Developmental Psychology Exam #1 Questions
with Verified Answers
developmental science - Ans -the study of change and constancy throughout the
lifespan
Domains of Development - Ans -physical, social, cognitive and emotional
Components of Developmental Science - Ans -scientific process that uses the
average person as a standard, applied knowledge for intervention, and interdisciplinary
Theory - Ans -an orderly, integrated set of statement describes, explains, predicts
behavior. Gives us an organizing framework to guide and give meaning to what we see
influences by cultural values and beliefs systems, but depends on scientific observations.
FRAMES the way you see and interpret the world around you
Continuous vs. Discontinuous - Ans -the extent to which development involves
gradual, cumulative change or distinct stages
One course vs. many courses of development - Ans -The role of context in
development. Various environmental factors.
Nature vs. Nuture - Ans -involves the debate of whether development is primarily
influenced by biology or the environment
stability vs. plasticity - Ans -the degree to which development remains constant over
time or has the capability to change.
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Page
,Human Development - Ans -An open system because various factors can affect this
as well as the person can affect the environment
Equifinality - Ans -the idea that in open systems an "end state" may be achieved
beginning at different points, and be accomplished via many different paths; different
initial states but one final state.
Multifinality - Ans -a system where the final outcome could VARY despite the same
initial state; same initial state but different final states
Prenatal Development - Ans -Time period from conception to birth
Subjective vs. Objective - Ans -The extent to which development varies from person
to person.
Physical Development - Ans -changes in body size, proportions, appearance,
function of body systems, perceptual and motor capacities, and physical health
Cognitive Development - Ans -changes in intellectual abilities, including attention,
memory, academic and everyday knowledge, problem solving, imagination, creativity, and
language
Emotional and Social Devleopment - Ans -changes in emotional communication,
self-understand, knowledge about other people, interpersonal skills, friendships, intimate
relationships and moral reasoning/behavior
Age-graded - Ans -an influence on development; predictable in when they occur and
are often a result of biological factors
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Page
, History-graded - Ans -an influence on development; unique to a particular era
Non-normative - Ans -an influence on development; irregular, unpredictive events
that happen to just a few people, very random and can be powerful
Natural Selection - Ans -species have characteristics that are adapted (or fitted) to
their environments
Survival of the Fittest - Ans -individuals best adapted to their environments survive to
reproduce; their genes are passed to later generations
Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny - Ans -Not necessary true, but propelled research
in developmental psychology; early prenatal growth is similar across species; Led some
scientists to think that an organism's development would reiterate its evolutionary history.
Normative Approach - Ans -Hall, Gesel, Measured large numbers of people, Age-
related averages
Mental Testing Movement - Ans -Binet and Simon, Intelligence tests
Freud and Erikson - Ans -Headed the psychoanalytic perspective
Psychoanalytic perspective - Ans -People move through a series of stages in which
they confront conflicts between biological drives and social expectations. How these
conflicts are resolved determines the person's ability to learn, to get along with others, and
to cope with anxiety
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Page
with Verified Answers
developmental science - Ans -the study of change and constancy throughout the
lifespan
Domains of Development - Ans -physical, social, cognitive and emotional
Components of Developmental Science - Ans -scientific process that uses the
average person as a standard, applied knowledge for intervention, and interdisciplinary
Theory - Ans -an orderly, integrated set of statement describes, explains, predicts
behavior. Gives us an organizing framework to guide and give meaning to what we see
influences by cultural values and beliefs systems, but depends on scientific observations.
FRAMES the way you see and interpret the world around you
Continuous vs. Discontinuous - Ans -the extent to which development involves
gradual, cumulative change or distinct stages
One course vs. many courses of development - Ans -The role of context in
development. Various environmental factors.
Nature vs. Nuture - Ans -involves the debate of whether development is primarily
influenced by biology or the environment
stability vs. plasticity - Ans -the degree to which development remains constant over
time or has the capability to change.
1
Page
,Human Development - Ans -An open system because various factors can affect this
as well as the person can affect the environment
Equifinality - Ans -the idea that in open systems an "end state" may be achieved
beginning at different points, and be accomplished via many different paths; different
initial states but one final state.
Multifinality - Ans -a system where the final outcome could VARY despite the same
initial state; same initial state but different final states
Prenatal Development - Ans -Time period from conception to birth
Subjective vs. Objective - Ans -The extent to which development varies from person
to person.
Physical Development - Ans -changes in body size, proportions, appearance,
function of body systems, perceptual and motor capacities, and physical health
Cognitive Development - Ans -changes in intellectual abilities, including attention,
memory, academic and everyday knowledge, problem solving, imagination, creativity, and
language
Emotional and Social Devleopment - Ans -changes in emotional communication,
self-understand, knowledge about other people, interpersonal skills, friendships, intimate
relationships and moral reasoning/behavior
Age-graded - Ans -an influence on development; predictable in when they occur and
are often a result of biological factors
2
Page
, History-graded - Ans -an influence on development; unique to a particular era
Non-normative - Ans -an influence on development; irregular, unpredictive events
that happen to just a few people, very random and can be powerful
Natural Selection - Ans -species have characteristics that are adapted (or fitted) to
their environments
Survival of the Fittest - Ans -individuals best adapted to their environments survive to
reproduce; their genes are passed to later generations
Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny - Ans -Not necessary true, but propelled research
in developmental psychology; early prenatal growth is similar across species; Led some
scientists to think that an organism's development would reiterate its evolutionary history.
Normative Approach - Ans -Hall, Gesel, Measured large numbers of people, Age-
related averages
Mental Testing Movement - Ans -Binet and Simon, Intelligence tests
Freud and Erikson - Ans -Headed the psychoanalytic perspective
Psychoanalytic perspective - Ans -People move through a series of stages in which
they confront conflicts between biological drives and social expectations. How these
conflicts are resolved determines the person's ability to learn, to get along with others, and
to cope with anxiety
3
Page
