CPCE Human Growth and Development 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following accurately describes Freud's 'latency stage' of psychosexual development?
- Sexual energy is directed toward same-sex peers as a prelude to adult sexuality
- Sexual impulses are largely dormant and children focus on social and intellectual skills (Correct answer)
- The child develops awareness of anatomical sex differences and experiences the Oedipus complex
- The infant derives pleasure primarily through oral activities like sucking
Correct answer: Sexual impulses are largely dormant and children focus on social and intellectual skills
During the latency stage (approximately ages 6–12), libidinal energy is repressed and channeled into socially acceptable activities such as school and peer friendships.
Question 2: An adolescent who tries on many different identities and roles before committing to one is in which of Marcia's identity statuses?
- Identity diffusion
- Identity foreclosure
- Identity moratorium (Correct answer)
- Identity achievement
Correct answer: Identity moratorium
Identity moratorium involves active exploration of alternatives without yet making a commitment, representing a healthy transition toward identity achievement.
Question 3: According to Kohlberg, an individual who follows rules to avoid punishment is reasoning at which level?
- Postconventional, Stage 5
- Conventional, Stage 3
- Preconventional, Stage 1 (Correct answer)
- Preconventional, Stage 2
Correct answer: Preconventional, Stage 1
Stage 1 (obedience and punishment orientation) is the first stage of preconventional morality, where right action is defined by avoiding punishment.
Question 4: The principle of 'cephalocaudal development' states that physical growth and motor control proceed from:
- Center of the body outward toward the extremities
- Head downward toward the feet (Correct answer)
- Feet upward toward the head
- Extremities inward toward the center
Correct answer: Head downward toward the feet
Cephalocaudal development means that growth occurs in a head-to-tail direction, which is why infants gain head and trunk control before leg control.
Question 5: Which theorist is best known for describing eight stages of psychosocial development that span the entire lifespan?
- Sigmund Freud
- Jean Piaget
- Erik Erikson (Correct answer)
- Abraham Maslow
Correct answer: Erik Erikson
Erik Erikson proposed eight psychosocial stages from infancy through late adulthood, each involving a central crisis that shapes personality development.
Question 6: Research on resilience in children consistently identifies which factor as most protective against adverse childhood experiences?
- High socioeconomic status
- At least one stable, supportive relationship with a caring adult (Correct answer)
- Above-average intelligence
- Absence of genetic risk factors
Correct answer: At least one stable, supportive relationship with a caring adult
A consistent finding across resilience research is that a reliable, nurturing relationship with at least one adult significantly buffers children from the impact of adversity.
Question 7: During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex—responsible for decision-making and impulse control—is:
- Fully mature by age 15
- Still undergoing significant development, often not complete until the mid-20s (Correct answer)
- Overdeveloped compared to the limbic system
- Less active than in middle childhood
Correct answer: Still undergoing significant development, often not complete until the mid-20s
The prefrontal cortex matures later than emotional brain regions, which helps explain adolescent risk-taking and emotional reactivity.
CPCE Human Growth and Development 4
Which of the following accurately describes Freud's 'latency stage' of psychosexual development?