Test Bank for Development Throughout the Lifespan 7th Edition By Berk
CHAPTER 1
HISTORY, THEORY, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Dr. Langley’s work is devoted to understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan. Dr.
Langley’s field of study is .
A) genetics
B) clinical psychology
C) adolescent development
D) developmental science
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
2. Although great diversity characterizes the interests and concerns of investigators who study
development, they share a single goal: to identify .
A) genetic factors that contribute to longevity
B) environmental factors that contribute to disease and illness
C) those factors that lead to abnormal development in children and adolescents
D) those factors that influence consistencies and transformations in people from conception to death
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
3. Developmental science is because it has grown through the combined efforts of people
from many fields of study.
A) interdisciplinary
B) empirical
C) applied
D) theoretical
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Easy
1
,4. A theory of development .
A) illustrates the ultimate truth about human behavior
B) describes, explains, and predicts behavior
C) explains all aspects of human growth
D) does not require scientific verification
Answer: B
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
5. According to the view of development, the difference between the immature and the
mature is simply one of amount or complexity.
A) nature
B) discontinuous
C) nurture
D) continuous
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
6. The discontinuous view of development holds that .
A) infants and preschoolers respond to the world in much the same way as adults do
B) growth is the process of gradually augmenting the skills that were present from the beginning
C) infants and children have unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving
D) development is a smooth process limited only by a lack of information and precision
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
7. Dr. Kostel believes that development takes place in stages. This belief is consistent with the
perspective.
A) nurture
B) continuous
C) discontinuous
2
,D) nature
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
8. New evidence suggests that .
A) there is very little cultural diversity in human development
B) environmental, but not personal, contexts shape development
C) development occurs in a neat, orderly sequence of stages unaffected by distinct contexts
D) people not only are affected by but also contribute to the contexts in which they develop
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
9. Tammy’s father is an exceptional gymnast. When Tammy was just a toddler, her father believed that
Tammy already showed great promise as a gymnast. Tammy’s father probably believes that athletic ability
is mostly determined by .
A) nurture
B) stages
C) nature
D) early experiences
Answer: C
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
10. Although Justin spent his first 18 months in an orphanage, his adoptive mother believes that sensitive
caregiving will help Justin overcome his early experiences. Justin’s mother emphasizes the role of
in development.
A) nurture
B) stages
C) stability
D) nature
Answer: A
3
, Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
11. Theorists who contend that powerful negative events in the first few years cannot be fully overcome
by later, more positive ones emphasize .
A) plasticity
B) stability
C) nurture
D) discontinuity
Answer: B
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
12. Theorists who emphasize plasticity believe that .
A) change in response to influential experiences is possible
B) heredity, rather than the environment, influences behavior
C) individuals who are high in anxiety as children will remain so at later ages
D) early experiences establish a lifelong pattern of behavior
Answer: A
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
13. Increasingly, researchers .
A) assume that development stops at adolescence
B) view old age as a period of decline
C) view heredity as more influential than the environment
D) see development as a perpetually ongoing process
Answer: D
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.3 Describe the lifespan perspective on development.
Topic: The Lifespan Perspective: A Balanced Point of View
Difficulty Level: Moderate
4
CHAPTER 1
HISTORY, THEORY, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Dr. Langley’s work is devoted to understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan. Dr.
Langley’s field of study is .
A) genetics
B) clinical psychology
C) adolescent development
D) developmental science
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
2. Although great diversity characterizes the interests and concerns of investigators who study
development, they share a single goal: to identify .
A) genetic factors that contribute to longevity
B) environmental factors that contribute to disease and illness
C) those factors that lead to abnormal development in children and adolescents
D) those factors that influence consistencies and transformations in people from conception to death
Answer: D
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Moderate
3. Developmental science is because it has grown through the combined efforts of people
from many fields of study.
A) interdisciplinary
B) empirical
C) applied
D) theoretical
Answer: A
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.1 What is developmental science, and what factors stimulated expansion of the field?
Topic: A Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Difficulty Level: Easy
1
,4. A theory of development .
A) illustrates the ultimate truth about human behavior
B) describes, explains, and predicts behavior
C) explains all aspects of human growth
D) does not require scientific verification
Answer: B
Page Ref: 5
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
5. According to the view of development, the difference between the immature and the
mature is simply one of amount or complexity.
A) nature
B) discontinuous
C) nurture
D) continuous
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
6. The discontinuous view of development holds that .
A) infants and preschoolers respond to the world in much the same way as adults do
B) growth is the process of gradually augmenting the skills that were present from the beginning
C) infants and children have unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving
D) development is a smooth process limited only by a lack of information and precision
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
7. Dr. Kostel believes that development takes place in stages. This belief is consistent with the
perspective.
A) nurture
B) continuous
C) discontinuous
2
,D) nature
Answer: C
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
8. New evidence suggests that .
A) there is very little cultural diversity in human development
B) environmental, but not personal, contexts shape development
C) development occurs in a neat, orderly sequence of stages unaffected by distinct contexts
D) people not only are affected by but also contribute to the contexts in which they develop
Answer: D
Page Ref: 6
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
9. Tammy’s father is an exceptional gymnast. When Tammy was just a toddler, her father believed that
Tammy already showed great promise as a gymnast. Tammy’s father probably believes that athletic ability
is mostly determined by .
A) nurture
B) stages
C) nature
D) early experiences
Answer: C
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
10. Although Justin spent his first 18 months in an orphanage, his adoptive mother believes that sensitive
caregiving will help Justin overcome his early experiences. Justin’s mother emphasizes the role of
in development.
A) nurture
B) stages
C) stability
D) nature
Answer: A
3
, Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Apply
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
11. Theorists who contend that powerful negative events in the first few years cannot be fully overcome
by later, more positive ones emphasize .
A) plasticity
B) stability
C) nurture
D) discontinuity
Answer: B
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Remember
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Difficult
12. Theorists who emphasize plasticity believe that .
A) change in response to influential experiences is possible
B) heredity, rather than the environment, influences behavior
C) individuals who are high in anxiety as children will remain so at later ages
D) early experiences establish a lifelong pattern of behavior
Answer: A
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.2 Identify three basic issues on which theories of human development take a stand.
Topic: Basic Issues
Difficulty Level: Moderate
13. Increasingly, researchers .
A) assume that development stops at adolescence
B) view old age as a period of decline
C) view heredity as more influential than the environment
D) see development as a perpetually ongoing process
Answer: D
Page Ref: 7
Skill Level: Understand
Objective: 1.3 Describe the lifespan perspective on development.
Topic: The Lifespan Perspective: A Balanced Point of View
Difficulty Level: Moderate
4
