Psychology Degree Lifespan Development Theories Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 16-year-old is struggling with defining their personal values, political beliefs, and career aspirations.
They frequently change their style of dress and social groups, trying to figure out where they 'fit in.' According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which central conflict is this adolescent experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Answer

Initiative vs. Guilt

Answer

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Answer

Industry vs. Inferiority

Question 2

Which of the following concepts is central to Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of development, distinguishing it from Jean Piaget's more individually-focused theory?

Accepted Answer

The idea that learning is a social process mediated by more knowledgeable others.

Answer

The development of schemas through assimilation and accommodation.

Answer

The progression through universal, invariant stages of cognitive development.

Answer

The concept of object permanence as a key cognitive milestone.

Question 3

A child's development is negatively affected when their parent's employer eliminates flextime and paid parental leave. The child has no direct interaction with the workplace, but the stress and changes in the parent's schedule impact the child's home life. According to Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which system does the parent's workplace represent?

Accepted Answer

Exosystem

Answer

Mesosystem

Answer

Macrosystem

Answer

Microsystem

Question 4

A person decides not to speed because they believe that following traffic laws is essential for maintaining order and safety in society. They understand that laws are created for the common good and feel a duty to uphold them. According to Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, this person is most likely operating at which level?

Accepted Answer

Conventional Morality

Answer

Preconventional Morality

Answer

Postconventional Morality

Answer

Universal Ethical Principles

Question 5

A young child observes an older sibling consistently say 'please' and 'thank you' and receive praise from their parents. The young child soon begins to use these phrases as well. This is a primary example of which concept from Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory?

Accepted Answer

Modeling

Answer

Enactive learning

Answer

Self-efficacy

Answer

Reciprocal determinism

Question 6

In Mary Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation' experiment, a toddler shows little distress when their mother leaves the room. Upon her return, the toddler actively avoids her, showing little interest in reconnecting. This pattern of behavior is characteristic of which attachment style?

Accepted Answer

Insecure-avoidant attachment

Answer

Secure attachment

Answer

Insecure-resistant attachment

Answer

Disorganized attachment