9/7/25, 6:11 PM AP Psychology Unit 3 Development and Learning
AP Psychology Unit 3 Development and Learning EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED AND 100 % ANSWERS
(DETAILED AND ELABORATED) A+ GRADED LATEST
UPDATE 2025-2026
Chronological development A method of organization that describes events in the order in
which they occurred
the field of study that examines patterns of growth,
Lifespan development
change, and stability in behavior that occur throughout
the entire life span
Nature and nurture the debate of weather you are shaped by your environment or
genes
Continuous development view that development is a cumulative process: gradually
improving on existing skills
Discontinuous development view that development takes place in unique stages, which
happen at specific times or ages
teratogens agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the
embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
- involves small muscle groups
Fine motor coordination - usually includes finger dexterity and/or skilled
manipulation of objects with the hands
Gross motor coordination -- Ability to coordinate large muscle movements as in running,
walking, skipping, and throwing.
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, 9/7/25, 6:11 PM AP Psychology Unit 3 Development and Learning
biological growth processes that enable orderly changes
Maturation
in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience
specific patterns of motor response that are triggered
Reflexes
by specific patterns of sensory stimulation
a baby's tendency, when touched on the cheek, to turn
Rooting reflex
toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the
nipple
Visual cliff a laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and
young animals
Periods in the developmental sequence during which an
Critical periods organism must experience certain kinds of social or
sensory experiences in order for normal development
to take place
Sensitive periods time periods when specific skills develop most easily
the process by which certain animals form strong
Imprinting
attachments during an early-life critical period
The relatively sudden and rapid physical growth that
Growth spurt occurs during puberty. Each body part increases in
size on a schedule: Weight usually precedes height,
and
growth of the limbs precedes growth of the torso.
the period of sexual maturation, during which a person
Puberty
becomes capable of reproducing
the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external
Primary sex characteristics
genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible
nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female
Secondary sex characteristics
breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair
Menarche the first menstrual period
Spermarche first ejaculation
the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also
Menopause
refers to the biological changes a woman experiences
as her ability to reproduce declines
Schemas Concepts or mental frameworks that organize and interpret
information.
assimilation interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing
schemas
accommodation adapting our current understandings (schemas) to incorporate
new information
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2
AP Psychology Unit 3 Development and Learning EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED AND 100 % ANSWERS
(DETAILED AND ELABORATED) A+ GRADED LATEST
UPDATE 2025-2026
Chronological development A method of organization that describes events in the order in
which they occurred
the field of study that examines patterns of growth,
Lifespan development
change, and stability in behavior that occur throughout
the entire life span
Nature and nurture the debate of weather you are shaped by your environment or
genes
Continuous development view that development is a cumulative process: gradually
improving on existing skills
Discontinuous development view that development takes place in unique stages, which
happen at specific times or ages
teratogens agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the
embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
- involves small muscle groups
Fine motor coordination - usually includes finger dexterity and/or skilled
manipulation of objects with the hands
Gross motor coordination -- Ability to coordinate large muscle movements as in running,
walking, skipping, and throwing.
1/1
2
, 9/7/25, 6:11 PM AP Psychology Unit 3 Development and Learning
biological growth processes that enable orderly changes
Maturation
in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience
specific patterns of motor response that are triggered
Reflexes
by specific patterns of sensory stimulation
a baby's tendency, when touched on the cheek, to turn
Rooting reflex
toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the
nipple
Visual cliff a laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and
young animals
Periods in the developmental sequence during which an
Critical periods organism must experience certain kinds of social or
sensory experiences in order for normal development
to take place
Sensitive periods time periods when specific skills develop most easily
the process by which certain animals form strong
Imprinting
attachments during an early-life critical period
The relatively sudden and rapid physical growth that
Growth spurt occurs during puberty. Each body part increases in
size on a schedule: Weight usually precedes height,
and
growth of the limbs precedes growth of the torso.
the period of sexual maturation, during which a person
Puberty
becomes capable of reproducing
the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external
Primary sex characteristics
genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible
nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female
Secondary sex characteristics
breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair
Menarche the first menstrual period
Spermarche first ejaculation
the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also
Menopause
refers to the biological changes a woman experiences
as her ability to reproduce declines
Schemas Concepts or mental frameworks that organize and interpret
information.
assimilation interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing
schemas
accommodation adapting our current understandings (schemas) to incorporate
new information
2/1
2
