PrepL Human Development and Behavior 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what is the primary conflict faced during adolescence (ages 12–18)?
- Industry vs. Inferiority
- Identity vs. Role Confusion (Correct answer)
- Intimacy vs. Isolation
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Correct answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Erikson identified Identity vs. Role Confusion as the central conflict of adolescence, during which individuals explore who they are and where they fit in society.
Question 2: Piaget's concept of 'object permanence' typically develops during which stage of cognitive development?
- Preoperational stage
- Concrete operational stage
- Sensorimotor stage (Correct answer)
- Formal operational stage
Correct answer: Sensorimotor stage
Object permanence — understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight — develops during the sensorimotor stage (birth to age 2).
Question 3: Bowlby's attachment theory emphasizes that a child's early bond with a caregiver primarily serves what function?
- Cognitive stimulation and language acquisition
- A secure base for exploration and emotional regulation (Correct answer)
- Social comparison and peer development
- Moral reasoning and value formation
Correct answer: A secure base for exploration and emotional regulation
Bowlby proposed that attachment provides the child with a secure base from which to explore the world and return to when threatened, supporting emotional regulation.
Question 4: Which theorist introduced the concept of the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD) to describe learning potential?
- Jean Piaget
- Albert Bandura
- Lev Vygotsky (Correct answer)
- Lawrence Kohlberg
Correct answer: Lev Vygotsky
Vygotsky's ZPD refers to the range of tasks a child can perform with guidance but not yet independently, highlighting the social nature of learning.
Question 5: In Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, which system directly includes the child's immediate environments such as family and school?
- Mesosystem
- Exosystem
- Macrosystem
- Microsystem (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Microsystem
The microsystem is the innermost layer and consists of the settings in which the child directly participates, such as family, school, and peer groups.
Question 6: According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, which level involves following rules to avoid punishment and gain rewards?
- Conventional morality
- Post-conventional morality
- Pre-conventional morality (Correct answer)
- Universal ethical principles
Correct answer: Pre-conventional morality
Pre-conventional morality is the earliest level, in which moral reasoning is driven by self-interest — avoiding punishment and seeking personal gain.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'resilience' in human development?
- The absence of any risk factors in a person's environment
- The ability to return to prior functioning after any minor setback
- Positive adaptation and healthy functioning despite significant adversity (Correct answer)
- Complete immunity to the effects of trauma or stress
Correct answer: Positive adaptation and healthy functioning despite significant adversity
Resilience is the capacity to adapt successfully and function well in the face of significant stress, adversity, or trauma, not the absence of difficulty.
PrepL Human Development and Behavior 1
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what is the primary conflict faced during adolescence (ages 12–18)?