EPPP: Developmental Psychology UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. stage theorists include Piaget, Kohlberg, Erikson; propose that development is discontinuous; if
do not master stage-specific issue, at increased risk for subsequent developmen-
tal failure; ditterences between adults + children = qualitative
2. continuity propo- includes Robbie Case; argues that development is continuous; abilities, skills,
nents knowledge gradually / uniformly develop over time; ditterences between adults
+ children = quantitative
3. ecological ap- by Urie Bronfenbrenner; delineats 5 levels fo environmental influence (microsys-
proach to devel- tem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, crhonosystem)
opment
4. microsystem the everyday environment the person encounters (home, school, work, neigh-
borhood); consists of bi-directional relationships w/ parents, siblings, teachers,
friends, etc.
5. mesosystem consists of the interaction or links between various microsystems
6. exosystem describes the relationship between 2+ settings, at least one of which doe snot
contain the person
7. macrosystem includes influences of culture, religion, economy, political systems
8. chronosystem addresses the role of the passage of time in the person's life (e.g., birth of sibling,
economic growth)
9. normative influ- age-graded events (e.g., puberty); history-graded events (e.g., Vietnam war)
ences on devel-
opment
10. non-normative unusual / atypical events (e.., birth defect, death of parent) that have major impact
influences on on life
development
,11. critical period specific time during oragnism's life when it is most sensitive to environmental
influences or stimulation; must occur during this time or will not occur at all
12. Conrad Lorenz studied imprinting in duckling (12-17 hrs after birth, continued to follow); evi-
dence of critical period; attachment behavior patterns that are presumed to be
instinctual
13. sensitive period preferred term in human development; stimulation and learning have more of an
impact during this time than it will at any other time; children
14. gene composed of RNA and DNA; RNA = significantly role in memory functioning
15. chromosomes 23 pairs; thousands of genes carriers of hereditary traits; 22 pairs are autosomes
(unrelated to sexual expression)
16. genotype genetic makeup of a person; contains both expressed and unexpressed charac-
teristics
17. phenotype observable characteristics of the person
18. twin studies most commonly used to assess the relative genetic, biological, or dispositional
contribution to a variable or variables under study
19. Klinefelter's syn- sex chromosome abnormality; occurs only in men; results from extra X chro-
drome mosome (XXY); taller, less intelligent, abnormal development of secondary sex
characteristics; unable to have children
20. Turner's syn- sex chromosome abnormality; occurs only in women; results from missing X chro-
drome mosome (X0); normal intelligence; abnormal development of secondary sexual
characteristics (e.g., no menstruation, no ovulation)
21. Down's syn- trisomy 21; 3 chromosomes on chromosome 21; mental retardation, broad skull,
drome slanted eyes, physical deformities, reduced activity
, 22. PKU (phenylke- inherited autosomal recessive disorder; caused by defective gene that attects
tonuria) metabolism (phenylalanine cannot be metabolized); severe mental deficiency; if
detected early, phenylalanine-free diet can be helpful in babies
23. hemophilia sex-linked recessive disorder; causes excessive bleeding; mostly in males; fre-
quent transfusion of blood w/ clotting factors required
24. sickle-cell ane- autosomal recessive disorder; occurs primarily in African-Americans (1/500 have
mia it; 1/12 carriers); deformed red blood cells that clog blood vessels, cause ane-
mia, severe pain, stunted growth, frequent infections; treatment=transfusions,
painkillers
25. germinal period lasts from conception to two weeks; zygote rapidly divides and ultimately implants
itself onto uterus wall
26. embryonic peri- lasts from 2 weeks to 8-12 weeks; involves start and rapid development of major
od organ systems + structures; most birth defects occur here; most vulnerable to
teratogenic agents
27. fetal period weeks 8-12 to birth; rapid growth, organs./ other systems develop more complex-
ity; less crucial body parts begin to form; growth + development is cephalocaudal
(top down)
28. maternal factors nutrition, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine
affecting devel-
opment of em-
bryo/fetus
29. fetal alcohol syn- results from excessive alcohol use during pregnancy; characterized by delayed
drome growth, physical deformities, delayed motor development, decreased intelligence
and learning disabilities, short attention span, restlessness, irritability, hyperactiv-
ity; some problems recede after birth, learning disabilities + hyperactivity persist
into adulthood
CORRECT Answers
1. stage theorists include Piaget, Kohlberg, Erikson; propose that development is discontinuous; if
do not master stage-specific issue, at increased risk for subsequent developmen-
tal failure; ditterences between adults + children = qualitative
2. continuity propo- includes Robbie Case; argues that development is continuous; abilities, skills,
nents knowledge gradually / uniformly develop over time; ditterences between adults
+ children = quantitative
3. ecological ap- by Urie Bronfenbrenner; delineats 5 levels fo environmental influence (microsys-
proach to devel- tem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, crhonosystem)
opment
4. microsystem the everyday environment the person encounters (home, school, work, neigh-
borhood); consists of bi-directional relationships w/ parents, siblings, teachers,
friends, etc.
5. mesosystem consists of the interaction or links between various microsystems
6. exosystem describes the relationship between 2+ settings, at least one of which doe snot
contain the person
7. macrosystem includes influences of culture, religion, economy, political systems
8. chronosystem addresses the role of the passage of time in the person's life (e.g., birth of sibling,
economic growth)
9. normative influ- age-graded events (e.g., puberty); history-graded events (e.g., Vietnam war)
ences on devel-
opment
10. non-normative unusual / atypical events (e.., birth defect, death of parent) that have major impact
influences on on life
development
,11. critical period specific time during oragnism's life when it is most sensitive to environmental
influences or stimulation; must occur during this time or will not occur at all
12. Conrad Lorenz studied imprinting in duckling (12-17 hrs after birth, continued to follow); evi-
dence of critical period; attachment behavior patterns that are presumed to be
instinctual
13. sensitive period preferred term in human development; stimulation and learning have more of an
impact during this time than it will at any other time; children
14. gene composed of RNA and DNA; RNA = significantly role in memory functioning
15. chromosomes 23 pairs; thousands of genes carriers of hereditary traits; 22 pairs are autosomes
(unrelated to sexual expression)
16. genotype genetic makeup of a person; contains both expressed and unexpressed charac-
teristics
17. phenotype observable characteristics of the person
18. twin studies most commonly used to assess the relative genetic, biological, or dispositional
contribution to a variable or variables under study
19. Klinefelter's syn- sex chromosome abnormality; occurs only in men; results from extra X chro-
drome mosome (XXY); taller, less intelligent, abnormal development of secondary sex
characteristics; unable to have children
20. Turner's syn- sex chromosome abnormality; occurs only in women; results from missing X chro-
drome mosome (X0); normal intelligence; abnormal development of secondary sexual
characteristics (e.g., no menstruation, no ovulation)
21. Down's syn- trisomy 21; 3 chromosomes on chromosome 21; mental retardation, broad skull,
drome slanted eyes, physical deformities, reduced activity
, 22. PKU (phenylke- inherited autosomal recessive disorder; caused by defective gene that attects
tonuria) metabolism (phenylalanine cannot be metabolized); severe mental deficiency; if
detected early, phenylalanine-free diet can be helpful in babies
23. hemophilia sex-linked recessive disorder; causes excessive bleeding; mostly in males; fre-
quent transfusion of blood w/ clotting factors required
24. sickle-cell ane- autosomal recessive disorder; occurs primarily in African-Americans (1/500 have
mia it; 1/12 carriers); deformed red blood cells that clog blood vessels, cause ane-
mia, severe pain, stunted growth, frequent infections; treatment=transfusions,
painkillers
25. germinal period lasts from conception to two weeks; zygote rapidly divides and ultimately implants
itself onto uterus wall
26. embryonic peri- lasts from 2 weeks to 8-12 weeks; involves start and rapid development of major
od organ systems + structures; most birth defects occur here; most vulnerable to
teratogenic agents
27. fetal period weeks 8-12 to birth; rapid growth, organs./ other systems develop more complex-
ity; less crucial body parts begin to form; growth + development is cephalocaudal
(top down)
28. maternal factors nutrition, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine
affecting devel-
opment of em-
bryo/fetus
29. fetal alcohol syn- results from excessive alcohol use during pregnancy; characterized by delayed
drome growth, physical deformities, delayed motor development, decreased intelligence
and learning disabilities, short attention span, restlessness, irritability, hyperactiv-
ity; some problems recede after birth, learning disabilities + hyperactivity persist
into adulthood
