developmental psychology essay exam questions

Exam Questions

Exam Questions for Chapters Targeting: Adolescence; Emerging/Early Adulthood; Middle Adulthood

Adolescence:

Question 1: What triggers physical changes associated with puberty in adolescents? A) Cognitive development B) Social interactions C) Hormones D) Genetic factors

Answer: C) Hormones

Question 2: What are some cognitive changes that occur during adolescence? A) Increased risk-taking behavior B) Rapid physical growth C) Hormonal fluctuations D) Complex and abstract thought development

Answer: D) Complex and abstract thought development

Question 3: What happens to adolescents’ relationships with parents during this stage? A) They become less autonomous B) Parental monitoring becomes less relevant C) Psychological control increases D) Adolescents become more autonomous

Answer: D) Adolescents become more autonomous

Question 4: Which of the following is true about peer relationships during adolescence? A) Same-sex peer groups become more important B) Peer relationships have no impact on adolescents’ behavior C) Peer relationships only promote problem behaviors D) Peer relationships provide support and companionship

Answer: D) Peer relationships provide support and companionship

Question 5: What factors contribute to diversity in adolescence? A) Cognitive changes and identity formation B) Social interactions and genetic factors C) Nationality and gender D) Puberty and cognitive control

Answer: C) Nationality and gender

Emerging/Early Adulthood:

Question 1: What is the term used to describe the developmental period between the late teens and early twenties, characterized by exploration and uncertainty? A) Adolescence B) Young adulthood C) Emerging adulthood D) Late adulthood

Answer: C) Emerging adulthood

Question 2: According to the text, what are some markers of the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood? A) Completion of formal education B) Financial independence from parents C) Marriage D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above (completion of formal education, financial independence from parents, marriage)

Question 3: Which of the following statements best describes the characteristic of “instability” in emerging adulthood? A) Emerging adults tend to change jobs, relationships, and residences more frequently. B) Emerging adults remain in their parents’ home throughout this period. C) Emerging adults experience fewer residential changes than other age groups. D) Instability is not a defining characteristic of emerging adulthood.

Answer: A) Emerging adults tend to change jobs, relationships, and residences more frequently.

Question 4: What distinguishes emerging adulthood from adolescence and young adulthood, according to Arnett? A) Identity exploration B) Feeling in-between C) Being self-focused D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above (identity exploration, feeling in-between, being self-focused)

Question 5: What is one reason for the high level of optimism in emerging adulthood? A) Dreams and aspirations have yet to be tested. B) Emerging adults have already achieved their goals. C) Emerging adults feel more confident about their abilities. D) Optimism is not a common characteristic of emerging adulthood.

Answer: A) Dreams and aspirations have yet to be tested.

Middle Adulthood:

• How do African-American, Mexican-American, and career-focused White women in the United States generally view menopause? a) A liberating experience b) A frustrating and irritating phase c) A medical condition requiring treatment d) A non-significant event

Answer: A) A liberating experience

• Do males experience a climacteric? a) Yes, they go through a similar reproductive transition as women. b) No, their reproductive ability remains constant throughout life. c) Yes, but it is called andropause and is characterized by increased testosterone levels. d) No, only females experience hormonal changes during midlife.

Answer: a) Yes, they go through a similar reproductive transition as women.

• What is andropause? a) A term used to describe the male climacteric. b) A condition caused by extremely high levels of testosterone. c) A medical disorder related to low sperm count. d) A controversial term with no clear definition.

Answer: a) A term used to describe the male climacteric.

• How do post-divorce parents typically introduce their children to their new dating partner? a) They introduce them immediately. b) They keep their dating partner separate from their children. c) They gradually introduce their children to their dating partner. d) They rely on the children to meet the dating partner independently.

Answer: c) They gradually introduce their children to their dating partner.

• What did Teachman’s (2008) study find about women under the age of 45? a) They were less likely to cohabit with a partner between marriages. b) They were more likely to remain single after divorce. c) They were more likely to remarry without cohabitation. d) They were more likely to cohabit with a partner between their first and second marriages.

Answer: d) They were more likely to cohabit with a partner between their first and second marriages.

Developmental Psychology

Thanatology is the study of _____.

• life expectancy
• biological aging
• death and dying

Who wrote the book  On Death and Dying , outlining the five stages of grief?

• Ignatz Nascher
• Erik Erikson
• Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
• Carol Gilligan
• Why do older people tend to be shorter than in early adulthood? a) Bone density increases with age b) Settling of the vertebrae and muscle strength loss in the back c) Excessive sun exposure d) Genetics
• Why are older adults more likely to seek help with vision impairment than hearing loss? a) Hearing aids are considered stigmatizing b) Vision problems are easier to treat c) Most people over 85 have perfect hearing d) Hearing loss is socially acceptable
• How is “elder speak” described in the text? a) A form of communication that uses a condescending tone when speaking to older adults b) A medical condition associated with late adulthood c) A type of hearing loss in older adults d) A treatment for vision impairment
• What is the definition of elder abuse, as provided in the text? a) Accidental harm to older adults b) Any act or failure to act that causes harm to an older adult c) Abuse that only occurs in nursing homes d) Harm inflicted by strangers
• Approximately how many older adults aged 60 and older, living at home, experience elder abuse, according to the information? a) 1 in 100 b) 1 in 20 c) 1 in 10 d) 1 in 5
• Why are the statistics on elder abuse believed to be an underestimate? a) Older adults rarely experience abuse b) Cases of elder abuse are not harmful c) Many cases of elder abuse go unreported due to various factors d) Elder abuse is well-documented
• What is financial abuse in the context of elder abuse? a) Giving money to older adults b) Using an older adult’s money or assets for their benefit without permission c) Providing financial support to older family members d) Offering financial advice to older adults
• What is “granny dumping,” as described in the text? a) A term for older adults who abandon their families b) A slang term for elder abuse c) The practice of abandoning older family members with disabilities in emergency rooms d) A form of financial exploitation
• What are the three styles of grandparents as described in the text? a) Primary, secondary, and tertiary b) Close, distant, and occasional c) Remote, companionate, and involved d) Authoritative, permissive, and neglectful
• Which style of grandparents prefer to spend time with their grandchildren without interfering in parenting? a) Remote grandparents b) Companionate grandparents c) Involved grandparents d) Helicopter grandparents
• What percentage of people over 65 are married, according to the information? a) 91% b) 56% c) 43% d) 29%
• According to the text, what is the most disruptive experience for an older adult? a) Grandparenting b) Marriage c) Divorce d) The death of a spouse
• Which group has the highest suicide rates of any age group, according to the text? a) Older White men b) Black men c) Older White women d) Younger adults
• What is the main factor contributing to the imbalanced sex ratio among the elderly population? a) Social isolation b) Emotional isolation c) A lack of self-worth d) Fewer available men
• What percentage of the civilian labor force will be older than 65 by 2030? a) 9.5% b) 20% c) 40% d) 70%
• Approximately how many people over 65 have a bachelor’s or higher degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau? a) 7 million b) 40% c) 20% d) 60%
• What is the main benefit of continuing education programs and “Elder hostels” for older adults? a) Enhancing their computer skills b) Helping them find employment opportunities c) Providing enriching experiences and opportunities for lifelong learning d) Preparing them for mandatory retirement
• How do religious activities benefit older adults, according to the information? a) They provide opportunities for earning money b) They combat the fear of death c) They offer opportunities for travel d) They encourage isolation from others
• What percentage of people aged 65 and older voted in the 2008 election, tying with 45-65-year-olds for the highest voter turnout? a) 10% b) 35% c) 50% d) 70%
• According to the text, what is the Hayflick limit related to? a) The number of birthdays a person has b) The number of times cells can divide before becoming senescent c) The maximum lifespan of an individual d) The age at which individuals typically retire
• Which theory of aging is associated with the accumulation of free radicals and their impact on cellular damage? a) Mitochondrial Theory of Aging b) Cross-linking/Glycation Theory c) Free Radical Theory d) Telomere Theory
• Which of the following is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease? a) Loss of memory b) Tremors and difficulty with balance and movement c) Joint swelling and connective tissue damage d) Loss of cognitive functioning
• What is the leading cause of disability in older adults? a) Alzheimer’s disease b) Cancer c) Arthritis d) Parkinson’s disease
• According to the text, which disease is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease? a) Alzheimer’s disease b) Parkinson’s disease c) Cancer d) Arthritis

Questions generated by ChatGPT:

1.    Cognitive Development: a. Discuss Piaget’s stages of cognitive development. Provide examples of how a child might demonstrate understanding at each stage. b. Compare and contrast Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories of cognitive development. Highlight their main similarities and differences.

2.    Social and Emotional Development: a. Explain Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Provide an example for each stage and discuss the potential challenges individuals might face during each stage. b. How does attachment theory contribute to our understanding of social and emotional development? Discuss the different attachment styles and their potential impact on adult relationships.

3.    Physical Development: a. Describe the physical changes that occur during adolescence. How might these changes impact an individual’s self-esteem and body image? b. Discuss the role of nature versus nurture in determining physical development. Provide examples to support your arguments.

4.    Language Development: a. Explain the stages of language development in children. How does language acquisition relate to cognitive development? b. Discuss the impact of environmental factors on language development. How might socio-economic status and cultural influences affect a child’s language acquisition?

5.    Identity and Identity Formation: a. Analyze the concept of identity formation during adolescence. How do factors such as peer influence, cultural background, and family dynamics contribute to the development of one’s identity? b. Discuss the challenges faced by individuals in different identity statuses (e.g., identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, achievement). Provide examples to illustrate each.

6.    Gender Development: a. Explore the role of nature and nurture in gender development. How do biological factors and societal influences contribute to the formation of gender identity? b. Discuss the impact of gender stereotypes on children’s development. How might these stereotypes influence cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of development?

Lifespan Development Copyright © 2024 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

• Technical Support
• Find My Rep

You are here

Test Yourself: Developmental Psychology Learning through assessment

• Penney Upton - University of Worcester, UK
• Dominic Upton - University of Worcester, UK
• Description

The book includes over 200 multiple-choice and extended multiple-choice questions, carefully designed to assess depth of knowledge. At the end of each chapter sample essay questions are provided, along with further guidance, to complement the multiple-choice questions and further test understanding. In addition, information is provided to help students make sense of their results and identify strengths and weaknesses.

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email [email protected] . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html .

For assistance with your order: Please email us at [email protected] or connect with your SAGE representative.

SAGE 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 www.sagepub.com

It was too basic - tested rote learning rather than understanding

This book is for a more general view of developmental psychology and so not really related to a more sporting field. However I would suggest a very useful tool for those doing a much more broad based course.

Great resource for students. Good variety of MCQ questions.

This is an excellent idea for learning about developmental psychology. The author orients the reader clearly and the organisation of the material flows and builds around a deep knowledge of the subject.

This book has been recommended for supplemental reading on the developmental module at undergraduate level. I found it a very useful source that I feel will help those students wishing to test their understanding and therefore supplement the lecture and test materials used at the university

Preview this book

For instructors, select a purchasing option, related products.

AP Psychology Practice Test: Developmental Psychology

This AP Psychology practice test covers developmental psychology. This is an important component of the AP curriculum, with topics including the life-span approach, research methods, gender development, developmental theories, and the interaction of nature and nurture. You will also need to be familiar with the physical, cognitive, social, and moral dimensions of development. Continue your test prep now with our developmental psychology quiz.

Although 3-year-old Austin happily explores the colorful toys located in the doctor’s office’s waiting room, he periodically returns to his mother’s side for brief moments. Austin is most clearly displaying what?

“i don’t care whether you want to cut the grass, you will do so, because i said so” this statement is most indicative of what type of parenting style, the process of developing a sense of identity during adolescence was highlighted by what developmental theory, what is the last stage of a human fertilized egg, which of the following is not one of piaget’s stages of cognitive development, in what level of morality might a person have an internal set of values that may conflict with societal values, according to freud, what is fixation, research indicates that which factor may impact the development of sexual orientation, grandma edith knows you are studying psychology and asks you what physical changes she can expect to experience as she grows older. which of the following statements is most accurate, which of the following is most likely to be influenced by a culture’s social clock, which of the following kinds of development would be least affected by early life experiences, a second-grader develops the idea that all teachers are female because she only encounters female teachers. this idea is an example of what psychological concept, which stage is considered the critical period during prenatal development, experiments show that infants register the strongest preference for which one of the following visual stimuli, which play pattern is most prevalent among toddlers, theories of human development have been most criticized for placing too much emphasis on what, shelly is constantly seeking approval and reassurance from her husband, jack, concerning the stability of their relationship. shelly likely formed what kind of attachment to her mother as a child, in which of the following ways did erikson’s stage theory differ from freud’s, elderly people are not increasingly susceptible to:, which sense is most developed at birth, jacqueline has no meaningful occupational goals and has switched college majors several times. erikson would have suggested that jacqueline lacks:, from the perspective of erik erikson, why are life stages important, cody, a 9-month-old, has learned that his daddy has two legs, glasses, and is losing his hair. one day at the grocery stores, while passing a bald man with glasses, cody says, “daddy” this is a case of:, a newborn demonstrates the babinski reflex. you would expect to see:.

Next Practice Test: Personality >> AP Psychology Main Menu >>

• Abnormal Psychology
• Assessment (IB)
• Biological Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Criminology
• Developmental Psychology
• Extended Essay
• General Interest
• Health Psychology
• Human Relationships
• IB Psychology
• IB Psychology HL Extensions
• Internal Assessment (IB)
• Love and Marriage
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Prejudice and Discrimination
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Research Methodology
• Revision and Exam Preparation
• Social and Cultural Psychology
• Studies and Theories
• Teaching Ideas

Exam Question Bank: Paper 1: Cognitive Approach

Travis Dixon April 18, 2019 Assessment (IB) , Cognitive Psychology , Revision and Exam Preparation

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Disclaimer : These questions are not IB “official” questions and are written with our best guess as to what the probable exam questions may look like. Therefore, not every  possible question is covered.

READ MORE  IB Psychology Exam Question Banks

• Paper 1: Biological approach ( Link)
• Paper 1: Sociocultural approach ( Link )
• Paper 1: HL Ext Bio Animal Studies ( Link )
• Paper 1: HL Ext Cog Technology & Cognition ( Link )
• Paper 1: HL Ext Soc/cult Globalization ( Link )
• Paper 2: Human Relationships ( Link )
• Paper 2: Abnormal Psychology ( Link )

Cognitive Approach

The following table is taken from “IB Psychology: A Revision Guide” ( Link ).

The exam questions will be based on the topic and content headings as shown above (Note: terms in italics will only be asked from May 2020 onwards).

Exam Questions

Research methods & ethical considerations.

Questions about research methods and ethics will be based on the three “topics” for the cognitive approach (cognitive processes, the reliability of cognitive processes and emotion and cognition).

Research Methods

Short answer questions.

• Outline one research method used to study cognitive processes.
• Describe the use of one research method used to study cognitive processes.
• Explain how and why one research method is used to study the reliability of one cognitive process.
•   Explain the use of one research method used in the cognitive approach to understanding human behaviour.

Essay Questions

• Discuss one research method used to study cognitive processes.
• Evaluate one or more research methods used to study cognitive processes.
• Evaluate the use of one research method used to study the reliability of cognitive processes.
• Evaluate how and why one research method is used to study the effects of emotion on cognition.
• Discuss the use of one or more research methods used in the cognitive approach to understanding human behaviour.

Ethical Considerations

• Outline one ethical consideration related to studies on cognitive processes.
• Explain one ethical consideration relevant to studies on the effects of emotion on cognition.
• Explain one ethical consideration relevant to one study on the reliability of cognitive processes.
• Outline one ethical consideration related to studies in the cognitive approach to understanding human behaviour.
• Discuss one ethical consideration relevant to studies on cognitive processes.
• Discuss one ethical consideration relevant to one study on the reliability of cognitive processes.
• Discuss ethical considerations relevant to research on the effects of emotion on cognition.
• Discuss one or more ethical considerations relevant to research on cognitive processes.
• Discuss one or more ethical considerations related to research in the cognitive approach to understanding human behaviour.

Order your copy at https://store.themantic-education.com/

Paper One has two sections – A and B. In Section A you have three compulsory short answer questions, one from each approach (biological, cognitive and sociocultural). In Section B, you have three exam questions, also one from each approach and you answer only  one. This means you should prep all core approach topics for SAQs and you can choose one approach for essays.

• For short answer questions, because you can use the command terms interchangeably (outline, describe, explain) their selection for the above questions has been random.
• The italicized terms above (e.g. cognitive schema) are the SAQ additional terms. It’s often difficult to predict how these will be phrased in IB exam questions.

Disclaimer : These questions are not IB “official” questions and are written with our best guess as to what the  probable  exam questions may look like. Therefore, not  every   possible  question is covered.

Travis Dixon is an IB Psychology teacher, author, workshop leader, examiner and IA moderator.

90+ Developmental Psychology 1 Solved MCQs

Done Reading?

A-Level AQA Psychology Questions by Topic

Finish sign up, filter by paper, core content, 1. social influence, 3. attachment, 4 . psychopathology, 5 . approaches in psychology, 6. biopsychology, 7 . research methods, 8. issues and debates in psychology, 9. relationships, 11. cognition and development, 12. schizophrenia, 13. eating behaviour, 15. aggression, 16. forensic psychology, 17. addiction.

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Talking with Your Healthcare Provider
• Birth Defects Statistics
• Birth Defects Resources
• Birth Defects Awareness Month
• Living with Down Syndrome
• Conversation Tips
• Growth Charts for Down Syndrome
• Accessing NBDPS and BD-STEPS Data
• Birth Defects Awareness Month Social Media Resources
• About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

About Down Syndrome

• Down syndrome is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome.
• This can affect how their brain and body develop.
• People diagnosed with Down syndrome can lead healthy lives with supportive care.

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are small "packages" of genes in the body's cells, which determine how the body forms and functions.

When babies are growing, the extra chromosome changes how their body and brain develop. This can cause both physical and mental challenges.

People with Down syndrome often have developmental challenges, such as being slower to learn to speak than other children.

Distinct physical signs of Down syndrome are usually present at birth and become more apparent as the baby grows. They can include facial features, such as:

• A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose
• Almond-shaped eyes that slant up
• A tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth

Other physical signs can include:

• A short neck
• Small ears, hands, and feet
• A single line across the palm of the hand (palmar crease)
• Small pinky fingers
• Poor muscle tone or loose joints
• Shorter-than-average height

Some people with Down syndrome have other medical problems as well. Common health problems include:

• Congenital heart defects
• Hearing loss
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 5,700 babies born in the US have Down syndrome. 1

There are three types of Down syndrome. The physical features and behaviors are similar for all three types.

With Trisomy 21, each cell in the body has three separate copies of chromosome 21. About 95% of people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21.

Translocation Down syndrome

In this type, an extra part or a whole extra chromosome 21 is present. However, the extra chromosome is attached or "trans-located" to a different chromosome rather than being a separate chromosome 21. This type accounts for about 3% of people with Down syndrome.

Mosaic Down syndrome

Mosaic means mixture or combination. In this type, some cells have three copies of chromosome 21, but other cells have the typical two copies. People with mosaic Down syndrome may have fewer features of the condition. This type accounts for about 2% of people with Down syndrome.

Risk factors

We don't know for sure why Down syndrome occurs or how many different factors play a role. We do know that some things can affect your risk of having a baby with Down syndrome.

One factor is your age when you get pregnant. The risk of having a baby with Down syndrome increases with age, especially if you are 35 years or older when you get pregnant. 2 3 4

However, the majority of babies with Down syndrome are still born to mothers less than 35 years old. This is because there are many more births among younger women. 5 6

Regardless of age, parents who have one child with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of having another child with Down syndrome. 7

Screening and diagnosis

There are two types of tests available to detect Down syndrome during pregnancy: screening tests and diagnostic tests. A screening test can tell you if your pregnancy has a higher chance of being affected Down syndrome. Screening tests don't provide an absolute diagnosis.

Diagnostic tests can typically detect if a baby will have Down syndrome, but they carry more risk. Neither screening nor diagnostic tests can predict the full impact of Down syndrome on a baby.

The views of these organizations are their own and do not reflect the official position of CDC.

Down Syndrome Resource Foundation (DSRF) : The DSRF supports people living with Down syndrome and their families with individualized and leading-edge educational programs, health services, information resources, and rich social connections so each person can flourish in their own right.

GiGi's Playhouse : GiGi's Playhouse provides free educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, through a replicable playhouse model.

Global Down Syndrome Foundation : This foundation is dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy.

National Association for Down Syndrome : The National Association for Down Syndrome supports all persons with Down syndrome in achieving their full potential. They seek to help families, educate the public, address social issues and challenges, and facilitate active participation.

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) : NDSS seeks to increase awareness and acceptance of those with Down syndrome.

• Stallings, E. B., Isenburg, J. L., Rutkowski, R. E., Kirby, R. S., Nembhard, W.N., Sandidge, T., Villavicencio, S., Nguyen, H. H., McMahon, D. M., Nestoridi, E., Pabst, L. J., for the National Birth Defects Prevention Network. National population-based estimates for major birth defects, 2016–2020. Birth Defects Research. 2024 Jan;116(1), e2301.
• Allen EG, Freeman SB, Druschel C, et al. Maternal age and risk for trisomy 21 assessed by the origin of chromosome nondisjunction: a report from the Atlanta and National Down Syndrome Projects. Hum Genet. 2009 Feb;125(1):41-52.
• Ghosh S, Feingold E, Dey SK. Etiology of Down syndrome: Evidence for consistent association among altered meiotic recombination, nondisjunction, and maternal age across populations. Am J Med Genet A. 2009 Jul;149A(7):1415-20.
• Sherman SL, Allen EG, Bean LH, Freeman SB. Epidemiology of Down syndrome. Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2007;13(3):221-7.
• Olsen CL, Cross PK, Gensburg LJ, Hughes JP. The effects of prenatal diagnosis, population ageing, and changing fertility rates on the live birth prevalence of Down syndrome in New York State, 1983-1992. Prenat Diagn. 1996 Nov;16(11):991-1002.
• Adams MM, Erickson JD, Layde PM, Oakley GP. Down's syndrome. Recent trends in the United States. JAMA. 1981 Aug 14;246(7):758-60.
• Morris JK, Mutton DE, Alberman E. Recurrences of free trisomy 21: analysis of data from the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register. Prenatal Diagnosis: Published in Affiliation With the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005 Dec 15;25(12):1120-8.

Birth Defects

About one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Although not all birth defects can be prevented, people can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant.

For Everyone

Health care providers, public health.