1
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology Final Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Portage Learning |
Complete Questions and Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Theories of Development
Questions 1-12
Question 1 According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental task for
adolescents is:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion [CORRECT]
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Generativity vs. Stagnation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Identity vs. Role Confusion (ages 12-18) is the fifth stage in Erikson's theory,
focusing on developing a coherent sense of self and personal identity. Trust vs. Mistrust (A) is
the first stage (infancy, 0-1 year) involving basic trust in caregivers. Intimacy vs. Isolation (C) is
the sixth stage (young adulthood, 18-40 years) focusing on forming intimate relationships.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (D) is the seventh stage (middle adulthood, 40-65 years) involving
contributing to society and future generations.
Question 2 Piaget's preoperational stage is characterized by:
A. Object permanence
B. Egocentrism [CORRECT]
C. Conservation
D. Abstract reasoning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Egocentrism—the inability to take another person's perspective—is a hallmark of the
preoperational stage (ages 2-7). Children at this stage believe everyone sees the world as they do.
,2
Object permanence (A) develops during the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years). Conservation (C),
the understanding that quantity remains constant despite appearance changes, develops in the
concrete operational stage (7-11 years). Abstract reasoning (D) emerges in the formal operational
stage (12+ years).
Question 3 Bandura's social learning theory emphasizes the importance of:
A. Reinforcement and punishment
B. Observational learning and modeling [CORRECT]
C. Unconscious drives
D. Maturation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bandura's social learning theory (later social cognitive theory) emphasizes that
learning occurs through observing others (models) and imitating their behaviors, with attention
to self-efficacy and cognitive factors. Reinforcement and punishment (A) are central to Skinner's
operant conditioning. Unconscious drives (C) are Freud's psychoanalytic focus. Maturation (D)
is Gesell's emphasis on biological readiness.
Question 4 Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model includes the microsystem, which refers to:
A. The broader cultural context
B. The immediate environment where the child interacts daily [CORRECT]
C. Interactions between different microsystems
D. Changes over time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The microsystem is the innermost layer, comprising the child's immediate
environments where they have direct interactions (family, school, peers, neighborhood). The
macrosystem (A) is the outermost layer encompassing cultural values and societal norms. The
mesosystem (C) refers to connections between microsystems (e.g., parent-teacher conferences).
The chronosystem (D) represents changes over time and historical context.
Question 5 According to Freud's psychosexual theory, a child who is fixated in the anal stage
may display which adult personality trait?
A. Smoking or overeating
B. Excessive orderliness or messiness [CORRECT]
C. Difficulty forming relationships
D. Sexual dysfunction
,3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The anal stage (ages 1-3) focuses on toilet training and control. Fixation can result in
either excessive orderliness, stinginess, and obstinacy (if training was too harsh) or messiness
and lack of self-control (if training was too lenient). Smoking/overeating (A) relates to oral stage
fixation. Relationship difficulties (C) and sexual dysfunction (D) relate to phallic stage fixation
or other developmental issues.
Question 6 Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes that cognitive development is primarily
driven by:
A. Biological maturation
B. Social interaction and culture [CORRECT]
C. Individual discovery
D. Reinforcement schedules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized that higher mental functions originate in social interaction and
are mediated by cultural tools (language, symbols). The zone of proximal development and
scaffolding highlight the social nature of learning. Biological maturation (A) is Piaget's
emphasis. Individual discovery (C) characterizes Piaget's constructivist approach. Reinforcement
schedules (D) are behavioral concepts.
Question 7 In the nature vs. nurture debate, the current developmental psychology perspective is
best described as:
A. Nature is more important than nurture
B. Nurture is more important than nature
C. Nature and nurture interact bidirectionally [CORRECT]
D. Neither nature nor nurture matters
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Contemporary developmental psychology recognizes that nature (genetics) and
nurture (environment) interact bidirectionally—genes influence environments and environments
influence gene expression (epigenetics). This interactionist perspective acknowledges both
contributions without prioritizing one over the other.
Question 8 According to the information processing theory, the "hardware" of the cognitive
system refers to:
, 4
A. Strategies and knowledge
B. Brain structures and neural connections [CORRECT]
C. Social context
D. Emotional regulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Information processing theory uses the computer metaphor where "hardware" refers
to biological brain structures and neural mechanisms, while "software" refers to strategies,
knowledge, and cognitive processes. Social context (C) and emotional regulation (D) are not part
of the hardware/software distinction in this theory.
Question 9 Which theorist proposed that development occurs in a series of discontinuous stages?
A. Vygotsky
B. Piaget [CORRECT]
C. Bandura
D. Skinner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget proposed stage theory, viewing development as discontinuous with qualitative
shifts between stages (sensorimotor → preoperational → concrete operational → formal
operational). Vygotsky (A), Bandura (C), and Skinner (D) view development as more
continuous, emphasizing gradual learning and social influences rather than distinct stages.
Question 10 According to Bowlby's ethological theory of attachment, the primary function of
attachment behavior is:
A. To ensure the infant learns language
B. To promote survival and protection [CORRECT]
C. To facilitate cognitive development
D. To establish gender identity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bowlby, influenced by ethology (Lorenz's imprinting), proposed that attachment
behaviors evolved because they promote infant survival by keeping the infant close to protective
caregivers. While attachment may influence language (A) and cognition (C), its primary
evolutionary function is protection. Gender identity (D) is unrelated to attachment's primary
function.
Question 11 The lifespan perspective proposed by Baltes emphasizes that development is:
PSYC 140 Developmental Psychology Final Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Portage Learning |
Complete Questions and Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Theories of Development
Questions 1-12
Question 1 According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental task for
adolescents is:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion [CORRECT]
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Generativity vs. Stagnation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Identity vs. Role Confusion (ages 12-18) is the fifth stage in Erikson's theory,
focusing on developing a coherent sense of self and personal identity. Trust vs. Mistrust (A) is
the first stage (infancy, 0-1 year) involving basic trust in caregivers. Intimacy vs. Isolation (C) is
the sixth stage (young adulthood, 18-40 years) focusing on forming intimate relationships.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (D) is the seventh stage (middle adulthood, 40-65 years) involving
contributing to society and future generations.
Question 2 Piaget's preoperational stage is characterized by:
A. Object permanence
B. Egocentrism [CORRECT]
C. Conservation
D. Abstract reasoning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Egocentrism—the inability to take another person's perspective—is a hallmark of the
preoperational stage (ages 2-7). Children at this stage believe everyone sees the world as they do.
,2
Object permanence (A) develops during the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years). Conservation (C),
the understanding that quantity remains constant despite appearance changes, develops in the
concrete operational stage (7-11 years). Abstract reasoning (D) emerges in the formal operational
stage (12+ years).
Question 3 Bandura's social learning theory emphasizes the importance of:
A. Reinforcement and punishment
B. Observational learning and modeling [CORRECT]
C. Unconscious drives
D. Maturation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bandura's social learning theory (later social cognitive theory) emphasizes that
learning occurs through observing others (models) and imitating their behaviors, with attention
to self-efficacy and cognitive factors. Reinforcement and punishment (A) are central to Skinner's
operant conditioning. Unconscious drives (C) are Freud's psychoanalytic focus. Maturation (D)
is Gesell's emphasis on biological readiness.
Question 4 Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model includes the microsystem, which refers to:
A. The broader cultural context
B. The immediate environment where the child interacts daily [CORRECT]
C. Interactions between different microsystems
D. Changes over time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The microsystem is the innermost layer, comprising the child's immediate
environments where they have direct interactions (family, school, peers, neighborhood). The
macrosystem (A) is the outermost layer encompassing cultural values and societal norms. The
mesosystem (C) refers to connections between microsystems (e.g., parent-teacher conferences).
The chronosystem (D) represents changes over time and historical context.
Question 5 According to Freud's psychosexual theory, a child who is fixated in the anal stage
may display which adult personality trait?
A. Smoking or overeating
B. Excessive orderliness or messiness [CORRECT]
C. Difficulty forming relationships
D. Sexual dysfunction
,3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The anal stage (ages 1-3) focuses on toilet training and control. Fixation can result in
either excessive orderliness, stinginess, and obstinacy (if training was too harsh) or messiness
and lack of self-control (if training was too lenient). Smoking/overeating (A) relates to oral stage
fixation. Relationship difficulties (C) and sexual dysfunction (D) relate to phallic stage fixation
or other developmental issues.
Question 6 Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes that cognitive development is primarily
driven by:
A. Biological maturation
B. Social interaction and culture [CORRECT]
C. Individual discovery
D. Reinforcement schedules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized that higher mental functions originate in social interaction and
are mediated by cultural tools (language, symbols). The zone of proximal development and
scaffolding highlight the social nature of learning. Biological maturation (A) is Piaget's
emphasis. Individual discovery (C) characterizes Piaget's constructivist approach. Reinforcement
schedules (D) are behavioral concepts.
Question 7 In the nature vs. nurture debate, the current developmental psychology perspective is
best described as:
A. Nature is more important than nurture
B. Nurture is more important than nature
C. Nature and nurture interact bidirectionally [CORRECT]
D. Neither nature nor nurture matters
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Contemporary developmental psychology recognizes that nature (genetics) and
nurture (environment) interact bidirectionally—genes influence environments and environments
influence gene expression (epigenetics). This interactionist perspective acknowledges both
contributions without prioritizing one over the other.
Question 8 According to the information processing theory, the "hardware" of the cognitive
system refers to:
, 4
A. Strategies and knowledge
B. Brain structures and neural connections [CORRECT]
C. Social context
D. Emotional regulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Information processing theory uses the computer metaphor where "hardware" refers
to biological brain structures and neural mechanisms, while "software" refers to strategies,
knowledge, and cognitive processes. Social context (C) and emotional regulation (D) are not part
of the hardware/software distinction in this theory.
Question 9 Which theorist proposed that development occurs in a series of discontinuous stages?
A. Vygotsky
B. Piaget [CORRECT]
C. Bandura
D. Skinner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget proposed stage theory, viewing development as discontinuous with qualitative
shifts between stages (sensorimotor → preoperational → concrete operational → formal
operational). Vygotsky (A), Bandura (C), and Skinner (D) view development as more
continuous, emphasizing gradual learning and social influences rather than distinct stages.
Question 10 According to Bowlby's ethological theory of attachment, the primary function of
attachment behavior is:
A. To ensure the infant learns language
B. To promote survival and protection [CORRECT]
C. To facilitate cognitive development
D. To establish gender identity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bowlby, influenced by ethology (Lorenz's imprinting), proposed that attachment
behaviors evolved because they promote infant survival by keeping the infant close to protective
caregivers. While attachment may influence language (A) and cognition (C), its primary
evolutionary function is protection. Gender identity (D) is unrelated to attachment's primary
function.
Question 11 The lifespan perspective proposed by Baltes emphasizes that development is:
