• TPF3703 (PYC4805) – Developmental Psychology |
UNISA Fall Semester 2025/2026 Updated Study
Pack | 230+ Verified Application Questions with
Detailed Answers & Rationales | Complete Exam
Guide on Lifespan, Cognitive, Social, and
Emotional Development for UNISA Psychology
and Education Students
QUESTION: 1:
What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?
A) To study the effects of aging on health
B) To understand the psychological growth and changes throughout the lifespan
C) To focus solely on childhood development
D) To analyze cognitive processes only
RATIONALE: : Developmental psychology encompasses the full range of human
development from infancy through old age, focusing on emotional, social, cognitive,
and physical changes.
QUESTION: 2:
How does the nature vs. nurture debate impact developmental psychology?
A) It is irrelevant to development
B) It explores the influence of genetic inheritance and environmental factors on
development
C) It focuses solely on genetic factors
D) It ignores cultural influences
RATIONALE: : The nature vs. nurture debate is central to understanding how different
factors contribute to human development.
QUESTION: 3:
What role does attachment play in early childhood development?
A) It is not significant
B) It fosters emotional security and influences future relationships
C) It only affects cognitive development
D) It has no impact on social skills
RATIONALE: : Secure attachment in early childhood is crucial for emotional and social
development, affecting relationships throughout life.
QUESTION: 4:
,How do Piaget's stages of cognitive development influence educational practices?
,A) They are outdated concepts
B) They guide teachers in creating age-appropriate learning experiences based on
cognitive abilities
C) They focus solely on memorization
D) They ignore individual differences
RATIONALE: : Piaget’s stages help educators tailor instruction to the cognitive
capabilities of students at different ages.
QUESTION: 5:
What is the significance of Erikson's psychosocial stages in understanding
development?
A) They focus only on childhood
B) They illustrate the social and emotional challenges individuals face at different
life stages
C) They ignore identity formation
D) They are irrelevant to adult development
RATIONALE: : Erikson's model emphasizes the importance of social relationships and
challenges throughout the lifespan.
QUESTION: 6:
How does cultural context influence developmental milestones?
A) It has no effect
B) It shapes the expectations and experiences of individuals as they grow and
develop
C) It only affects childhood experiences
D) It is irrelevant to psychological development
RATIONALE: : Cultural values and practices significantly influence how developmental
milestones are perceived and achieved.
QUESTION: 7:
What impact does early childhood education have on cognitive development?
A) It is not important
B) It enhances cognitive skills, socialization, and emotional regulation
C) It only benefits children from affluent backgrounds
D) It focuses solely on academic achievement
RATIONALE: : Quality early childhood education provides foundational skills that
support overall cognitive and social development.
, QUESTION: 8:
How does adolescence influence identity development?
A) It has no impact
B) It is a critical period for exploring personal identity and self-concept
C) It only affects social relationships
D) It is irrelevant to psychological growth
RATIONALE: : Adolescence is a time of significant exploration and formation of identity,
influenced by peers and societal expectations.
QUESTION: G:
What is the role of resilience in developmental psychology?
A) It is not relevant
B) It refers to the ability to adapt and thrive despite challenges and adversities
C) It focuses solely on individual success
D) It ignores environmental factors
RATIONALE: : Resilience is crucial for healthy development, allowing individuals to
cope with stress and adversity.
QUESTION: 10:
How do social interactions influence language development in children?
A) They have no influence
B) Social interactions provide essential opportunities for practicing language skills
and learning new vocabulary
C) They only affect cognitive skills
D) They are irrelevant to communication
RATIONALE: : Interaction with caregivers and peers is vital for language acquisition and
development in early childhood.
QUESTION: 11:
What role does play have in child development?
A) It is unimportant
B) It fosters cognitive, social, and emotional skills through exploration and
creativity
C) It only focuses on physical abilities
D) It is irrelevant to learning
UNISA Fall Semester 2025/2026 Updated Study
Pack | 230+ Verified Application Questions with
Detailed Answers & Rationales | Complete Exam
Guide on Lifespan, Cognitive, Social, and
Emotional Development for UNISA Psychology
and Education Students
QUESTION: 1:
What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?
A) To study the effects of aging on health
B) To understand the psychological growth and changes throughout the lifespan
C) To focus solely on childhood development
D) To analyze cognitive processes only
RATIONALE: : Developmental psychology encompasses the full range of human
development from infancy through old age, focusing on emotional, social, cognitive,
and physical changes.
QUESTION: 2:
How does the nature vs. nurture debate impact developmental psychology?
A) It is irrelevant to development
B) It explores the influence of genetic inheritance and environmental factors on
development
C) It focuses solely on genetic factors
D) It ignores cultural influences
RATIONALE: : The nature vs. nurture debate is central to understanding how different
factors contribute to human development.
QUESTION: 3:
What role does attachment play in early childhood development?
A) It is not significant
B) It fosters emotional security and influences future relationships
C) It only affects cognitive development
D) It has no impact on social skills
RATIONALE: : Secure attachment in early childhood is crucial for emotional and social
development, affecting relationships throughout life.
QUESTION: 4:
,How do Piaget's stages of cognitive development influence educational practices?
,A) They are outdated concepts
B) They guide teachers in creating age-appropriate learning experiences based on
cognitive abilities
C) They focus solely on memorization
D) They ignore individual differences
RATIONALE: : Piaget’s stages help educators tailor instruction to the cognitive
capabilities of students at different ages.
QUESTION: 5:
What is the significance of Erikson's psychosocial stages in understanding
development?
A) They focus only on childhood
B) They illustrate the social and emotional challenges individuals face at different
life stages
C) They ignore identity formation
D) They are irrelevant to adult development
RATIONALE: : Erikson's model emphasizes the importance of social relationships and
challenges throughout the lifespan.
QUESTION: 6:
How does cultural context influence developmental milestones?
A) It has no effect
B) It shapes the expectations and experiences of individuals as they grow and
develop
C) It only affects childhood experiences
D) It is irrelevant to psychological development
RATIONALE: : Cultural values and practices significantly influence how developmental
milestones are perceived and achieved.
QUESTION: 7:
What impact does early childhood education have on cognitive development?
A) It is not important
B) It enhances cognitive skills, socialization, and emotional regulation
C) It only benefits children from affluent backgrounds
D) It focuses solely on academic achievement
RATIONALE: : Quality early childhood education provides foundational skills that
support overall cognitive and social development.
, QUESTION: 8:
How does adolescence influence identity development?
A) It has no impact
B) It is a critical period for exploring personal identity and self-concept
C) It only affects social relationships
D) It is irrelevant to psychological growth
RATIONALE: : Adolescence is a time of significant exploration and formation of identity,
influenced by peers and societal expectations.
QUESTION: G:
What is the role of resilience in developmental psychology?
A) It is not relevant
B) It refers to the ability to adapt and thrive despite challenges and adversities
C) It focuses solely on individual success
D) It ignores environmental factors
RATIONALE: : Resilience is crucial for healthy development, allowing individuals to
cope with stress and adversity.
QUESTION: 10:
How do social interactions influence language development in children?
A) They have no influence
B) Social interactions provide essential opportunities for practicing language skills
and learning new vocabulary
C) They only affect cognitive skills
D) They are irrelevant to communication
RATIONALE: : Interaction with caregivers and peers is vital for language acquisition and
development in early childhood.
QUESTION: 11:
What role does play have in child development?
A) It is unimportant
B) It fosters cognitive, social, and emotional skills through exploration and
creativity
C) It only focuses on physical abilities
D) It is irrelevant to learning
