Psychology Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
PSYC 140 | Developmental Psychology, here are 100 original practice
questions for Module 1. These are for study only and are not official Portage
Learning or university exam questions.
Question 1:
Which statement best describes the lifespan perspective in developmental
psychology? A. Development occurs only in childhood.
B. Development is lifelong, multidimensional, and multidirectional.
C. Development is complete by adolescence.
D. Development is primarily genetic.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The lifespan perspective views development as lifelong,
multidimensional, multidirectional, plastic, multidisciplinary, and contextual.
Question 2:
The idea that development continues throughout life is known as:
A. Lifelong development
B. Critical period
C. Maturation
D. Fixation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Lifelong development means change occurs from conception to
death.
Question 3:
Development involving biological, cognitive, and socioemotional changes is
described as:
A. Unidimensional
B. Multidimensional
C. Static
,D. Random
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Multidimensional development includes physical, cognitive, and
psychosocial domains.
Question 4:
The concept that development can involve both growth and decline is called:
A. Multidirectional
B. Unidirectional
C. Fixed
D. Passive
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Multidirectional development recognizes gains and losses across the
lifespan.
Question 5:
Plasticity in development refers to:
A. The ability to change in response to experience
B. Development being fixed at birth
C. Development stopping in childhood
D. Genetic determinism
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Plasticity is the capacity for change and adaptation.
Question 6:
Development influenced by historical, social, and cultural conditions is called:
A. Contextual
B. Universal
C. Fixed
D. Biological only
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: Contextual development is shaped by environmental and cultural
settings.
Question 7:
The lifespan perspective is multidisciplinary because it draws from:
A. Only psychology
B. Many fields such as psychology, biology, sociology, and anthropology
C. Only medicine
D. Only genetics
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Multiple disciplines contribute to understanding development.
Question 8:
The lifespan perspective includes growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss.
This means:
A. Development only involves growth
B. Resources are allocated among growth, maintenance, and loss regulation
C. Loss never occurs
D. Maintenance is irrelevant
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Across life, individuals balance growth, maintenance, and managing
loss.
Question 9:
The nature vs. nurture debate concerns:
A. Whether development is influenced by genetics or environment
B. Whether development is continuous or discontinuous
C. Whether development is lifelong
D. Whether development is multidimensional
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Nature refers to heredity; nurture refers to environment and
experience.
, Question 10:
The continuity vs. discontinuity issue asks whether development is:
A. Gradual or stage-like
B. Genetic or environmental
C. Lifelong or childhood-only
D. Physical or cognitive
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Continuity views development as gradual; discontinuity views it as
distinct stages.
Question 11:
Age-graded influences are:
A. Biological and social changes tied to age
B. Random events
C. Unique to one person
D. Only historical events
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Age-graded influences are predictable changes related to
chronological age.
Question 12:
History-graded influences are:
A. Unique personal events
B. Events tied to a historical time period
C. Changes tied only to age
D. Genetic mutations
Correct answer: B
Rationale: History-graded influences affect a cohort, such as wars or
pandemics.