Psychology 102: Developmental Processes and Theories Exam Review

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 6800 | Total Attempts: 9,511,835
| Questions: 29
Please wait...
Question 1 / 29
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100
1. What is the term that refers to the capacity to change?

Explanation

Plasticity is the ability to change and adapt, while rigidity, inflexibility, and stagnation refer to the opposite - the inability to change or adapt.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Psychology Quizzes & Trivia

Prepare for your Psych 102 exam with this focused review covering key psychological concepts and theories. This review is designed to enhance understanding and retention of critical psychological... see moreprinciples, aiding students in their academic progression in the field of psychology. see less

2. What term is used to describe the process that produce changes in an individual's physical nature?

Explanation

Biological processes refer to those activities that produce changes in an individual's physical nature, such as growth, maturation, and aging. Psychological factors, social interactions, and environmental influences can also play a role in shaping an individual's development, but they are not specifically related to the physical changes in one's nature.

Submit
3. What term refers to changes in the individual's thought, intelligence, and language?

Explanation

Cognitive Processes encompass the mental activities that involve acquiring, storing, and using knowledge, including thinking, memory, problem-solving, and language comprehension.

Submit
4. What term describes changes in an individual's relationships with other people, changes in emotions, and changes in personality?

Explanation

Socioemotional processes encompass changes in an individual's social interactions, emotions, and personality, whereas cognitive development refers to changes in thinking and understanding, physical growth pertains to changes in body size and abilities, and sensory adaptation involves adjustments in sensory perception over time.

Submit
5. What is defined as a systematic statement of principles and generalizations that provides a coherent framework for studying development?

Explanation

Developmental Theories refer to the framework of principles used to study the development of individuals, while the incorrect answers do not specifically focus on the systematic principles and generalizations needed for studying development.

Submit
6. Which theoretical perspective interprets human development in terms of motives and drives and has made us aware of the importance of early childhood experiences?

Explanation

Psychoanalytic theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, focuses on unconscious motivations and early childhood experiences. Cognitive theory emphasizes mental processes, while behavioral theory concentrates on observable behaviors. Humanistic theory emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization.

Submit
7. What theory emphasizes on the ways that individuals manipulate information, monitor it, and strategize about it, leading to a gradually increasing capacity for information, allowing them to acquire increasingly complex knowledge and skills?

Explanation

Information-Processing Theory focuses on how individuals process information to acquire knowledge and skills, while Behavioral Theory focuses on observable behaviors, Cognitive Theory focuses on mental processes, and Social Learning Theory emphasizes on how individuals learn from observing others in a social context.

Submit
8. What type of research studies groups differing in age but sharing other important characteristics (education, SES, ethnicity)?

Explanation

Cross-Sectional Research involves studying different groups at one point in time to compare variables of interest. Longitudinal Research involves studying the same group over an extended period. Experimental Research involves manipulating variables to test cause and effect. Qualitative Research involves studying non-numeric data to understand concepts.

Submit
9. What type of research studies individuals over a long period and provides valuable developmental information?

Explanation

Longitudinal research involves studying the same group of individuals over an extended period, allowing for the observation of changes and development. Cross-sectional research involves studying different groups of individuals at one specific point in time. Experimental research involves manipulating variables to observe outcomes. Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding attitudes, behaviors, and experiences through methods such as interviews and observations.

Submit
10. What type of research studies several groups of people at different ages and then follows these groups longitudinally?

Explanation

Cross-Sequential Research combines elements of both cross-sectional and longitudinal research methods by studying different age groups longitudinally. Cross-Sectional Research involves studying different groups of people at one specific point in time. Longitudinal Research follows the same group of people over an extended period of time. Sequential Research involves studying different groups of people at different points in time.

Submit
11. Who developed the concept of Psychosocial Stage theory through adolescence?

Explanation

Freud is known for his theories on the development of the human mind, including the concept of psychosocial stages. Piaget is known for his theory on cognitive development, Erikson is known for his psychosocial development theory, and Skinner is known for his operant conditioning theory, all of which are not directly related to psychosocial stages through adolescence as proposed by Freud.

Submit
12. Who is known for the theory of psychosocial stages throughout the lifespan?

Explanation

Erik Erikson is a developmental psychologist known for his theory of psychosocial development which outlines eight stages that individuals go through across their lifespan. Sigmund Freud is known for psychoanalytic theory, Jean Piaget for cognitive development theory, and Abraham Maslow for the hierarchy of needs theory.

Submit
13. What are the two main theories in the field of cognitive psychology?

Explanation

Vygotsky's sociocultural theory focuses on the role of culture and social interaction in cognitive development, while Information Processing theory views the mind as a computer-like system for processing information.

Submit
14. Which developmental psychologist is known for the concept that the way we reason and come to know the world changes from one stage to the next?

Explanation

The correct answer is Piaget, who proposed the theory of cognitive development suggesting that individuals progress through four stages of intellectual growth, each marked by distinct ways of thinking and understanding the world. The other options, Freud, Skinner, and Erikson, are known for their work in other areas of psychology such as psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and psychosocial development, respectively.

Submit
15. Which psychologist is known for exploring how we resolve conflicts between our biological drives and the expectations of society, with implications for our adult lives?

Explanation

Freud, known for his psychoanalytic theory, delved into the concept of the unconscious mind and how conflicts between id, ego, and superego shape human behavior and development. Skinner, Jung, and Pavlov focused on behaviorism, archetypes, and classical conditioning, respectively, and their work does not directly address the same aspects of human conflict resolution as Freud.

Submit
16. Which psychologist is known for the theory that development involves negotiating a series of conflicts in the social environment that lead to either healthy or maladaptive outcomes?

Explanation

Erik Erikson, a renowned developmental psychologist, proposed the theory of psychosocial development which emphasized the importance of social interactions and conflicts throughout the lifespan. While Piaget focused on cognitive development, Skinner on behaviorism, and Freud on psychosexual development.

Submit
17. Which theorist emphasized the importance of learning the tools, skills, and values of society through apprenticeship relationships?

Explanation

Lev Vygotsky, a renowned psychologist, believed that social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition. His socio-cultural theory emphasizes the importance of learning in a social context, such as through apprenticeships, where one learns from others in society.

Submit
18. What term describes the process in which both the computer and human mind take in information, perform operations on it to change its form and content, store and locate it, and generate responses to it?

Explanation

Information-processing refers to the mental process of receiving, processing, storing, and retrieving information. Data Mining involves analyzing large datasets to extract patterns or knowledge. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Cognitive Dissonance is the uncomfortable feeling caused by holding two contradictory beliefs simultaneously.

Submit
19. Which theorist is commonly associated with teaching parents about processes of child's cognitive development and the implications for education, purchase of toys, and interactions?

Explanation

Piaget is known for his work in developmental psychology, particularly cognitive development in children. He emphasized the importance of understanding a child's stage of cognitive development when it comes to education, toy selection, and interactions. Vygotsky, Erikson, and Bronfenbrenner are also important theorists in the field of child development, but they focus on different aspects of development.

Submit
20. Who is known for the belief that all behavior is meaningful; outer behavior may hide inner need or conflict?

Explanation

Sigmund Freud, known as the father of psychoanalysis, emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind and how it influences behavior. His theories revolved around the idea that behavior is driven by inner needs and conflicts that may not always be apparent on the surface.

Submit
21. Which psychologist's theory emphasizes on the lifelong process of emotional development influenced by society?

Explanation

Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory focuses on the idea that emotional development is a continuous lifelong process influenced by societal factors. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory emphasizes on unconscious motivations, Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory focuses on stages of intellectual growth, and B.F. Skinner's behaviorism theory underscores the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior.

Submit
22. Who is known for recognizing potential and limitations of child's cognitive ability?

Explanation

Vygotsky is a renowned psychologist known for his work on cognitive development, emphasizing the importance of social interaction and cultural context in shaping a child's cognitive abilities. Piaget, Bandura, and Skinner are also influential psychologists, but their theories focus on different aspects of development and learning.

Submit
23. What learning technique involves incorporating practice, memory techniques, and concentration into the process?

Explanation

Information-Processing involves actively engaging with the material through practice, memory techniques, and concentration to enhance learning. Cognitive Overload refers to the overwhelming of cognitive functions with excessive information. Passive Learning involves receiving information without actively engaging with it. Random Guessing is making choices without any basis or strategy.

Submit
24. You observe your daughter and grandchild solving a puzzle together. Both use completely different strategies to put the pieces together. You think to yourself 'That's because they are at different stages in their life and they think completely differently.' Which developmental psychologist's theory aligns with this observation?

Explanation

Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the different stages individuals go through as they grow and how these stages impact their way of thinking. Vygotsky focused on social interaction and the role it plays in cognitive development. Erikson discussed psychosocial development and stages of life. Skinner's behaviorism theory focused on external stimuli influencing behavior rather than internal cognitive processes.

Submit
25. While observing your roommate carefully organizing all of the makeup in her bathroom and unintentionally disrupting it, she becomes upset with you. What psychological concept may explain your roommate's reaction?

Explanation

Freud is known for his psychoanalytic theory, which emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences in shaping behavior. In this scenario, disrupting the roommate's carefully organized makeup may have triggered feelings of anxiety or frustration related to past experiences, leading to an overreaction. Skinner, Jung, and Pavlov focus on behaviorism, analytical psychology, and classical conditioning respectively, which are not directly applicable to the situation described.

Submit
26. What psychological theory suggests that unresolved conflicts in early relationships can lead to trust issues in later relationships?

Explanation

Erik Erikson was a developmental psychologist who proposed the Psychosocial Stages of Development, which highlight the importance of resolving conflicts at each stage for healthy psychological development. Trust issues can stem from unresolved conflicts in the early stages of life according to Erikson's theory.

Submit
27. Nine-year-old David is more aggressive in the classroom than Maria is. You realize that David's past social interactions have not challenged him to develop certain competencies.

Explanation

The correct answer is Vygotksy because his social development theory emphasizes the role of social interaction in cognitive development. Piaget, Skinner, and Bandura have theories that focus on different aspects of development not directly related to the social interactions mentioned in the question.

Submit
28. You notice as you age that your memory is not as good as it once was, and speculate that this may be partially due to changes in your attention.

Explanation

The correct answer is 'Information-Processing' because as we age, our ability to process and store new information may decline, impacting memory retention. This concept is related to changes in attention affecting information processing.

Submit
29. What are the building blocks of cells and the regulators that direct the body's processes?

Explanation

Proteins are macromolecules made up of amino acids and play essential roles in cell structure and function. Carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids are also important biomolecules, but they do not specifically serve as the building blocks of cells and regulators of bodily processes like proteins do.

Submit
View My Results

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Aug 4, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Aug 04, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 04, 2025
    Quiz Created by
    Thames
Cancel
  • All
    All (29)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
What is the term that refers to the capacity to change?
What term is used to describe the process that produce changes in an...
What term refers to changes in the individual's thought, intelligence,...
What term describes changes in an individual's relationships with...
What is defined as a systematic statement of principles and...
Which theoretical perspective interprets human development in terms of...
What theory emphasizes on the ways that individuals manipulate...
What type of research studies groups differing in age but sharing...
What type of research studies individuals over a long period and...
What type of research studies several groups of people at different...
Who developed the concept of Psychosocial Stage theory through...
Who is known for the theory of psychosocial stages throughout the...
What are the two main theories in the field of cognitive psychology?
Which developmental psychologist is known for the concept that the way...
Which psychologist is known for exploring how we resolve conflicts...
Which psychologist is known for the theory that development involves...
Which theorist emphasized the importance of learning the tools,...
What term describes the process in which both the computer and human...
Which theorist is commonly associated with teaching parents about...
Who is known for the belief that all behavior is meaningful; outer...
Which psychologist's theory emphasizes on the lifelong process of...
Who is known for recognizing potential and limitations of child's...
What learning technique involves incorporating practice, memory...
You observe your daughter and grandchild solving a puzzle together....
While observing your roommate carefully organizing all of the makeup...
What psychological theory suggests that unresolved conflicts in early...
Nine-year-old David is more aggressive in the classroom than Maria is....
You notice as you age that your memory is not as good as it once was,...
What are the building blocks of cells and the regulators that direct...
Alert!

Advertisement