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Lifespan Development in Counseling Flashcards

7 cards from real NCMHCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Lifespan Development in Counseling flashcards as text

  1. A counselor is assessing attachment in a 14-month-old observed in the Strange Situation procedure. The child explores freely with the caregiver present but shows distress at separation and is easily soothed upon return. This BEST reflects which attachment style?

    Answer: Secure

    Secure attachment is characterized by using the caregiver as a safe base, showing distress during separation, and being easily soothed upon reunion.

  2. A client shares that as a child, their caregiver was unpredictably responsive—sometimes warm, sometimes dismissive. As an adult, the client is preoccupied with relationships and fears abandonment. This MOST likely reflects which adult attachment style?

    Answer: Preoccupied-anxious

    Preoccupied-anxious attachment in adults stems from inconsistent early caregiving and manifests as heightened concern about relationships and fear of abandonment.

  3. Piaget described the stage in which children can think logically about concrete objects but struggle with abstract reasoning. This stage spans approximately ages:

    Answer: 7–11 years

    The concrete operational stage (ages 7–11) allows logical thinking about tangible objects but not yet hypothetical or abstract concepts.

  4. An 8-year-old client understands that when clay is reshaped, the amount remains the same. According to Piaget, this child has mastered which cognitive concept?

    Answer: Conservation

    Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains unchanged despite changes in shape or appearance, mastered during the concrete operational stage.

  5. A counselor working with grieving clients uses Worden's Tasks of Mourning model. Which task involves adjusting to a world without the deceased and developing new roles?

    Answer: Adjusting to a changed world

    Worden's third task—adjusting to a changed world—involves adapting to new roles, identities, and responsibilities after the loss.

  6. Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to:

    Answer: The gap between what a child can do alone and with guidance

    The ZPD is the difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with skilled guidance or collaboration.

  7. A counselor is helping a 55-year-old client who recently retired and feels purposeless. According to Erikson, this client is struggling with which polarity?

    Answer: Generativity vs. stagnation

    Generativity vs. stagnation (middle adulthood) involves contributing to society and future generations; retirement can trigger stagnation if new purpose is not found.