Page 1 of 113
LIFE-SPAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT — CAROL K. SIGELMAN,
10TH EDITION (SIGELMAN & RIDER) EXAM GUIDE AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
Life-Span Human Development — Carol K. Sigelman, 10th Edition (Sigelman & Rider) —
Questions with Rationales
Textbook Chapter Structure
The 10th Edition of Life-Span Human Development by Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider
contains the following chapters:
• Chapter 1: Understanding Life-Span Human Development
• Chapter 2: Genes, Environment, and Development
• Chapter 3: Prenatal Development and Birth
• Chapter 4: Body, Brain, and Health
• Chapter 5: Sensation, Perception, and Action
• Chapter 6: Cognition
• Chapter 7: Memory and Learning
• Chapter 8: Intelligence and Creativity
• Chapter 9: Language, Education, and Work
1|Page
,Page 2 of 113
• Chapter 10: Self and Personality
• Chapter 11: Gender Roles and Sexuality
• Chapter 12: Social Cognition and Moral Development
• Chapter 13: Emotions, Attachment, and Social Relationships
• Chapter 14: The Family
• Chapter 15: Developmental Psychopathology
• Chapter 16: The Final Challenge: Death and Dying
• Appendix A: Applying and Comparing Theories
• Appendix B: Careers in Human Development
Chapter 1: Understanding Life-Span Human Development
Question 1: Which of the following best defines development as used by life-span
developmentalists?
A. Only the physical changes that occur from conception to maturity
B. Systematic changes and continuities in the individual that occur between conception and
death
C. Only the psychological changes that occur during childhood
D. Random changes that occur throughout the life span
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Development is defined as systematic changes and continuities in the individual that
occur between conception and death. The term "systematic" means orderly, patterned, and
relatively enduring changes, not temporary mood swings. This definition encompasses physical,
cognitive, and psychosocial domains across the entire life span.
2|Page
,Page 3 of 113
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the three major domains of development
studied by life-span researchers?
A. Physical development
B. Cognitive development
C. Psychosocial development
D. Economic development
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three major domains of development are physical (growth and changes in the
body and physiological systems), cognitive (evolution of mental processes such as learning,
memory, and problem-solving), and psychosocial (changes in personal and interpersonal
aspects, including emotions and relationships). Economic development is not a recognized
developmental domain.
Question 3: The nature-nurture debate in developmental psychology concerns:
A. Whether development is influenced more by biological inheritance or by environmental
experiences
B. Whether development occurs in stages or continuously
C. Whether development is universal or culturally specific
D. Whether development is active or passive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nature-nurture debate focuses on the extent to which biological inheritance
(nature) versus environmental experiences (nurture) influence development. Sigelman and
Rider emphasize the interplay of nature and nurture, recognizing that both forces interact to
shape developmental outcomes.
3|Page
, Page 4 of 113
Question 4: A researcher who believes that development is characterized by quantitative,
gradual changes rather than abrupt shifts would most likely support which view?
A. Stage theory
B. Continuous development
C. Discontinuous development
D. Critical period theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous development views development as a gradual, cumulative process of
quantitative change, while discontinuous development (stage theory) views development as a
series of distinct, qualitative stages. Continuous theorists see development as like climbing a
ramp rather than a staircase.
Question 5: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which stage of development occurs
during adolescence?
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Identity versus role confusion
D. Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's fifth psychosocial stage, identity versus role confusion, occurs during
adolescence. This stage involves exploring and committing to a personal identity, including
values, beliefs, and career goals. Success leads to a coherent sense of self, while failure results in
role confusion.
Question 6: According to Erikson, the crisis of integrity versus despair occurs during:
4|Page
LIFE-SPAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT — CAROL K. SIGELMAN,
10TH EDITION (SIGELMAN & RIDER) EXAM GUIDE AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
Life-Span Human Development — Carol K. Sigelman, 10th Edition (Sigelman & Rider) —
Questions with Rationales
Textbook Chapter Structure
The 10th Edition of Life-Span Human Development by Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider
contains the following chapters:
• Chapter 1: Understanding Life-Span Human Development
• Chapter 2: Genes, Environment, and Development
• Chapter 3: Prenatal Development and Birth
• Chapter 4: Body, Brain, and Health
• Chapter 5: Sensation, Perception, and Action
• Chapter 6: Cognition
• Chapter 7: Memory and Learning
• Chapter 8: Intelligence and Creativity
• Chapter 9: Language, Education, and Work
1|Page
,Page 2 of 113
• Chapter 10: Self and Personality
• Chapter 11: Gender Roles and Sexuality
• Chapter 12: Social Cognition and Moral Development
• Chapter 13: Emotions, Attachment, and Social Relationships
• Chapter 14: The Family
• Chapter 15: Developmental Psychopathology
• Chapter 16: The Final Challenge: Death and Dying
• Appendix A: Applying and Comparing Theories
• Appendix B: Careers in Human Development
Chapter 1: Understanding Life-Span Human Development
Question 1: Which of the following best defines development as used by life-span
developmentalists?
A. Only the physical changes that occur from conception to maturity
B. Systematic changes and continuities in the individual that occur between conception and
death
C. Only the psychological changes that occur during childhood
D. Random changes that occur throughout the life span
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Development is defined as systematic changes and continuities in the individual that
occur between conception and death. The term "systematic" means orderly, patterned, and
relatively enduring changes, not temporary mood swings. This definition encompasses physical,
cognitive, and psychosocial domains across the entire life span.
2|Page
,Page 3 of 113
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the three major domains of development
studied by life-span researchers?
A. Physical development
B. Cognitive development
C. Psychosocial development
D. Economic development
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three major domains of development are physical (growth and changes in the
body and physiological systems), cognitive (evolution of mental processes such as learning,
memory, and problem-solving), and psychosocial (changes in personal and interpersonal
aspects, including emotions and relationships). Economic development is not a recognized
developmental domain.
Question 3: The nature-nurture debate in developmental psychology concerns:
A. Whether development is influenced more by biological inheritance or by environmental
experiences
B. Whether development occurs in stages or continuously
C. Whether development is universal or culturally specific
D. Whether development is active or passive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nature-nurture debate focuses on the extent to which biological inheritance
(nature) versus environmental experiences (nurture) influence development. Sigelman and
Rider emphasize the interplay of nature and nurture, recognizing that both forces interact to
shape developmental outcomes.
3|Page
, Page 4 of 113
Question 4: A researcher who believes that development is characterized by quantitative,
gradual changes rather than abrupt shifts would most likely support which view?
A. Stage theory
B. Continuous development
C. Discontinuous development
D. Critical period theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous development views development as a gradual, cumulative process of
quantitative change, while discontinuous development (stage theory) views development as a
series of distinct, qualitative stages. Continuous theorists see development as like climbing a
ramp rather than a staircase.
Question 5: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which stage of development occurs
during adolescence?
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Identity versus role confusion
D. Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's fifth psychosocial stage, identity versus role confusion, occurs during
adolescence. This stage involves exploring and committing to a personal identity, including
values, beliefs, and career goals. Success leads to a coherent sense of self, while failure results in
role confusion.
Question 6: According to Erikson, the crisis of integrity versus despair occurs during:
4|Page
