Free Developmental Psychology MCQs with Answers

357 Developmental Psychology MCQs from Psychology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

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357 questions · page 7 of 18

  • A. Height and weight
  • B. Skin color
  • C. Artistic approach
  • D. Bone structure

Explanation: Height, weight, skin colour, and bone structure are physical characteristics, whereas an artistic approach reflects behaviour, skill, or…

Correct answer: Artistic approach
  • A. 13 through 19 years of age
  • B. the beginnings of sexual maturity to independent adulthood
  • C. 12 to 15 years of age
  • D. the beginning to the end of the growth spurt

Explanation: Adolescence is best defined as the transition beginning with sexual maturity and extending toward independent adulthood, rather than by…

Correct answer: the beginnings of sexual maturity to independent adulthood
  • A. Inborn differences
  • B. Environment difference
  • C. Learned difference
  • D. Observable difference

Explanation: Hereditary differences are transmitted through genetic inheritance and are therefore called inborn differences.

Correct answer: Inborn differences
  • A. Which take place in the life of an individual
  • B. Which direct the way of life of an individual
  • C. Which affect the life of an individual
  • D. All of the above

Explanation: Environment includes the biological, social, cultural, and physical circumstances that surround an individual and influence life and…

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Some intelligent children
  • B. Some dull children
  • C. Children of the same intelligence
  • D. Both (a) and (b)

Explanation: Children in one family share some heredity and surroundings, but they still differ in genes, experiences, health, and opportunities.

Correct answer: Both (a) and (b)
  • A. Equal
  • B. Not equal
  • C. Not measurable
  • D. Both (a) and (c)

Explanation: Different aspects of development do not progress at the same speed; for example, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth may…

Correct answer: Not equal
  • A. Physical
  • B. Cognitive
  • C. Social
  • D. Emotional

Explanation: After about age 10, many girls enter the pubertal growth spurt earlier than boys, producing faster physical development.

Correct answer: Physical
  • A. A continuous process
  • B. An organized process
  • C. A creative process
  • D. All of the above

Explanation: Development is continuous because it unfolds over time, organized because changes follow a pattern, and creative because new abilities and…

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Physical development
  • B. Cognitive development
  • C. Emotional development
  • D. All aspects are equally important

Explanation: Development is holistic: physical, cognitive, and emotional changes influence one another.

Correct answer: All aspects are equally important
  • A. Good heredity
  • B. Good environment
  • C. Both (a) and (b)
  • D. Good heredity and unhealthy environment

Explanation: Good heredity provides useful biological potential, but a healthy environment, care, and learning opportunities are needed for that…

Correct answer: Both (a) and (b)
  • A. Can suppress good heredity
  • B. Cannot suppress good heredity
  • C. Can suppress but cannot extinguish
  • D. None of the above

Explanation: An unhealthy environment can suppress the expression of favourable hereditary potential, but it does not normally erase or extinguish that…

Correct answer: Can suppress but cannot extinguish
  • A. autonomy
  • B. independence
  • C. basic trust
  • D. integrity

Explanation: Erikson's final psychosocial stage is integrity versus despair. Looking back with a sense that life had value indicates integrity, whereas…

Correct answer: integrity
  • A. object permanence period of cognitive development
  • B. preoperational period of cognitive development
  • C. concrete period of cognitive development
  • D. sensorimotor period of cognitive development

Explanation: Object permanence develops during Piaget's sensorimotor period, roughly from birth to two years.

Correct answer: sensorimotor period of cognitive development
  • A. the opportunity to explore
  • B. body contact
  • C. appropriate schemas
  • D. adequate nourishment

Explanation: Harlow’s surrogate-mother experiments showed that infant monkeys preferred a soft, cloth mother even when a wire mother provided food.

Correct answer: body contact
  • A. attachment
  • B. egocentrism
  • C. object permanence
  • D. habituation

Explanation: Attachment provides a secure base: a securely attached child uses the caregiver’s reassurance to judge whether exploration is safe.

Correct answer: attachment
  • A. unconventional
  • B. preconventional
  • C. proportional
  • D. conventional

Explanation: Kohlberg’s conventional morality emphasizes obeying laws and maintaining social order, even when personal benefit points in another…

Correct answer: conventional
  • A. teratogen
  • B. depressant
  • C. neurotransmitter
  • D. from of DNA

Explanation: A teratogen is any environmental agent, including a drug or chemical, that can harm a developing embryo or fetus.

Correct answer: teratogen
  • A. were incapable of mating upon reaching sexual maturity
  • B. were totally apathetic and indifferent to the first monkeys they encountered
  • C. Showed not lasting adverse effects when placed in socially enriched environment
  • D. showed slower social development but more rapid cognitive development

Explanation: Monkeys raised in total isolation showed severe social and sexual difficulties, including an inability to mate normally when mature.

Correct answer: were incapable of mating upon reaching sexual maturity
  • A. Overly harsh or lax parenting style
  • B. Criminality in the family
  • C. Low intelligence
  • D. All of the above

Explanation: Farrington identified several risk factors for later offending, including harsh or inconsistent parenting, criminality in the family, and…

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Aggression replacement training
  • B. What Works program
  • C. Statement validity assessment
  • D. The Cambridge study

Explanation: The Cambridge study followed large groups of individuals and families over many years, identifying developmental risks for antisocial and…

Correct answer: The Cambridge study