PSYC 140
Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology
Complete Lock Down Exam
& Review Bundle
Modules 1-8 | 250 Questions
Portage Learning | 2026/2027 Updated Version
Comprehensive Review with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with LockDown Browser Proctored Exam Format
,PSYC 140 | Complete Lock Down Exam & Review Bundle | 2026/2027 Updated Version
Module 1: Foundations and Theories of Developmental Psychology
Q1: A researcher is studying how individuals change and grow from conception through the end of life. Which
term best describes the scope of this field?
A. A. Developmental psychology [CORRECT]
B. B. Clinical psychology
C. C. Cognitive neuroscience
D. D. Behavioral genetics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lifespan development examines growth and change from conception through death, encompassing physical, cognitive, and
psychosocial dimensions. Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders, cognitive neuroscience studies the
biological basis of cognition, and behavioral genetics examines genetic influences on behavior. Only developmental psychology covers the
full lifespan scope described in the question.
Q2: Dr. Martinez believes that development occurs in distinct, qualitatively different stages, and that each stage
represents a fundamental reorganization of how a person understands the world. Which type of developmental
perspective does this view reflect?
A. A. Continuous development
B. B. Discontinuous development [CORRECT]
C. C. Nature-driven development
D. D. Unidimensional development
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discontinuous (stage-based) development proposes that development occurs in qualitatively distinct stages, where each stage
represents a fundamental shift in understanding or functioning. Continuous development views change as gradual and quantitative.
Nature-driven refers to genetic influences, and unidimensional refers to development along a single pathway.
Q3: According to Freud's psychosexual theory, a 4-year-old child who is intensely curious about the differences
between boys and girls and may experience the Oedipus or Electra complex is in which stage?
A. A. Oral stage
B. B. Anal stage
C. C. Phallic stage [CORRECT]
D. D. Latency stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Freud's Phallic stage occurs from approximately 3 to 6 years of age, during which children focus on the genital region and
develop an unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent. The Oral stage involves pleasure through the mouth (birth-18 mo), the
Anal stage focuses on bowel elimination (18 mo-3 yr), and the Latency stage is characterized by dormant sexual feelings (6 yr-puberty).
Q4: A key critique of Freud's psychosexual theory in the context of lifespan development is that:
A. A. It overemphasizes the role of social relationships in development
B. B. It focuses too heavily on development that occurs throughout the entire lifespan
C. C. It primarily emphasizes childhood development and does not account for development beyond
adolescence [CORRECT]
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D. D. It fails to acknowledge the importance of unconscious drives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A major critique of Freud's theory is that it emphasizes childhood experiences as the foundation of personality and does not
adequately address development that occurs throughout the lifespan. Freud believed personality was largely formed by age 5, conflicting
with the lifespan perspective that development continues from conception through death.
Q5: Erikson's psychosocial theory is described as covering the greatest breadth of developmental stages because:
A. A. It includes eight stages that span from infancy through late adulthood [CORRECT]
B. B. It focuses exclusively on cognitive development across the lifespan
C. C. It addresses only the unconscious drives that influence behavior
D. D. It relies primarily on observational learning to explain development
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Erikson's theory covers eight stages from infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust) through late adulthood (Integrity vs. Despair), making it
the broadest in scope among major developmental theories. Unlike Freud, who focused primarily on childhood, Erikson incorporated
social development and recognized development continues throughout the entire lifespan.
Q6: When 8-month-old Maya cries and her mother consistently responds with warmth and care, Maya develops a
sense that the world is trustworthy. According to Erikson, which psychosocial stage is Maya navigating, and what
virtue results from successful resolution?
A. A. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt; Will
B. B. Trust vs. Mistrust; Hope [CORRECT]
C. C. Initiative vs. Guilt; Purpose
D. D. Industry vs. Inferiority; Competence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's first stage, Trust vs. Mistrust, occurs from birth to approximately 1 year. When caregivers provide consistent,
responsive care, infants develop trust and the virtue of hope. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (18 mo-3 yr) leads to Will, Initiative vs. Guilt
(3-5 yr) leads to Purpose, and Industry vs. Inferiority (5-12 yr) leads to Competence.
Q7: A 3-year-old insists on dressing himself, choosing his own clothes, and refuses help even when his shoes are on
the wrong feet. Erikson would explain this behavior as part of which psychosocial crisis?
A. A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. B. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt [CORRECT]
C. C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's concept of the 'terrible twos' stems from the toddler's need to assert autonomy during the Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
stage (18 months-3 years). Toddlers strive for independence and self-control. When caregivers are overly critical, the child may develop
shame and doubt. Dressing oneself is a classic manifestation of the drive for autonomy.
Q8: Professor Chen teaches that Erikson's theory is a discontinuous theory because:
A. A. Each stage involves a crisis that must be resolved before moving to the next stage [CORRECT]
B. B. Development occurs gradually and continuously throughout the lifespan
C. C. The theory focuses exclusively on unconscious drives
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D. D. Erikson believed development was primarily influenced by genetic factors
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Erikson's psychosocial theory is considered discontinuous because it proposes that development occurs in distinct stages, each
characterized by a specific crisis that must be resolved. Each stage represents a qualitative shift in psychosocial functioning, and
successful resolution leads to a specific virtue. This stage-based approach is the hallmark of discontinuous development theories.
Q9: Which of the following correctly matches Erikson's psychosocial stage with its associated age range and
resulting virtue?
A. A. Identity vs. Role Confusion (18-40 yr); Love
B. B. Intimacy vs. Isolation (12-18 yr); Fidelity
C. C. Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 yr); Care [CORRECT]
D. D. Integrity vs. Despair (18-40 yr); Wisdom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's Generativity vs. Stagnation stage occurs during middle adulthood (40-65 years), and successful resolution leads to the
virtue of Care. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 yr) leads to Fidelity, not Love. Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 yr) leads to Love, not
Fidelity. Integrity vs. Despair (65+ yr) leads to Wisdom.
Q10: Piaget's cognitive developmental theory is best described as discontinuous because:
A. A. It focuses exclusively on cognitive development primarily in childhood
B. B. Children progress through qualitatively different stages of cognitive development [CORRECT]
C. C. Cognitive abilities develop gradually and continuously over time
D. D. It emphasizes the role of cultural transmission in cognitive growth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget's theory is discontinuous because it proposes that children move through four qualitatively distinct stages of cognitive
development (Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational), each representing a fundamentally different
way of understanding the world. The discontinuous nature comes from the qualitative stage transitions.
Q11: A child in Piaget's concrete operational stage can perform all of the following EXCEPT:
A. A. Conservation tasks
B. B. Reversibility of thought
C. C. Abstract hypothetical reasoning [CORRECT]
D. D. Seriation (ordering objects)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Piaget's Concrete Operational stage (7-11 years) is characterized by logical thought about concrete objects and events,
including conservation, reversibility, and seriation. However, children in this stage still struggle with abstract and hypothetical reasoning,
which does not fully develop until the Formal Operational stage (12+ years).
Q12: According to Skinner's behavioral theory, a child who receives praise (positive reinforcement) each time she
shares a toy with a sibling is more likely to share in the future. This illustrates which key concept?
A. A. Observational learning through modeling
B. B. Development shaped by environmental reinforcement [CORRECT]
C. C. Cognitive schemas that guide behavior
D. D. Unconscious conflict resolution
Portage Learning | Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology Page 4
Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology
Complete Lock Down Exam
& Review Bundle
Modules 1-8 | 250 Questions
Portage Learning | 2026/2027 Updated Version
Comprehensive Review with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with LockDown Browser Proctored Exam Format
,PSYC 140 | Complete Lock Down Exam & Review Bundle | 2026/2027 Updated Version
Module 1: Foundations and Theories of Developmental Psychology
Q1: A researcher is studying how individuals change and grow from conception through the end of life. Which
term best describes the scope of this field?
A. A. Developmental psychology [CORRECT]
B. B. Clinical psychology
C. C. Cognitive neuroscience
D. D. Behavioral genetics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lifespan development examines growth and change from conception through death, encompassing physical, cognitive, and
psychosocial dimensions. Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders, cognitive neuroscience studies the
biological basis of cognition, and behavioral genetics examines genetic influences on behavior. Only developmental psychology covers the
full lifespan scope described in the question.
Q2: Dr. Martinez believes that development occurs in distinct, qualitatively different stages, and that each stage
represents a fundamental reorganization of how a person understands the world. Which type of developmental
perspective does this view reflect?
A. A. Continuous development
B. B. Discontinuous development [CORRECT]
C. C. Nature-driven development
D. D. Unidimensional development
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discontinuous (stage-based) development proposes that development occurs in qualitatively distinct stages, where each stage
represents a fundamental shift in understanding or functioning. Continuous development views change as gradual and quantitative.
Nature-driven refers to genetic influences, and unidimensional refers to development along a single pathway.
Q3: According to Freud's psychosexual theory, a 4-year-old child who is intensely curious about the differences
between boys and girls and may experience the Oedipus or Electra complex is in which stage?
A. A. Oral stage
B. B. Anal stage
C. C. Phallic stage [CORRECT]
D. D. Latency stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Freud's Phallic stage occurs from approximately 3 to 6 years of age, during which children focus on the genital region and
develop an unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent. The Oral stage involves pleasure through the mouth (birth-18 mo), the
Anal stage focuses on bowel elimination (18 mo-3 yr), and the Latency stage is characterized by dormant sexual feelings (6 yr-puberty).
Q4: A key critique of Freud's psychosexual theory in the context of lifespan development is that:
A. A. It overemphasizes the role of social relationships in development
B. B. It focuses too heavily on development that occurs throughout the entire lifespan
C. C. It primarily emphasizes childhood development and does not account for development beyond
adolescence [CORRECT]
Portage Learning | Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology Page 2
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D. D. It fails to acknowledge the importance of unconscious drives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A major critique of Freud's theory is that it emphasizes childhood experiences as the foundation of personality and does not
adequately address development that occurs throughout the lifespan. Freud believed personality was largely formed by age 5, conflicting
with the lifespan perspective that development continues from conception through death.
Q5: Erikson's psychosocial theory is described as covering the greatest breadth of developmental stages because:
A. A. It includes eight stages that span from infancy through late adulthood [CORRECT]
B. B. It focuses exclusively on cognitive development across the lifespan
C. C. It addresses only the unconscious drives that influence behavior
D. D. It relies primarily on observational learning to explain development
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Erikson's theory covers eight stages from infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust) through late adulthood (Integrity vs. Despair), making it
the broadest in scope among major developmental theories. Unlike Freud, who focused primarily on childhood, Erikson incorporated
social development and recognized development continues throughout the entire lifespan.
Q6: When 8-month-old Maya cries and her mother consistently responds with warmth and care, Maya develops a
sense that the world is trustworthy. According to Erikson, which psychosocial stage is Maya navigating, and what
virtue results from successful resolution?
A. A. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt; Will
B. B. Trust vs. Mistrust; Hope [CORRECT]
C. C. Initiative vs. Guilt; Purpose
D. D. Industry vs. Inferiority; Competence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's first stage, Trust vs. Mistrust, occurs from birth to approximately 1 year. When caregivers provide consistent,
responsive care, infants develop trust and the virtue of hope. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (18 mo-3 yr) leads to Will, Initiative vs. Guilt
(3-5 yr) leads to Purpose, and Industry vs. Inferiority (5-12 yr) leads to Competence.
Q7: A 3-year-old insists on dressing himself, choosing his own clothes, and refuses help even when his shoes are on
the wrong feet. Erikson would explain this behavior as part of which psychosocial crisis?
A. A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. B. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt [CORRECT]
C. C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's concept of the 'terrible twos' stems from the toddler's need to assert autonomy during the Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
stage (18 months-3 years). Toddlers strive for independence and self-control. When caregivers are overly critical, the child may develop
shame and doubt. Dressing oneself is a classic manifestation of the drive for autonomy.
Q8: Professor Chen teaches that Erikson's theory is a discontinuous theory because:
A. A. Each stage involves a crisis that must be resolved before moving to the next stage [CORRECT]
B. B. Development occurs gradually and continuously throughout the lifespan
C. C. The theory focuses exclusively on unconscious drives
Portage Learning | Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology Page 3
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D. D. Erikson believed development was primarily influenced by genetic factors
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Erikson's psychosocial theory is considered discontinuous because it proposes that development occurs in distinct stages, each
characterized by a specific crisis that must be resolved. Each stage represents a qualitative shift in psychosocial functioning, and
successful resolution leads to a specific virtue. This stage-based approach is the hallmark of discontinuous development theories.
Q9: Which of the following correctly matches Erikson's psychosocial stage with its associated age range and
resulting virtue?
A. A. Identity vs. Role Confusion (18-40 yr); Love
B. B. Intimacy vs. Isolation (12-18 yr); Fidelity
C. C. Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 yr); Care [CORRECT]
D. D. Integrity vs. Despair (18-40 yr); Wisdom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's Generativity vs. Stagnation stage occurs during middle adulthood (40-65 years), and successful resolution leads to the
virtue of Care. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 yr) leads to Fidelity, not Love. Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 yr) leads to Love, not
Fidelity. Integrity vs. Despair (65+ yr) leads to Wisdom.
Q10: Piaget's cognitive developmental theory is best described as discontinuous because:
A. A. It focuses exclusively on cognitive development primarily in childhood
B. B. Children progress through qualitatively different stages of cognitive development [CORRECT]
C. C. Cognitive abilities develop gradually and continuously over time
D. D. It emphasizes the role of cultural transmission in cognitive growth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget's theory is discontinuous because it proposes that children move through four qualitatively distinct stages of cognitive
development (Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational), each representing a fundamentally different
way of understanding the world. The discontinuous nature comes from the qualitative stage transitions.
Q11: A child in Piaget's concrete operational stage can perform all of the following EXCEPT:
A. A. Conservation tasks
B. B. Reversibility of thought
C. C. Abstract hypothetical reasoning [CORRECT]
D. D. Seriation (ordering objects)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Piaget's Concrete Operational stage (7-11 years) is characterized by logical thought about concrete objects and events,
including conservation, reversibility, and seriation. However, children in this stage still struggle with abstract and hypothetical reasoning,
which does not fully develop until the Formal Operational stage (12+ years).
Q12: According to Skinner's behavioral theory, a child who receives praise (positive reinforcement) each time she
shares a toy with a sibling is more likely to share in the future. This illustrates which key concept?
A. A. Observational learning through modeling
B. B. Development shaped by environmental reinforcement [CORRECT]
C. C. Cognitive schemas that guide behavior
D. D. Unconscious conflict resolution
Portage Learning | Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology Page 4
