Developmental Psychology MCQs

Which of the following is a key theorist in the field of developmental psychology?
a) Sigmund Freud
b) Isaac Newton
c) Charles Darwin
d) Albert Einstein
Answer: a) Sigmund Freud


Developmental psychology focuses on the study of:
a) How individuals change physically over time
b) How individuals develop cognitively and emotionally over time
c) How societies evolve and develop
d) How individuals learn new languages
Answer: b) How individuals develop cognitively and emotionally over time


What is the correct sequence of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development?
a) Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational
b) Preoperational, sensorimotor, formal operational, concrete operational
c) Formal operational, concrete operational, sensorimotor, preoperational
d) Concrete operational, formal operational, preoperational, sensorimotor
Answer: a) Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational


Which of the following is NOT one of Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development?
a) Trust vs. mistrust
b) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
c) Identity vs. role confusion
d) Independence vs. interdependence
Answer: d) Independence vs. interdependence


The attachment theory was proposed by:
a) Albert Bandura
b) Carl Rogers
c) Mary Ainsworth
d) B.F. Skinner
Answer: c) Mary Ainsworth


According to Lawrence Kohlberg, the highest level of moral development is:
a) Preconventional level
b) Conventional level
c) Postconventional level
d) Unconventional level
Answer: c) Postconventional level


The concept of “stranger anxiety” is typically observed during which stage of development?
a) Infancy
b) Early childhood
c) Adolescence
d) Adulthood
Answer: a) Infancy


According to Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the microsystem refers to:
a) The immediate social and physical environment in which an individual lives
b) The cultural and societal values that influence development
c) The broader economic and political systems that shape development
d) The internal psychological processes that impact development
Answer: a) The immediate social and physical environment in which an individual lives


Which of the following is a key concept in Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of development?
a) Conditioning
b) Observational learning
c) Zone of proximal development
d) Instinctual drives
Answer: c) Zone of proximal development


The process of aging and physical decline that occurs in later adulthood is known as:
a) Menopause
b) Puberty
c) Dementia
d) Senescence
Answer: d) Senescence


According to Jean Piaget, which stage of cognitive development is characterized by the ability to think logically and understand abstract concepts?
a) Sensorimotor stage
b) Preoperational stage
c) Concrete operational stage
d) Formal operational stage
Answer: d) Formal operational stage


Which of the following is a critical period in human development?
a) Infancy
b) Early childhood
c) Adolescence
d) Prenatal period
Answer: d) Prenatal period


The process by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved is known as:
a) Sensation
b) Perception
c) Memory
d) Attention
Answer: c) Memory


The process of acquiring language skills during early childhood is referred to as:
a) Socialization
b) Cognition
c) Maturation
d) Language acquisition
Answer: d) Language acquisition


The emotional bond that develops between an infant and their primary caregiver is known as:
a) Socialization
b) Attachment
c) Scaffolding
d) Conditioning
Answer: b) Attachment


Which of the following is a major milestone in Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory?
a) Identity vs. role confusion
b) Intimacy vs. isolation
c) Industry vs. inferiority
d) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
Answer: a) Identity vs. role confusion


According to Lawrence Kohlberg, the stage of moral development that is based on the desire to gain social approval is called:
a) Preconventional morality
b) Conventional morality
c) Postconventional morality
d) Egoistic morality
Answer: b) Conventional morality


The process of gradually withdrawing parental support and control as a child grows older is known as:
a) Authoritarian parenting
b) Permissive parenting
c) Indulgent parenting
d) Scaffolding
Answer: d) Scaffolding


Which of the following is a typical cognitive change that occurs in late adulthood?
a) Increased processing speed
b) Enhanced working memory capacity
c) Decreased fluid intelligence
d) Improved attentional abilities
Answer: c) Decreased fluid intelligence


The theory that proposes that human development is influenced by the interaction between an individual’s genetics and their environment is known as:
a) Nature-nurture theory
b) Continuity-discontinuity theory
c) Psychosocial theory
d) Sociocultural theory
Answer: a) Nature-nurture theory


Which of the following is a primary focus of Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development?
a) Cognitive development
b) Emotional development
c) Moral development
d) Social development
Answer: d) Social development


The concept of “egocentrism” is associated with which stage of Piaget’s cognitive development theory?
a) Sensorimotor stage
b) Preoperational stage
c) Concrete operational stage
d) Formal operational stage
Answer: b) Preoperational stage


The process of adjusting existing schemas to incorporate new information is known as:
a) Assimilation
b) Accommodation
c) Equilibration
d) Object permanence
Answer: b) Accommodation


Which of the following is a key factor in the socioemotional development of adolescents?
a) Physical maturation
b) Peer relationships
c) Moral reasoning
d) Attachment to parents
Answer: b) Peer relationships


According to Lev Vygotsky, what is the role of social interaction in cognitive development?
a) Social interaction has no impact on cognitive development.
b) Social interaction is the sole determinant of cognitive development.
c) Social interaction provides a scaffold for cognitive development.
d) Social interaction hinders cognitive development.
Answer: c) Social interaction provides a scaffold for cognitive development.


The process of identifying with and adopting the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of a particular group or culture is known as:
a) Assimilation
b) Acculturation
c) Accommodation
d) Socialization
Answer: b) Acculturation


The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person is known as:
a) Empathy
b) Sympathy
c) Altruism
d) Self-awareness
Answer: a) Empathy


The term “identity crisis” is associated with which stage of Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory?
a) Trust vs. mistrust
b) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
c) Identity vs. role confusion
d) Intimacy vs. isolation
Answer: c) Identity vs. role confusion


Which of the following is a characteristic of authoritative parenting style?
a) Strict discipline and high control
b) Low warmth and responsiveness
c) High expectations and communication
d) Permissive attitude and leniency
Answer: c) High expectations and communication


The term “egocentric bias” refers to:
a) The tendency to overestimate one’s own abilities and attributes
b) The inability to understand the perspectives of others
c) The preference for information that confirms preexisting beliefs
d) The tendency to attribute one’s own behavior to external factors
Answer: b) The inability to understand the perspectives of others


Which of the following is a key concept in Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory?
a) Psychosexual stages
b) Observational learning
c) Collective unconscious
d) Defense mechanisms
Answer: b) Observational learning


The process of developing a sense of self and an understanding of one’s own identity is known as:
a) Self-esteem
b) Self-concept
c) Self-efficacy
d) Self-actualization
Answer: b) Self-concept


The term “generativity” refers to:
a) The ability to form intimate relationships
b) The ability to think logically and solve problems
c) The capacity to give back and contribute to society
d) The capacity to engage in abstract reasoning
Answer: c) The capacity to give back and contribute to society


Which of the following is a characteristic of secure attachment in infants?
a) A lack of emotional expression
b) Fearful and avoidant behavior
c) Consistent seeking of physical contact and comfort
d) Emotional indifference towards caregivers
Answer: c) Consistent seeking of physical contact and comfort


The process by which children learn gender roles and behaviors through observation and imitation is known as:
a) Gender identity
b) Gender schema
c) Gender typing
d) Gender dysphoria
Answer: c) Gender typing


According to Lawrence Kohlberg, the level of moral development that is driven by a desire to follow society’s rules and avoid punishment is known as:
a) Preconventional morality
b) Conventional morality
c) Postconventional morality
d) Antisocial morality
Answer: b) Conventional morality


The period of rapid physical and sexual maturation during adolescence is known as:
a) Puberty
b) Menopause
c) Andropause
d) Midlife crisis
Answer: a) Puberty


The process of extracting meaning from sensory information is known as:
a) Perception
b) Attention
c) Memory
d) Cognition
Answer: a) Perception


According to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, the conflict that arises during early adulthood is:
a) Trust vs. mistrust
b) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
c) Intimacy vs. isolation
d) Generativity vs. stagnation
Answer: c) Intimacy vs. isolation


The ability to delay gratification and exert self-control is associated with which concept in developmental psychology?
a) Theory of mind
b) Emotional intelligence
c) Impulse control
d) Executive functioning
Answer: d) Executive functioning


The process of adjusting one’s existing schemas to fit new information is called:
a) Assimilation
b) Accommodation
c) Equilibrium
d) Object permanence
Answer: b) Accommodation


The attachment style characterized by an inconsistent pattern of seeking and avoiding closeness in relationships is called:
a) Secure attachment
b) Anxious-avoidant attachment
c) Anxious-resistant attachment
d) Disorganized attachment
Answer: d) Disorganized attachment


Which of the following is a key concept in Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of development?
a) Self-actualization
b) Social referencing
c) Scaffolding
d) Emotional intelligence
Answer: c) Scaffolding


The ability to mentally represent objects and events that are not physically present is known as:
a) Object permanence
b) Symbolic representation
c) Abstract thinking
d) Conservation
Answer: b) Symbolic representation


According to Lawrence Kohlberg, the highest level of moral development is characterized by:
a) Following societal rules and laws
b) Developing a personal moral code based on abstract principles
c) Seeking personal gain and avoiding punishment
d) Pleasing others and gaining social approval
Answer: b) Developing a personal moral code based on abstract principles


The process of cognitive decline and memory loss associated with aging is known as:
a) Dementia
b) Alzheimer’s disease
c) Parkinson’s disease
d) Aphasia
Answer: a) Dementia


The theory that emphasizes the influence of cultural factors on development is known as:
a) Ecological systems theory
b) Social learning theory
c) Sociocultural theory
d) Psychosocial theory
Answer: c) Sociocultural theory


According to Erik Erikson, the major conflict during adolescence is:
a) Trust vs. mistrust
b) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
c) Identity vs. role confusion
d) Intimacy vs. isolation
Answer: c) Identity vs. role confusion


The ability to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and perspectives that may differ from one’s own is known as:
a) Egocentrism
b) Theory of mind
c) Social cognition
d) Moral reasoning
Answer: b) Theory of mind


The process of developing a sense of right and wrong is known as:
a) Socialization
b) Morality
c) Ethical development
d) Value formation
Answer: b) Morality


 

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