| Portage Learning Psychology | Comprehensive
Questions, Answers & Rationales
This comprehensive study resource is designed for students preparing for the PSYC 140
Module 1 Exam. It includes multiple-choice questions derived from key course concepts,
with highlighted correct answers and detailed rationales to enhance understanding and
retention.
Question 1: In the context of developmental psychology, what does the term 'nature'
specifically refer to?
A) The role of environment and learning experiences
B) The influence of inherited characteristics or biology on personality, growth, and
social interactions
C) The social interactions that shape personality
D) The cultural context in which development occurs
Rationale: The term 'nature' in development emphasizes genetic inheritance and biological
factors affecting personality, growth, and social behavior. Option A corresponds to 'nurture',
the environmental influences, making it incorrect. Options C and D refer to environmental and
cultural influences respectively, which fall under nurture as well.
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Question 2: According to Erikson's psychosocial stages, what is the virtue and failure
associated with the stage from birth to 1.5 years?
A) Virtue: Hope, Failure: Mistrust
B) Virtue: Will, Failure: Shame
C) Virtue: Trust, Failure: Fear
D) Virtue: Courage, Failure: Doubt
Rationale: Erikson's first stage (Trust vs. Mistrust) covers infancy up to approximately 1.5
years. Successful resolution leads to the virtue of hope, while failure results in mistrust. Options
B, C, and D do not align correctly with Erikson's stages or their associated outcomes.
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, Question 3: What does the cognitive dimension refer to in developmental
psychology?
A) Changes in emotional responses over time
B) The way an individual's physical abilities develop
C) How the individual changes in the way they think
D) Alterations in social skills across the lifespan
Rationale: The cognitive dimension focuses on changes in thinking processes such as
reasoning, problem-solving, and memory. Options A, B, and D refer to emotional, physical, and
social development respectively, which are distinct dimensions.
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Question 4: Which type of development did Jean Piaget primarily focus his research
on?
A) Emotional development
B) Social development
C) Cognitive development
D) Physical development
Rationale: Piaget is renowned for his theory of cognitive development, detailing how children's
thinking evolves. Emotional, social, and physical development are important fields that Piaget
did not primarily focus on.
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Question 5: Is human development confined to a specific period in life?
A) Yes, it mainly occurs during childhood
B) Yes, it only happens during adolescence
C) No, development is lifelong
D) No, development occurs only in adulthood
Rationale: Development is a continuous process that spans the entire life course, including
infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Options A, B, and D incorrectly restrict
development to certain life stages.
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