AP Psychology : Physical Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Physical Development

During prenatal development, a zygote is formed when an egg is fertilized. Within the first few weeks, the zygote will undergo multiple cellular divisions. At this time, all cells in the zygote are identical. Eventually, these cells will begin to differentiate. Which of the following best describes what the outer cells of the zygote will differentiate into?

Possible Answers:

Fetus 

Genetic material 

Embryo

Placenta 

Brain cell 

Correct answer:

Placenta 

Explanation:

At 10 days after conception, cellular differentiation of the zygote will begin. This forms a blastocyst (ball of cells) with an outer covering. The outer covering will continue to develop separately from the inner cells to become a membrane responsible for protecting and nourishing the developing fetus. These cells will eventually become the placenta; therefore, the inner zygotic cells will become the embryo. Eventually, the embryo will progress to the fetal stage. This will occur 9 weeks post-conception. A zygote already contains all the genetic information provided by the sperm and egg. As a result, the inner cells would not become chromosomes.

Example Question #102 : Developmental Psychology

During prenatal development, a zygote is formed when an egg is fertilized. Within the first few weeks, the zygote will undergo multiple cellular divisions. At this time, all cells in the zygote are identical. Eventually, these cells will begin to differentiate. Which of the following best describes what the inner cells of the zygote will differentiate into?

Possible Answers:

Placenta

Umbilical cord

Chromosome

Embryo

Fetus 

Correct answer:

Embryo

Explanation:

At 10 days after conception, cellular differentiation of the zygote will begin. This forms a blastocyst (ball of cells) with an outer covering. The outer covering will continue to develop separately from the inner cells to become a membrane responsible for protecting and nourishing the developing fetus. These cells will eventually become the placenta; therefore, the inner zygotic cells will become the embryo. Eventually, the embryo will progress to the fetal stage. This will occur 9 weeks post-conception. A zygote already contains all the genetic information provided by the sperm and egg. As a result, the inner cells would not become chromosomes.

Example Question #103 : Developmental Psychology

During brain development, which cortical area develops last?

Possible Answers:

Occipital lobe

Association areas

Neurons 

Brainstem 

Frontal lobes 

Correct answer:

Association areas

Explanation:

During natal development, the brain begins to form many nerve cells. The developing cortex overproduces neurons. As a result, the child is left with the most neurons it will ever have in its lifetime. From ages 3 to 6, the most rapid development occurs in the frontal lobes. This is responsible for enabling the rational behavior that causes preschoolers to be able to focus their attention and control their behavior. The association areas are the last to develop. These areas are linked to cognition, memory, and language. As these areas develop, language, memory, and the ability to think increase at a rapid rate. The occipital lobe is responsible for vision; therefore, it would be expected that the occipital lobe would develop before the association areas. The brainstem is responsible for motor control and background processes. Motor control plays a huge part in infancy and motor development (e.g. walking) is complete within the first year of life.

Example Question #104 : Developmental Psychology

Which of the following is not an example of a secondary sex characteristic?

Possible Answers:

A teenage girl notices hair growing under her arms

A teenage boy notices his voice becoming deeper in pitch

A 14 year old boy starts to grow facial hair

All of these

A 13 year old girl starts to develop breasts

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

By definition, secondary sex characteristics are non-reproductive characteristics that develop when adolescents undergo puberty. All of the following choices describe the physical changes that manifest themselves as a boy or girl undergoes puberty.

Example Question #102 : Developmental Psychology

Which of the following marks the beginning of adolescence?

Possible Answers:

Puberty

Development of primary sex characteristics

Development of secondary sex characteristics 

Deepening of voice

Menarche

Correct answer:

Puberty

Explanation:

Puberty is the period during which adolescence begins—it is when we begin to mature sexually. 

As puberty begins, a signal is sent to the master gland (pituitary) that triggers a surge of hormones. These hormones are released with the intention of creating the expected body changes of childhood to adolescence in terms of primary and secondary sex characteristics. The physical development of primary and secondary sex characteristics (e.g. deepening of voice or menarche) are the results of puberty.

Example Question #106 : Developmental Psychology

Lawrence Kohlberg is known for the levels of moral thinking hypothesis. Which of the following levels focuses on obtaining social approval?

Possible Answers:

Formal operational 

Preconventional 

Conventional 

Postconventional 

Preoperational 

Correct answer:

Conventional 

Explanation:

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

From around the age of 9 until early adolescence Kohlberg believed that a child entered into the conventional phase of morality. At this time, the child would have switched its focus from following rules for self-interest to obeying laws to achieve social approval.

The other options, “preoperational” and “formal operational,” would be incorrect as they are stages from Piaget's theory of cognitive development. 

Example Question #103 : Developmental Psychology

It's been observed that as teens mature there is a continuous development of the frontal lobes. Which of the following best describes what this process entails?

Possible Answers:

It allows improved judgment, long term planning, and impulse control 

It promotes the functions of the limbic system 

It allows for heightening senses such as sight and hearing 

It allows for better hormonal distribution throughout the body 

It inhibits the limbic system 

Correct answer:

It allows improved judgment, long term planning, and impulse control 

Explanation:

As the frontal lobe continues to develop there's a rapid growth in brain cells branching to other cells. The creation of pathways and connections betters communication between cells and different regions of the brain. There is also a notable increase in myelin. As the fatty tissue around axons increases, so does the rate of neurotransmission. Together, this allows for better judgment and impulse control as it expands on higher order mental processes and personality.

Teens engage in risky and impulsive behaviors because the development of the frontal lobes lags behind the limbic system, which handles emotions. The development of the frontal lobes is not concerned with maintaining the functions of the limbic system. 

The frontal lobes are not concerned with hormonal distribution, which is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Frontal lobe development is not associated with senses such as sight and hearing because different areas of the brain control those functions. 

Example Question #441 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Hallie is 65-years-old. She exercises every day and is committed to a healthy diet. She says she feels so much younger and physically fit as a result. Which of the following best describes Hallie? 

Possible Answers:

Subjective age 

Chronological age 

Physical age 

Functional age 

Correct answer:

Subjective age 

Explanation:

"Subjective age" describes how an individual "feels" about their age regardless of how old he/she actually is. On the other hand, "functional age," "chronological age," and "physical age" refer to an individual's competence, abilities, and actual age, respectively. 

Example Question #442 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Which of the following sets of symptoms most closely resembles fetal alcohol syndrome?

Possible Answers:

Infertility, low muscle mass, and breast development in males

Uncontrolled movements, difficulties with thinking and understanding, and emotional issues

Difficulty with communication, social interactions, and stereotyped interests

Delayed development, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and distinct facial features

Infertility, learning disabilities, and short stature in females

Correct answer:

Delayed development, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and distinct facial features

Explanation:

Fetal alcohol syndrome can occur in children born to mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy. Symptoms can include distinct facial features, developmental delays, low birth weight, learning disabilities, and hyperactivity. Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder that can include uncontrollable movements, cognitive decline, and emotional problems. Autism spectrum disorder involves problems associated with communication, social interactions, and the presence of stereotyped or obsessive interests and behaviors. Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome are both chromosomal disorders. Turner syndrome is only present in females and involves the presence of one X chromosome. Symptoms include delayed puberty, infertility, intellectual disability, heart and joint problems, and short stature. Klinefelter syndrome is only present in males and involves the addition of an X chromosome. Symptoms can include low testosterone, delayed puberty, infertility, difficulty sustaining attention, and distinct facial features.

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