AP Psychology : Dimensions of Psychological Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Moral Development

Cody is 9 years old. He hit his brother while they were playing a game and his brother started crying. His mom asked him why hitting is brother is wrong, and he told her that it's wrong because he knows that "people aren't supposed to hit other people."

Cody is most likely in which of Kohlberg's stages of moral development?

Possible Answers:

Concrete operational

Conventional

Formal operational

Postconventional

Preconventional

Correct answer:

Conventional

Explanation:

In the conventional stage of moral development, right vs. wrong is based upon societal conventions and expectations. Since Cody stated something that is a social convention, rather than a personal ethical belief, he is demonstrating features of the conventional stage of devlopment.

Example Question #1 : Moral Development

What is the third stage of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Possible Answers:

Individuals begin to see their perspective as distinct from that of society's, and may or may not agree with cultural norms and ethics

Individuals are only concerned with actions that will directly benefit them

Individuals reject any societal views of their behavior

Individuals are receptive to societal approval or disapproval of their behavior

Correct answer:

Individuals are receptive to societal approval or disapproval of their behavior

Explanation:

At stage three of Kohlberg's theory, which usually begins in adolescence or adulthood, people become conscious of how the society at large views their behavior. Thus, they are not necessarily concerned with gaining a direct reward or avoiding punishments, but rather focus on cultivating behaviors like appreciation and good manners that will make them well-liked by society. This stage is defined by conformity to societal expectations of behavior.  

Example Question #1 : Moral Development

A child who responds to a moral dilemma with "You will get in trouble. Don't do it!" is most likely operating at what stage of Kolhberg's theory of moral development? 

Possible Answers:

Unconventional level 

Preconventional level 

Conventional level

Postconventional level 

Correct answer:

Preconventional level 

Explanation:

Moral reasoning at the preconventional level focuses on punishment, rewards, and authority. The child in this question is exhibiting this degree of moral consideration.

Moral reasoning at the conventional level focuses on social order, upholding the law, and maintaining positive relationships. 

Moral reasoning at the postconventional level focuses on principles and values beyond laws that ensure individual rights. 

There is no unconventional level of moral reasoning, as presented by Kohlberg. 

Example Question #6 : Moral Development

If Elliott doesn't litter because it's against his own core values to do so, what stage of Kohlberg's moral development does this reflect?

Possible Answers:

postconventional

conventional

moral intuitionism

preconventional

postsocietal

Correct answer:

postconventional

Explanation:

Kohlberg's three stages are preconventional (in which morality is determined by the consequences for the person), conventional (in which morality is determined by social rules), and postconventional (in which morality is determined by core values). Since Elliott is choosing to keep the Earth clean not because he will get a fine or because his friends will judge him, but because of his own moral compass, this is an example of the postconventional stage. 

Example Question #2 : Moral Development

Why did Lawrence Kohlberg present children with the Heinz dilemma?

Possible Answers:

To assess the children's social development

To assess the children's pathological development

To assess the children's moral development

To assess the children's physical development

To assess the children's need for mental health services

Correct answer:

To assess the children's moral development

Explanation:

Lawrence Kohlberg is arguably the most influential psychologist in the field of moral development, particularly in children. He posits that humans can fall into three different stages of morality: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional morality. He used paradigms like the Heinz dilemma to assess children's responses, and determine which level of morality they possess. 

Example Question #1 : Moral Development

According to Erikson, those in their late teens struggle with which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Identity vs. role confusion 

Generativity vs. stagnation 

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt 

Intimacy vs. isolation 

Integrity vs. despair 

Correct answer:

Identity vs. role confusion 

Explanation:

Also known as “identity crisis,” individuals in their late teens and early twenties struggle with discovering their identity. As these individuals begin venturing into the world, they struggle with who they are or want to be and their purpose in the world.

James Marcia proposed the Identity Status Theory based on Erikson’s stage of identity versus role confusion. His theory led to four different results: diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement. Individuals drifting through life with no purpose or intention for exploration are in a state of diffusion. Individuals who have explored and discovered their purpose and identity are in a state of achievement. 

Example Question #1 : Moral Development

When did Piaget believe a person's Moral Relativism stage begins?

Possible Answers:

Around age thirty

Around age eighteen

Around age five

Around age two

Around age ten

Correct answer:

Around age ten

Explanation:

Piaget argued that children under the age of ten view the world in terms of Moral Realism, believing in fixed, universal rules and judging actions by their consequences, rather than the intent of the actor. After ten, he claimed, children learn that rules are socially created things that are adjusted as needed and begin to judge actions by the intent of their actors as they were done.

Example Question #1 : Moral Development

How did Kohlberg use the Heinz Dilemma in his study on moral development?

Possible Answers:

To see how many people would chose the right thing to do, which is to defy conventional wisdom in favor of universal ethical principles

To test the moral developmental stages of people in different age groups

To see if people's mirror neurons were activated in listening to a story

None of these answers is accurate

To test people's emotional responses to the story

Correct answer:

To test the moral developmental stages of people in different age groups

Explanation:

The Heinz Dilemma refers to a story used by Kohlberg in his study on moral development about a man who steals drugs to help his wife who is dying of cancer. By asking how people would react to this dilemma, Kohlberg developed his stages of moral development which correspond more or less to peoples' age groups.

Example Question #181 : Developmental Psychology

What does pre-conventional morality refer to according to Kohlberg's stages of moral development?

Possible Answers:

The later stage where morality is based on rationalism and logic

The later stage where there is more of an intuitive sense of right and wrong that may defy social convention

The early stage where morality is based on avoiding punishment and gaining reward

None of these answers is accurate.

The later stage where morality is based on social convention

Correct answer:

The early stage where morality is based on avoiding punishment and gaining reward

Explanation:

Pre-conventional morality is most common amongst infants or toddlers whose primary focus is to avoid punishment and seek reward. Consequently, any morals they have will be based on that principle.

Kohlberg's stages of moral development were based on Jean Piaget's stages of childhood development. Kohlberg's first stage is the Pre-Conventional, which consists of obedience orientation (punishment avoidance) and self-interest orientation. The second stage is the Conventional, which consists of interpersonal conformity to social norms and authority orientation. The third and final stage is the Post-Conventional, which consists of universal ethical principles (conscience) and social contract thinking.

Example Question #81 : Dimensions Of Psychological Development

Lawrence Kohlberg is known for the levels of moral thinking hypothesis. Which of the following levels focuses on self-interest?

Possible Answers:

Concrete operational 

Preoperational 

Postconventional 

Conventional 

Preconventional 

Correct answer:

Preconventional 

Explanation:

Kohlberg's three levels of moral thinking include preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. 

From birth to about nine years of age, a child is believed to experience what Kohlberg called the preconventional phase. At this time the focus is self-interest; the child will follow rules just to avoid punishment and achieve a concrete reward. 

The other two options, “preoperational” and “concrete operational” are incorrect because they are stages from Piaget's theory of cognitive development. 

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