Deck 2: Theories of Development: Interpreting the Lifespan

Question 1

A(n) __________ is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through research to see if it has value for predicting behavior in specific situations.

A) proposal
B) theory
C) premise
D) hypothesis

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The difference between a theory and a hypothesis is:

A) theories organize observed events into a potential explanation which then suggests testable hypotheses
B) hypotheses organize observed events into a potential explanation which then suggests testable theories
C) both are "best guesses," but theories are more valid, because they can explain more elements of behavior
D) unimportant, because the terms may be used interchangeably.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

A critical component of a good theory is that it generates __________ ideas.

A) testable
B) comprehensive
C) popular
D) adaptive

Answer 3

A

Question 4

__________ is considered the "father of modern psychology" by many.

A) Erik Erikson
B) John B. Watson
C) William James
D) Sigmund Freud

Question 5

The definition of a(n) __________ is an idea that develops based on information or evidence and so provides an explanation for further predictions.

A) premise
B) tenet
C) statement of significance
D) theory

Question 6

What psychic structure is present at birth and contains all of our basic instincts?

A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Psychic censor

Question 7

Four-year-old Tammy has been told by her mother that she cannot have a lollipop and is now stomping her feet and wailing. According to Freud, this type of behavior is driven by the

A) superego.
B) ego.
C) id.
D) base psyche.

Question 8

Although much of Freud's approach to development has been discarded, one area that persists is:

A) his insistence on genetics as an explanation of behavior.
B) the notion that the mother has a pervasive influence throughout life.
C) his assertion that the early years of childhood play a decisive role in determining adult behavior.
D) his hypothesis that the interaction of physiology and environment produce behavior.

Question 9

What is the developmental sequence of Freud's structures of the psyche?

A) Superego, id, ego
B) Ego, id, superego
C) Id, superego, ego
D) Id, ego, superego

Question 10

Which of the following is analogous to the ego?

A) Rational thinker
B) Conscience
C) Pleasure-seeking
D) Bodily instincts

Question 11

According to Freud, the term "libido" refers to the:

A) part of the personality that adheres to the reality principle.
B) the psychic censor.
C) force behind self-destructive behaviors.
D) psychic energy that feeds the structures of the mind.

Question 12

What is the ultimate goal of any theory?

A) To further scientific inquiry and lead to applications for public policy and social programs
B) To control future developmental research
C) To ensure continued debate among developmental researchers
D) To demonstrate that development occurs on a single, not multiple, level

Question 13

Of Freud's structures, which seeks only pleasure and is the simplest?

A) Ego
B) Id
C) Superego
D) Libido

Question 14

Freud used the term __________ to describe the psychic energy that empowered the structures of the mind.

A) superego
B) id
C) libido
D) mensa

Question 15

Freud is recognized as a major role player in psychology because:

A) he developed one of the first comprehensive theories of personality.
B) most people recall his name when asked about psychology.
C) his theories have withstood the test of time intact.
D) he generated a number of testable hypotheses about the later stages of adulthood.

Question 16

Which structure is the central part of our personality?

A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Psychic censor

Question 17

Theories of development may seem contradictory when taken together,:

A) so there is little value in comparisons and most scientists focus on one major explanation.
B) but the ultimate evaluation of each is whether they explain most behavior completely.
C) and therefore each must be accepted only relative to the others' assumptions.
D) but each may be useful as they focus on different perspectives.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT listed in your text as an element of a good theory?

A) Good theories help us to explain how findings can be interpreted.
B) Good theories help us to identify major agreements among scholars.
C) Good theories help us to organize a huge body of information.
D) Good theories help us to focus our search for new understandings.

Question 19

Freud's definition of the __________ is a storage place for ideas and impulses below our awareness that strongly influence our behavior.

A) subconscious
B) libido
C) ego
D) unconscious

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use theories to understand human development?

A) Theories help us to sort out and manage findings from numerous studies.
B) Theories help us to sort out what is important and what inferences we can derive from the data.
C) Theories help us focus our search for new understandings.
D) Theories help us to understand the science of human development but should not be used in application.

Question 21

Freud proposed __________ were necessary strategies to reduce the anxiety caused by conflicts among the personality structures.

A) fixations
B) crises
C) defense mechanisms
D) discords

Question 22

Andrea tends to smoke too much, drink too much, and has a biting wit. She does not relate well to others and has neither been able to hold a steady job or keep a potential suitor around for long. Freud would argue that Andrea's problems are due to:

A) a lack of a crisis resolution.
B) an inability to overcome her genetic limitations.
C) an inertia related to her unfulfilled libido.
D) fixation at an early stage of development.

Question 23

How many developmental stages did Freud propose?

A) Five
B) Seven
C) Eight
D) Four, but with overlapping transitions of five years each

Question 24

In Freud's theory of development, if a person becomes fixated at a particular stage:

A) that person will not be able to become a fully mature person.
B) that person must skip that stage and come back at a later date to resolve it.
C) that person will achieve a healthy role in society.
D) they will inevitably develop undesirable latent characteristics.

Question 25

A major modification of Freud's psychoanalytic theory is:

A) emphasizing the later stages of sexual behavior in development.
B) acknowledging that even 10 year olds may be driven by pleasure centers.
C) replacing the emphasis of sexual motivation with social influences.
D) dismissing notions of influences of behavior that are below awareness.

Question 26

What is the main task of the ego?

A) To instruct us in right and wrong
B) To pursue bodily pleasures
C) To compromise between the id and the superego
D) To guide our unconscious thoughts

Question 27

At what point does the superego develop?

A) It is present at birth.
B) It begins to develop from the moment of birth.
C) It begins to develop toward the end of the first year.
D) It begins to develop during adolescence.

Question 28

An adolescent is in what Freudian stage of development?

A) Phallic
B) Oral
C) Genital
D) Latency

Question 29

According to Freud, each stage of development is based on a:

A) psychosocial crisis.
B) sensitive period.
C) pleasure center.
D) defense mechanism.

Question 30

Freud's theory of personality has fallen out of favor because of its emphasis on:

A) cultural ambiguities
B) social constructions.
C) genetic determinism.
D) sex.

Question 31

Russell cannot look at a woman without thinking about what it would be like to be intimate with her; however, he always resists the impulse to be forward and conducts himself like a gentleman. What is the force that prompts him to subdue his baser instincts?

A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Alter-ego

Question 32

Which of the following is the correct sequence of Freud's stages of development?

A) Phallic, latency, oral, and genital
B) Phallic, oral, anal, latency, and genital
C) Oral, phallic, anal, latency, and genital
D) Oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital

Question 33

What is the main task of the superego?

A) To instruct us in what is right and what is wrong
B) To pursue bodily pleasures
C) To be realistic
D) To compromise between the id and the ego

Question 34

During what Freudian stage of development does sexual desire become dormant?

A) Oral
B) Anal
C) Phallic
D) Latency

Question 35

Walt has just begun to notice how attractive his neighbor, Chelsea, is. It seems like last spring he could barely stand to be around her, but now that they are both beginning high school, she suddenly seems to have changed-for the better! Walt appears to be in Freud's __________ stage.

A) genital
B) adolescent
C) latency
D) adult

Question 36

What is the function of the phallic stage?

A) Healthy development of sexual interest
B) Successful toilet training
C) Attaining bodily pleasures
D) Acquisition of sucking, biting, and eating skills

Question 37

Uninterested in little girls his age, 9-year-old Ben prefers the company of the boys in the neighborhood. Ben is in the __________ stage according to Freud.

A) oral
B) latency
C) genital
D) novice

Question 38

What is the optimal outcome of Freud's anal stage?

A) Acquisition of sucking, biting, and eating skills
B) Healthy development of sexual interest
C) Repression of sexual feelings
D) Successful toilet training

Question 39

According to Freud, completing each of his proposed developmental stages requires:

A) appropriate levels of stimulation for age-specific pleasure centers.
B) resolution of discrete crises.
C) attainment of cognitive milestones.
D) achievement of developmental tasks.

Question 40

An infant is in what stage of Freudian development?

A) Anal
B) Oral
C) Phallic
D) Latency

Question 41

Of the following theorists, who was most directly influenced by Freud?

A) Erik Erikson
B) Jean Piaget
C) Daniel Levinson
D) Richard Lerner

Question 42

In the field of cognitive neuroscience, memory system terms __________ and __________ have been suggested as equal to Freud's concepts of conscious and unconscious.

A) mental hierarchy; psyche
B) awareness; unawareness
C) explicit; implicit
D) mechanical; involuntary

Question 43

Erik Erikson based his theory of development of which of the following populations?

A) Germans
B) East Indians
C) Sioux of South Dakota
D) all of these

Question 44

In Erikson's theory, what is the opposite outcome of autonomy?

A) Shame and doubt
B) Guilt
C) Inferiority
D) Identity confusion

Question 45

According to __________, each stage of life is marked by a psychosocial crisis.

A) Sigmund Freud
B) Erik Erikson
C) Daniel Levinson
D) Jean Piaget

Question 46

The important components of an infant's life that must be provided by caretakers include __________, according to Erikson.

A) warmth
B) care
C) discipline
D) all of these

Question 47

Which of the following is considered a major reason why Freud's theory is considered influential?

A) The structures of the personality provide a solid framework for understanding behavior.
B) The importance of sexual motivation can be seen in the media.
C) It provided the framework for understanding the importance of biopsychosocial influences.
D) Freud's reliance on dream interpretation and hypnosis are important techniques used today in the scientific investigation of development.

Question 48

Each of Erikson's psychosocial stages of development is marked by some type of:

A) crisis.
B) defense mechanism.
C) pleasure center.
D) cognitive resolve.

Question 49

According to Erikson, in order for an infant to gain trust, the world must be;

A) happy.
B) predictable as well as safe.
C) rational.
D) nurturing.

Question 50

Which concepts of Freud's theory have not been supported by cognitive neuroscience?

A) id, ego, superego
B) conscious; unconscious
C) defense mechanisms
D) influences on behavior of which we are unaware

Question 51

A major reason Erikson's theory of development has remained influential was his reliance on:

A) cross-cultural and historical comparisons.
B) comprehensive observation of his own children rather than relying on the memory of adults.
C) interviews of middle-age adults from many socioeconomic strata.
D) reviews of major theories in western cultures.

Question 52

Which of the following accurately reflects Erikson's view of the meaning of the word "trust" as applied to his first stage of psychosocial development?

A) Safety and happiness
B) Honesty and integrity
C) Nurture and dignity
D) Orderliness and predictability

Question 53

Every day, 6-month-old Kiri is fed, bathed, and dressed on a schedule. Her world is entirely predictable while her needs are met. If it remains so, according to Erikson, Kiri will develop:

A) initiative.
B) trust.
C) autonomy.
D) identity.

Question 54

__________ based his developmental theory on observations of people from many cultures and socioeconomic strata, and upon historical figures.

A) Sigmund Freud
B) Jean Piaget
C) Erik Erikson
D) Daniel Levinson

Question 55

For each of Erikson's stages of development, there is:

A) only one potential outcome.
B) a conflict between basic desires and social expectations, tempered by parental standards.
C) either a positive or a harmful resolution, which will determine your life course.
D) susceptibility to negative outcomes as well as for great personal growth.

Question 56

__________ is the main tension that individuals experience during resolution of Erikson's life stages.

A) Anxiety
B) Feeling inferior
C) A life crisis
D) Libido

Question 57

Erikson proposed that we must pass through __________ developmental stages during our lifetime.

A) eight
B) seven
C) five
D) four, with 5-year transitional periods between them

Question 58

Eighteen-year-old Tim feels pressured by internal needs and the external demands of society to make a major change in a new direction, and so he decides to attend college. Erikson termed these types of developmental situations:

A) sensitive periods.
B) crises.
C) proximal developmental periods.
D) defense mechanisms.

Question 59

Erik Erikson argued that __________ were critical in development.

A) social experiences
B) psychosexual stages
C) anxiety states
D) feelings of adequacy

Question 60

___________ is the psychosocial strength that an infant gains if she has learned to trust.

A) Hope
B) Willpower
C) Care
D) Fidelity

Question 61

Between the ages of 6 and 11, children's play becomes more purposeful, and they begin to search for the information required to complete the tasks they set for themselves. This in turn helps them develop a sense of:

A) identity.
B) intimacy.
C) initiative.
D) industry.

Question 62

Lisa is 4½ years old. Her parents are fiercely competitive and want Lisa to succeed in life. They continually push her toward new goals and achievements while giving her very little time to relish the accomplishments she does make. If this scenario persists, Lisa is in danger of leaving this period in her life with a sense of:

A) mistrust.
B) isolation.
C) guilt.
D) despair.

Question 63

If Angela has emerged successfully from Erikson's stage of __________, she will be able to instigate activities with her family and have a sense of purpose in her life.

A) trust versus mistrust
B) autonomy versus shame and doubt
C) initiative versus guilt
D) industry versus inferiority

Question 64

Which of the following is the negative outcome of the young adult years in Erikson's theory?

A) Isolation
B) Stagnation
C) Identity confusion
D) Inferiority

Question 65

The psychosocial strength to be gained during young adulthood is:

A) care.
B) fidelity.
C) love.
D) hope.

Question 66

Which of Erikson's psychosocial stages corresponds to the elementary school years?

A) Industry versus inferiority
B) Initiative versus guilt
C) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
D) Identity and repudiation versus identity confusion

Question 67

From the first day of school, Rhonda has felt like she didn't belong. It began when her teacher criticized her because she had not gone to kindergarten and so was behind the other children academically. Erikson would predict that Rhonda will emerge from this developmental stage with a sense of _________ if she does not receive support.

A) mistrust
B) inferiority
C) shame and doubt
D) guilt

Question 68

Tyson has a good sense of self, even though he is only 17 years old. He has friends from many different groups and can tolerate their different viewpoints without compromising his own beliefs. Erikson would say that Tyson has achieved the psychosocial strength of:

A) care.
B) wisdom.
C) fidelity.
D) willpower.

Question 69

__________ is the psychosocial strength that a toddler gains if he has learned autonomy.

A) Hope
B) Will
C) Care
D) Fidelity

Question 70

Paul is 23 and engaged to be married to his girlfriend, Sheila. Sheila is the first person in his life he feels he can really confide in. Paul is developing a sense of:

A) objectivity.
B) generativity.
C) intimacy.
D) integrity.

Question 71

Erikson maintained that __________ was particularly important as a symbolic way of dealing with the world for children between the ages of four and five.

A) nurture
B) imitation
C) play
D) conceptualizing

Question 72

In Erikson's theory, during __________, people develop a sense of who they are and what they are moving toward in their life.

A) adolescence
B) middle childhood
C) early adulthood
D) middle adulthood

Question 73

As Chelsea is only 2 ½ , her parents are concerned about their daughter's safety. They do everything for her, including tying her shoes, dressing, and feeding her. Sometimes Chelsea wrestles with them as she wants to do it herself. According to Erikson, what is the likely outcome for Chelsea?

A) She will become fixated on details and become obsessive as an adult.
B) She will know she is loved and protected and so will gain trust.
C) She will become sloppy and disorganized as she knows someone will pick up after her.
D) She will learn to doubt her abilities and become dependent on her parents.

Question 74

Heather has many friends in different cliques. When she is in the Drama Club, she is vivacious and a bit wild. When she is with the Chess Club, she is quiet and even introverted. She takes on the characteristics of whomever she is with at the moment. If this tendency persists past adolescence, Heather will fail to achieve the strength of:

A) care.
B) wisdom.
C) fidelity.
D) willpower.

Question 75

As he approaches fifth grade, Kyle believes that he can handle whatever lies before him. He is eager to see his old friends and tackle his new courses. According to Erikson, at this age Kyle has appropriately achieved :

A) competence.
B) willpower.
C) trust.
D) a sense of identity.

Question 76

Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt corresponds with Freud's __________ stage.

A) anal
B) phallic
C) oral
D) latency

Question 77

For Erikson, the major strength to be gained during the nursery or preschool stage of childhood is:

A) hope.
B) purpose.
C) willpower.
D) competence.

Question 78

In Erickson's stage dealing with initiative versus guilt, who carries the most influence?

A) parents
B) family
C) friends
D) all of these

Question 79

Michele's parents are struggling with their daughter. She is in the "terrible twos" and wants to do everything by herself. Erikson would encourage them to let her try new things, providing gentle support so that Michele will gain:

A) purpose.
B) care.
C) trust.
D) willpower.

Question 80

According to Erikson, if a person does not make a successful transition through the period of adolescence, he or she will develop a sense of:

A) guilt.
B) identity confusion.
C) isolation.
D) inferiority.