FREE Psychology Degree Developmental Stages Theories Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, an adolescent struggling with their identity, trying to figure out 'who they are' and 'where they are going in life,' is primarily navigating which psychosocial crisis?

Accepted Answer

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Answer

Initiative vs. Guilt

Answer

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Answer

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Question 2

A child is able to understand that pouring water from a tall, thin glass into a short, wide glass does not change the amount of water. According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, this child has likely achieved which developmental milestone?

Accepted Answer

Conservation

Answer

Object Permanence

Answer

Egocentrism

Answer

Symbolic Function

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a 'critical period' in development?

Accepted Answer

A child who was deprived of language exposure during their early years struggling to develop normal speech patterns later in life.

Answer

A teenager learning to play a new musical instrument with consistent practice.

Answer

An adult finding it challenging to learn a third language fluently compared to their native language.

Answer

An elderly person experiencing a decline in memory recall for recent events.

Question 4

According to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, an individual who decides not to steal a drug because they fear going to jail is operating at which level of moral reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Preconventional Morality

Answer

Postconventional Morality

Answer

Conventional Morality

Answer

Autonomous Morality

Question 5

Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes the importance of social interaction and culture in cognitive development. Which concept refers to the difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance and encouragement from a more skilled peer or adult?

Accepted Answer

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Scaffolding

Answer

Private Speech

Question 6

Mary Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation' experiment is a classic method used to assess which aspect of infant development?

Accepted Answer

Attachment style

Answer

Cognitive processing speed

Answer

Language acquisition milestones

Answer

Motor skill development