PSYC 101 Module 7 Exam: General
Psychology –Questions with Rationales
1. Describe an example of someone experiencing maturation beyond physical
growth.
Answer:-A toddler progressing from babbling to speaking two-word
sentences, or a teenager developing the ability to think abstractly and plan for
the future.
Rationale:- Maturation is the biological unfolding of genetically programmed
developmental changes. It includes cognitive maturation (e.g., Piaget’s stages) and
emotional maturation (e.g., impulse control) – not merely getting taller or heavier.
2. A child states that stealing is wrong because stealing gets you in trouble. Which
of Kohlberg’s stages of moral reasoning is the child in?
Answer:-Preconventional level, Stage 1 (punishment and obedience
orientation)
Rationale:- Kohlberg’s preconventional morality focuses on external
consequences. Stage 1 avoids punishment; Stage 2 seeks rewards. The child’s
reasoning (“gets you in trouble”) reflects fear of punishment, not internalized
principles.
3. Erikson’s socioemotional stage during which infants learn whether or not to trust
caregivers is called:
Answer:-Trust vs. Mistrust
Rationale:- Erikson’s first psychosocial stage (birth to ~18 months). Consistent,
responsive caregiving fosters trust; neglect or inconsistency leads to mistrust,
affecting future relationships.
4. A 4-year-old believes that the moon follows her when she walks. Which of
Piaget’s stages is she in, and what is this phenomenon called?
Answer:-Preoperational stage; egocentrism
,Rationale:- Preoperational children (ages 2-7) are egocentric – unable to take
another’s perspective. Believing the moon follows them is animistic and egocentric
thinking.
5. According to attachment theory, a child who explores a new room freely while
the mother is present, shows distress when she leaves, and greets her happily upon
return has which attachment style?
Answer:-Secure attachment
Rationale:- Ainsworth’s Strange Situation: secure infants use the mother as a
secure base, show separation anxiety, and are easily comforted upon reunion. This
indicates healthy attachment.
6. A teenager can think about hypothetical situations and systematically test
hypotheses. Piaget called this stage:
Answer:-Formal operational stage
Rationale:- From age ~11 onward, formal operational thought enables abstract,
logical, and hypothetical reasoning. It is the final Piagetian stage.
7. In Harlow’s research with rhesus monkeys, infant monkeys preferred which
surrogate mother?
Answer:-The cloth-covered wire mother that provided no food
Rationale:- Harlow demonstrated that comfort and contact comfort (soft, warm
texture) are more important for attachment than food provision. Monkeys clung to
the cloth mother even when the wire mother had a bottle.
8. A baby who is 6 months old searches for a toy that is partially hidden under a
blanket. Which Piagetian milestone has this baby achieved?
Answer:-Object permanence (beginning to develop)
Rationale:- Object permanence – understanding that objects continue to exist
when out of sight – typically emerges between 4-8 months and is fully developed by
18-24 months.
, 9. A mother notices that her 2-year-old says “No!” to everything and throws
tantrums when frustrated. Erikson would say this child is in which psychosocial
stage?
Answer:-Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
*Rationale:- Ages 1-3. Children develop independence by making choices.
Overcontrol leads to shame/doubt; appropriate guidance fosters autonomy.*
10. According to Kohlberg, a person who follows laws to maintain social order is
in which level and stage?
Answer:-Conventional level, Stage 4 (law and order orientation)
*Rationale:- Conventional morality (adolescence/adulthood) values maintaining
social norms. Stage 4 emphasizes obeying laws to uphold societal order, not just
avoid punishment.*
11. A researcher shows a child two identical glasses of water, then pours one into a
tall thin glass. The child says the tall glass has more water. This child has not yet
mastered:
Answer:-Conservation
Rationale:- Conservation – understanding that quantity remains the same despite
changes in shape – develops in the concrete operational stage (ages 7-11).
Preoperational children are fooled by appearances.
12. Which parenting style is associated with the most positive child outcomes
(self-esteem, social competence, academic success)?
Answer:-Authoritative parenting
Rationale:- Authoritative parents are warm, responsive, and set reasonable limits
with explanations. This balances control and autonomy, fostering competence and
mental health.
13. A child who is 10 months old cries when her mother leaves the room but is
easily soothed by a stranger. This is an example of:
Answer:-Separation anxiety
Rationale:- Separation anxiety normally appears around 6-8 months, peaks at
Psychology –Questions with Rationales
1. Describe an example of someone experiencing maturation beyond physical
growth.
Answer:-A toddler progressing from babbling to speaking two-word
sentences, or a teenager developing the ability to think abstractly and plan for
the future.
Rationale:- Maturation is the biological unfolding of genetically programmed
developmental changes. It includes cognitive maturation (e.g., Piaget’s stages) and
emotional maturation (e.g., impulse control) – not merely getting taller or heavier.
2. A child states that stealing is wrong because stealing gets you in trouble. Which
of Kohlberg’s stages of moral reasoning is the child in?
Answer:-Preconventional level, Stage 1 (punishment and obedience
orientation)
Rationale:- Kohlberg’s preconventional morality focuses on external
consequences. Stage 1 avoids punishment; Stage 2 seeks rewards. The child’s
reasoning (“gets you in trouble”) reflects fear of punishment, not internalized
principles.
3. Erikson’s socioemotional stage during which infants learn whether or not to trust
caregivers is called:
Answer:-Trust vs. Mistrust
Rationale:- Erikson’s first psychosocial stage (birth to ~18 months). Consistent,
responsive caregiving fosters trust; neglect or inconsistency leads to mistrust,
affecting future relationships.
4. A 4-year-old believes that the moon follows her when she walks. Which of
Piaget’s stages is she in, and what is this phenomenon called?
Answer:-Preoperational stage; egocentrism
,Rationale:- Preoperational children (ages 2-7) are egocentric – unable to take
another’s perspective. Believing the moon follows them is animistic and egocentric
thinking.
5. According to attachment theory, a child who explores a new room freely while
the mother is present, shows distress when she leaves, and greets her happily upon
return has which attachment style?
Answer:-Secure attachment
Rationale:- Ainsworth’s Strange Situation: secure infants use the mother as a
secure base, show separation anxiety, and are easily comforted upon reunion. This
indicates healthy attachment.
6. A teenager can think about hypothetical situations and systematically test
hypotheses. Piaget called this stage:
Answer:-Formal operational stage
Rationale:- From age ~11 onward, formal operational thought enables abstract,
logical, and hypothetical reasoning. It is the final Piagetian stage.
7. In Harlow’s research with rhesus monkeys, infant monkeys preferred which
surrogate mother?
Answer:-The cloth-covered wire mother that provided no food
Rationale:- Harlow demonstrated that comfort and contact comfort (soft, warm
texture) are more important for attachment than food provision. Monkeys clung to
the cloth mother even when the wire mother had a bottle.
8. A baby who is 6 months old searches for a toy that is partially hidden under a
blanket. Which Piagetian milestone has this baby achieved?
Answer:-Object permanence (beginning to develop)
Rationale:- Object permanence – understanding that objects continue to exist
when out of sight – typically emerges between 4-8 months and is fully developed by
18-24 months.
, 9. A mother notices that her 2-year-old says “No!” to everything and throws
tantrums when frustrated. Erikson would say this child is in which psychosocial
stage?
Answer:-Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
*Rationale:- Ages 1-3. Children develop independence by making choices.
Overcontrol leads to shame/doubt; appropriate guidance fosters autonomy.*
10. According to Kohlberg, a person who follows laws to maintain social order is
in which level and stage?
Answer:-Conventional level, Stage 4 (law and order orientation)
*Rationale:- Conventional morality (adolescence/adulthood) values maintaining
social norms. Stage 4 emphasizes obeying laws to uphold societal order, not just
avoid punishment.*
11. A researcher shows a child two identical glasses of water, then pours one into a
tall thin glass. The child says the tall glass has more water. This child has not yet
mastered:
Answer:-Conservation
Rationale:- Conservation – understanding that quantity remains the same despite
changes in shape – develops in the concrete operational stage (ages 7-11).
Preoperational children are fooled by appearances.
12. Which parenting style is associated with the most positive child outcomes
(self-esteem, social competence, academic success)?
Answer:-Authoritative parenting
Rationale:- Authoritative parents are warm, responsive, and set reasonable limits
with explanations. This balances control and autonomy, fostering competence and
mental health.
13. A child who is 10 months old cries when her mother leaves the room but is
easily soothed by a stranger. This is an example of:
Answer:-Separation anxiety
Rationale:- Separation anxiety normally appears around 6-8 months, peaks at
