CLEP HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT EXAM LATEST
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS | AGRADE
Question 1
The HOME Inventory, developed by Caldwell and Bradley, is a scale used to assess what aspect
of a child's environment?
A) The child's nutritional intake and physical health.
B) The family's socioeconomic status.
C) The amount of intellectual stimulation in the household.
D) The child's emotional regulation abilities.
E) The presence of a secure attachment with caregivers.
Correct Answer: C) The amount of intellectual stimulation in the household.
Rationale: The HOME (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment)
Inventory by Caldwell and Bradley specifically measures the quality of intellectual
stimulation available in a child's home, including factors like appropriate play materials
and parental involvement. High scores on this inventory have been correlated with higher
IQ scores in some demographic groups.
Question 2
According to Piaget's cognitive development theory, a "scheme" refers to:
A) A stage of emotional development.
B) An inherited personality trait.
C) A grouping of similar actions and thoughts used to understand and respond to situations.
D) A form of classical conditioning.
E) A measure of intellectual stimulation.
Correct Answer: C) A grouping of similar actions and thoughts used to understand and
respond to situations.
Rationale: In Piaget's theory, a scheme (or schema) is a mental structure that represents a
set of linked ideas or actions that an individual uses to understand and interact with the
world. It serves as both a category of knowledge and a process for acquiring knowledge.
Question 3
The "nature" side of the nature vs. nurture debate suggests that development is primarily:
A) Shaped by environmental influences and learning experiences.
B) An unfolding process guided by preprogrammed genetic information.
C) A result of unconscious psychological conflicts.
D) Determined by the sociocultural context.
E) Influenced by early childhood attachments.
Correct Answer: B) An unfolding process guided by preprogrammed genetic information.
Rationale: The "nature" perspective in developmental psychology posits that development
is largely predetermined and guided by an individual's genetic inheritance, viewing it as a
predictable unfolding of inherited traits and abilities.
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Question 4
The concept of "tabula rasa" is most closely associated with which side of the nature vs. nurture
debate?
A) Nature
B) Nurture
C) A combination of both
D) Universality
E) Discontinuity
Correct Answer: B) Nurture
Rationale: "Tabula rasa," meaning "blank slate," is a philosophical concept implying that
the human mind at birth is empty of preconceived ideas and is entirely shaped by
experiences and environmental influences. This aligns with the "nurture" perspective of
development.
Question 5
Which developmental view argues that development progresses through a series of distinct
stages, each involving a specific task and qualitative changes?
A) Continuity views of development
B) Life Span theories of development
C) Universality views of development
D) Stage/Discontinuity views of development
E) Information processing approach
Correct Answer: D) Stage/Discontinuity views of development
Rationale: Stage or discontinuity views of development propose that development occurs in
a series of distinct, qualitatively different stages. Progressing from one stage to the next
involves mastering specific tasks characteristic of that stage, rather than just accumulating
more of the same type of information or skill.
Question 6
A theory that describes development as a gradual and cumulative process, where skills are built
upon previous ones (e.g., crawling to walking to running), is known as:
A) Stage/Discontinuity views
B) Psychodynamic theories
C) Continuity views of development
D) Sociocultural theories
E) Ecological systems theories
Correct Answer: C) Continuity views of development
Rationale: Continuity views of development emphasize that development is a smooth,
gradual, and cumulative process where new abilities build directly on earlier ones. Changes
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are seen as quantitative rather than qualitative, much like a child gradually increasing
their vocabulary.
Question 7
The primary difference between "Child Development" theories and "Life Span" theories of
development is that:
A) Child Development theories focus exclusively on cognitive changes, while Life Span theories
focus on emotional changes.
B) Child Development theories argue development ends in childhood, while Life Span theories
suggest growth and change occur across the entire life.
C) Child Development theories emphasize genetic factors, while Life Span theories emphasize
environmental factors.
D) Child Development theories are stage-based, while Life Span theories are continuous.
E) Child Development theories are only applicable to individualistic cultures, while Life Span
theories are universal.
Correct Answer: B) Child Development theories argue development ends in childhood, while
Life Span theories suggest growth and change occur across the entire life.
Rationale: Some traditional theories, like those of Freud and Piaget, primarily focused on
development during childhood and adolescence. Life Span theories, exemplified by Erik
Erikson's work, posit that growth and change are continuous processes that extend
throughout the entire human lifespan, from conception to death.
Question 8
The "Universality vs. Context-Specific" issue in developmental theory primarily asks whether:
A) Development is primarily influenced by nature or nurture.
B) Development proceeds through stages or is continuous.
C) The same general developmental path is followed by all people, or if it differs due to
sociocultural context.
D) Childhood experiences are more important than adult experiences.
E) Development is primarily conscious or unconscious.
Correct Answer: C) The same general developmental path is followed by all people, or if it
differs due to sociocultural context.
Rationale: This theoretical issue explores whether human development follows a single,
universal path that applies to everyone, or if developmental trajectories are fundamentally
shaped and altered by specific sociocultural contexts, meaning development can vary
significantly across different cultures and environments.
Question 9
Cultures that prioritize the needs and goals of the family or community over individual
achievements are known as:
A) Individualistic cultures
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B) Egalitarian cultures
C) Collectivist cultures
D) Authoritarian cultures
E) Permissive cultures
Correct Answer: C) Collectivist cultures
Rationale: Collectivist cultures emphasize interdependence, social harmony, and the well-
being of the group or family. Individual achievements are often secondary to collective
goals and needs.
Question 10
A society characterized by the prioritization or emphasis of the individual over the entire group is
known as:
A) Collectivist cultures
B) Traditional cultures
C) Individualistic cultures
D) Communal cultures
E) High-context cultures
Correct Answer: C) Individualistic cultures
Rationale: Individualistic cultures prioritize personal autonomy, self-reliance, and
individual achievements. The needs and desires of the individual are often given precedence
over those of the group.
Question 11
In Piaget's adaptation process, "accommodation" involves:
A) Incorporating new information into existing schemas without changing them.
B) Ignoring new information that doesn't fit existing schemas.
C) Altering existing schemas or developing new ones as a result of new information or
experiences.
D) Reverting to an earlier stage of cognitive development.
E) Maintaining a state of cognitive equilibrium.
Correct Answer: C) Altering existing schemas or developing new ones as a result of new
information or experiences.
Rationale: Accommodation is one of the two key processes of adaptation in Piaget's theory.
It occurs when a child encounters new information that cannot be assimilated into existing
schemas, leading to a modification of the old schema or the creation of a completely new
schema to incorporate the new knowledge.
Question 12
According to Piaget, the cognitive process of "assimilation" involves:
A) Changing one's existing schemas to fit new information.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS | AGRADE
Question 1
The HOME Inventory, developed by Caldwell and Bradley, is a scale used to assess what aspect
of a child's environment?
A) The child's nutritional intake and physical health.
B) The family's socioeconomic status.
C) The amount of intellectual stimulation in the household.
D) The child's emotional regulation abilities.
E) The presence of a secure attachment with caregivers.
Correct Answer: C) The amount of intellectual stimulation in the household.
Rationale: The HOME (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment)
Inventory by Caldwell and Bradley specifically measures the quality of intellectual
stimulation available in a child's home, including factors like appropriate play materials
and parental involvement. High scores on this inventory have been correlated with higher
IQ scores in some demographic groups.
Question 2
According to Piaget's cognitive development theory, a "scheme" refers to:
A) A stage of emotional development.
B) An inherited personality trait.
C) A grouping of similar actions and thoughts used to understand and respond to situations.
D) A form of classical conditioning.
E) A measure of intellectual stimulation.
Correct Answer: C) A grouping of similar actions and thoughts used to understand and
respond to situations.
Rationale: In Piaget's theory, a scheme (or schema) is a mental structure that represents a
set of linked ideas or actions that an individual uses to understand and interact with the
world. It serves as both a category of knowledge and a process for acquiring knowledge.
Question 3
The "nature" side of the nature vs. nurture debate suggests that development is primarily:
A) Shaped by environmental influences and learning experiences.
B) An unfolding process guided by preprogrammed genetic information.
C) A result of unconscious psychological conflicts.
D) Determined by the sociocultural context.
E) Influenced by early childhood attachments.
Correct Answer: B) An unfolding process guided by preprogrammed genetic information.
Rationale: The "nature" perspective in developmental psychology posits that development
is largely predetermined and guided by an individual's genetic inheritance, viewing it as a
predictable unfolding of inherited traits and abilities.
,[Type here]
Question 4
The concept of "tabula rasa" is most closely associated with which side of the nature vs. nurture
debate?
A) Nature
B) Nurture
C) A combination of both
D) Universality
E) Discontinuity
Correct Answer: B) Nurture
Rationale: "Tabula rasa," meaning "blank slate," is a philosophical concept implying that
the human mind at birth is empty of preconceived ideas and is entirely shaped by
experiences and environmental influences. This aligns with the "nurture" perspective of
development.
Question 5
Which developmental view argues that development progresses through a series of distinct
stages, each involving a specific task and qualitative changes?
A) Continuity views of development
B) Life Span theories of development
C) Universality views of development
D) Stage/Discontinuity views of development
E) Information processing approach
Correct Answer: D) Stage/Discontinuity views of development
Rationale: Stage or discontinuity views of development propose that development occurs in
a series of distinct, qualitatively different stages. Progressing from one stage to the next
involves mastering specific tasks characteristic of that stage, rather than just accumulating
more of the same type of information or skill.
Question 6
A theory that describes development as a gradual and cumulative process, where skills are built
upon previous ones (e.g., crawling to walking to running), is known as:
A) Stage/Discontinuity views
B) Psychodynamic theories
C) Continuity views of development
D) Sociocultural theories
E) Ecological systems theories
Correct Answer: C) Continuity views of development
Rationale: Continuity views of development emphasize that development is a smooth,
gradual, and cumulative process where new abilities build directly on earlier ones. Changes
,[Type here]
are seen as quantitative rather than qualitative, much like a child gradually increasing
their vocabulary.
Question 7
The primary difference between "Child Development" theories and "Life Span" theories of
development is that:
A) Child Development theories focus exclusively on cognitive changes, while Life Span theories
focus on emotional changes.
B) Child Development theories argue development ends in childhood, while Life Span theories
suggest growth and change occur across the entire life.
C) Child Development theories emphasize genetic factors, while Life Span theories emphasize
environmental factors.
D) Child Development theories are stage-based, while Life Span theories are continuous.
E) Child Development theories are only applicable to individualistic cultures, while Life Span
theories are universal.
Correct Answer: B) Child Development theories argue development ends in childhood, while
Life Span theories suggest growth and change occur across the entire life.
Rationale: Some traditional theories, like those of Freud and Piaget, primarily focused on
development during childhood and adolescence. Life Span theories, exemplified by Erik
Erikson's work, posit that growth and change are continuous processes that extend
throughout the entire human lifespan, from conception to death.
Question 8
The "Universality vs. Context-Specific" issue in developmental theory primarily asks whether:
A) Development is primarily influenced by nature or nurture.
B) Development proceeds through stages or is continuous.
C) The same general developmental path is followed by all people, or if it differs due to
sociocultural context.
D) Childhood experiences are more important than adult experiences.
E) Development is primarily conscious or unconscious.
Correct Answer: C) The same general developmental path is followed by all people, or if it
differs due to sociocultural context.
Rationale: This theoretical issue explores whether human development follows a single,
universal path that applies to everyone, or if developmental trajectories are fundamentally
shaped and altered by specific sociocultural contexts, meaning development can vary
significantly across different cultures and environments.
Question 9
Cultures that prioritize the needs and goals of the family or community over individual
achievements are known as:
A) Individualistic cultures
, [Type here]
B) Egalitarian cultures
C) Collectivist cultures
D) Authoritarian cultures
E) Permissive cultures
Correct Answer: C) Collectivist cultures
Rationale: Collectivist cultures emphasize interdependence, social harmony, and the well-
being of the group or family. Individual achievements are often secondary to collective
goals and needs.
Question 10
A society characterized by the prioritization or emphasis of the individual over the entire group is
known as:
A) Collectivist cultures
B) Traditional cultures
C) Individualistic cultures
D) Communal cultures
E) High-context cultures
Correct Answer: C) Individualistic cultures
Rationale: Individualistic cultures prioritize personal autonomy, self-reliance, and
individual achievements. The needs and desires of the individual are often given precedence
over those of the group.
Question 11
In Piaget's adaptation process, "accommodation" involves:
A) Incorporating new information into existing schemas without changing them.
B) Ignoring new information that doesn't fit existing schemas.
C) Altering existing schemas or developing new ones as a result of new information or
experiences.
D) Reverting to an earlier stage of cognitive development.
E) Maintaining a state of cognitive equilibrium.
Correct Answer: C) Altering existing schemas or developing new ones as a result of new
information or experiences.
Rationale: Accommodation is one of the two key processes of adaptation in Piaget's theory.
It occurs when a child encounters new information that cannot be assimilated into existing
schemas, leading to a modification of the old schema or the creation of a completely new
schema to incorporate the new knowledge.
Question 12
According to Piaget, the cognitive process of "assimilation" involves:
A) Changing one's existing schemas to fit new information.
