Theories of Development Flashcards
Maria, age 7, is learning to follow rules and form friendships. According to Erikson, which psychosocial stage is she likely in?
a) Initiative vs. Guilt
b) Industry vs. Inferiority
c) Identity vs. Role Confusion
d) Autonomy vs. Shame
Answer: b) Industry vs. Inferiority
A child is struggling to fit new information into an existing cognitive framework. According to Piaget, which process would best help this child?
a) Equilibration
b) Conservation
c) Assimilation
d) Accommodation
Answer: d) Accommodation
Ethan is a young child who can solve a puzzle with the help of his older brother but struggles alone. Vygotsky would say Ethan is working within his:
a) Zone of Proximal Development
b) Formal Operational Stage
c) Sensitive Period
d) Attachment System
Answer: a) Zone of Proximal Development
In Kohlberg’s stages, if a child decides not to cheat on a test to avoid punishment, they are operating in which moral stage?
a) Preconventional
b) Conventional
c) Postconventional
d) Abstract Reasoning
Answer: a) Preconventional
A young child learns through repeated interaction with their caregivers that they can trust others. Which attachment style is most likely to develop?
a) Avoidant
b) Secure
c) Disorganized
d) Anxious-ambivalent
Answer: b) Secure
A mother praises her son for sharing toys with a friend, which positively reinforces the behavior. This aligns with which developmental theory?
a) Social Learning Theory
b) Ecological Systems Theory
c) Psychosocial Theory
d) Cognitive Development Theory
Answer: a) Social Learning Theory
A teenager feels torn between spending time with friends and living up to family expectations. Erikson would likely see this as part of which conflict?
a) Generativity vs. Stagnation
b) Initiative vs. Guilt
c) Industry vs. Inferiority
d) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: d) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Jake is in the habit of obeying laws without questioning them because “it’s the right thing to do.” Which stage of moral reasoning, according to Kohlberg, does he demonstrate?
a) Preconventional
b) Conventional
c) Postconventional
d) Formal Operational
Answer: b) Conventional
A young adult who decides not to get married until they feel a deep sense of connection with their partner is likely in which of Erikson’s stages?
a) Intimacy vs. Isolation
b) Trust vs. Mistrust
c) Generativity vs. Stagnation
d) Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Answer: a) Intimacy vs. Isolation
A child’s teacher praises their problem-solving abilities, helping them feel capable and valued. According to Erikson, this likely supports development during which stage?
a) Industry vs. Inferiority
b) Autonomy vs. Shame
c) Initiative vs. Guilt
d) Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: a) Industry vs. Inferiority
In Piaget’s theory, a child who understands that water poured from a tall glass to a short one retains the same amount demonstrates:
a) Object permanence
b) Conservation
c) Reversibility
d) Egocentrism
Answer: b) Conservation
Lilly is shy and hesitates to try new activities because she feels she won’t succeed. This difficulty is likely part of which of Erikson’s stages?
a) Autonomy vs. Shame
b) Industry vs. Inferiority
c) Initiative vs. Guilt
d) Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: b) Industry vs. Inferiority
Which theorist believed children learn best through social interactions and guided participation?
a) Jean Piaget
b) Erik Erikson
c) Lev Vygotsky
d) Lawrence Kohlberg
Answer: c) Lev Vygotsky
A child starts using language to solve problems and interact socially. According to Vygotsky, this marks the beginning of which cognitive process?
a) Private speech
b) Socialization
c) Self-regulation
d) Object permanence
Answer: a) Private speech
Children in Piaget’s concrete operational stage begin to think more logically about objects and events. Which task would best assess this?
a) Understanding abstract ideas
b) Sorting objects by color
c) Performing basic arithmetic
d) Solving a conservation problem
Answer: d) Solving a conservation problem
A teenager believes they are the center of everyone’s attention, even if they are not. According to Piaget, this is an example of:
a) Egocentrism
b) Adolescent idealism
c) Personal fable
d) Imaginary audience
Answer: d) Imaginary audience
In Erikson’s stages, an elderly person reflecting positively on life and feeling fulfilled would be in which stage?
a) Ego Integrity vs. Despair
b) Intimacy vs. Isolation
c) Generativity vs. Stagnation
d) Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: a) Ego Integrity vs. Despair
A 2-year-old child begins to assert independence and say “no” frequently. According to Erikson, which stage does this behavior best represent?
a) Initiative vs. Guilt
b) Autonomy vs. Shame
c) Trust vs. Mistrust
d) Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: b) Autonomy vs. Shame
James is entering adolescence and begins to explore his personal beliefs and career options. In Erikson’s theory, he is likely experiencing which conflict?
a) Identity vs. Role Confusion
b) Industry vs. Inferiority
c) Autonomy vs. Shame
d) Initiative vs. Guilt
Answer: a) Identity vs. Role Confusion
A high school student argues that breaking a law is acceptable if it is for a greater moral purpose. Which of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development does this reflect?
a) Conventional
b) Preconventional
c) Postconventional
d) Concrete operational
Answer: c) Postconventional
A child believes they are invincible and takes significant physical risks, reflecting Piaget’s concept of:
a) Conservation
b) Egocentrism
c) Personal fable
d) Concrete thinking
Answer: c) Personal fable
According to Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, if a child observes a sibling being rewarded for sharing, they are likely to:
a) Become jealous of the sibling
b) Imitate the sharing behavior
c) Seek a different activity
d) Avoid sharing to get attention
Answer: b) Imitate the sharing behavior
Adolescents focusing on establishing a personal identity are best described as experiencing which Eriksonian stage?
a) Intimacy vs. Isolation
b) Initiative vs. Guilt
c) Identity vs. Role Confusion
d) Autonomy vs. Shame
Answer: c) Identity vs. Role Confusion
According to Piaget, at which stage do children begin to understand that others may have different thoughts and perspectives?
a) Sensorimotor
b) Preoperational
c) Concrete Operational
d) Formal Operational
Answer: c) Concrete Operational
