BAPSY Developmental Psychology Across Lifespan 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Vygotsky's concept of the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD) refers to:
- Tasks a child can do independently
- The gap between what a child can do alone vs. with guidance (Correct answer)
- The maximum cognitive level a child will ever reach
- The age range during which language acquisition occurs
Correct answer: The gap between what a child can do alone vs. with guidance
The ZPD is the distance between a learner's independent capability and what they can achieve with skilled assistance.
Question 2: Which developmental theorist described the 'oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital' stages of development?
- Erik Erikson
- Jean Piaget
- Sigmund Freud (Correct answer)
- Lawrence Kohlberg
Correct answer: Sigmund Freud
Freud's psychosexual theory proposed five stages centered on erogenous zones and their associated conflicts.
Question 3: An infant who becomes distressed when a caregiver leaves but is not soothed upon return most likely displays which attachment style?
- Secure attachment
- Avoidant attachment
- Disorganized attachment
- Ambivalent/anxious attachment (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ambivalent/anxious attachment
Ambivalent (resistant) attachment is characterized by high distress at separation and difficulty being comforted upon reunion.
Question 4: Bronfenbrenner's microsystem includes:
- Cultural values and societal norms
- Connections between different settings the child inhabits
- Direct, face-to-face environments like family and school (Correct answer)
- Historical events affecting development across generations
Correct answer: Direct, face-to-face environments like family and school
The microsystem is the innermost layer consisting of direct interactions in settings such as home, school, and peer groups.
Question 5: The term 'secular trend' in developmental psychology refers to:
- A decline in religious influence on child-rearing
- The tendency for each generation to mature physically earlier than the previous one (Correct answer)
- Cross-cultural differences in developmental milestones
- Age-related declines in cognitive processing speed
Correct answer: The tendency for each generation to mature physically earlier than the previous one
The secular trend describes the historical pattern of earlier puberty onset and greater adult height across successive generations, linked to improved nutrition.
Question 6: Which concept describes a child's understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen?
- Conservation
- Object permanence (Correct answer)
- Centration
- Egocentrism
Correct answer: Object permanence
Object permanence, typically achieved around 8–12 months, is the understanding that objects persist even when out of sight.
Question 7: Kohlberg's postconventional level of moral reasoning is characterized by:
- Obedience to authority to avoid punishment
- Following social rules to gain approval
- Adherence to universal ethical principles beyond specific laws (Correct answer)
- Reciprocal exchange and self-interest
Correct answer: Adherence to universal ethical principles beyond specific laws
At the postconventional level, individuals reason according to abstract ethical principles such as justice and human rights, even if they conflict with laws.
BAPSY Developmental Psychology Across Lifespan 2
Vygotsky's concept of the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD) refers to: