AP Psychology : Dimensions of Psychological Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Social Development

Which stage of Erikson's Psychosocial Theory characterizes adolescence? 

Possible Answers:

Identity vs. role confusion

Industry vs. inferiority 

Intimacy vs. isolation 

Initiative vs. guilt 

Correct answer:

Identity vs. role confusion

Explanation:

Since adolescence is characterized by various biological, social, emotional and cognitive changes, Erikson would argue that adolescents are attempting to solidify their identity in terms of who they are, what they value, and what their goals are. If adolescents do not resolve their identity crises, they could have role confusion, which has negative psychological implications. 

Intimacy vs. isolation characterizes early adulthood. 

Industry vs. inferiority characterizes middle childhood. 

Initiative vs. guilt characterizes early childhood.

Example Question #141 : Developmental Psychology

Stereotypes related to gender and women's capabilities could cause __________ in their career advancement. 

Possible Answers:

a self-fulfilling prophecy 

an increase in self-confidence 

a stereotype threat 

a glass ceiling effect 

Correct answer:

a glass ceiling effect 

Explanation:

The glass ceiling effect is the phenomenon that occurs when women can no longer advance in their careers for higher-level positions that are typically held by men. 

A self-fulfilling prophecy and stereotype threat are very similar in that they typically are the result of stereotypes that negatively impact one's academic performance. 

Increase in self-confidence is a distractor item, and does not directly relate to the question. 

Example Question #1 : Social Development

Which of the following traits are men most likely to value when selecting a long-term mate? 

Possible Answers:

Physical attractiveness 

Income level 

Family stability 

Intelligence 

Correct answer:

Physical attractiveness 

Explanation:

Men are more likely than women to select mates based on physical attractiveness. According to evolutionary theory, men focus on whether a woman is physically healthy and fit to carry children.

Income level and intelligence are traits that women actually value. Family stability was a distractor item, and does not directly relate to the question.

Example Question #1 : Social Development

Ten-year-old Eric knows that he is a great athlete compared to his peers, but he is not as good in math class. Eric is focusing on which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Gender typing 

Social identity 

Self-control 

Social comparisons 

Correct answer:

Social comparisons 

Explanation:

Social comparisons are chracteristic of middle childhood when children begin to notice their relative strengths and weaknesses in comparison to their friends and classmates. 

Example Question #141 : Developmental Psychology

Which of the following terms would describe an individual who engages in emotional intimacy and even romantic relationships, but is uninterested in pursuing sexual experiences?

Possible Answers:

Genderqueer

Asexual

Gender neutral

Agender

Correct answer:

Asexual

Explanation:

One's sexuality generally describes interest in sexual partners and experiences, while one's gender identity can be a more personal factor in the definition of self. One might identify as a man, a woman, as genderqueer, or as a number of other gender identities. The terms "agender," "gender neutral," and "genderqueer" all refer to gender identities. In contrast, "asexual" is a term used to describe one's general disinterest in the pursuit of sexual experiences. An asexual individual may still be interested in close emotional relationships and romance.

Example Question #142 : Developmental Psychology

Who coined the term "basic trust?"

Possible Answers:

Erik Erikson

Lawrence Kohlberg

Mary Ainsworth

James Maslow

Urie Bronfenbrenner

Correct answer:

Erik Erikson

Explanation:

Erikson theorized that "basic trust" is a child's sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy. An infant is able to develop basic trust through positive relationships with his or her caregivers. 

Example Question #12 : Social Development

Which of the following linguistic capacities do infants acquire first?

Possible Answers:

Distinguishing their own native language from others spoken to them

Babbling

Speaking in words

Distinguishing speech from other sounds

Understanding prosody

Correct answer:

Distinguishing speech from other sounds

Explanation:

Infants can distinguish speech from other sounds at as early an age as four months old. Shortly after that, they will begin to babble and coo. By ten months old, they become able to distinguish their own native language from others spoken to them. At 12-18 months old, they begin to use words themselves, and they start to understand prosody between 18 and 24 months of age.

Example Question #13 : Social Development

Erik Erikson is well known for his theory of psychosocial development: the idea that every stage of life contains a crisis in need of resolution.

According to Erikson, which of the following stages faces issues associated with initiative versus guilt?

Possible Answers:

Toddlerhood

Preschool 

Young adult 

Infancy 

Elementary school 

Correct answer:

Preschool 

Explanation:

Erik Erikson was a theorist who believed that each stage of life had its own task to overcome. Erickson’s psychosocial stages included the following: infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, elementary school, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. He assigned each stage with an approximate age range. In the preschool stage (from about 3 to 6 years of age), Erikson believed people needed to resolve issues associated with initiative versus guilt. He hypothesized that children at this stage will learn to either take the initiative to start and carry out tasks or that they will feel guilty about their attempts to be independent. The other provided options are stages in Erikson's stages of psychosocial development; however, they each have their own tasks (i.e. trust versus mistrust or autonomy versus shame and doubt) and are incorrect. 

Example Question #14 : Social Development

Erik Erikson is well known for his theory of psychosocial development: the idea that every stage of life contains a crisis in need of resolution. 

According to Erikson, which of the following stages faces issues associated with competence versus inferiority?

 

Possible Answers:

Elementary school

Adolescence 

Young adulthood 

Preschool 

Late adulthood 

Correct answer:

Elementary school

Explanation:

Erik Erikson was a theorist who believed that each stage of life had its own task to overcome. Erickson’s psychosocial stages included the following: infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, elementary school, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. He assigned each stage with an approximate age range. In the elementary school stage (from about 6 years of age to puberty), Erikson believed people needed to resolve issues associated with competence versus inferiority. He hypothesized that children at this stage will experience pleasures associated with applying themselves to issues and tasks. If not, then he theorized that they would develop feelings of inferiority. The other provided options are stages in Erikson's stages of psychosocial development; however, they each have their own tasks (i.e. initiative versus guilt or identity versus role confusion) and are incorrect. 

Example Question #51 : Dimensions Of Psychological Development

Erik Erikson is well known for his theory of psychosocial development: the idea that every stage of life contains a crisis in need of resolution. 

According to Erikson, which of the following stages faces issues associated with intimacy versus isolation.

Possible Answers:

Elementary school 

Late adulthood 

Adolescence 

Young adulthood 

Middle adulthood 

Correct answer:

Young adulthood 

Explanation:

Erik Erikson was a theorist who believed that each stage of life had its own task to overcome. Erickson’s psychosocial stages included the following: infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, elementary school, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. He assigned each stage with an approximate age range. In the young adulthood stage (from the early twenties to the early forties), Erikson believed people needed to resolve issues associated with intimacy versus isolation. He hypothesized that individuals at this stage struggle with forming close relationships in the hope to achieve intimate love. He theorized that if this is not accomplished, then the individual might feel socially isolated. The other provided options are stages in Erikson's stages of psychosocial development; however, they each have their own tasks (i.e. integrity versus despair or identity versus role confusion) and are incorrect.

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