CH. 1 LIFE-SPAN & HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Human Development - ANSWER The multidisciplinary study of how people change and how they remain
the same over time.
Nature-Nurture Issue - ANSWER The degree to which genetic or hereditary influences(nature) and
experimental or environmental influences(nurture) determine the kind of person you are. Nature and
nurture are mutually interactive influences.
Continuity-Discontinuity Issue - ANSWER Whether a particular developmental phenomenon represents a
smooth progression throughout the life span(continuity) or a series of abrupt shifts(discontinuity).
Universal vs. Context-Specific Developmental Issue - ANSWER Whether there is just one path of
development or several paths.
Biopsychosocial Framework - ANSWER A useful way to organize the biological, psychological, and
sociocultural forces on human development.
Biological Forces: Genetics and Health - ANSWER Prenatal development, brain maturation, puberty, and
menopause are examples of both genetics and the effects of lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise.
Psychological Forces: Known by our behavior - ANSWER The internal cognitive, emotional, personality,
perceptual, and related factors that influence behavior.
Sociocultural Forces: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture - ANSWER A person's development as part of a much
larger system with the influences of their parents, children and siblings as well as those outside of the
family including family, friends, teachers, and co-workers. Society and how a person grows up play a key
role.
Lifecycle Forces: Timing is Everything - ANSWER The same event can have different effects depending on
when it happens in a person's life.
The Forces Interact - ANSWER No aspect of human development can be fully understood by examining
the forces in isolation- all four must be considered in interaction.
Neuroscience - ANSWER The study of the brain and the nervous system, especially in terms of brain-
behavior relationships.
Theory - ANSWER An organized set of ideas that is designed to explain development.
Psychodynamic Theories - ANSWER Theories proposing that development is largely determined by how
well people resolve conflicts they face at different ages.
, Psychosocial Theory - ANSWER Erikson's proposal that personality development is determined by the
interaction of an internal maturational plan and external societal demands.
Psychosocial Stages - ANSWER Eight stages of psychosocial development in Erikson's Theory
Basic trust vs. Mistrust - ANSWER Birth to 1 year: To develop a sense that the world is safe, a "good
place"
Autonomy vs. Shame - ANSWER 1 to 3 years: To realize that one is an independent person who can make
decisions and doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt - ANSWER 3 to 6 years: To develop the ability to try new things and to handle failure
Industry vs. Inferiority - ANSWER 6 years to adolescence: To learn basic skills and to work with others
Identity vs. Identity Confusion - ANSWER Adolescents: To develop a lasting integrated sense of self
Intimacy vs. Isolation - ANSWER Young adult: To commit to another in a loving relationship
Generativity vs. Stagnation - ANSWER Middle Adulthood: To contribute to younger people through child
rearing, child care, or other productive work
Integrity vs. Despair - ANSWER Late Life: To view one's life as satisfactory and worth living
Epigenetic Principle - ANSWER In Erikson's theory, the idea that each psychosocial strength has its own
special period of particular importance
Behaviorism - ANSWER John Watson believed that infants' minds were "blank slates" and argued that
learning determines what people will become. Experience is all that matters. Watson did little research
but B.F. Skinner filled this gap.
Skinner: Operant Conditioning - ANSWER In which the consequences of a behavior determine whether a
behavior is repeated in the future. Two kinds of consequences were especially influential: Reinforcement
and Punishment
Reinforcement - ANSWER A consequence that increases the future likelihood of the behavior that it
follows. Positive reinforcement consists of giving a reward such as chocolate, gold stars, etc. Negative
reinforcement is by taking away an unpleasant task when a desired task is accomplished.
Punishment - ANSWER A consequence that decreases the future likelihood of the behavior that follows.
Punishment suppresses a behavior either by adding something aversive or by withholding a pleasant
event.
Imitation or Observational Learning - ANSWER Simply watching those around them. People are more
likely imitate in the person they see is popular, smart, or talented. They're also more likely to imitate
when the behavior they see is rewarded than when it is punished.
DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Human Development - ANSWER The multidisciplinary study of how people change and how they remain
the same over time.
Nature-Nurture Issue - ANSWER The degree to which genetic or hereditary influences(nature) and
experimental or environmental influences(nurture) determine the kind of person you are. Nature and
nurture are mutually interactive influences.
Continuity-Discontinuity Issue - ANSWER Whether a particular developmental phenomenon represents a
smooth progression throughout the life span(continuity) or a series of abrupt shifts(discontinuity).
Universal vs. Context-Specific Developmental Issue - ANSWER Whether there is just one path of
development or several paths.
Biopsychosocial Framework - ANSWER A useful way to organize the biological, psychological, and
sociocultural forces on human development.
Biological Forces: Genetics and Health - ANSWER Prenatal development, brain maturation, puberty, and
menopause are examples of both genetics and the effects of lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise.
Psychological Forces: Known by our behavior - ANSWER The internal cognitive, emotional, personality,
perceptual, and related factors that influence behavior.
Sociocultural Forces: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture - ANSWER A person's development as part of a much
larger system with the influences of their parents, children and siblings as well as those outside of the
family including family, friends, teachers, and co-workers. Society and how a person grows up play a key
role.
Lifecycle Forces: Timing is Everything - ANSWER The same event can have different effects depending on
when it happens in a person's life.
The Forces Interact - ANSWER No aspect of human development can be fully understood by examining
the forces in isolation- all four must be considered in interaction.
Neuroscience - ANSWER The study of the brain and the nervous system, especially in terms of brain-
behavior relationships.
Theory - ANSWER An organized set of ideas that is designed to explain development.
Psychodynamic Theories - ANSWER Theories proposing that development is largely determined by how
well people resolve conflicts they face at different ages.
, Psychosocial Theory - ANSWER Erikson's proposal that personality development is determined by the
interaction of an internal maturational plan and external societal demands.
Psychosocial Stages - ANSWER Eight stages of psychosocial development in Erikson's Theory
Basic trust vs. Mistrust - ANSWER Birth to 1 year: To develop a sense that the world is safe, a "good
place"
Autonomy vs. Shame - ANSWER 1 to 3 years: To realize that one is an independent person who can make
decisions and doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt - ANSWER 3 to 6 years: To develop the ability to try new things and to handle failure
Industry vs. Inferiority - ANSWER 6 years to adolescence: To learn basic skills and to work with others
Identity vs. Identity Confusion - ANSWER Adolescents: To develop a lasting integrated sense of self
Intimacy vs. Isolation - ANSWER Young adult: To commit to another in a loving relationship
Generativity vs. Stagnation - ANSWER Middle Adulthood: To contribute to younger people through child
rearing, child care, or other productive work
Integrity vs. Despair - ANSWER Late Life: To view one's life as satisfactory and worth living
Epigenetic Principle - ANSWER In Erikson's theory, the idea that each psychosocial strength has its own
special period of particular importance
Behaviorism - ANSWER John Watson believed that infants' minds were "blank slates" and argued that
learning determines what people will become. Experience is all that matters. Watson did little research
but B.F. Skinner filled this gap.
Skinner: Operant Conditioning - ANSWER In which the consequences of a behavior determine whether a
behavior is repeated in the future. Two kinds of consequences were especially influential: Reinforcement
and Punishment
Reinforcement - ANSWER A consequence that increases the future likelihood of the behavior that it
follows. Positive reinforcement consists of giving a reward such as chocolate, gold stars, etc. Negative
reinforcement is by taking away an unpleasant task when a desired task is accomplished.
Punishment - ANSWER A consequence that decreases the future likelihood of the behavior that follows.
Punishment suppresses a behavior either by adding something aversive or by withholding a pleasant
event.
Imitation or Observational Learning - ANSWER Simply watching those around them. People are more
likely imitate in the person they see is popular, smart, or talented. They're also more likely to imitate
when the behavior they see is rewarded than when it is punished.
