LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE 2025 GRADED A+ QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS EXAM NEW EDITION
Developmental Psychology - The study of changes and transitions that accompany physical growth or
maturation.
Fertilization - In humans, this process occurs in the fallopian tube of the female when a sperm unites
with an egg or ovum and travels to the uterus. The zygote (fertilized ovum) then goes through 3
stages of gestation.
The 3 Stages of Gestation - 1. Germinal Stage; 2. The Embryonic Stage; 3. The Fetal Stage
The Germinal Stage - Lasts two weeks, during which time the zygote moves down the fallopian tube,
grows into 64 cells through cell division, and implants itself into the wall of the uterus.
The Embryonic Stage - Lasts until the end of the second month and consists of organ formation.
The Fetal Stage - Lasts from the third month until birth. Quantitative growth occurs during this time,
as well as movement (called "quickening).
Neonate - A newborn.
Sucking-Reflex - Best known reflex; elicited by placing an object in the baby's mouth.
Head-Turning Reflex - Elicited by stroking the baby's cheek
Moro Reflex - The throwing out of arms and legs elicited by loud or frightening noises
Babinski Reflex - The fanning of the toes elicited by touching the bottom of the baby's foot
Palmar Reflex - The hand grasping elicited by placing an object in the baby's hand
, Adolescence - Second most commonly addressed developmental stage; This period spans the teen
years (13 to 19) and begins with the onset of puberty. At this point, the adrenal and pituitary glands
secrete hormones (androgen for boys and estrogen for girls) that cause the visible secondary sex
characteristics and the growth spurt.
Nature vs. Nurture - The central debate in psychology. People are constantly trying to determine if
things like personality and behavior are the result of genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).
Twin Studies - Studies frequently used to examine nature and nurture combinations. The influence of
genetics can be examined by comparing and contrasting the similarities between monozygotic
(identical) twins, which have the exact same genetic makeup, and dizygotic (fraternal) twins, which
share about half of their genetic makeup (like all siblings).
Fraternal Siblings vs. Just Siblings - Fraternal siblings are used instead of just siblings because they are
believed to have grown up in a more similar environment since they were going through the same
stages of development at the same time in the same place.
Influence of Environment - This can be examined by comparing identical twins that were separated at
birth, having the same genetic makeup but different environments. Most researchers believe that a
person's attributes like behavior and personality are the result of both nature and nurture working
together.
Jean Piaget - He is best known for his work in child development, in particular for his theory of child
cognitive development.
Piaget's Theory of Child Cognitive Development - Asserted that humans experience an interaction
between internal maturation and external experience that creates qualitative change. This
adaptation happens through assimilation (fitting new information into existing ideas) and
accommodation (modification of cognitive schemata to incorporate new information). All children go
through 4 main stages of cognitive development, and while the age may vary, the order of the stages
does not.
4 Stages of Cognitive Development - 1. Sensorimotor; Preoperational; Concrete Operational; Formal
Operational
Stage 1 - Sensorimotor - Age: 0-2 yrs; First, reflexive behavior cued by sensations; then circular
reactions (repeated behavior intended to manipulate environment); later, development of object
permanence (knowing an object exists even when it can no longer be seen); finally, acquiring the use
of representation (visualizing or putting words to objects)
COMPREHENSIVE 2025 GRADED A+ QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS EXAM NEW EDITION
Developmental Psychology - The study of changes and transitions that accompany physical growth or
maturation.
Fertilization - In humans, this process occurs in the fallopian tube of the female when a sperm unites
with an egg or ovum and travels to the uterus. The zygote (fertilized ovum) then goes through 3
stages of gestation.
The 3 Stages of Gestation - 1. Germinal Stage; 2. The Embryonic Stage; 3. The Fetal Stage
The Germinal Stage - Lasts two weeks, during which time the zygote moves down the fallopian tube,
grows into 64 cells through cell division, and implants itself into the wall of the uterus.
The Embryonic Stage - Lasts until the end of the second month and consists of organ formation.
The Fetal Stage - Lasts from the third month until birth. Quantitative growth occurs during this time,
as well as movement (called "quickening).
Neonate - A newborn.
Sucking-Reflex - Best known reflex; elicited by placing an object in the baby's mouth.
Head-Turning Reflex - Elicited by stroking the baby's cheek
Moro Reflex - The throwing out of arms and legs elicited by loud or frightening noises
Babinski Reflex - The fanning of the toes elicited by touching the bottom of the baby's foot
Palmar Reflex - The hand grasping elicited by placing an object in the baby's hand
, Adolescence - Second most commonly addressed developmental stage; This period spans the teen
years (13 to 19) and begins with the onset of puberty. At this point, the adrenal and pituitary glands
secrete hormones (androgen for boys and estrogen for girls) that cause the visible secondary sex
characteristics and the growth spurt.
Nature vs. Nurture - The central debate in psychology. People are constantly trying to determine if
things like personality and behavior are the result of genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).
Twin Studies - Studies frequently used to examine nature and nurture combinations. The influence of
genetics can be examined by comparing and contrasting the similarities between monozygotic
(identical) twins, which have the exact same genetic makeup, and dizygotic (fraternal) twins, which
share about half of their genetic makeup (like all siblings).
Fraternal Siblings vs. Just Siblings - Fraternal siblings are used instead of just siblings because they are
believed to have grown up in a more similar environment since they were going through the same
stages of development at the same time in the same place.
Influence of Environment - This can be examined by comparing identical twins that were separated at
birth, having the same genetic makeup but different environments. Most researchers believe that a
person's attributes like behavior and personality are the result of both nature and nurture working
together.
Jean Piaget - He is best known for his work in child development, in particular for his theory of child
cognitive development.
Piaget's Theory of Child Cognitive Development - Asserted that humans experience an interaction
between internal maturation and external experience that creates qualitative change. This
adaptation happens through assimilation (fitting new information into existing ideas) and
accommodation (modification of cognitive schemata to incorporate new information). All children go
through 4 main stages of cognitive development, and while the age may vary, the order of the stages
does not.
4 Stages of Cognitive Development - 1. Sensorimotor; Preoperational; Concrete Operational; Formal
Operational
Stage 1 - Sensorimotor - Age: 0-2 yrs; First, reflexive behavior cued by sensations; then circular
reactions (repeated behavior intended to manipulate environment); later, development of object
permanence (knowing an object exists even when it can no longer be seen); finally, acquiring the use
of representation (visualizing or putting words to objects)
