1
PSYC 140 Final Exam: Developmental Lifespan Psychology | Latest &
Newest Update | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Questions,
Verified Answers, Human Growth & Development, Lifespan Theories
& Final Exam Preparation PDF
1. A researcher wants to determine if introducing a specific dietary intervention
can reduce depressive symptoms in college students. Which research design
would be most appropriate for establishing a causal relationship between diet
change and depression prevention?
A) Correlational study
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Experimental design
D) Case study
Rationale: Experimental designs allow researchers to manipulate variables and
establish cause-and-effect relationships through random assignment and control
groups, making them ideal for testing intervention effectiveness.
2. According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children in the 4-7
year age range typically believe that rules are fixed and unchangeable because
they come from authority figures. This stage is characterized by which
understanding of morality?
A) Rules can be changed through democratic voting
B) Rules are absolute and punishment should follow violations
C) Rules are flexible based on the situation
D) Rules are meaningless and can be ignored
Rationale: Piaget described this stage as moral realism where children view rules as
sacred and unalterable, with consequences determining right and wrong rather than
intent.
,2
3. A therapist working with a 4-year-old client observes that the child
frequently displays negative mood, withdraws from new situations, and shows
slow adaptability to changes in routine. According to temperament
classifications, which category best describes this child?
A) Easy child
B) Difficult child
C) Slow-to-warm-up child
D) Mixed temperament child
Rationale: Slow-to-warm-up children (approximately 15% of children) show initial
withdrawal from new experiences, slightly negative mood, and variable activity levels
but eventually adapt with time.
4. When a caregiver consistently responds to an infant's needs, the infant
develops trust and uses the caregiver as a secure base for exploration. Which
attachment pattern is most likely to develop from this consistent, sensitive
caregiving?
A) Insecure-avoidant attachment
B) Insecure-resistant attachment
C) Secure attachment
D) Disorganized attachment
Rationale: Secure attachment develops when caregivers are consistently sensitive and
responsive to infant cues, allowing the child to confidently explore while using the
caregiver as a safe haven.
5. A researcher studying moral development asks children what they would do
if they saw someone stealing medicine to save a dying person. According to
Kohlberg's theory, which level emphasizes that the person should steal the
medicine because saving a life is more important than following the law?
,3
A) Preconventional level, stage 1
B) Conventional level, stage 3
C) Preconventional level, stage 2
D) Postconventional level, stage 5
Rationale: Stage 5 of postconventional morality recognizes that laws can be changed
and that higher principles of justice and human rights sometimes outweigh existing
legal codes.
6. An infant born with several primitive reflexes demonstrates a grasping
response when an object is placed in their palm. According to developmental
experts, what is the primary evolutionary purpose of this and similar infant
reflexes?
A) To promote cognitive development
B) To support survival and adaptation
C) To enhance social bonding
D) To facilitate language acquisition
Rationale: Experts believe that infant reflexes, such as grasping and rooting, evolved
to promote survival by helping infants find nourishment and maintain proximity to
caregivers.
7. A teacher provides varying levels of support to students based on their
current understanding, gradually reducing assistance as students become more
competent. This educational approach is best described as:
A) Discovery learning
B) Scaffolding
C) Classical conditioning
D) Observational learning
, 4
Rationale: Scaffolding involves adjusting the level of support provided to learners
based on their current competence, allowing them to accomplish tasks they could not
complete independently.
8. According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, a student who attempts to
learn complex material entirely through independent study without teacher
guidance would most likely experience which outcome?
A) High success due to intrinsic motivation
B) Low success due to the absence of guided participation
C) Moderate success with extended effort
D) Success only if the material is concrete
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized that learning occurs through social interaction and
guided participation with more knowledgeable others, making independent learning
less effective without this support.
9. Ritalin, a medication commonly prescribed for children diagnosed with
ADHD, falls into which classification of drugs based on its primary mechanism
of action?
A) Depressant
B) Stimulant
C) Opioid
D) Antipsychotic
Rationale: Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that increases dopamine
and norepinephrine activity in the brain, improving attention and reducing
impulsivity in individuals with ADHD.
10. A student frequently interrupts the teacher by shouting out answers before
questions are fully asked and has difficulty waiting for their turn during
PSYC 140 Final Exam: Developmental Lifespan Psychology | Latest &
Newest Update | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Questions,
Verified Answers, Human Growth & Development, Lifespan Theories
& Final Exam Preparation PDF
1. A researcher wants to determine if introducing a specific dietary intervention
can reduce depressive symptoms in college students. Which research design
would be most appropriate for establishing a causal relationship between diet
change and depression prevention?
A) Correlational study
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Experimental design
D) Case study
Rationale: Experimental designs allow researchers to manipulate variables and
establish cause-and-effect relationships through random assignment and control
groups, making them ideal for testing intervention effectiveness.
2. According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children in the 4-7
year age range typically believe that rules are fixed and unchangeable because
they come from authority figures. This stage is characterized by which
understanding of morality?
A) Rules can be changed through democratic voting
B) Rules are absolute and punishment should follow violations
C) Rules are flexible based on the situation
D) Rules are meaningless and can be ignored
Rationale: Piaget described this stage as moral realism where children view rules as
sacred and unalterable, with consequences determining right and wrong rather than
intent.
,2
3. A therapist working with a 4-year-old client observes that the child
frequently displays negative mood, withdraws from new situations, and shows
slow adaptability to changes in routine. According to temperament
classifications, which category best describes this child?
A) Easy child
B) Difficult child
C) Slow-to-warm-up child
D) Mixed temperament child
Rationale: Slow-to-warm-up children (approximately 15% of children) show initial
withdrawal from new experiences, slightly negative mood, and variable activity levels
but eventually adapt with time.
4. When a caregiver consistently responds to an infant's needs, the infant
develops trust and uses the caregiver as a secure base for exploration. Which
attachment pattern is most likely to develop from this consistent, sensitive
caregiving?
A) Insecure-avoidant attachment
B) Insecure-resistant attachment
C) Secure attachment
D) Disorganized attachment
Rationale: Secure attachment develops when caregivers are consistently sensitive and
responsive to infant cues, allowing the child to confidently explore while using the
caregiver as a safe haven.
5. A researcher studying moral development asks children what they would do
if they saw someone stealing medicine to save a dying person. According to
Kohlberg's theory, which level emphasizes that the person should steal the
medicine because saving a life is more important than following the law?
,3
A) Preconventional level, stage 1
B) Conventional level, stage 3
C) Preconventional level, stage 2
D) Postconventional level, stage 5
Rationale: Stage 5 of postconventional morality recognizes that laws can be changed
and that higher principles of justice and human rights sometimes outweigh existing
legal codes.
6. An infant born with several primitive reflexes demonstrates a grasping
response when an object is placed in their palm. According to developmental
experts, what is the primary evolutionary purpose of this and similar infant
reflexes?
A) To promote cognitive development
B) To support survival and adaptation
C) To enhance social bonding
D) To facilitate language acquisition
Rationale: Experts believe that infant reflexes, such as grasping and rooting, evolved
to promote survival by helping infants find nourishment and maintain proximity to
caregivers.
7. A teacher provides varying levels of support to students based on their
current understanding, gradually reducing assistance as students become more
competent. This educational approach is best described as:
A) Discovery learning
B) Scaffolding
C) Classical conditioning
D) Observational learning
, 4
Rationale: Scaffolding involves adjusting the level of support provided to learners
based on their current competence, allowing them to accomplish tasks they could not
complete independently.
8. According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, a student who attempts to
learn complex material entirely through independent study without teacher
guidance would most likely experience which outcome?
A) High success due to intrinsic motivation
B) Low success due to the absence of guided participation
C) Moderate success with extended effort
D) Success only if the material is concrete
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized that learning occurs through social interaction and
guided participation with more knowledgeable others, making independent learning
less effective without this support.
9. Ritalin, a medication commonly prescribed for children diagnosed with
ADHD, falls into which classification of drugs based on its primary mechanism
of action?
A) Depressant
B) Stimulant
C) Opioid
D) Antipsychotic
Rationale: Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that increases dopamine
and norepinephrine activity in the brain, improving attention and reducing
impulsivity in individuals with ADHD.
10. A student frequently interrupts the teacher by shouting out answers before
questions are fully asked and has difficulty waiting for their turn during
