Life Span Development Exam 1 Ch. 1-4
Questions 100% Correct!!
How does the text define lifespan development? What are among its areas of study? - ANSWERThe
scientific field covering all aspects of the human life span. Among its areas of study include child
development, adult development, and gerontology.
Identify four major contexts of development listed in the text. - ANSWERCohort, Socio-economic
status, Culture, and Gender
How has the historical view of childhood evolved into our contemporary perspective? -
ANSWERThrough universal education and the mandatory attendance at primary school, the world for
children became a more kinder and gentler place.
How has the historical view of old age evolved into our contemporary perspective? -
ANSWERThrough the twentieth-century life expectancy revolution and improvements in health care,
there has been a dramatic increase of longevity. This has shifted the view of grandparents being
"old" to middle age.
Briefly describe the behaviorist view of development. - ANSWERBehaviorists believed in nurture and
that through reinforcement and operant conditioning, human behavior would develop.
Briefly describe the evolutionary psychology view of development. - ANSWEREvolutionary
psychologist believe that nature plays a huge role in development and that inborn species specific
behaviors play a huge role in human development and life.
What is the "nature vs. nurture" debate, & how does the concept of person-environment fit address
this issue? - ANSWERThe "nature vs. nurture" debate discusses the idea that nature/genetic
tendencies shape our nurture/life experiences. • This concept fits the "person-environment fit"
because it describes the extent to which the environment is tailored to fit our biological tendencies
and talents. If there is a chance or ability to create an environment, such as society, that can bring
out the best in humans than true to "nature vs. nurture" debate we are able to better humankind.
What is the primary focus of Piaget's theory? Briefly list the stages. - ANSWERThe focus of Piaget's
theory is based on the idea that from infancy to adolescence, children progress through four
qualitatively different stages of intellectual growth.
0-2: Sensorimotor
, 2-7: Preoperations
8-12: Concrete Operations
12+: Formal Operations
What is the primary focus of Erikson's theory? Briefly list the stages. - ANSWERErickson's primary
focus involves the challenges we face through eight stages of the life span, whether it internal or
external.
• Infancy (0-1): Basic trust vs. mistrust
• Toddlerhood (1-2): Autonomy versus shame and doubt
• Early childhood (3-6): Initiative versus guilt
• Middle childhood (6-puberty): Industry versus inferiority
• Adolescence (10-20): Identity versus role confusion
• Young adulthood (20-40): Intimacy versus isolation
• Middle adulthood (40-60): Generativity versus stagnation
• Late adulthood (60+): Integrity versus despair
How do correlational research and experimental research differ? - ANSWERCorrelational research is a
strategy that involves relating two or more variables and focusing on a relationship while
experimental research involves finding cause and effect
What is the primary difference between a cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study? -
ANSWERThe difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal is time. Cross-sectional compares
different age groups at the same time while longitudinal study involves testing an age group
repeatedly over many years.
Identify & define the three principles of prenatal development. - ANSWER• Proximodistal Sequence:
the developmental principle that occurs from the most parts of the body outward.
• Cephalocaudal Sequence: the development principle where growth occurs in a sequence from
head to toe.
• Mass-to-specific Sequence: the development principle where the large structures (and
movements) precede increasingly detailed refinements, 43.
Describe the trimester events of the pregnancy (or gestation period), including important milestones.
- ANSWERTrimester is one of the 3 month long segments into which pregnancy is divided. Beginning
first with the First Trimester, where an expecting mother often feels tired and ill. Second Trimester,
Questions 100% Correct!!
How does the text define lifespan development? What are among its areas of study? - ANSWERThe
scientific field covering all aspects of the human life span. Among its areas of study include child
development, adult development, and gerontology.
Identify four major contexts of development listed in the text. - ANSWERCohort, Socio-economic
status, Culture, and Gender
How has the historical view of childhood evolved into our contemporary perspective? -
ANSWERThrough universal education and the mandatory attendance at primary school, the world for
children became a more kinder and gentler place.
How has the historical view of old age evolved into our contemporary perspective? -
ANSWERThrough the twentieth-century life expectancy revolution and improvements in health care,
there has been a dramatic increase of longevity. This has shifted the view of grandparents being
"old" to middle age.
Briefly describe the behaviorist view of development. - ANSWERBehaviorists believed in nurture and
that through reinforcement and operant conditioning, human behavior would develop.
Briefly describe the evolutionary psychology view of development. - ANSWEREvolutionary
psychologist believe that nature plays a huge role in development and that inborn species specific
behaviors play a huge role in human development and life.
What is the "nature vs. nurture" debate, & how does the concept of person-environment fit address
this issue? - ANSWERThe "nature vs. nurture" debate discusses the idea that nature/genetic
tendencies shape our nurture/life experiences. • This concept fits the "person-environment fit"
because it describes the extent to which the environment is tailored to fit our biological tendencies
and talents. If there is a chance or ability to create an environment, such as society, that can bring
out the best in humans than true to "nature vs. nurture" debate we are able to better humankind.
What is the primary focus of Piaget's theory? Briefly list the stages. - ANSWERThe focus of Piaget's
theory is based on the idea that from infancy to adolescence, children progress through four
qualitatively different stages of intellectual growth.
0-2: Sensorimotor
, 2-7: Preoperations
8-12: Concrete Operations
12+: Formal Operations
What is the primary focus of Erikson's theory? Briefly list the stages. - ANSWERErickson's primary
focus involves the challenges we face through eight stages of the life span, whether it internal or
external.
• Infancy (0-1): Basic trust vs. mistrust
• Toddlerhood (1-2): Autonomy versus shame and doubt
• Early childhood (3-6): Initiative versus guilt
• Middle childhood (6-puberty): Industry versus inferiority
• Adolescence (10-20): Identity versus role confusion
• Young adulthood (20-40): Intimacy versus isolation
• Middle adulthood (40-60): Generativity versus stagnation
• Late adulthood (60+): Integrity versus despair
How do correlational research and experimental research differ? - ANSWERCorrelational research is a
strategy that involves relating two or more variables and focusing on a relationship while
experimental research involves finding cause and effect
What is the primary difference between a cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study? -
ANSWERThe difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal is time. Cross-sectional compares
different age groups at the same time while longitudinal study involves testing an age group
repeatedly over many years.
Identify & define the three principles of prenatal development. - ANSWER• Proximodistal Sequence:
the developmental principle that occurs from the most parts of the body outward.
• Cephalocaudal Sequence: the development principle where growth occurs in a sequence from
head to toe.
• Mass-to-specific Sequence: the development principle where the large structures (and
movements) precede increasingly detailed refinements, 43.
Describe the trimester events of the pregnancy (or gestation period), including important milestones.
- ANSWERTrimester is one of the 3 month long segments into which pregnancy is divided. Beginning
first with the First Trimester, where an expecting mother often feels tired and ill. Second Trimester,
