PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology | Module 3 Exam | Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - MODULE 3 EXAMINATION
PSYC 140 Module 3 Exam
Requires Respondus LockDown Browser +
Webcam
Questions and Answers | 2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct - Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales for Every Question
75 Questions | 5 Content Sections | Aligned with the PSYC 140 Module 3 Scope: Early and Middle Childhood
Cognitive Levels: 35% Recall | 45% Application | 20% Analysis
Item Style: 70% Scenario-Based Developmental Analysis | 30% Direct Recall of Theorists, Stages, and Terminology
Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam format: concept-based reasoning under closed-book, proctored conditions
SECTION 1: Physical Development in Early Childhood (Q1-Q14)
Growth Patterns, Brain Development, Motor Skills, and Health
Q1: A parent asks the pediatric nurse practitioner what kind of physical growth to expect during the
preschool years. Which statement accurately describes typical growth in early childhood?
A. Children typically gain 8 to 10 pounds in weight and 5 to 6 inches in height each year
B. Children typically gain about 4 to 5 pounds in weight and 2 to 3 inches in height each
year [CORRECT]
C. Growth essentially stops during this period and does not resume until the adolescent growth
spurt
D. Children typically lose weight each year as baby fat permanently disappears
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During early childhood, growth slows markedly from the rapid gains of infancy to a steady average of
roughly 2 to 3 inches in height and 4 to 5 pounds in weight per year. Option A describes rates closer to infancy
and would be excessive for a preschooler. Option C is false because growth continues steadily, and option D
confuses the gradual loss of baby fat with actual weight loss, since children keep gaining weight as muscle
gradually replaces fat.
Q2: A preschool teacher observes that across the school year her students have become less top-heavy,
fall less often, and can run, jump, and climb with noticeably better balance. Which developmental
change best explains this improvement?
A. A new wave of neuron proliferation in the cerebral cortex
B. Completion of brain lateralization by age three
C. The complete elimination of body fat stores
D. A downward shift of the center of gravity as the trunk and limbs lengthen and body
proportions become more adult-like [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The cephalocaudal trend continues through early childhood: as the trunk lengthens and proportions
become more adult-like, the center of gravity shifts downward, which directly improves balance and locomotion.
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology - Module 3 Examination - 75-Question Study Exam | 2026/2027 Update 1
,PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology | Module 3 Exam | Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
Neuron proliferation is largely a prenatal and early-infancy event (A), lateralization is hemispheric specialization
rather than a balance mechanism (B), and young children do not eliminate body fat entirely (C).
Q3: Which statement best describes the process of myelination and its functional significance during
early childhood?
A. It is the fiber bundle that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and permits cross-hemispheric
communication
B. It is the insulation of axons with a fatty sheath that speeds neural transmission,
supporting faster reaction times and better-coordinated movement [CORRECT]
C. It is the transfer of specialized functions from the left hemisphere to the right hemisphere
D. It is the production of most of the brain's new neurons during the preschool years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Myelination is the process by which glial cells wrap axons in a fatty myelin sheath that dramatically
increases the speed and efficiency of neural transmission; its progress in early childhood underlies visible gains in
coordination and reaction time. Option A describes the corpus callosum rather than myelination, option C
misstates lateralization, and neurogenesis occurs mainly before birth (D).
Q4: The grandmother of a typically developing 4-year-old notices that he now consistently reaches with
his right hand and worries that this fixed preference signals a neurological problem. What is the most
accurate response?
A. A stable hand preference usually emerges during the preschool years and reflects normal
cerebral lateralization of function [CORRECT]
B. Hand preference cannot be reliably identified until about age eight, so she should wait
C. The preference should be deliberately switched to the left hand to guarantee balanced
development
D. Identical twins almost always share the same hand preference, so genes alone decide it
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Handedness typically becomes evident and stable during the preschool years (around age 3) and
reflects lateralization, the specialization of the hemispheres for different functions. Option B greatly
underestimates when preference appears, option C is wrong because forcing a switch is unnecessary and can be
distressing for the child, and option D is false because monozygotic twins are frequently discordant for
handedness, pointing to experience as well as genes.
Q5: Which brain structure links the left and right hemispheres and, as it myelinates across childhood,
supports the coordination of two-handed tasks such as cutting and catching?
A. The reticular formation
B. The hippocampus
C. The corpus callosum [CORRECT]
D. The cerebellum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The corpus callosum is the thick band of fibers connecting the two hemispheres, and its rapid
myelination in early and middle childhood supports integrated bilateral activity. The reticular formation regulates
attention and arousal (A), the hippocampus is central to memory formation (B), and the cerebellum contributes to
balance and motor coordination but does not join the hemispheres (D).
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology - Module 3 Examination - 75-Question Study Exam | 2026/2027 Update 2
, PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology | Module 3 Exam | Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
Q6: Which fine-motor achievement is characteristic of a typically developing 4-year-old?
A. Riding a tricycle around obstacles in the yard
B. Tying shoelaces securely into a bow
C. Cutting with scissors along a line and copying simple shapes and letters [CORRECT]
D. Writing complete cursive sentences independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By age 4, improved fine-motor control and eye-hand coordination support scissor use, copying forms,
and early letter formation. Tying secure bows usually emerges around ages 5 to 6 (B), riding a tricycle is a
gross-motor accomplishment of age 3 (A), and fluent cursive writing is a school-age skill (D).
Q7: A developmental screening clinic asks its examiners which gross-motor skill a typical 3-year-old
should be able to perform. Which skill should the examiner expect to see?
A. Pedaling a tricycle [CORRECT]
B. Jumping rope repeatedly without stopping
C. Riding a two-wheel bicycle without training wheels
D. Skipping with alternating feet down a hallway
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pedaling a tricycle is a classic age-3 gross-motor milestone reflecting improved leg strength and
coordination. Jumping rope and skipping with alternating feet typically emerge around ages 5 to 6 (B and D), and
riding a two-wheel bicycle comes later in childhood (C).
Q8: A father complains that his 3-year-old, who once ate everything offered, now eats very little at
meals and refuses unfamiliar foods. Which guidance is most developmentally appropriate?
A. Withhold all between-meal snacks so that the child arrives at dinner hungry
B. Use dessert as a reward that the child earns only by finishing vegetables
C. Request an immediate failure-to-thrive evaluation
D. Recognize that appetite naturally declines as growth slows; offer small, nutritious
portions and avoid pressuring the child to eat [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The growth slowdown of early childhood lowers caloric needs, so reduced appetite and wariness of
new foods are typical, and pressured feeding creates power struggles that undermine children's self-regulation of
intake. Forcing hunger (A) and dessert bribery (B) are counterproductive control strategies, and an immediate
failure-to-thrive referral is unwarranted without growth faltering on the growth chart (C).
Q9: A county health report shows that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among
children ages 3 to 5 in the region. Based on developmental research, which intervention package should
receive the highest priority?
A. Cardiac screening programs added to well-child visits
B. Anti-bullying curricula in preschool classrooms
C. Car-safety-seat enforcement, pool fencing, and close adult supervision of play
[CORRECT]
D. Mandatory helmet laws for adolescent bicycle riders
Correct Answer: C
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology - Module 3 Examination - 75-Question Study Exam | 2026/2027 Update 3
PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - MODULE 3 EXAMINATION
PSYC 140 Module 3 Exam
Requires Respondus LockDown Browser +
Webcam
Questions and Answers | 2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct - Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales for Every Question
75 Questions | 5 Content Sections | Aligned with the PSYC 140 Module 3 Scope: Early and Middle Childhood
Cognitive Levels: 35% Recall | 45% Application | 20% Analysis
Item Style: 70% Scenario-Based Developmental Analysis | 30% Direct Recall of Theorists, Stages, and Terminology
Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam format: concept-based reasoning under closed-book, proctored conditions
SECTION 1: Physical Development in Early Childhood (Q1-Q14)
Growth Patterns, Brain Development, Motor Skills, and Health
Q1: A parent asks the pediatric nurse practitioner what kind of physical growth to expect during the
preschool years. Which statement accurately describes typical growth in early childhood?
A. Children typically gain 8 to 10 pounds in weight and 5 to 6 inches in height each year
B. Children typically gain about 4 to 5 pounds in weight and 2 to 3 inches in height each
year [CORRECT]
C. Growth essentially stops during this period and does not resume until the adolescent growth
spurt
D. Children typically lose weight each year as baby fat permanently disappears
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During early childhood, growth slows markedly from the rapid gains of infancy to a steady average of
roughly 2 to 3 inches in height and 4 to 5 pounds in weight per year. Option A describes rates closer to infancy
and would be excessive for a preschooler. Option C is false because growth continues steadily, and option D
confuses the gradual loss of baby fat with actual weight loss, since children keep gaining weight as muscle
gradually replaces fat.
Q2: A preschool teacher observes that across the school year her students have become less top-heavy,
fall less often, and can run, jump, and climb with noticeably better balance. Which developmental
change best explains this improvement?
A. A new wave of neuron proliferation in the cerebral cortex
B. Completion of brain lateralization by age three
C. The complete elimination of body fat stores
D. A downward shift of the center of gravity as the trunk and limbs lengthen and body
proportions become more adult-like [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The cephalocaudal trend continues through early childhood: as the trunk lengthens and proportions
become more adult-like, the center of gravity shifts downward, which directly improves balance and locomotion.
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology - Module 3 Examination - 75-Question Study Exam | 2026/2027 Update 1
,PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology | Module 3 Exam | Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
Neuron proliferation is largely a prenatal and early-infancy event (A), lateralization is hemispheric specialization
rather than a balance mechanism (B), and young children do not eliminate body fat entirely (C).
Q3: Which statement best describes the process of myelination and its functional significance during
early childhood?
A. It is the fiber bundle that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and permits cross-hemispheric
communication
B. It is the insulation of axons with a fatty sheath that speeds neural transmission,
supporting faster reaction times and better-coordinated movement [CORRECT]
C. It is the transfer of specialized functions from the left hemisphere to the right hemisphere
D. It is the production of most of the brain's new neurons during the preschool years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Myelination is the process by which glial cells wrap axons in a fatty myelin sheath that dramatically
increases the speed and efficiency of neural transmission; its progress in early childhood underlies visible gains in
coordination and reaction time. Option A describes the corpus callosum rather than myelination, option C
misstates lateralization, and neurogenesis occurs mainly before birth (D).
Q4: The grandmother of a typically developing 4-year-old notices that he now consistently reaches with
his right hand and worries that this fixed preference signals a neurological problem. What is the most
accurate response?
A. A stable hand preference usually emerges during the preschool years and reflects normal
cerebral lateralization of function [CORRECT]
B. Hand preference cannot be reliably identified until about age eight, so she should wait
C. The preference should be deliberately switched to the left hand to guarantee balanced
development
D. Identical twins almost always share the same hand preference, so genes alone decide it
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Handedness typically becomes evident and stable during the preschool years (around age 3) and
reflects lateralization, the specialization of the hemispheres for different functions. Option B greatly
underestimates when preference appears, option C is wrong because forcing a switch is unnecessary and can be
distressing for the child, and option D is false because monozygotic twins are frequently discordant for
handedness, pointing to experience as well as genes.
Q5: Which brain structure links the left and right hemispheres and, as it myelinates across childhood,
supports the coordination of two-handed tasks such as cutting and catching?
A. The reticular formation
B. The hippocampus
C. The corpus callosum [CORRECT]
D. The cerebellum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The corpus callosum is the thick band of fibers connecting the two hemispheres, and its rapid
myelination in early and middle childhood supports integrated bilateral activity. The reticular formation regulates
attention and arousal (A), the hippocampus is central to memory formation (B), and the cerebellum contributes to
balance and motor coordination but does not join the hemispheres (D).
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology - Module 3 Examination - 75-Question Study Exam | 2026/2027 Update 2
, PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology | Module 3 Exam | Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
Q6: Which fine-motor achievement is characteristic of a typically developing 4-year-old?
A. Riding a tricycle around obstacles in the yard
B. Tying shoelaces securely into a bow
C. Cutting with scissors along a line and copying simple shapes and letters [CORRECT]
D. Writing complete cursive sentences independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By age 4, improved fine-motor control and eye-hand coordination support scissor use, copying forms,
and early letter formation. Tying secure bows usually emerges around ages 5 to 6 (B), riding a tricycle is a
gross-motor accomplishment of age 3 (A), and fluent cursive writing is a school-age skill (D).
Q7: A developmental screening clinic asks its examiners which gross-motor skill a typical 3-year-old
should be able to perform. Which skill should the examiner expect to see?
A. Pedaling a tricycle [CORRECT]
B. Jumping rope repeatedly without stopping
C. Riding a two-wheel bicycle without training wheels
D. Skipping with alternating feet down a hallway
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pedaling a tricycle is a classic age-3 gross-motor milestone reflecting improved leg strength and
coordination. Jumping rope and skipping with alternating feet typically emerge around ages 5 to 6 (B and D), and
riding a two-wheel bicycle comes later in childhood (C).
Q8: A father complains that his 3-year-old, who once ate everything offered, now eats very little at
meals and refuses unfamiliar foods. Which guidance is most developmentally appropriate?
A. Withhold all between-meal snacks so that the child arrives at dinner hungry
B. Use dessert as a reward that the child earns only by finishing vegetables
C. Request an immediate failure-to-thrive evaluation
D. Recognize that appetite naturally declines as growth slows; offer small, nutritious
portions and avoid pressuring the child to eat [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The growth slowdown of early childhood lowers caloric needs, so reduced appetite and wariness of
new foods are typical, and pressured feeding creates power struggles that undermine children's self-regulation of
intake. Forcing hunger (A) and dessert bribery (B) are counterproductive control strategies, and an immediate
failure-to-thrive referral is unwarranted without growth faltering on the growth chart (C).
Q9: A county health report shows that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among
children ages 3 to 5 in the region. Based on developmental research, which intervention package should
receive the highest priority?
A. Cardiac screening programs added to well-child visits
B. Anti-bullying curricula in preschool classrooms
C. Car-safety-seat enforcement, pool fencing, and close adult supervision of play
[CORRECT]
D. Mandatory helmet laws for adolescent bicycle riders
Correct Answer: C
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology - Module 3 Examination - 75-Question Study Exam | 2026/2027 Update 3
