PSY 357: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY – EXAM
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. Which developmental theory emphasizes the role of operant
conditioning in shaping behavior across the lifespan?
a) Piaget’s cognitive-developmental theory
b) Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
c) Skinner’s behaviorism ✔
d) Bandura’s social cognitive theory
Explanation: Skinner’s behaviorism focuses on consequences
(reinforcement/punishment) shaping behavior. Piaget emphasized
stages of cognitive growth, Vygotsky social interaction, and Bandura
observational learning – only Skinner is rooted in operant conditioning.
2. A researcher measures the same group of children’s vocabulary at
ages 3, 5, and 7. This is an example of which research design?
a) Cross-sectional
b) Longitudinal ✔
c) Sequential
d) Microgenetic
Explanation: Longitudinal design follows the same participants over
time. Cross-sectional compares different age groups at one time.
,Sequential combines both; microgenetic observes rapid change during a
transition.
3. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial challenge of late
adulthood is:
a) Generativity vs. stagnation
b) Identity vs. role confusion
c) Integrity vs. despair ✔
d) Intimacy vs. isolation
Explanation: Integrity vs. despair occurs in late adulthood (65+),
focusing on reflecting on life with satisfaction or regret. Generativity is
middle adulthood; identity is adolescence; intimacy is young adulthood.
4. Which teratogen is most strongly associated with facial
abnormalities and cognitive deficits, even in low doses?
a) Nicotine
b) Alcohol ✔
c) Caffeine
d) Lead exposure
Explanation: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) result from
prenatal alcohol exposure, causing distinctive facial features (smooth
philtrum, thin vermilion border) and brain damage. Nicotine/lead have
risks but not the same teratogenic specificity.
5. In Piaget’s theory, a child who understands that changing the shape
of a clay ball does not change its amount has acquired:
,a) Object permanence
b) Egocentrism
c) Conservation ✔
d) Transductive reasoning
Explanation: Conservation is the logical thinking that quantity remains
despite perceptual changes – achieved in concrete operational stage (7–
11 years). Object permanence is sensorimotor; egocentrism is
preoperational.
6. Which reflex, present at birth, involves fanning of toes when the
sole of the foot is stroked?
a) Moro reflex
b) Rooting reflex
c) Babinski reflex ✔
d) Grasping reflex
Explanation: Babinski reflex – toes fan upward – normally disappears by
12 months. Moro is startle; rooting is turning head toward cheek touch;
grasping is palmar grip.
7. A mother drinks three cups of coffee daily throughout pregnancy.
The most likely outcome for the infant is:
a) Fetal alcohol syndrome
b) Slightly increased risk of low birth weight ✔
c) Guaranteed cognitive impairment
d) Neonatal abstinence syndrome
Explanation: Moderate caffeine is linked to subtle birth weight
, reductions but not major teratogenic syndromes. FAS requires alcohol;
cocaine relates more to NAS (withdrawal).
8. Lev Vygotsky’s concept of the “zone of proximal development”
refers to:
a) The genetic ceiling for intelligence
b) Tasks a child can complete with guidance but not alone ✔
c) The period of fastest brain growth
d) Emotional regulation milestones
Explanation: ZPD is the gap between independent ability and potential
with skilled help – core of scaffolding. Genetic ceiling is from nature-
nurture debates; brain growth is biological.
9. Which attachment pattern in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation is
characterized by no distress upon separation and ignoring the
caregiver upon return?
a) Secure
b) Anxious-ambivalent
c) Avoidant ✔
d) Disorganized
Explanation: Avoidant attachment – child avoids contact, showing little
emotion. Secure shows distress then happy reunion; anxious-
ambivalent is clingy/angry; disorganized shows confused behaviors.
10. In prenatal development, the heart begins to beat during which
period?
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. Which developmental theory emphasizes the role of operant
conditioning in shaping behavior across the lifespan?
a) Piaget’s cognitive-developmental theory
b) Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
c) Skinner’s behaviorism ✔
d) Bandura’s social cognitive theory
Explanation: Skinner’s behaviorism focuses on consequences
(reinforcement/punishment) shaping behavior. Piaget emphasized
stages of cognitive growth, Vygotsky social interaction, and Bandura
observational learning – only Skinner is rooted in operant conditioning.
2. A researcher measures the same group of children’s vocabulary at
ages 3, 5, and 7. This is an example of which research design?
a) Cross-sectional
b) Longitudinal ✔
c) Sequential
d) Microgenetic
Explanation: Longitudinal design follows the same participants over
time. Cross-sectional compares different age groups at one time.
,Sequential combines both; microgenetic observes rapid change during a
transition.
3. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial challenge of late
adulthood is:
a) Generativity vs. stagnation
b) Identity vs. role confusion
c) Integrity vs. despair ✔
d) Intimacy vs. isolation
Explanation: Integrity vs. despair occurs in late adulthood (65+),
focusing on reflecting on life with satisfaction or regret. Generativity is
middle adulthood; identity is adolescence; intimacy is young adulthood.
4. Which teratogen is most strongly associated with facial
abnormalities and cognitive deficits, even in low doses?
a) Nicotine
b) Alcohol ✔
c) Caffeine
d) Lead exposure
Explanation: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) result from
prenatal alcohol exposure, causing distinctive facial features (smooth
philtrum, thin vermilion border) and brain damage. Nicotine/lead have
risks but not the same teratogenic specificity.
5. In Piaget’s theory, a child who understands that changing the shape
of a clay ball does not change its amount has acquired:
,a) Object permanence
b) Egocentrism
c) Conservation ✔
d) Transductive reasoning
Explanation: Conservation is the logical thinking that quantity remains
despite perceptual changes – achieved in concrete operational stage (7–
11 years). Object permanence is sensorimotor; egocentrism is
preoperational.
6. Which reflex, present at birth, involves fanning of toes when the
sole of the foot is stroked?
a) Moro reflex
b) Rooting reflex
c) Babinski reflex ✔
d) Grasping reflex
Explanation: Babinski reflex – toes fan upward – normally disappears by
12 months. Moro is startle; rooting is turning head toward cheek touch;
grasping is palmar grip.
7. A mother drinks three cups of coffee daily throughout pregnancy.
The most likely outcome for the infant is:
a) Fetal alcohol syndrome
b) Slightly increased risk of low birth weight ✔
c) Guaranteed cognitive impairment
d) Neonatal abstinence syndrome
Explanation: Moderate caffeine is linked to subtle birth weight
, reductions but not major teratogenic syndromes. FAS requires alcohol;
cocaine relates more to NAS (withdrawal).
8. Lev Vygotsky’s concept of the “zone of proximal development”
refers to:
a) The genetic ceiling for intelligence
b) Tasks a child can complete with guidance but not alone ✔
c) The period of fastest brain growth
d) Emotional regulation milestones
Explanation: ZPD is the gap between independent ability and potential
with skilled help – core of scaffolding. Genetic ceiling is from nature-
nurture debates; brain growth is biological.
9. Which attachment pattern in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation is
characterized by no distress upon separation and ignoring the
caregiver upon return?
a) Secure
b) Anxious-ambivalent
c) Avoidant ✔
d) Disorganized
Explanation: Avoidant attachment – child avoids contact, showing little
emotion. Secure shows distress then happy reunion; anxious-
ambivalent is clingy/angry; disorganized shows confused behaviors.
10. In prenatal development, the heart begins to beat during which
period?
