Example Questions

Question 1

What stages of moral development did Piaget identify, and how do children under age ten judge wrong-doings?

Answer 1

Piaget saw moral judgement as being in two age brackets: below and above age ten. Children under ten tend to judge wrong-doings by the amount of damage caused rather than the intentions behind the act.

Question 2

Describe Kohlberg’s stages of moral reasoning.

Answer 2

Kohlberg’s stages have three levels (pre-conventional, conventional and post-conventional) and six stages:
1. obedience and punishment orientation
2. individualism and exchange
3. good interpersonal relationships
4. maintaining the social order
5. social contract and individual rights
6. universal principles.

Question 3

Why do teens require more sleep than adults, and what affects their sleep patterns?

Answer 3

Teens require more sleep due to rapid growth and biorhythm changes that make them more likely to stay up late and sleep later. Their sleep patterns are also affected by academic and social demands.

Question 4

What are Perry’s stages of mental and moral development in college students?

Answer 4

Perry proposed four stages of development for college students: Dualism, Multiplicity, Relativism, and Commitment.

Question 5

Explain Vygotsky’s concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

Answer 5

Vygotsky’s ZPD is the level of development attained when children engage in social behaviors. Learning occurs in the ZPD when interaction is guided by an adult or in collaboration with peers, exceeding what could be achieved individually.

Question 6

What is an operational definition in research?

Answer 6

An operational definition is a clear and concise description of a measure used in data collection, ensuring that different researchers can independently measure the same conditions.

For example, anxiety could be operationally defined as a participant’s score on a specific questionnaire.

Question 7

What does a P-value signify in statistical tests?

Answer 7

The P-value indicates the probability that the observed data would occur by chance. A common cutoff for significance is .05; a P-value less than .05 typically leads to rejection of the null hypothesis, suggesting significant results.

Question 8

What role does sleep play in adolescent development and behavior?

Answer 8

Sleep is crucial for adolescents due to their rapid physical and mental growth. Their changing biorhythms lead them to prefer later bedtimes and later wake times, impacting academic and social demands.

Question 9

Describe Perry’s concept of ‘Relativism’ in the cognitive development of college students.

Answer 9

In Perry’s stage of Relativism, college students recognize that truths are not absolute but relative, depending on the context. They understand that problems are complex and solutions vary based on differing perspectives and contexts.

Question 10

What is the significance of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) according to Vygotsky?

Answer 10

Vygotsky’s ZPD is crucial for understanding cognitive development, emphasizing that learning happens most effectively within a social context.

Question 11

What does the psychological concept of ‘Oedipus Complex’ suggest about child development?

Answer 11

The Oedipus Complex suggests that during the phallic stage of psychosexual development, a child (typically a boy) may develop unconscious desires for their opposite-sex parent and hostility towards the same-sex parent.

Question 12

How do reliability and validity contribute to the effectiveness of psychological tests?

Answer 12

Reliability ensures that a test consistently measures an attribute, providing confidence in the stability of its scores. Validity ensures that the test accurately measures what it is intended to measure.

Question 13

What implications does a P-value have for statistical analysis in research?

Answer 13

A P-value helps determine whether the observed effects in the study are statistically significant. If the P-value is less than .05, it suggests that the effects are unlikely due to random chance.

Question 14

Explain the importance of operational definitions in research.

Answer 14

Operational definitions are crucial for clarity and replicability in research. They define the exact parameters of how variables are measured.

Question 15

What challenges do intervening variables present in experimental research?

Answer 15

Intervening variables can introduce unexpected effects, complicating the interpretation of causal relationships between tested variables.

Question 16

How do survey response rates impact the validity of research findings?

Answer 16

Higher response rates in surveys generally lead to more accurate and generalizable results by reducing sampling bias and increasing the likelihood that the sample represents the larger population.

The survey requires 50-57% to be returned in order to be accurate.

Question 17

What is Dualism in Perry’s theory of development?

Answer 17

Dualism is the stage where students see the world in binary terms. Knowledge and authority are viewed as absolute, with clear right and wrong answers. Students expect authority figures to provide definitive answers.

Question 18

What does Multiplicity mean in Perry’s stages?

Answer 18

Multiplicity is the recognition that some questions have multiple answers, which might all be valid. It evolves from seeing multiple views as temporary confusion (early multiplicity) to understanding that many complex issues can have several valid perspectives (late multiplicity).

Question 19

Describe Relativism in Perry’s model.

Answer 19

In Relativism, students understand that knowledge is contextual and truths are relative to different frameworks. This stage involves recognizing that judgments should be based on reasoned arguments and evidence, acknowledging that absolute certainty is rare.

Question 20

What is Commitment in Relativism according to Perry?

Answer 20

Commitment in Relativism involves making decisions and commitments based on evaluated evidence and reasoning within a relativistic context. It signifies the acceptance of uncertainty in knowledge but still choosing to commit to certain values or decisions.

Question 21

What is Stage 1 of Kohlberg’s moral development?

Answer 21

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation. Moral reasoning is based on avoiding punishment and deference to power. Typical behavior is following rules to avoid punishment.

Question 22

What characterizes Stage 2 in Kohlberg’s theory?

Answer 22

Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange. Individuals recognize that different people have different self-interests and there is value in fairness and equality based on mutual benefit.

Question 23

Describe Stage 3 of Kohlberg’s moral reasoning.

Answer 23

Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationships. Behavior is often judged by intent and its impact on relationships. Emphasis is on being ‘good’ by conforming to social expectations and roles.

Question 24

What is Stage 4 in Kohlberg’s model?

Answer 24

Stage 4: Maintaining the Social Order. Moral decisions are made based on law and order, focusing on upholding laws and rules to maintain societal structure and community welfare.

Question 25

Explain Stage 5 of Kohlberg’s stages.

Answer 25

Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights. Emphasis is on upholding rules that improve the community and protect individual rights, with reasoning based on fairness, democratic processes, and the welfare of the community.

Question 26

What does Stage 6 entail in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development?

Answer 26

Stage 6: Universal Principles. Morality is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles like justice and equality. Individuals may choose to defy unjust laws based on these principles.