PSYC 140 Developmental (Lifespan Psychology)
Module 1 Exam 2026 Questions with Complete
Solutions & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT (Questions
1–25)
Question 1
What is lifespan development?
A. A field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in
behavior throughout the lifespan from conception to death
B. A field that focuses only on childhood development
C. A field that studies only adult development
D. A field that examines only physical growth
E. A field that focuses on cognitive development only
Correct Answer: A. A field of study that examines patterns of growth, change,
and stability in behavior throughout the lifespan from conception to death
Rationale: Lifespan development is a field of study that examines patterns of
growth, change, and stability in behavior throughout the entire lifespan, from
conception to death.
Question 2
What are the four factors that humans experience changes during development?
A. Physical, Social, Cognitive, and Emotional
B. Physical, Mental, Social, and Spiritual
C. Cognitive, Emotional, Behavioral, and Social
D. Physical, Cognitive, Moral, and Social
E. Emotional, Behavioral, Social, and Cultural
Correct Answer: A. Physical, Social, Cognitive, and Emotional
,Rationale: The four factors humans experience changes during development are
Physical, Social, Cognitive, and Emotional. These domains interact and influence
each other throughout development.
Question 3
What are the four features of development?
A. Lifelong, Multidisciplinary, Multidirectional, Multidimensional
B. Linear, Sequential, Predictable, Universal
C. Continuous, Discontinuous, Active, Passive
D. Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, Social
E. Universal, Individual, Cultural, Historical
Correct Answer: A. Lifelong, Multidisciplinary, Multidirectional,
Multidimensional
Rationale: The four features of development are: Lifelong (continues throughout
life), Multidisciplinary (draws from multiple disciplines), Multidirectional
(involves gains and losses), and Multidimensional (involves multiple domains).
Question 4
What is the Nature vs. Nurture debate in developmental psychology?
A. Nature is biological and genetic influence; nurture is environmental influence
B. Nature is environmental influence; nurture is biological and genetic influence
C. Nature and nurture are identical concepts
D. Nature applies only to physical development
E. Nurture applies only to cognitive development
Correct Answer: A. Nature is biological and genetic influence; nurture is
environmental influence
Rationale: The Nature vs. Nurture debate examines the relative contributions of
genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to development.
Question 5
What is the Continuity vs. Discontinuity debate?
,A. Continuity refers to gradual change; discontinuity refers to distinct stages
B. Continuity refers to distinct stages; discontinuity refers to gradual change
C. Both terms refer to the same concept
D. Continuity applies only to physical development
E. Discontinuity applies only to cognitive development
Correct Answer: A. Continuity refers to gradual change; discontinuity refers
to distinct stages
Rationale: Continuity describes development as a gradual, cumulative process.
Discontinuity describes development as occurring in distinct stages with clear
beginnings and endings.
Question 6
What is the biopsychosocial perspective in lifespan development?
A. A perspective that considers biological, psychological, and social factors
B. A perspective that considers only biological factors
C. A perspective that considers only psychological factors
D. A perspective that considers only social factors
E. A perspective that considers only cognitive factors
Correct Answer: A. A perspective that considers biological, psychological, and
social factors
Rationale: The biopsychosocial perspective considers biological, psychological,
and social factors as they interact to influence development.
Question 7
What is the role of critical periods in development?
A. Times when an organism is particularly sensitive to certain environmental
influences
B. Times when development stops
C. Times when development is at its slowest
D. Times when environmental influences have no effect
E. Times when genetic influences are strongest
, Correct Answer: A. Times when an organism is particularly sensitive to
certain environmental influences
Rationale: Critical periods are times when an organism is particularly sensitive to
certain environmental influences and when specific developmental milestones
must occur.
Question 8
What is the difference between a critical period and a sensitive period?
A. Critical periods are more flexible than sensitive periods
B. Critical periods are times when development must occur; sensitive periods are
times when development is optimal but can occur later
C. Sensitive periods are more rigid than critical periods
D. Critical periods apply only to animals
E. Sensitive periods apply only to humans
Correct Answer: B. Critical periods are times when development must occur;
sensitive periods are times when development is optimal but can occur later
Rationale: Critical periods are times when development must occur for normal
development. Sensitive periods are times when development is optimal but can still
occur later.
Question 9
What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis in developmental
psychology?
A. A theory is a prediction; a hypothesis is a broad explanation
B. A theory is a broad explanation; a hypothesis is a specific prediction
C. Both are the same
D. A theory is less important than a hypothesis
E. A hypothesis is always proven true
Correct Answer: B. A theory is a broad explanation; a hypothesis is a specific
prediction
Rationale: A theory is a broad explanation that integrates many observations and
findings. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory.
Module 1 Exam 2026 Questions with Complete
Solutions & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT (Questions
1–25)
Question 1
What is lifespan development?
A. A field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in
behavior throughout the lifespan from conception to death
B. A field that focuses only on childhood development
C. A field that studies only adult development
D. A field that examines only physical growth
E. A field that focuses on cognitive development only
Correct Answer: A. A field of study that examines patterns of growth, change,
and stability in behavior throughout the lifespan from conception to death
Rationale: Lifespan development is a field of study that examines patterns of
growth, change, and stability in behavior throughout the entire lifespan, from
conception to death.
Question 2
What are the four factors that humans experience changes during development?
A. Physical, Social, Cognitive, and Emotional
B. Physical, Mental, Social, and Spiritual
C. Cognitive, Emotional, Behavioral, and Social
D. Physical, Cognitive, Moral, and Social
E. Emotional, Behavioral, Social, and Cultural
Correct Answer: A. Physical, Social, Cognitive, and Emotional
,Rationale: The four factors humans experience changes during development are
Physical, Social, Cognitive, and Emotional. These domains interact and influence
each other throughout development.
Question 3
What are the four features of development?
A. Lifelong, Multidisciplinary, Multidirectional, Multidimensional
B. Linear, Sequential, Predictable, Universal
C. Continuous, Discontinuous, Active, Passive
D. Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, Social
E. Universal, Individual, Cultural, Historical
Correct Answer: A. Lifelong, Multidisciplinary, Multidirectional,
Multidimensional
Rationale: The four features of development are: Lifelong (continues throughout
life), Multidisciplinary (draws from multiple disciplines), Multidirectional
(involves gains and losses), and Multidimensional (involves multiple domains).
Question 4
What is the Nature vs. Nurture debate in developmental psychology?
A. Nature is biological and genetic influence; nurture is environmental influence
B. Nature is environmental influence; nurture is biological and genetic influence
C. Nature and nurture are identical concepts
D. Nature applies only to physical development
E. Nurture applies only to cognitive development
Correct Answer: A. Nature is biological and genetic influence; nurture is
environmental influence
Rationale: The Nature vs. Nurture debate examines the relative contributions of
genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to development.
Question 5
What is the Continuity vs. Discontinuity debate?
,A. Continuity refers to gradual change; discontinuity refers to distinct stages
B. Continuity refers to distinct stages; discontinuity refers to gradual change
C. Both terms refer to the same concept
D. Continuity applies only to physical development
E. Discontinuity applies only to cognitive development
Correct Answer: A. Continuity refers to gradual change; discontinuity refers
to distinct stages
Rationale: Continuity describes development as a gradual, cumulative process.
Discontinuity describes development as occurring in distinct stages with clear
beginnings and endings.
Question 6
What is the biopsychosocial perspective in lifespan development?
A. A perspective that considers biological, psychological, and social factors
B. A perspective that considers only biological factors
C. A perspective that considers only psychological factors
D. A perspective that considers only social factors
E. A perspective that considers only cognitive factors
Correct Answer: A. A perspective that considers biological, psychological, and
social factors
Rationale: The biopsychosocial perspective considers biological, psychological,
and social factors as they interact to influence development.
Question 7
What is the role of critical periods in development?
A. Times when an organism is particularly sensitive to certain environmental
influences
B. Times when development stops
C. Times when development is at its slowest
D. Times when environmental influences have no effect
E. Times when genetic influences are strongest
, Correct Answer: A. Times when an organism is particularly sensitive to
certain environmental influences
Rationale: Critical periods are times when an organism is particularly sensitive to
certain environmental influences and when specific developmental milestones
must occur.
Question 8
What is the difference between a critical period and a sensitive period?
A. Critical periods are more flexible than sensitive periods
B. Critical periods are times when development must occur; sensitive periods are
times when development is optimal but can occur later
C. Sensitive periods are more rigid than critical periods
D. Critical periods apply only to animals
E. Sensitive periods apply only to humans
Correct Answer: B. Critical periods are times when development must occur;
sensitive periods are times when development is optimal but can occur later
Rationale: Critical periods are times when development must occur for normal
development. Sensitive periods are times when development is optimal but can still
occur later.
Question 9
What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis in developmental
psychology?
A. A theory is a prediction; a hypothesis is a broad explanation
B. A theory is a broad explanation; a hypothesis is a specific prediction
C. Both are the same
D. A theory is less important than a hypothesis
E. A hypothesis is always proven true
Correct Answer: B. A theory is a broad explanation; a hypothesis is a specific
prediction
Rationale: A theory is a broad explanation that integrates many observations and
findings. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory.
