Question 1

Which of the following best describes a major weakness of cross-sectional research designs in developmental psychology?

Accepted Answer

They are prone to cohort effects, making it difficult to distinguish developmental changes from generational differences.

Question 2

A researcher wants to study how reasoning skills change from childhood to adulthood. She follows the same group of participants from age 5 to age 25, testing them every five years. What type of research design is she using?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal design

Question 3

During which prenatal stage do major physical structures such as the heart, nervous system, arms, and legs begin to develop?

Accepted Answer

Embryonic stage

Question 4

A pregnant woman is advised to increase her caloric intake by 20% and ensure she consumes enough protein, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and calcium. What is the primary reason for these recommendations?

Accepted Answer

To support optimal fetal brain and physical development

Question 5

Which of the following statements about teratogens is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Thalidomide is a teratogen that caused severe birth defects such as phocomelia.

Question 6

A psychologist is interested in the impact of early sensory experiences on infant development. She uses the visual cliff experiment to test depth perception in infants. What does this experiment demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Crawling experience helps infants understand depth and danger.

Question 7

Which process describes the loss of weak nerve cell connections in the brain, leading to increased neural efficiency during infancy and childhood?

Accepted Answer

Synaptic pruning

Question 8

According to Piaget, which cognitive milestone is achieved during the sensorimotor stage (0–2 years)?

Accepted Answer

Object permanence

Question 9

A child is shown two identical glasses of juice. The juice from one glass is poured into a taller, narrower glass. The child insists the taller glass has more juice. According to Piaget, this child is most likely in which stage of cognitive development?

Accepted Answer

Preoperational stage

Question 10

Which of the following best illustrates Vygotsky’s concept of the zone of proximal development?

Accepted Answer

A child completes a task with guidance from an adult, which is slightly beyond their current ability.

Question 11

Harry Harlow’s research with infant rhesus monkeys demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

Monkeys prefer comfort and security over food when frightened.

Question 12

Which attachment style is characterized by a child who is clingy, very upset when the caregiver leaves, fearful of strangers, and both seeks and resists comfort upon the caregiver’s return?

Accepted Answer

Anxious/ambivalent attachment

Question 13

A parent uses inductive discipline by explaining the consequences of a child’s actions and encouraging empathy. What is a likely long-term outcome for the child?

Accepted Answer

The child will develop self-control and internalize moral values.

Question 14

Which of the following is a key difference between fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence as people age?

Accepted Answer

Fluid intelligence peaks in young adulthood and declines with age, while crystallized intelligence remains largely intact.

Question 15

Which brain changes are most associated with Alzheimer’s disease?

Accepted Answer

Buildup of amyloid plaques between neurons and neurofibrillary tangles within nerve cells

Question 16

A 70-year-old chess player compensates for slower processing speed by using efficient pattern recognition. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Compensatory strategy to maintain functionality

Question 17

According to Kohlberg’s theory, which stage of moral reasoning is characterized by decisions based on abstract principles of justice and rights?

Accepted Answer

Postconventional morality

Question 18

An adolescent is offered drugs at a party but refuses, stating, 'My parents taught me that respecting my body is more important than fitting in.' According to Kohlberg, this response best reflects which stage of moral reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Postconventional

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why adolescents are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when with peers?

Accepted Answer

Peer presence reduces frontal lobe activity, increasing focus on rewards.

Question 20

Socioemotional selectivity theory suggests that older adults:

Accepted Answer

Prioritize positive and meaningful experiences, leading to increased happiness.

Lifespan Development: Physical, Cognitive, and Social Changes from Conception to Old Age

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