Human Growth and Development CLEP Preliminary
test Exam Questions along with Certified Answers
Latest updates 2024/2025
Stimulus discrimination - correct answer only showing the reflexive
classical conditioning (or UC) response for the specific/exact stimulus (not
similar ones like generalization)
Watson and Little Albert - correct answer the psychologist classically
conditioned the infant to be afraid of a white rat, by pairing the white rat (a
neutral stimuli) with a frightening, loud noise, causing the infant to
associate the rat with the noise.
Type R (response) or operant conditioning - correct answer by Skinner.
-Reinforcement is to increase (+) the behavior.
-Punishment is to decrease (-) the behavior.
-Positive is introducing something.
-Negative is taking away something.
Shaping - correct answer A form of behavioral modification for getting a
subject to start performing a preferable behavior by reinforcing components
of the desired behavior and gradually rewarding more discriminatively
(similar actions are reinforced in a way that leads them to the desired goal).
Social learning theory/social cognitive theory - correct answer by Bandura.
Changes in behavior are acquired not only by conditioning but also through
observational learning (learning from models, which requires attention,
retention, reproduction of the action, and motivation/a motive)
,Vicarious reinforcement and vicarious punishment - correct answer seeing
others reinforced or punished (respectively) for certain behaviors influences
how the viewer behaves
Psychodynamic/psychoanalytic personality theories - correct answer
(most hold that personality is mainly unconscious) descendants of/based
on Freud's theories.
(key people: Freud and Erikson)
Id, Ego, Superego - correct answer according to Freud's psychodynamic
personality theory
-occurs at birth, Pleasure principle; unconscious instincts; irrational; seeks
instant gratification; contains the libido
-Occurs around 6 months, reality principle; mediates id and reality;
executive branch
-occurs around 6 years old, morality principle, personal consciences,
personal ideals
Libido - correct answer sexual energy in the id. Freud.
Repression - correct answer When unwanted/unacceptable thoughts are
pushed down in the unconscious. (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Rationalization - correct answer Creating false but plausible excuses to
justify unacceptable behavior. (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Reaction Formation - correct answer Behaving exactly the opposite of
one's true feelings. (A defense mechanism recognized by Freud.)
,Regression - correct answer reversion to immature patterns of behavior (A
defense mechanism recognized by Freud.)
Projection - correct answer Attributing one's own thoughts, feelings,
motives, or shortcomings to others. (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Displacement - correct answer Shifting unacceptable feelings from their
original source to a safer, substitute target. Ex. You are mad at our boss,
but do not yell at your boss, instead you become angry with a family
member when you return home (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Sublimation - correct answer A useful socially acceptable course of
behavior replaces a socially unacceptable or distasteful impulse. Ex. A
person who feels aggression due to lack of control, plays an aggressive
game of basketball with friends everyday. (A defense mechanism
recognized by Freud.)
Intellectualization - correct answer By dealing with a stressful situation in
an intellectual and unemotional manner, a person detaches him or herself
from the stress (A defense mechanism recognized by Freud.)
Denial - correct answer not admitting/acknowledging that a very
unpleasant thing has happened (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Freud's Psychosexual Stages - correct answer Oral (birth - 1 year :
mouth), Anal (1-3 years : potty training), Phallic (3-6 years : boy-girl-mom-
dad-thing), Latency (6-11 years : none), Genital (adolescence : marriage)
, Freud said that these develop personality depending on how they are dealt
with. (the first three being the most important)
Erikson's theory of psycho-social development - correct answer (a
psychodynamic theory of personality)
It says that people go through 8 stages in their life (each involving a
different crisis). Depending on how the person deals with/comes out of
each stage determines and develops their personality.
Trust vs. Mistrust (birth-1 year) - correct answer dependence on others,
determining if others are reliable. Erikson.
Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt (1-3 years) - correct answer capable of
self control, determining how you are allowed to exercise freewill. Erikson.
Initiative vs guilt (3-6 years) - correct answer (in preschool) can set goals,
determining if initiative is encouraged. Erikson.
Industry vs inferiority (6-11 years) - correct answer (school age) can
reason and likes success, determining whether or not you are praised and
taught to do so. And developing competence regarding various tasks.
Erikson.
Identity vs role confusion (adolescence) - correct answer can reflect on
identity and consider multiple roles, determining if you are willing to make
an effort to integrate all of those roles. And understanding who you as an
individual are (often influenced by the culture and time the person lives in).
Erikson.
test Exam Questions along with Certified Answers
Latest updates 2024/2025
Stimulus discrimination - correct answer only showing the reflexive
classical conditioning (or UC) response for the specific/exact stimulus (not
similar ones like generalization)
Watson and Little Albert - correct answer the psychologist classically
conditioned the infant to be afraid of a white rat, by pairing the white rat (a
neutral stimuli) with a frightening, loud noise, causing the infant to
associate the rat with the noise.
Type R (response) or operant conditioning - correct answer by Skinner.
-Reinforcement is to increase (+) the behavior.
-Punishment is to decrease (-) the behavior.
-Positive is introducing something.
-Negative is taking away something.
Shaping - correct answer A form of behavioral modification for getting a
subject to start performing a preferable behavior by reinforcing components
of the desired behavior and gradually rewarding more discriminatively
(similar actions are reinforced in a way that leads them to the desired goal).
Social learning theory/social cognitive theory - correct answer by Bandura.
Changes in behavior are acquired not only by conditioning but also through
observational learning (learning from models, which requires attention,
retention, reproduction of the action, and motivation/a motive)
,Vicarious reinforcement and vicarious punishment - correct answer seeing
others reinforced or punished (respectively) for certain behaviors influences
how the viewer behaves
Psychodynamic/psychoanalytic personality theories - correct answer
(most hold that personality is mainly unconscious) descendants of/based
on Freud's theories.
(key people: Freud and Erikson)
Id, Ego, Superego - correct answer according to Freud's psychodynamic
personality theory
-occurs at birth, Pleasure principle; unconscious instincts; irrational; seeks
instant gratification; contains the libido
-Occurs around 6 months, reality principle; mediates id and reality;
executive branch
-occurs around 6 years old, morality principle, personal consciences,
personal ideals
Libido - correct answer sexual energy in the id. Freud.
Repression - correct answer When unwanted/unacceptable thoughts are
pushed down in the unconscious. (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Rationalization - correct answer Creating false but plausible excuses to
justify unacceptable behavior. (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Reaction Formation - correct answer Behaving exactly the opposite of
one's true feelings. (A defense mechanism recognized by Freud.)
,Regression - correct answer reversion to immature patterns of behavior (A
defense mechanism recognized by Freud.)
Projection - correct answer Attributing one's own thoughts, feelings,
motives, or shortcomings to others. (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Displacement - correct answer Shifting unacceptable feelings from their
original source to a safer, substitute target. Ex. You are mad at our boss,
but do not yell at your boss, instead you become angry with a family
member when you return home (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Sublimation - correct answer A useful socially acceptable course of
behavior replaces a socially unacceptable or distasteful impulse. Ex. A
person who feels aggression due to lack of control, plays an aggressive
game of basketball with friends everyday. (A defense mechanism
recognized by Freud.)
Intellectualization - correct answer By dealing with a stressful situation in
an intellectual and unemotional manner, a person detaches him or herself
from the stress (A defense mechanism recognized by Freud.)
Denial - correct answer not admitting/acknowledging that a very
unpleasant thing has happened (A defense mechanism recognized by
Freud.)
Freud's Psychosexual Stages - correct answer Oral (birth - 1 year :
mouth), Anal (1-3 years : potty training), Phallic (3-6 years : boy-girl-mom-
dad-thing), Latency (6-11 years : none), Genital (adolescence : marriage)
, Freud said that these develop personality depending on how they are dealt
with. (the first three being the most important)
Erikson's theory of psycho-social development - correct answer (a
psychodynamic theory of personality)
It says that people go through 8 stages in their life (each involving a
different crisis). Depending on how the person deals with/comes out of
each stage determines and develops their personality.
Trust vs. Mistrust (birth-1 year) - correct answer dependence on others,
determining if others are reliable. Erikson.
Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt (1-3 years) - correct answer capable of
self control, determining how you are allowed to exercise freewill. Erikson.
Initiative vs guilt (3-6 years) - correct answer (in preschool) can set goals,
determining if initiative is encouraged. Erikson.
Industry vs inferiority (6-11 years) - correct answer (school age) can
reason and likes success, determining whether or not you are praised and
taught to do so. And developing competence regarding various tasks.
Erikson.
Identity vs role confusion (adolescence) - correct answer can reflect on
identity and consider multiple roles, determining if you are willing to make
an effort to integrate all of those roles. And understanding who you as an
individual are (often influenced by the culture and time the person lives in).
Erikson.
