DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM 6 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is developmental psychology? - Developmental psychology studies the changes that occur
across the human lifespan, whether physical, cognitive, or social development.
Define nature - the genetic and biological disposition of an individual
Define nurture - The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family and culture.
Discuss the lifespan approach to human development. - In the past, developmental psychologists
only focused on change in childhood. The Lifespan approach to human development recognizes that
very important changes occur in adulthood as well. The Lifespan approach to development
emphasizes human change from conception to death. Each period of life is important.
What are the differences between a cross-sectional and longitudinal study? - Cross-sectional studies
examine people at one period, while longitudinal studies follow participants over a longer period of
time.
What is maturation? - has to do with something becoming more developed and more advanced.
What factors influence whether a teratogen will have an effect? - The mother's health, the amount of
the teratogen, and the timing of the teratogen. Organs that are in the process of forming are at the
greatest risk of a teratogen.
What tips are recommended in order to prevent SIDS? - Don't smoke around an infant, don't sleep
with an infant, make sure the crib or sleeping area is free of anything that could fall over the infant's
face and obstruct breathing, lie the baby on her back to sleep
Name 3 examples of gross motor skills. - walking, running, jogging. playing a sport
Which hormone is produced by the hypothalamus and triggers the release of gonadotropins? - GnRH
What is menopause? - A woman going 12 months without menstruation.
, How did Jean Piaget come up with his theory of cognitive development? - By observing his children
as they grew up as well as other children.
Describe the sensorimotor stage - From birth to age 2, according to Piaget. In this stage, infants learn
about the world by interacting with it—by touching and tasting. Infants must physically interact with
something in order to think about it. Infants in this stage do not understand object permanence.
What is object permanence? - The idea that objects still exist even if you can't see them.
What mental task do preoperational children have trouble with? - Conservation.
They cannot conserve substances, or they don't understand that the physical properties of
substances or subjects do not change if nothing is added or taken away
What are the differences between concrete operational thought and formal operational thought? -
Concrete Operational thought is logical and sequential. Conservation.
Formal Operational thought is even beyond simple logic and includes scientific and abstract
reasoning.
What is overregularization? - Over-applying a grammar rule.
What is your reaction to the results from the Seattle Longitudinal Study? Be specific. - I am not
surprised that the middle-aged adults outperformed their younger selves. We learn every day and
with age comes knowledge and experience.
What is a crisis, according to Erikson? - A moment of decision
Describe the Trust vs. Mistrust stage. - If infants have loving caregivers who supply safety and
security for the infant, the baby will develop a sense of trust in them. If, however, the infant's life is
chaotic and lacks reliable caregivers, the infant may develop a mistrustful outlook toward people.
What are some of the main issues in Erikson's childhood stages? - Autonomy vs. Self Doubt: children
recognizing that they are separate from their parents.
Initiative vs. Guilt: children understanding that they have the ability to make and create things.
Competence vs. Inferiority: children realizing that they can be good at certain things.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is developmental psychology? - Developmental psychology studies the changes that occur
across the human lifespan, whether physical, cognitive, or social development.
Define nature - the genetic and biological disposition of an individual
Define nurture - The environmental influences on individuals, such as friends, family and culture.
Discuss the lifespan approach to human development. - In the past, developmental psychologists
only focused on change in childhood. The Lifespan approach to human development recognizes that
very important changes occur in adulthood as well. The Lifespan approach to development
emphasizes human change from conception to death. Each period of life is important.
What are the differences between a cross-sectional and longitudinal study? - Cross-sectional studies
examine people at one period, while longitudinal studies follow participants over a longer period of
time.
What is maturation? - has to do with something becoming more developed and more advanced.
What factors influence whether a teratogen will have an effect? - The mother's health, the amount of
the teratogen, and the timing of the teratogen. Organs that are in the process of forming are at the
greatest risk of a teratogen.
What tips are recommended in order to prevent SIDS? - Don't smoke around an infant, don't sleep
with an infant, make sure the crib or sleeping area is free of anything that could fall over the infant's
face and obstruct breathing, lie the baby on her back to sleep
Name 3 examples of gross motor skills. - walking, running, jogging. playing a sport
Which hormone is produced by the hypothalamus and triggers the release of gonadotropins? - GnRH
What is menopause? - A woman going 12 months without menstruation.
, How did Jean Piaget come up with his theory of cognitive development? - By observing his children
as they grew up as well as other children.
Describe the sensorimotor stage - From birth to age 2, according to Piaget. In this stage, infants learn
about the world by interacting with it—by touching and tasting. Infants must physically interact with
something in order to think about it. Infants in this stage do not understand object permanence.
What is object permanence? - The idea that objects still exist even if you can't see them.
What mental task do preoperational children have trouble with? - Conservation.
They cannot conserve substances, or they don't understand that the physical properties of
substances or subjects do not change if nothing is added or taken away
What are the differences between concrete operational thought and formal operational thought? -
Concrete Operational thought is logical and sequential. Conservation.
Formal Operational thought is even beyond simple logic and includes scientific and abstract
reasoning.
What is overregularization? - Over-applying a grammar rule.
What is your reaction to the results from the Seattle Longitudinal Study? Be specific. - I am not
surprised that the middle-aged adults outperformed their younger selves. We learn every day and
with age comes knowledge and experience.
What is a crisis, according to Erikson? - A moment of decision
Describe the Trust vs. Mistrust stage. - If infants have loving caregivers who supply safety and
security for the infant, the baby will develop a sense of trust in them. If, however, the infant's life is
chaotic and lacks reliable caregivers, the infant may develop a mistrustful outlook toward people.
What are some of the main issues in Erikson's childhood stages? - Autonomy vs. Self Doubt: children
recognizing that they are separate from their parents.
Initiative vs. Guilt: children understanding that they have the ability to make and create things.
Competence vs. Inferiority: children realizing that they can be good at certain things.
