Lifespan Development Psychology
Comprehensive Review Guide
70 Practice Questions with Detailed Answers
Covering All Major Developmental Topics
1. Introduction to Lifespan Development
Question 1:
The lifespan perspective on development emphasizes that development is:
A) Completed by adolescence
B) Lifelong, multidimensional, and plastic
C) Only important during childhood
D) Primarily determined by genetics
Answer: B) Lifelong, multidimensional, and plastic
The lifespan perspective views development as occurring throughout life, involving
multiple dimensions (biological, cognitive, socioemotional), and being plastic
(capable of change at any age).
Question 2:
Which of the following best describes the nature vs. nurture debate?
A) Genetics vs. environment in influencing development
B) Continuous vs. discontinuous development
C) Active vs. passive child development
D) Early vs. later experience importance
Answer: A) Genetics vs. environment in influencing development
The nature vs. nurture debate centers on the relative contributions of genetic
inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to human development.
Question 3:
Development that occurs in distinct stages with qualitative changes is called:
A) Continuous development
B) Discontinuous development
C) Normative development
D) Non-normative development
Answer: B) Discontinuous development
Discontinuous development occurs in distinct stages with qualitative changes, like a
caterpillar becoming a butterfly, rather than gradual quantitative changes.
2. Research Methods in Developmental Psychology
Question 4:
A researcher studies the same group of children at ages 5, 10, and 15. This is an
example of:
A) Cross-sectional research
, B) Longitudinal research
C) Sequential research
D) Experimental research
Answer: B) Longitudinal research
Longitudinal research follows the same individuals over time to study developmental
changes, providing insights into individual development patterns.
Question 5:
The main advantage of cross-sectional research is:
A) It shows individual change over time
B) It's quick and inexpensive
C) It eliminates cohort effects
D) It has no participant attrition
Answer: B) It's quick and inexpensive
Cross-sectional research studies different age groups at the same time, making it
faster and less costly than longitudinal research, though it cannot show individual
developmental changes.
Question 6:
In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is the:
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
C) Control variable
D) Confounding variable
Answer: B) Independent variable
The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates to observe its effect on
the dependent variable (the outcome being measured).
3. Biological Foundations and Prenatal Development
Question 7:
The period of prenatal development when major organ systems form is the:
A) Germinal period
B) Embryonic period
C) Fetal period
D) Zygotic period
Answer: B) Embryonic period
The embryonic period (weeks 2-8) is when major organ systems and body structures
form, making it the most critical period for potential teratogenic effects.
Question 8:
Teratogens are most likely to cause major structural damage during:
A) The first two weeks after conception
B) The third through eighth week after conception
C) The last trimester of pregnancy
Comprehensive Review Guide
70 Practice Questions with Detailed Answers
Covering All Major Developmental Topics
1. Introduction to Lifespan Development
Question 1:
The lifespan perspective on development emphasizes that development is:
A) Completed by adolescence
B) Lifelong, multidimensional, and plastic
C) Only important during childhood
D) Primarily determined by genetics
Answer: B) Lifelong, multidimensional, and plastic
The lifespan perspective views development as occurring throughout life, involving
multiple dimensions (biological, cognitive, socioemotional), and being plastic
(capable of change at any age).
Question 2:
Which of the following best describes the nature vs. nurture debate?
A) Genetics vs. environment in influencing development
B) Continuous vs. discontinuous development
C) Active vs. passive child development
D) Early vs. later experience importance
Answer: A) Genetics vs. environment in influencing development
The nature vs. nurture debate centers on the relative contributions of genetic
inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to human development.
Question 3:
Development that occurs in distinct stages with qualitative changes is called:
A) Continuous development
B) Discontinuous development
C) Normative development
D) Non-normative development
Answer: B) Discontinuous development
Discontinuous development occurs in distinct stages with qualitative changes, like a
caterpillar becoming a butterfly, rather than gradual quantitative changes.
2. Research Methods in Developmental Psychology
Question 4:
A researcher studies the same group of children at ages 5, 10, and 15. This is an
example of:
A) Cross-sectional research
, B) Longitudinal research
C) Sequential research
D) Experimental research
Answer: B) Longitudinal research
Longitudinal research follows the same individuals over time to study developmental
changes, providing insights into individual development patterns.
Question 5:
The main advantage of cross-sectional research is:
A) It shows individual change over time
B) It's quick and inexpensive
C) It eliminates cohort effects
D) It has no participant attrition
Answer: B) It's quick and inexpensive
Cross-sectional research studies different age groups at the same time, making it
faster and less costly than longitudinal research, though it cannot show individual
developmental changes.
Question 6:
In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is the:
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
C) Control variable
D) Confounding variable
Answer: B) Independent variable
The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates to observe its effect on
the dependent variable (the outcome being measured).
3. Biological Foundations and Prenatal Development
Question 7:
The period of prenatal development when major organ systems form is the:
A) Germinal period
B) Embryonic period
C) Fetal period
D) Zygotic period
Answer: B) Embryonic period
The embryonic period (weeks 2-8) is when major organ systems and body structures
form, making it the most critical period for potential teratogenic effects.
Question 8:
Teratogens are most likely to cause major structural damage during:
A) The first two weeks after conception
B) The third through eighth week after conception
C) The last trimester of pregnancy
