PSYC 290N: LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT ACTUAL
FINAL EXAM (3.0 CREDITS, 6 CEUS)
SEPTEMBER 2026
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale
PSYC 290N: LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
FINAL EXAMINATION – SEPTEMBER 2026
Total Questions: 150 | Time Limit: 3 hours | Total Points: 150
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & RESEARCH METHODS (Questions 1–
15)
1. Dr. Chen studies how children’s problem-solving strategies change between ages 5
and 10. Which developmental perspective is she using?
A) Longitudinal design
B) Cross-sectional design
C) Sequential design
D) Microgenetic design
,Answer: B
*Rationale: A cross-sectional design compares different age groups at one point in time.
Dr. Chen compares 5-, 7-, and 10-year-olds simultaneously, making this cross-sectional.*
2. A researcher finds that parental warmth is associated with higher self-esteem in
adolescents. This is an example of:
A) A negative correlation
B) A positive correlation
C) No correlation
D) A cause-and-effect relationship
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other also
increases. More parental warmth is linked to higher self-esteem, so the correlation is
positive.
3. Which theorist emphasized the role of sociocultural context and the zone of proximal
development?
A) Piaget
B) Erikson
C) Vygotsky
D) Freud
Answer: C
Rationale: Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory focuses on how social interaction and culture
shape cognitive development, particularly through the zone of proximal development.
4. The embryonic period occurs during which weeks of gestation?
A) 0–2 weeks
B) 3–8 weeks
C) 9–38 weeks
, D) 24–40 weeks
Answer: B
Rationale: The germinal period is weeks 0–2; the embryonic period (major organ
formation) is weeks 3–8; the fetal period is weeks 9–birth.
5. A baby is born with the ability to grasp an object placed in its palm. This is the:
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Palmar grasp reflex
D) Babinski reflex
Answer: C
Rationale: The palmar grasp reflex causes fingers to close around an object touching the
palm; it disappears around 3–4 months.
6. Which research design follows the same group of individuals over many years?
A) Cross-sectional
B) Longitudinal
C) Cohort-sequential
D) Experimental
Answer: B
Rationale: Longitudinal designs track the same participants across time, allowing study of
developmental change but risking attrition.
7. According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, the child’s immediate family
represents the:
A) Macrosystem
B) Exosystem
C) Mesosystem
, D) Microsystem
Answer: D
Rationale: The microsystem includes direct interactions (family, school, peers). The
mesosystem links microsystems; exosystem includes indirect influences; macrosystem is
culture.
8. A teratogen is:
A) A genetic disorder
B) Any environmental agent that causes harm during prenatal development
C) A type of prenatal reflex
D) A stage of fetal brain development
Answer: B
Rationale: Teratogens include alcohol, drugs, infections, and radiation that disrupt
prenatal development, especially during the embryonic period.
9. The cephalocaudal pattern of growth means that development proceeds from:
A) Center outward
B) Head downward
C) Simple to complex
D) General to specific
Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalocaudal means “head to tail” – infants gain control of head/neck before
trunk and legs.
10. Which ethical principle requires that participants be fully informed about a study
before agreeing to participate?
A) Confidentiality
B) Debriefing
FINAL EXAM (3.0 CREDITS, 6 CEUS)
SEPTEMBER 2026
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale
PSYC 290N: LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
FINAL EXAMINATION – SEPTEMBER 2026
Total Questions: 150 | Time Limit: 3 hours | Total Points: 150
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & RESEARCH METHODS (Questions 1–
15)
1. Dr. Chen studies how children’s problem-solving strategies change between ages 5
and 10. Which developmental perspective is she using?
A) Longitudinal design
B) Cross-sectional design
C) Sequential design
D) Microgenetic design
,Answer: B
*Rationale: A cross-sectional design compares different age groups at one point in time.
Dr. Chen compares 5-, 7-, and 10-year-olds simultaneously, making this cross-sectional.*
2. A researcher finds that parental warmth is associated with higher self-esteem in
adolescents. This is an example of:
A) A negative correlation
B) A positive correlation
C) No correlation
D) A cause-and-effect relationship
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other also
increases. More parental warmth is linked to higher self-esteem, so the correlation is
positive.
3. Which theorist emphasized the role of sociocultural context and the zone of proximal
development?
A) Piaget
B) Erikson
C) Vygotsky
D) Freud
Answer: C
Rationale: Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory focuses on how social interaction and culture
shape cognitive development, particularly through the zone of proximal development.
4. The embryonic period occurs during which weeks of gestation?
A) 0–2 weeks
B) 3–8 weeks
C) 9–38 weeks
, D) 24–40 weeks
Answer: B
Rationale: The germinal period is weeks 0–2; the embryonic period (major organ
formation) is weeks 3–8; the fetal period is weeks 9–birth.
5. A baby is born with the ability to grasp an object placed in its palm. This is the:
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Palmar grasp reflex
D) Babinski reflex
Answer: C
Rationale: The palmar grasp reflex causes fingers to close around an object touching the
palm; it disappears around 3–4 months.
6. Which research design follows the same group of individuals over many years?
A) Cross-sectional
B) Longitudinal
C) Cohort-sequential
D) Experimental
Answer: B
Rationale: Longitudinal designs track the same participants across time, allowing study of
developmental change but risking attrition.
7. According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, the child’s immediate family
represents the:
A) Macrosystem
B) Exosystem
C) Mesosystem
, D) Microsystem
Answer: D
Rationale: The microsystem includes direct interactions (family, school, peers). The
mesosystem links microsystems; exosystem includes indirect influences; macrosystem is
culture.
8. A teratogen is:
A) A genetic disorder
B) Any environmental agent that causes harm during prenatal development
C) A type of prenatal reflex
D) A stage of fetal brain development
Answer: B
Rationale: Teratogens include alcohol, drugs, infections, and radiation that disrupt
prenatal development, especially during the embryonic period.
9. The cephalocaudal pattern of growth means that development proceeds from:
A) Center outward
B) Head downward
C) Simple to complex
D) General to specific
Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalocaudal means “head to tail” – infants gain control of head/neck before
trunk and legs.
10. Which ethical principle requires that participants be fully informed about a study
before agreeing to participate?
A) Confidentiality
B) Debriefing
