ASPPB Developmental Psychology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The concept of 'scaffolding' in education refers to:
- Physical classroom structure that supports learning
- Temporary support provided by a more skilled individual that is gradually withdrawn (Correct answer)
- Rote memorization techniques for young learners
- Peer-to-peer cooperative learning without adult involvement
Correct answer: Temporary support provided by a more skilled individual that is gradually withdrawn
Scaffolding, derived from Vygotsky's ZPD, involves providing just enough support to enable success, then fading that support as competence grows.
Question 2: Disorganized attachment in infants is most strongly associated with which caregiver behavior?
- Consistently sensitive and responsive caregiving
- Mild unpredictability in response timing
- Frightening or frightened parental behavior, often linked to abuse or trauma (Correct answer)
- Warm but overly protective caregiving
Correct answer: Frightening or frightened parental behavior, often linked to abuse or trauma
Disorganized attachment (Type D) arises when the caregiver is simultaneously a source of fear and comfort, creating an irresolvable conflict for the infant.
Question 3: Gender constancy, the understanding that one's gender remains stable across situations and time, is typically achieved by age:
- 18–24 months
- 2–3 years
- 5–7 years (Correct answer)
- 10–12 years
Correct answer: 5–7 years
Gender constancy develops in stages (gender identity → gender stability → gender consistency) and is typically complete by middle childhood around ages 5–7.
Question 4: In the context of aging, 'successful aging' as conceptualized by Rowe and Kahn includes all of the following EXCEPT:
- Low probability of disease and disability
- High cognitive and physical functional capacity
- Active engagement with life
- Complete absence of any chronic condition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Complete absence of any chronic condition
Rowe and Kahn's model includes low disease risk, maintained function, and social engagement, but does not require complete absence of all chronic conditions.
Question 5: Piaget's concept of 'egocentrism' in the preoperational stage is best illustrated by the:
- Three-mountains task, where children cannot take another's visual perspective (Correct answer)
- Object permanence task, where infants search for hidden toys
- Conservation task, where children judge quantity by appearance
- False-belief task, where children predict another's mistaken belief
Correct answer: Three-mountains task, where children cannot take another's visual perspective
In the three-mountains task, preoperational children assume others see the same view of a model that they see, demonstrating egocentrism.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the role of 'theory of mind' in child development?
- The child's understanding of Piaget's stages of cognitive growth
- The ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, intentions) to oneself and others (Correct answer)
- A child's capacity to memorize and apply moral rules
- The development of logical reasoning skills during the school-age years
Correct answer: The ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, intentions) to oneself and others
Theory of mind refers to the ability to understand that others have mental states different from one's own, typically emerging around age 4.
Question 7: Which statement about prenatal development is MOST accurate?
- The fetal period is the most vulnerable to teratogens because organ systems are forming
- The embryonic period (weeks 3–8) is most critical as major organs are differentiating (Correct answer)
- Teratogen exposure only causes harm if it occurs during the germinal period
- Neural tube defects can only occur in the third trimester
Correct answer: The embryonic period (weeks 3–8) is most critical as major organs are differentiating
The embryonic period is the most sensitive to teratogens because it is when major organ systems are forming and differentiating.
ASPPB Developmental Psychology 5
The concept of 'scaffolding' in education refers to: