AP Psychology : Developmental Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Social Development

A 2-year-old boy is in the process of being potty trained. His mother frequently makes trips to the bathroom with him, but he frequently still goes in his diaper. Which stage of psychosocial development would Erikson say this toddler is facing? 

Possible Answers:

Integrity vs. despair 

Industry vs. inferiority 

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt 

Initiative vs. guilt 

Trust vs. mistrust 

Correct answer:

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt 

Explanation:

Erikson would say that this boy is at the developmental stage during which he is grappling with his own autonomy. This stage is known as "autonomy vs. shame and doubt," and typically takes place during ages 1-3 years.

Example Question #41 : Dimensions Of Psychological Development

Alexia decides to spread a rumor about Lindsay to all of their mutual friends. Once their friends hear about the rumor, they begin to ignore and isolate Linsday. This is an example of __________ aggression. 

Possible Answers:

physical 

relational 

reactive 

nonverbal 

Correct answer:

relational 

Explanation:

Relational aggression typically involves more covert behavior, such as spreading rumors or gossiping about others in an attempt to manipulate one's friendships and faciltation exclusion. This type of aggression is represented in the given question.

Physical aggression involves physical harm to another person, such as hitting, punching, kicking, or even vandalizing or damaging one's property. 

There is no such thing as nonverbal aggression. 

Reactive aggression is typically an angry, defensive response to provocation, particularly when one is blocked from reaching a goal or is harmed first. 

Example Question #1 : Social Development

Landon is a junior in high school and is beginning to think about what he wants to do in the future. He has participated in a law internship, has shadowed a principal for a day, and currently volunteers at a children's clinic. He in interested in law, education, and medicine, but has not decided which field he would like to pursue in the future. According to James Marcia's Identity Statuses, which identity status best describes Landon? 

Possible Answers:

Achievement 

Foreclosure 

Diffusion 

Moratorium

Correct answer:

Moratorium

Explanation:

Marcia's theory pertaining to identity development and statuses involves two dimensions: exploration and committment. 

Individuals who are actively exploring their options before making a final decision, such as the young man described in this question, are classified in the moratorium identity status. 

Individuals who have made a decision after active exploration as classified in the achievement identity status. 

Individuals who make a decision without doing any exploration are classified in the foreclosure identity status. 

Individuals who do not know what they want to do and who are indifferent to exploring are classiged in the diffusion identity status. 

Example Question #1 : Social Development

Which stage of Erikson's Psychosocial Theory characterizes adolescence? 

Possible Answers:

Identity vs. role confusion

Industry vs. inferiority 

Initiative vs. guilt 

Intimacy vs. isolation 

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 #1 : Social Development

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

Possible Answers:

an increase in self-confidence 

a self-fulfilling prophecy 

a glass ceiling effect 

a stereotype threat 

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 #5 : Social Development

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

Possible Answers:

Income level 

Family stability 

Physical attractiveness 

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 #2 : 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:

Social comparisons 

Social identity 

Gender typing 

Self-control 

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 #51 : Dimensions Of Psychological Development

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 #12 : Social Development

Who coined the term "basic trust?"

Possible Answers:

Erik Erikson

Lawrence Kohlberg

Urie Bronfenbrenner

James Maslow

Mary Ainsworth

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 #52 : Dimensions Of Psychological Development

Which of the following linguistic capacities do infants acquire first?

Possible Answers:

Distinguishing their own native language from others spoken to them

Understanding prosody

Babbling

Speaking in words

Distinguishing speech from other sounds

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.

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