensorimotor stage spans from birth to approximately 2 years, during which infants learn
about the world through sensory experiences and motor actions.
8. Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to:
A) The range of tasks a child can perform independently
B) The range of tasks a child can perform with assistance
C) The difference between mental and chronological age
D) The period of fastest cognitive growth
Answer: B
Rationale: The ZPD is the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve
with guidance and support from a more knowledgeable other.
9. The nature vs. nurture debate in developmental psychology concerns:
A) Whether development is primarily influenced by genetics or environment
B) Whether development occurs in stages or continuously
C) Whether development is universal or culturespecific
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions and Verified
Answers | Portage Learning Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY & MAJOR THEORIES (Questions 125)
1. Which of the following is a key principle of lifespan development according to Baltes?
A) Development occurs only in childhood
B) Development is multidimensional and lifelong
C) Development is purely biological
D) Development stops after adolescence
Answer: B
Rationale: Lifespan development recognizes growth and change across all ages and domains. Baltes
identified key principles including that development is lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, and
plastic.
2. Which domain of development focuses on changes in thinking, intelligence, and language?
A) Physical development
B) Cognitive development
C) Socioemotional development
D) Moral development
Answer: B
,Rationale: Cognitive development studies thought processes, problemsolving, memory, and language
acquisition.
3. Erikson's psychosocial theory emphasizes:
A) Stages of moral reasoning
B) The impact of early childhood only
C) Lifespan challenges and psychosocial crises
D) Classical conditioning
Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson proposed eight stages of psychosocial development across the lifespan, each
characterized by a unique psychosocial crisis or challenge that must be resolved.
4. Which of the following is an example of a normative agegraded influence?
A) Puberty
B) Divorce of parents
C) Winning the lottery
D) Being in a car accident
Answer: A
Rationale: Normative agegraded influences are predictable biological and social events tied to
chronological age, such as puberty, menopause, and starting school.
,5. A research method that involves observing participants in their natural environment without
interference is called:
A) Experiment
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Survey
D) Longitudinal study
Answer: B
Rationale: Naturalistic observation allows researchers to study behavior in real world settings without
manipulating variables, providing high ecological validity.
6. According to Freud, which part of the personality operates on the pleasure principle?
A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Libido
Answer: A
Rationale: The id is the primitive, instinctual part of personality that operates on the pleasure principle,
seeking immediate gratification of basic needs and desires.
7. Piaget's sensorimotor stage occurs during which age range?
, A) Birth to 2 years
B) 2 to 7 years
C) 7 to 11 years
D) 12 years and beyond
Answer: A
Rationale: The sensorimotor stage spans from birth to approximately 2 years, during which infants learn
about the world through sensory experiences and motor actions.
8. Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to:
A) The range of tasks a child can perform independently
B) The range of tasks a child can perform with assistance
C) The difference between mental and chronological age
D) The period of fastest cognitive growth
Answer: B
Rationale: The ZPD is the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve
with guidance and support from a more knowledgeable other.
9. The nature vs. nurture debate in developmental psychology concerns:
A) Whether development is primarily influenced by genetics or environment
B) Whether development occurs in stages or continuously
C) Whether development is universal or culturespecific
