Exam 2- Psychology, lifespan
Development Questions and Answers
2025-2026.
developmental psychology - Answer focuses on how people develop
cognitive development - Answer domain of lifespan development that examines learning,
attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity
psychosocial development - Answer domain of lifespan that examines emotions, personality,
or social relationships
normative approach - Answer study of development using norms, or average ages, when
most children reach specific developmental milestones
continuous development - Answer views development as a cumulative process, gradually
improving on existing skills
discontinuous development - Answer views that development takes place in unique stages,
occurs at specific times or ages
Freud - Answer passes through series of psychosocial stages in which our energy is focused
on certain zones of the body
Erikson - Answer modified Freud, suggested theory of psychosocial development
Freudian Psychosexual Developmental - Answer children's pleasure-seeking urges are
focused on a different area of the body, called an erogenous zone, at each of the 5 stages of
development
Freud's 5 stages of development - Answer 1.oral
2.phalic
3.latency
, Erik son's psychosocial developmental theory - Answer expresses social nature of
development, not its sexual nature
trust vs. mistrust - Answer we are dependent on our caregivers, we need trust to be met.
People who develop this see world as safe, predictable place. If not, can engender anxiety, fear
mistrust, see world as unpredictble
resolve autonomy vs. shame - Answer babies explore world so can learn to control actions
and act on environment to get results. Working to establish independence, This is the ME do it
stage. Todler who is insisting on dressing themselves, though clothes not appropriate, her input
in basic decisions has an effect on her sence of independence. If denied, she may begin to doubt
her abilities may lead to low selfesteem and shame
initiative vs. guilt - Answer Can initiate activities and assess control over world through social
interactions and play. Learn to play and achieve goals
Those who do will develop self-confidence and feel a sense of purpose. Those who are
unsuccessful at this stage—with their initiative misfiring or stifled—may develop feelings of
guilt. How might over-controlling parents stifle a child's initiative?
industry vs. inferiority - Answer During the elementary school stage (ages 6-12), children
face the task of industry versus inferiority. Children begin to compare themselves to their peers
to see how they measure up. They either develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their
schoolwork, sports, social activities, and family life, or they feel inferior and inadequate when
they don't measure up.
identify vs. role confusion - Answer developing a sense of self- who am I what do I want to
do with my life, Adolescents who are successful at this stage have a strong sense of identity and
are able to remain true to their beliefs and values in the face of problems and other people's
perspectives
intimacy vs. isolation - Answer isolation-have developed a sense of self in adolescence, we
are ready to share our life with others. Erikson said that we must have a strong sense of self
before developing intimate relationships with others. Adults who do not develop a positive self-
concept in adolescence may experience feelings of loneliness and emotional isolation.
generatively vs. stagnation - Answer Generativity involves finding your life's work and
contributing to the development of others, through activities such as volunteering, mentoring,
Development Questions and Answers
2025-2026.
developmental psychology - Answer focuses on how people develop
cognitive development - Answer domain of lifespan development that examines learning,
attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity
psychosocial development - Answer domain of lifespan that examines emotions, personality,
or social relationships
normative approach - Answer study of development using norms, or average ages, when
most children reach specific developmental milestones
continuous development - Answer views development as a cumulative process, gradually
improving on existing skills
discontinuous development - Answer views that development takes place in unique stages,
occurs at specific times or ages
Freud - Answer passes through series of psychosocial stages in which our energy is focused
on certain zones of the body
Erikson - Answer modified Freud, suggested theory of psychosocial development
Freudian Psychosexual Developmental - Answer children's pleasure-seeking urges are
focused on a different area of the body, called an erogenous zone, at each of the 5 stages of
development
Freud's 5 stages of development - Answer 1.oral
2.phalic
3.latency
, Erik son's psychosocial developmental theory - Answer expresses social nature of
development, not its sexual nature
trust vs. mistrust - Answer we are dependent on our caregivers, we need trust to be met.
People who develop this see world as safe, predictable place. If not, can engender anxiety, fear
mistrust, see world as unpredictble
resolve autonomy vs. shame - Answer babies explore world so can learn to control actions
and act on environment to get results. Working to establish independence, This is the ME do it
stage. Todler who is insisting on dressing themselves, though clothes not appropriate, her input
in basic decisions has an effect on her sence of independence. If denied, she may begin to doubt
her abilities may lead to low selfesteem and shame
initiative vs. guilt - Answer Can initiate activities and assess control over world through social
interactions and play. Learn to play and achieve goals
Those who do will develop self-confidence and feel a sense of purpose. Those who are
unsuccessful at this stage—with their initiative misfiring or stifled—may develop feelings of
guilt. How might over-controlling parents stifle a child's initiative?
industry vs. inferiority - Answer During the elementary school stage (ages 6-12), children
face the task of industry versus inferiority. Children begin to compare themselves to their peers
to see how they measure up. They either develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their
schoolwork, sports, social activities, and family life, or they feel inferior and inadequate when
they don't measure up.
identify vs. role confusion - Answer developing a sense of self- who am I what do I want to
do with my life, Adolescents who are successful at this stage have a strong sense of identity and
are able to remain true to their beliefs and values in the face of problems and other people's
perspectives
intimacy vs. isolation - Answer isolation-have developed a sense of self in adolescence, we
are ready to share our life with others. Erikson said that we must have a strong sense of self
before developing intimate relationships with others. Adults who do not develop a positive self-
concept in adolescence may experience feelings of loneliness and emotional isolation.
generatively vs. stagnation - Answer Generativity involves finding your life's work and
contributing to the development of others, through activities such as volunteering, mentoring,
