Child Life Child Development Theories Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 4-year-old patient in the hospital is observed talking to himself while playing with medical equipment. According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, this behavior is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Private speech, used for self-guidance and problem-solving.

Answer

A sign of cognitive delay and egocentrism.

Answer

A manifestation of the preoperational stage.

Answer

An indicator of insecure attachment to his caregivers.

Question 2

According to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which of the following is the primary conflict a 7-year-old hospitalized child is likely facing?

Accepted Answer

Industry vs. Inferiority

Answer

Trust vs. Mistrust

Answer

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Answer

Initiative vs. Guilt

Question 3

A child life specialist provides a toddler with a toy medical kit to play with before a procedure. This approach aligns with which of Jean Piaget's concepts for learning?

Accepted Answer

Assimilation and accommodation

Answer

Abstract reasoning

Answer

Conservation

Answer

Formal operational thought

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates Albert Bandura's concept of observational learning?

Accepted Answer

A school-aged child watches a demonstration on how to use an incentive spirometer and then successfully uses it themselves.

Answer

A toddler cries when a parent leaves the room.

Answer

A preschooler successfully completes a puzzle they have never seen before.

Answer

An infant develops a sense of trust because their needs are consistently met by caregivers.

Question 5

A 15-year-old patient refuses to take her medication and is challenging the medical staff's authority. This behavior can be best understood through which of Erikson's psychosocial stages?

Accepted Answer

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Answer

Initiative vs. Guilt

Answer

Industry vs. Inferiority

Answer

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Question 6

A child life specialist working with a toddler whose parent has to leave the hospital room for a short time focuses on providing a comforting presence and reassuring the child that the parent will return. This intervention is most directly addressing the core principles of which theory?

Accepted Answer

Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Answer

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Answer

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory

Answer

Bandura's Social Learning Theory