Download Chapter 2--Psychosocial Theory

Chapter 2--Psychosocial Theory
Student: ___________________________________________________________________________
1.
A ____ is a logical system of concepts that provides a framework for organizing and interpreting
observations.
A. theory
B. variable
C. symbol
D. correlation
2.
The guiding premises underlying the logic of a theory are its ____.
A. predictions
B. assumptions
C. variables
D. applications
3.
The function of a theory is to
A. dictate an appropriate research design.
B. describe unobservable processes and relate them to observable events.
C. develop hypotheses.
D. create symbols that society can agree upon.
4.
Which of the following statements is considered a characteristic of a "good" formal theory?
A. It is logical and internally consistent.
B. It is unrelated to previous research.
C. It is focused on a relatively narrow, specific subject area.
D. It includes contradictory statements that can be tested.
5.
Which of the following statements best describes how theories help explain observations?
A. They rule on specific contradictory examples.
B. They identify orderly relationships.
C. They are based on random sampling.
D. They bring about change.
6.
Theories are generally limited to explaining behaviors that fall within that theory's ____.
A. life stage
B. range of applicability
C. operational definitions
D. statistical significance
7.
The textbook highlights three questions to ask in order to understand the theory. Which of the following
is not one of these questions?
A. Which phenomena is the theory trying to explain?
B. Who developed the theory?
C. What assumptions does the theory make?
D. What does the theory predict?
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8.
In order to understand a theory, one question to ask is: Which phenomenon is the theory trying to
explain? Which of the following statements best describes how to answer this question?
A. Theories do NOT try to explain phenomena; theories focus on causes of behavior.
B. Theories explain the process for operationalizing concepts or phenomena that a researcher is to study.
C. The statistical significance of a correlation coefficient is the phenomena being explained.
D. The range of applicability based on the original intent of the theory is considered the phenomena.
9.
In order to understand a theory, one question to ask is: What assumptions does the theory make? Which
of the following statements best describes how to answer this question?
A. Assumptions are developed after the theory has been tested.
B. The range of assumptions refers to the focus of the theory.
C. Assumptions are the guiding premises underlying the logic of a theory.
D. Theories do not make assumptions; theories focus on predicting assumptions.
10. The assumptions of any theory may or may not be correct. Assumptions
A. are based on research results from over 50 years ago, so they may not be relevant today.
B. may be influenced by the cultural context of the theorist.
C. predict statistical significance of the current research design only.
D. may be the same as another theory.
11. In order to understand a theory, one question to ask is: What does the theory predict? Which of the
following statements best describes how to answer this question?
A. Theories increase understanding by suggesting causal relationships as a prediction.
B. Predictions can only be made if research results are statistically insignificant.
C. Theories do not make predictions; theories focus on operationalizing concepts.
D. Theories can only predict relationships between humans.
12. A theory of human development is expected to provide explanations for which of the following?
A. how society and economics change over time
B. how people change and grow over the life span
C. conflicts between ethnic subcultures
D. causes of illness and health over the life span
13. A question that theory of human development should attempt to answer includes which of the
following?
A. What are the mechanisms that account for growth across the life span?
B. What factors are likely to place a person at risk during specific life periods?
C. How do physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functions interact?
D. all of these
14. Which of the following is considered the age range conceptualized by psychosocial theory?
A. infancy through age 12
B. adolescence
C. the entire life span
D. early through middle adulthood
15. As an organizing framework, psychosocial theory is useful because
A. it focuses solely on the age ranges of adolescence and adulthood.
B. it ignores the role of culture in a person's development.
C. it assumes people actively contribute to their development.
D. it focuses only on the biological influences on human development.
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16. Which of the following best describes the range of applicability of psychosocial theory?
A. Changes in unconscious processes during childhood.
B. Patterns of psychological and social change and growth over the life course.
C. Habits created and sustained in adulthood.
D. Logical thinking changes from infancy through adolescence.
17. Which of the following statements is considered an assumption of psychosocial theory?
A. At every stage of life, individuals may contribute to their own development.
B. The direction of growth follows a genetically guided course that is impervious to cultural influences.
C. Development is shaped largely through experiences in the first six years of life.
D. The combination of differences among cultures and individual differences make it impossible to
speak of patterns of development.
18. Who is considered the developer of psychosocial theory?
A. Erik Erikson
B. Sigmund Freud
C. Jean Piaget
D. Peter Blos
19. Psychosocial theory presents human development as a product of ____.
A. culmination of human experience calculated in older adulthood
B. the interaction between biological and psychological needs and societal expectations
C. infantile experiences of the id, ego, and superego
D. genetic influences on personality development
20. Psychosocial evolution is best described as ____.
A. gathering knowledge from ancestors and passing it to future generations
B. strengthening groups of people through selective breeding
C. transmitting biochemical information through the mechanisms of genetics
D. the evolving nature of genetic counseling
21. Which of the following terms refers to the transmission of values and knowledge across generations?
A. stages of development
B. coping
C. psychosocial evolution
D. psychosocial crisis
22. Jeanette could use all of the following to illustrate the relationship between psychosocial theory and
psychosocial evolution except
A. biological evolution.
B. emailing her children.
C. following her parents' childrearing techniques.
D. passing down traditional rituals.
23. Which of the following is not one of the six basic concepts of psychosocial theory as defined by the
text?
A. operational definition
B. a radiating network of significant relationships
C. stages of development
D. developmental tasks
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24. A developmental stage is best defined as ____.
A. the ability to manage stress and emotions associated with that stress
B. a set of skills and competencies that one performs
C. people who are important sources of support and information at each period of life
D. a period of life that is characterized by a specific underlying organization
25. Psychosocial theory is considered a stage theory because at each stage
A. failures at each stage prevent an individual from growing and developing past age 13.
B. accomplishments from previous stages provide resources for mastering challenges at new stages.
C. there is no specific direction or order for the stages.
D. there lacks an organization underlying the stage.
26. The stage theory concept ____.
A. proposes a specific direction of development
B. follows a haphazard pattern
C. focuses on correlations
D. uses naturalized relationships
27. In developing the eight stages, Erik Erikson's utilized
A. Jean Piaget's cognitive development stages.
B. Peter Blos' theory of identity.
C. Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages.
D. Urie Brofenbrenner's ecological context.
28. In Erikson's original model, life stages were given names but no ages because Erikson wanted to
A. incorporate all ages into all stages.
B. conduct research first prior to determining ages.
C. leave something unfinished in order to continue theorizing about life stages.
D. emphasize an individual developmental timetable as unique, guided by biological maturation and
cultural expectations.
29. Which of the following statements best describes the concept of stages?
A. Ages correspond directly to stages.
B. Poverty can alter the sequence of stages.
C. The length of each stage remains constant.
D. All individuals follow the same stage sequence.
30. The authors of the text, Newman and Newman, expanded the number of life stages in Erikson's original
theory to ____ stages.
A. eight
B. ten
C. eleven
D. thirteen
31. Which of the following statements is a good description about the addition of stages to Erikson's original
theory?
A. Erikson's original theory did not include ages with the names of the life stages.
B. Theories of human development can change based on cultural and historical changes.
C. Erikson's original theory was not based on research.
D. Theories of human development are unstable and constantly changing.
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32. Which of the following statements is considered a strength of Erikson's theory of psychosocial stages?
A. Presentation of stages makes each stage look similar in length of time to complete.
B. Stages appear to be discreet and separate.
C. Stages are complete; no new stages are needed.
D. Stages incorporate biological and societal influences.
33. Which of the following statements reflects a psychosocial stage approach to development?
A. Psychological growth occurs in a patterned sequence.
B. One can reinterpret previous stages in light of new experiences.
C. Each stage brings a unique set of problems to solve.
D. All of these reflect a psychosocial approach.
34. Erikson suggested that there is a biological plan for growth which allows each function to emerge in a
systematic way until the fully functioning organism is developed. What is this concept called?
A. epigenetic principle
B. coping
C. psychosocial crisis
D. moratorium
35. The epigenetic principle refers to
A. ages and stages in psychosocial theory.
B. a biological plan for growth.
C. societal expectations.
D. age-graded expectations.
36. Which of the following is considered an example of how a person might anticipate the challenges and
roles of a future stage?
A. a teenager worries about taking a test
B. a preschool child pretends to get married and have a family
C. a middle adult women plans Thanksgiving dinner
D. a grandfather regrets not having spent enough time with his granddaughter
37. Which of the following is not a characteristic of developmental stages in psychosocial theory?
A. Each new stage incorporates gains made in earlier stages.
B. The stages reflect a biologically based plan for the nature and direction and growth.
C. Each new stage brings a qualitatively new approach for understanding oneself and others.
D. Once a stage is passed, there is no way to review or reinterpret events from that stage.
38. Which of the following statements best reflects a potential risk of thinking about development as a
sequence of stages?
A. Stages highlight qualitative differences in outlook.
B. Stages emphasize a mixture of new needs, capabilities, and expectations at each period of life.
C. Stages may be misconstrued to assume that a person in one stage cannot function at other levels.
D. Stages build one upon the other.
39. Which of the following statements about psychosocial stages is most accurate?
A. Once a stage is passed, the achievements of that period are never challenged again.
B. At each stage, one struggles with one, and only one, major developmental issue.
C. Once a stage is passed, the achievements of earlier stages are no longer relevant.
D. The way one perceives and experiences life varies qualitatively from stage to stage.
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40. Which of the following terms refer to the set of skills and competencies that contribute to increased
mastery over one's environment at a particular life stage?
A. developmental tasks
B. psychosocial evolution
C. psychosocial crises
D. prime adaptive ego qualities
41. Which of the following is the best definition of developmental tasks?
A. Tasks that need to be completed around the house.
B. Rituals that are performed at various ages.
C. Planning for a goal and reaching that goal.
D. Skills and competencies that contribute to increased mastery.
42. Developmental tasks can be viewed as
A. the physical challenges in a stage of development.
B. the unfolding of the epigenetic principle.
C. competencies that lead to mastery of the environment.
D. unrelated to stages of a person's development.
43. When Alana was 2 years old, she was able to burp at the dinner table because she was considered 'a kid'.
Now at age 16, Alana is expected to be polite at the dinner table. This is an example of
A. life stages.
B. developmental tasks.
C. age-graded expectations.
D. life roles.
44. Robert Havighurst introduced the concept of developmental tasks and argued that developmental tasks
change with age because
A. society has age-graded expectations.
B. infants form social attachments that last throughout life.
C. language skills change with age.
D. children have greater physical strength at older ages.
45. According to Robert Havighurst, which of the following terms is considered a time when a person is
most ready to acquire a new ability?
A. coping situation
B. sensitive period
C. psychosocial conflict
D. developmental task
46. Ellie received a 'big' bike for her birthday without training wheels attached. She was eager and
apprehensive about riding her new bike. According to Havighurst, this is considered an example of a
A. teachable moment.
B. developmental task.
C. transformation.
D. psychosocial crisis.
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47. Which of the following statements about developmental tasks is most accurate?
A. Developmental tasks are universal and are not related to societal expectations.
B. Learning about team play is a developmental task for all stages of life.
C. There is no relationship between developmental tasks of one life stage and the psychosocial crisis of
previous stages.
D. Achieving developmental tasks in one stage contributes to greater chances of achieving
developmental tasks of future stages.
48. Which of the following is most influential in the demands for growth based on developmental tasks?
A. cultural values
B. age of the individual
C. physical maturation
D. the sensitive period of growth
49. Izekial was preparing for his marriage at the age of 13. His upcoming marriage is typical of his peers in
Iran. This example best illustrates which of the following influences of developmental tasks?
A. biological age of individuals
B. cultural values
C. physical growth and development
D. teachable moment and sensitive period
50. According to psychosocial theory, development occurs as a result of which of the following crises?
A. reinforcements and punishments
B. modeling and imitation
C. interaction between individual needs and societal demands
D. modification of boundaries as a result of feedback and adaptive self-regulation
51. Which of the following terms refer to the tension that is experienced as a person strives to adjust to
societal demands at each life stage of development?
A. psychosocial crisis
B. radius of significant relationships
C. epigenetic principle
D. sensitive period
52. Which phrase best describes psychosocial crisis?
A. an unusual set of stresses and strains
B. an absence of societal demands
C. a normal set of stresses and strains
D. an unpredictable life event
53. According to psychosocial theory, prior to the end of each life stage, individuals try to adjust to societal
demands based on their personal terms. This process produces tension that must be reduced in order to
develop to the next stage. This tension produces
A. sensitive periods of life.
B. transformational change.
C. teachable moments.
D. psychosocial crisis.
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54. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between developmental tasks and the
psychosocial crisis?
A. Mastery of developmental tasks is not related to the resolution of the psychosocial crisis.
B. Mastery of developmental tasks is influenced by the resolution of the psychosocial crisis.
C. Developmental tasks are resolved independently of the psychosocial crisis.
D. Skills learned from developmental tasks allow individuals to skip resolving the psychosocial crisis.
55. Which of the following statements about the psychosocial crisis is most accurate?
A. Only infants and toddlers have psychosocial crises.
B. The psychosocial crisis is expressed as polarities with positive and negative ends on a continuum.
C. Most people do not experience a psychosocial crisis during their lifetime.
D. The psychosocial crisis is a result of vulnerability in the biological system without societal influence.
56. Psychosocial crises arise because
A. most people are not prepared for the level of intimacy and identity required in adult life.
B. of the unsatisfactory relationship developed between parents and children.
C. of a discrepancy between a person's competence and societal expectations.
D. society benefits when most of the people are in some kind of conflict.
57. Which of the following statements concerning the resolution of psychosocial crisis is most accurate?
A. Individuals are most likely to have a completely positive resolution of the crisis based on epigenetic
principle.
B. Individuals are most likely to have a completely negative resolution of the crisis based on societal
influence.
C. Most people resolve crisis in a generally positive direction based on developmental task achievement.
D. Most people resolve crisis in a generally negative direction based on complex developmental tasks as
one ages.
58. Which of the following statements is most accurate pertaining to the concept of psychosocial crisis?
A. Most people resolve the crisis with a completely negative resolution.
B. Most people never resolve the first crisis of trust versus mistrust.
C. Most people resolve the crisis positively with some negative experience.
D. Most people resolve the crisis with a completely positive resolution.
59. Which of the following statements about the negative pole of the psychosocial crisis is most accurate?
A. Most people experience both the negative as well as the positive poles of each psychosocial crisis.
B. The negative pole is only relevant for understanding extreme cases of mental illness.
C. Any exposure to the negative pole is likely to result in a negative resolution to the crisis.
D. The negative pole is produced by individual vulnerability and genetic predisposition, not by society.
60. According to the epigenetic principle, the succession of psychosocial crises
A. is unpredictable and haphazard in nature.
B. occurs in a predictable sequence over the life course.
C. is non-sequential over the life course, especially during adolescence.
D. occurs in an unpredictable sequence over the life course.
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61. Which of the following statements best describes the importance of the negative poles at each
psychosocial crisis?
A. The negative poles define specific types of mental illness.
B. The negative poles reflect areas of vulnerability at each stage.
C. The negative poles predict the possibility of criminal activity at a later stage.
D. The negative poles highlight issues where the rights of the individual outweigh the rights of the
group.
62. The psychosocial crisis serves as a mechanism for development by
A. highlighting the tension and conflict between positive and negative poles.
B. speeding up the biological maturation process.
C. focusing on the sensitive period of an infant's development.
D. experiencing only the negative of a conflict.
63. Joel just graduated from college and is about to start his first job as a family life educator. He has
planned to ask his college sweetheart to marry him after about 3 months in his new job. When Joel came
home last weekend, he learned that his parents are divorcing, and each parent plans to dedicate more
time to career. According to psychosocial theory, a combination of Joel's needs for development and the
unexpected divorce of his parents may lead to
A. Joel being able to resolve his current psychosocial crisis more quickly.
B. Joel ignoring his developmental needs.
C. Joel needing to revisit and reinterpret earlier psychosocial stages.
D. Joel focusing only on his intimate relationship.
64. Unpredictable life stresses, such as divorce and death, may contribute to the
A. re-working of earlier life stages.
B. progression to future life stages.
C. speeding up of resolving a psychosocial crisis.
D. sequential progression of life stage development.
65. A psychosocial crisis is resolved through
A. hard work and persistence.
B. an orderly unfolding of functions.
C. age-graded expectations based on biological maturity.
D. a central process linking individuals' needs with cultural expectations.
66. The central process in psychosocial theory refers to
A. stages of development.
B. how a person resolves a psychosocial crisis.
C. important people in an individual's life.
D. a dichotomy between positive and negative poles.
67. Which of the following statements best describes the central process, an organizing concept of
psychosocial theory?
A. The central process identifies a discrepancy between a developmental task and stage.
B. The dichotomy of a psychosocial crisis is reflected in the central process.
C. The central process helps to resolve the psychosocial crisis.
D. The epigenetic principle allows internalization of processes central to development.
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68. When an individual engages in a central process, the result is
A. a stabilization of boundaries and identity.
B. a reworking of an individual's psychological system.
C. a stagnation in growth and development.
D. a decrease in the acquisition of new skills.
69. The term radius of significant others refers to
A. a geometric pattern illustrating the life stages and psychosocial crisis.
B. a process for resolving a psychosocial crisis.
C. the tension between individual development and societal pressures.
D. a network of relationships important to an individual.
70. Which of the following statements best describes the pattern of change in the radius of significant
relationships from infancy through adolescence?
A. There is a deepening and narrowing of significant relationships.
B. There is a new focus on one's relationship with humankind with the radius of significant others.
C. The radius of significant relationships does not change much during these years.
D. The range and variety of significant relationships expand.
71. The key function of the radius of significant relationships is to
A. help individuals learn their spoken language.
B. recognize the demands of society brought to bear on the individual.
C. determine a person's fame based on network size.
D. determine the age of adulthood.
72. Dylan wants to drop out of high school and go to New York to be a musician. Her parents, friends, and
high school teachers encourage her to graduate from high school prior to moving to New York. This
encouragement is an example of what organizing principle of psychosocial theory?
A. stages of development
B. central process
C. radius of significant others
D. coping behavior
73. Which of the following are discussed as the three primary social contexts for development?
A. family, culture, and ethnic group
B. school, work, and community
C. home, neighborhood, and country
D. friends, family, and work
74. For most children, the primary social context of childhood is
A. family.
B. community.
C. nation.
D. religion.
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75. Cheria wanted to attend the local community college rather than attend a prestigious college where she
was awarded a full scholarship. Her decision was based on the family expectation that she would be near
her parents to assist with their care. Her other siblings were unable to provide care, and she was raised to
believe that it was her responsibility. Cheria's perception is an example of
A. core pathology.
B. cultural context.
C. stage of development.
D. central process.
76. In terms of the context of development, culture refers to
A. socially standardized ways of thinking, feeling, and acting shared by members of a society.
B. a group of individuals who co-reside with one another in a community.
C. the exclusion of technology and religion in age-graded expectations.
D. uncommon threads of standardization of an ethnic group.
77. Which of the following terms refers to an individual's active efforts to resolve stress and find new
solutions to challenges?
A. developmental stage
B. coping
C. defense
D. equilibrium
78. The ability to enlist affective and behavioral strategies is a key element of
A. coping behavior.
B. defensive behavior.
C. core pathologies.
D. life crises.
79. Anna started dating Chris soon after breaking up with Hayden. She wants to continue to explore intimate
relationships and doesn't like being alone. Anna strives to be with others and has acquired new skills and
coping that can be classified as
A. a psychosocial crisis.
B. progression through stages.
C. her radius of significant others.
D. the central process of coping.
80. Coping is an important concept in psychosocial theory because
A. no other theory uses it.
B. coping is determined by the epigenetic principle.
C. it explains how unique and inventive behaviors occur.
D. it always involves gathering new information that changes the biological system.
81. Robin has moved to a new town during her sophomore year in high school. In order to find a new group
of friends, she joins the staff of the school paper and tries out for the girls' swim team. These efforts are
examples of which of the following?
A. developmental stage
B. core pathology
C. psychosocial crisis
D. coping behavior
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82. Which of the following is not a factor in understanding how a person copes?
A. the range of resources available
B. the meaning of the stressor
C. the nature of the stressor
D. how the situation is perceived
83. When Lou arrived at summer camp, he was uncomfortable and began to walk around and learn where
the activities were held. He next observed the boys in his age group playing a game of ball. According to
psychosocial theory, Lou was
A. negatively resolving the identity crisis.
B. determining members of his radius of significant others.
C. following the epigenetic principle.
D. appraising the situation as a coping behavior.
84. Problem-focused coping refers to
A. controlling emotions associated with a stressor.
B. changing something about the source of stress.
C. controlling the emotions of others involved.
D. changing stages of development.
85. An important aspect of coping is the ability to redefine the meaning or value of a stressful situation. This
process is referred to as
A. reappraisal.
B. emotional-focused coping.
C. stage progression.
D. central process identification.
86. According to Robert White, effective coping is characterized by which of the following features?
A. allow the person to develop and grow
B. ability to maintain equilibrium over one's emotional state
C. physical maturation associated with chronological age
D. physical restraint to limit movement
87. Consistent efforts to cope with a psychosocial crisis result in
A. developmental tasks.
B. appraisal.
C. prime adaptive ego qualities.
D. radius significant others.
88. ____ develop from the positive resolution of the psychosocial crisis, and ____ develop from the negative
resolution of the psychosocial crisis.
A. Worldviews; insider views
B. Prime adaptive ego qualities; core pathologies
C. Adaptation techniques; self-approaching techniques
D. Core pathologies; ego qualities
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89. Terms such as hope, will, competence, care, and wisdom are examples of which of the following
terms?
A. prime adaptive ego qualities
B. psychosocial crises
C. core pathologies
D. central processes
90. Prime adaptive ego qualities and core pathologies influence one's
A. physical development.
B. subcultural or ethnic identity.
C. worldview.
D. generational cohort.
91. Core pathologies
A. provide new resources for coping with the next psychosocial crisis.
B. protect the person from unwanted interaction with the societal system.
C. provide new information.
D. promote an optimistic worldview.
92. Which of the following is not considered a strength of psychosocial theory?
A. It provides insight into directions of healthy development across the lifespan.
B. It identifies predictable crises.
C. It links childhood and later life stages.
D. Supporting research is gender neutral.
93. The emphasis on the interplay between individual development and society is considered a
A. weakness of psychosocial theory.
B. factor that is not considered in psychosocial theory.
C. strength of psychosocial theory.
D. psychosocial crisis embedded in psychosocial theory.
94. Longitudinal research using psychosocial theory as a framework has found
A. general support for many of the psychosocial concepts.
B. lack of support for many of the psychosocial concepts.
C. that individuals do not preview themes prior to entering a life stage.
D. mixed results focusing on developmental tasks.
95. Dr. Know and Dr. No were discussing the merits of psychosocial theory while drinking lattes. Dr. Know
asserted that the basic concepts of psychosocial theory were not well developed or defined. Dr. No
concurred and felt that the theory was further hampered because its concepts were based on its European
American male context. As a student of human development, how would you characterize these
comments?
A. Both comments are inaccurate and hinder the advancement of the theory.
B. Both comments are accurate portrayals of the weaknesses associated with the theory.
C. Dr. Know's comment is accurate; Dr. No's is inaccurate.
D. Dr. No's comment is accurate; Dr. Know's comment is inaccurate.
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96. Which of the following statements is considered a weakness of psychosocial theory?
A. It focuses on childhood rather than adulthood.
B. It hypothesizes a specific direction for healthy growth at each life stage.
C. The process of moving from one stage to another needs more development.
D. The psychosocial crisis is not the same from one stage to the next.
97. Which of the following is no longer considered a weakness of psychosocial theory?
A. Basic concepts are presented in terms that are abstract and difficult to measure.
B. A dynamic view of the interaction between a genetically guided plan and societal expectations is
offered.
C. The theory identifies predictable crises throughout the lifespan.
D. The theory provides a broad societal and historical perspective within which to study development.
98. Researchers using three cohorts of college students studied psychosocial development and the concept of
changes in coping as one proceeds through the life stages. The researchers found that there
A. was no difference in the life stages and the type of coping in which individuals engage.
B. is evidence that people do change in their resolution over time as predicted by psychosocial theory.
C. was lack of evidence for life stages and central processes.
D. is insignificant evidence to support prime adaptive ego qualities and core pathologies.
99. Which of the following statements is most accurate concerning life expectancy and psychosocial
theory?
A. Life expectancy determines the age breakdown of the life stages.
B. The number of life stages is based on the life expectancy age.
C. As life expectancy increases, it is expected that developmental tasks may need reexamination.
D. Psychosocial theory concepts will remain the same despite increases in life expectancy.
100.Which of the following criticisms of psychosocial theory relates to the stages of development?
A. A male, Eurocentric, individualistic perspective is utilized to create the stages.
B. The period of adult life is not adequately differentiated.
C. The life stage concept is abstract and difficult to measure.
D. Movement from one stage to the next is not adequately explained.
101.Which of the following psychosocial concepts best illustrates a sense of communion or connection?
A. prime adaptive ego quality
B. central process
C. developmental tasks
D. radius of significant others
102.Which of the following statements is not considered a basic prediction of psychosocial theory?
A. There are distinct stages of development.
B. A normal crisis that occurs at each stage of development.
C. Cultures are characterized by discontinuity and are more stage-like.
D. The way the psychosocial crisis of each stage is resolved results in growth forces and new capabilities
or destructive forces and restriction of development.
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103.Which term refers to a logical system of general concepts that provides a framework for organizing and
understanding observations?
A. a prediction
B. an assumption
C. a matrix
D. a theory
104.One of the primary functions of a ____ is to describe unobservable mechanisms or structures and relate
them to one another and to observable events.
A. psychosocial crisis
B. developmental task
C. theory
D. coping strategy
105.A theory of development helps to explain ____.
A. how people change and grow over time
B. causal relationships
C. how people can predict future behavior
D. correlational relationships
106.Psychosocial theory focuses on the interaction between individual needs and abilities and ____.
A. early adulthood
B. experiences in a variety of other cultures
C. social expectations and demands
D. logical reasoning
107.Which of the following statements is considered an assumption of psychosocial theory?
A. Development is primarily a product of genetic factors.
B. Individuals have the capacity to contribute to their development.
C. The basic accomplishments of development are resolved by early adolescence.
D. Chronological age is the most significant marker of psychological maturity.
108.A ____ is a period of life that is characterized by a specific underlying organization.
A. developmental stage
B. developmental task
C. psychosocial crisis
D. core pathology
109.According to psychosocial theory, which of the following statements best describes a developmental
stage?
A. Stages follow strict age guidelines.
B. Stages form a sequence of development based only on genetics.
C. Stages are the same for all individuals regardless of culture.
D. Stages can be re-experienced and offer hope if a negative resolution emerges.
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110.Which of the following examples best illustrates the idea of a sensitive period?
A. Mario is 5 years old and gets his feelings hurt easily if his behavior is criticized.
B. Language is more readily learned during the first four years of life; afterward it becomes more
difficult to acquire language skills.
C. At age 65, Fred is experiencing hearing loss, but doesn't want hearing aids because they are a sign of
aging.
D. Each life stage has characteristics that differentiate it from the one before and the one after.
111.Which of the following statements best describes Erikson's view of stages of development?
A. Each stage is independent and unrelated to the next.
B. Stages form a sequence.
C. Stages do not follow a biological plan.
D. The themes of one stage are not revisited or reinterpreted in future stages.
112.In psychosocial theory, a developmental task is ____.
A. a stage of development
B. a set of polar tensions
C. a way of learning skills and competencies
D. a social role based on cultural influences
113.Which of the following terms refers to the tension between the person's competencies at the beginning of
a stage and social expectations for how one ought to function at that period of life?
A. psychosocial theory
B. psychosocial stage
C. psychosocial environment
D. psychosocial crisis
114.Mastery of developmental tasks is most influenced by ____.
A. age of the individual
B. resolution of previous psychosocial crises
C. the theoretical perspective
D. teachable moments
115.A psychosocial crisis is best defined by which of the following?
A. Tension state caused by discrepancies between individual competencies and society's expectations.
B. The loss of reality testing abilities as a result of a severe trauma.
C. Mental state that emerges at each stage creating a positive orientation toward life experiences.
D. An interpersonal bond that can be maintained or broken across stages of life.
116.The ____ for resolving the psychosocial crisis at each life stage provides personal and societal
mechanisms for taking in new information and reorganizing existing information.
A. developmental stage
B. core pathology
C. central process
D. social support
16
117.The radius of significant relationships in psychosocial theory ____.
A. places age-related demands on individuals that are communicated through important social
relationships
B. is a network of distant acquaintances
C. has little impact on an individual's development
D. incorporates the genetic influence on development into increasingly complex biological systems
118.At each stage of development, the person has the capacity to engage in a changing network of
meaningful social relationships. These social relationships refer to which of the following concepts?
A. prime adaptive ego qualifications
B. coping relationships
C. radius of significant relationships
D. ethnicity
119.Stefan grew up celebrating Kwanza and Christmas based on cultural influences on his family. His family
shared socially standardized ways to celebrate these holidays based on their ____.
A. stage of development
B. teachable moments
C. ethnic group membership
D. coping mechanisms
120.After five years of marriage, Ken recently divorced his wife. After a period of grief and withdrawal, Ken
decided to join a support group. He is also taking college classes to focus on a career and has started a
regular exercise program to relieve stress and improve his confidence. Which of the following concepts
best describe Ken's behaviors?
A. coping
B. psychosocial development stage
C. central processing
D. significant relationship construction
121.Which of the following is considered a strength of psychosocial theory?
A. It highlights the dynamics of family development.
B. Psychosocial crises allow for the examination of the tension between individual and society.
C. Infancy and toddlerhood are key periods of development.
D. The stages of development are patterned after non-Western theories of self and society.
122.What phenomena is psychosocial theory trying to explain?
A. Changes in problem solving capacity and intelligence.
B. Changes in sexual motivation and drives.
C. Changes in habits and other behavior modifications
D. Changes in self-understanding, social relationships, and worldview.
123.A theory helps explain observations.
True
False
124.A formal theory should be logical and externally consistent.
True
False
125.The assumptions of any theory may or may not be correct.
True
False
17
126.Psychosocial theory predicts that self-concept and worldview are reorganized at each stage of life.
True
False
127.Psychosocial theory is unconcerned with the effect of culture on the individual.
True
False
128.Psychosocial evolution allows us to pass information from generation to generation through education.
True
False
129.Erikson initially proposed eight stages of psychosocial development.
True
False
130.Psychosocial stages of life may be partially described through autobiographical memories.
True
False
131.Imitation is the central process for psychosocial growth during adolescence.
True
False
132.Children imitate only adults and siblings.
True
False
133.Imitation can help toddlers exercise some control over potentially confusing events.
True
False
134.Imitation moves a child toward autonomy.
True
False
135.Coping is a process that begins with appraising a situation.
True
False
136.The major coping task of survivors is to reconcile with the situation and carry on with their own lives.
True
False
137.Socioeconomic status does not affect a person's ability to cope.
True
False
138.The importance of some prime adaptive ego qualities, such as love and wisdom, has been verified by
research.
True
False
139.Core pathologies can lead to a paralysis of action and thought that prevents productivity.
True
False
18
140.We can tell someone has entered a new psychosocial stage when the person feels comfortable and does
not have new worries.
True
False
141.Erikson suggested that previous stages can be reinterpreted later.
True
False
142.Development tasks contribute to increased mastery over our environment.
True
False
143.One of the developmental tasks of later adolescence is membership in a peer group.
True
False
144.Terms such as hope and personal identity are too abstract to be empirically researched.
True
False
145.Psychosocial crises are predictable tensions between socialization and maturation.
True
False
146.Longer life expectancy is causing developmental psychologists to reexamine later stages.
True
False
147.There are 11 stages of development according to the text.
True
False
148.Match each term with an example.
Term
a.
life stage
b.
developmental task
c.
psychosocial crisis
Example
1. managing a career
2. generativity versus stagnation
3. middle adulthood
choice B ____
choice A ____
choice C ____
19
149.Match the term and its definition.
Term
a.
psychosocial crisis
b.
prime adaptive ego quality
c.
core pathology
Definitions
1. coping resources that result from the positive resolution of
a psychosocial crisis
2. a destructive force that emerges as a result of a negative
resolution of a psychosocial crisis
3. tension produced by one's level of development at the
beginning of a stage and society's demands for a new level
of functioning by the end of it
choice ____
A
choice ____
B
choice ____
C
150.Match the life stage and its prime adaptive ego quality.
Life stage
a.
infancy
b.
early adolescence
c.
early adulthood
Prime adaptive ego quality
1. fidelity to others
2. hope
3. love
choice C ____
choice A ____
choice B ____
151.Match the life stage and its core pathology.
Life stage
a.
infancy
b.
toddlerhood
c.
later adulthood
Core pathology
1. compulsion
2. disdain
3. withdrawal
choice C ____
choice B ____
choice A ____
152.Match the life stage with the psychosocial crisis.
Life stage
a.
infancy
b.
early school age
c.
middle adulthood
Psychosocial crisis
1. trust vs. mistrust
2. generativity vs. stagnation
3. initiative vs. guilt
choice B ____
choice A ____
choice C ____
20
153.Describe at least three requirements of a good theory.
154.Discuss the questions that must be answered in the evaluation of a theory.
155.Choose one of the six issues that a theory of human development ought to explain and give an example.
156.Identify and define the six basic concepts of psychosocial theory.
21
157.Describe the three features of psychosocial theory that provide a rationale for its use as the framework
for the text.
158.Explain radius of significant relationships and how it influences development. Give at least one
example.
159.Define the concept of psychosocial crisis. Give an example. Explain how the crisis contributes to
psychosocial growth.
160.Define the concept of coping behavior. Explain how coping contributes to development. Give two
examples of coping, one for a toddler aged 2-4 years and one for a person in middle adulthood, aged
34-60.
22
161.Explain how psychosocial accounts for positive and negative development over the life span.
162.Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of psychosocial theory.
23
Chapter 2--Psychosocial Theory Key
1.
A ____ is a logical system of concepts that provides a framework for organizing and interpreting
observations.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2.
The guiding premises underlying the logic of a theory are its ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
3.
They rule on specific contradictory examples.
They identify orderly relationships.
They are based on random sampling.
They bring about change.
Theories are generally limited to explaining behaviors that fall within that theory's ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
7.
It is logical and internally consistent.
It is unrelated to previous research.
It is focused on a relatively narrow, specific subject area.
It includes contradictory statements that can be tested.
Which of the following statements best describes how theories help explain observations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
6.
dictate an appropriate research design.
describe unobservable processes and relate them to observable events.
develop hypotheses.
create symbols that society can agree upon.
Which of the following statements is considered a characteristic of a "good" formal theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5.
predictions
assumptions
variables
applications
The function of a theory is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
4.
theory
variable
symbol
correlation
life stage
range of applicability
operational definitions
statistical significance
The textbook highlights three questions to ask in order to understand the theory. Which of the
following is not one of these questions?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Which phenomena is the theory trying to explain?
Who developed the theory?
What assumptions does the theory make?
What does the theory predict?
1
8.
In order to understand a theory, one question to ask is: Which phenomenon is the theory trying to
explain? Which of the following statements best describes how to answer this question?
A. Theories do NOT try to explain phenomena; theories focus on causes of behavior.
B. Theories explain the process for operationalizing concepts or phenomena that a researcher is to
study.
C. The statistical significance of a correlation coefficient is the phenomena being explained.
D. The range of applicability based on the original intent of the theory is considered the phenomena.
9.
In order to understand a theory, one question to ask is: What assumptions does the theory make?
Which of the following statements best describes how to answer this question?
A.
B.
C.
D.
10.
The assumptions of any theory may or may not be correct. Assumptions
A.
B.
C.
D.
11.
how society and economics change over time
how people change and grow over the life span
conflicts between ethnic subcultures
causes of illness and health over the life span
A question that theory of human development should attempt to answer includes which of the
following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
14.
Theories increase understanding by suggesting causal relationships as a prediction.
Predictions can only be made if research results are statistically insignificant.
Theories do not make predictions; theories focus on operationalizing concepts.
Theories can only predict relationships between humans.
A theory of human development is expected to provide explanations for which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
13.
are based on research results from over 50 years ago, so they may not be relevant today.
may be influenced by the cultural context of the theorist.
predict statistical significance of the current research design only.
may be the same as another theory.
In order to understand a theory, one question to ask is: What does the theory predict? Which of the
following statements best describes how to answer this question?
A.
B.
C.
D.
12.
Assumptions are developed after the theory has been tested.
The range of assumptions refers to the focus of the theory.
Assumptions are the guiding premises underlying the logic of a theory.
Theories do not make assumptions; theories focus on predicting assumptions.
What are the mechanisms that account for growth across the life span?
What factors are likely to place a person at risk during specific life periods?
How do physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functions interact?
all of these
Which of the following is considered the age range conceptualized by psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
infancy through age 12
adolescence
the entire life span
early through middle adulthood
2
15.
As an organizing framework, psychosocial theory is useful because
A.
B.
C.
D.
16.
Which of the following best describes the range of applicability of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
17.
it focuses solely on the age ranges of adolescence and adulthood.
it ignores the role of culture in a person's development.
it assumes people actively contribute to their development.
it focuses only on the biological influences on human development.
Changes in unconscious processes during childhood.
Patterns of psychological and social change and growth over the life course.
Habits created and sustained in adulthood.
Logical thinking changes from infancy through adolescence.
Which of the following statements is considered an assumption of psychosocial theory?
A. At every stage of life, individuals may contribute to their own development.
B. The direction of growth follows a genetically guided course that is impervious to cultural
influences.
C. Development is shaped largely through experiences in the first six years of life.
D. The combination of differences among cultures and individual differences make it impossible to
speak of patterns of development.
18.
Who is considered the developer of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
19.
Psychosocial theory presents human development as a product of ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
20.
gathering knowledge from ancestors and passing it to future generations
strengthening groups of people through selective breeding
transmitting biochemical information through the mechanisms of genetics
the evolving nature of genetic counseling
Which of the following terms refers to the transmission of values and knowledge across
generations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
22.
culmination of human experience calculated in older adulthood
the interaction between biological and psychological needs and societal expectations
infantile experiences of the id, ego, and superego
genetic influences on personality development
Psychosocial evolution is best described as ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
21.
Erik Erikson
Sigmund Freud
Jean Piaget
Peter Blos
stages of development
coping
psychosocial evolution
psychosocial crisis
Jeanette could use all of the following to illustrate the relationship between psychosocial theory and
psychosocial evolution except
A.
B.
C.
D.
biological evolution.
emailing her children.
following her parents' childrearing techniques.
passing down traditional rituals.
3
23.
Which of the following is not one of the six basic concepts of psychosocial theory as defined by the
text?
A.
B.
C.
D.
24.
A developmental stage is best defined as ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
25.
incorporate all ages into all stages.
conduct research first prior to determining ages.
leave something unfinished in order to continue theorizing about life stages.
emphasize an individual developmental timetable as unique, guided by biological maturation and
cultural expectations.
Which of the following statements best describes the concept of stages?
A.
B.
C.
D.
30.
Jean Piaget's cognitive development stages.
Peter Blos' theory of identity.
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages.
Urie Brofenbrenner's ecological context.
In Erikson's original model, life stages were given names but no ages because Erikson wanted to
A.
B.
C.
D.
29.
proposes a specific direction of development
follows a haphazard pattern
focuses on correlations
uses naturalized relationships
In developing the eight stages, Erik Erikson's utilized
A.
B.
C.
D.
28.
failures at each stage prevent an individual from growing and developing past age 13.
accomplishments from previous stages provide resources for mastering challenges at new stages.
there is no specific direction or order for the stages.
there lacks an organization underlying the stage.
The stage theory concept ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
27.
the ability to manage stress and emotions associated with that stress
a set of skills and competencies that one performs
people who are important sources of support and information at each period of life
a period of life that is characterized by a specific underlying organization
Psychosocial theory is considered a stage theory because at each stage
A.
B.
C.
D.
26.
operational definition
a radiating network of significant relationships
stages of development
developmental tasks
Ages correspond directly to stages.
Poverty can alter the sequence of stages.
The length of each stage remains constant.
All individuals follow the same stage sequence.
The authors of the text, Newman and Newman, expanded the number of life stages in Erikson's
original theory to ____ stages.
A.
B.
C.
D.
eight
ten
eleven
thirteen
4
31.
Which of the following statements is a good description about the addition of stages to Erikson's
original theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
32.
Which of the following statements is considered a strength of Erikson's theory of psychosocial
stages?
A.
B.
C.
D.
33.
ages and stages in psychosocial theory.
a biological plan for growth.
societal expectations.
age-graded expectations.
Which of the following is considered an example of how a person might anticipate the challenges and
roles of a future stage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
37.
epigenetic principle
coping
psychosocial crisis
moratorium
The epigenetic principle refers to
A.
B.
C.
D.
36.
Psychological growth occurs in a patterned sequence.
One can reinterpret previous stages in light of new experiences.
Each stage brings a unique set of problems to solve.
All of these reflect a psychosocial approach.
Erikson suggested that there is a biological plan for growth which allows each function to emerge in
a systematic way until the fully functioning organism is developed. What is this concept called?
A.
B.
C.
D.
35.
Presentation of stages makes each stage look similar in length of time to complete.
Stages appear to be discreet and separate.
Stages are complete; no new stages are needed.
Stages incorporate biological and societal influences.
Which of the following statements reflects a psychosocial stage approach to development?
A.
B.
C.
D.
34.
Erikson's original theory did not include ages with the names of the life stages.
Theories of human development can change based on cultural and historical changes.
Erikson's original theory was not based on research.
Theories of human development are unstable and constantly changing.
a teenager worries about taking a test
a preschool child pretends to get married and have a family
a middle adult women plans Thanksgiving dinner
a grandfather regrets not having spent enough time with his granddaughter
Which of the following is not a characteristic of developmental stages in psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Each new stage incorporates gains made in earlier stages.
The stages reflect a biologically based plan for the nature and direction and growth.
Each new stage brings a qualitatively new approach for understanding oneself and others.
Once a stage is passed, there is no way to review or reinterpret events from that stage.
5
38.
Which of the following statements best reflects a potential risk of thinking about development as a
sequence of stages?
A.
B.
C.
D.
39.
Which of the following statements about psychosocial stages is most accurate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
40.
the physical challenges in a stage of development.
the unfolding of the epigenetic principle.
competencies that lead to mastery of the environment.
unrelated to stages of a person's development.
When Alana was 2 years old, she was able to burp at the dinner table because she was considered 'a
kid'. Now at age 16, Alana is expected to be polite at the dinner table. This is an example of
A.
B.
C.
D.
44.
Tasks that need to be completed around the house.
Rituals that are performed at various ages.
Planning for a goal and reaching that goal.
Skills and competencies that contribute to increased mastery.
Developmental tasks can be viewed as
A.
B.
C.
D.
43.
developmental tasks
psychosocial evolution
psychosocial crises
prime adaptive ego qualities
Which of the following is the best definition of developmental tasks?
A.
B.
C.
D.
42.
Once a stage is passed, the achievements of that period are never challenged again.
At each stage, one struggles with one, and only one, major developmental issue.
Once a stage is passed, the achievements of earlier stages are no longer relevant.
The way one perceives and experiences life varies qualitatively from stage to stage.
Which of the following terms refer to the set of skills and competencies that contribute to increased
mastery over one's environment at a particular life stage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
41.
Stages highlight qualitative differences in outlook.
Stages emphasize a mixture of new needs, capabilities, and expectations at each period of life.
Stages may be misconstrued to assume that a person in one stage cannot function at other levels.
Stages build one upon the other.
life stages.
developmental tasks.
age-graded expectations.
life roles.
Robert Havighurst introduced the concept of developmental tasks and argued that developmental
tasks change with age because
A.
B.
C.
D.
society has age-graded expectations.
infants form social attachments that last throughout life.
language skills change with age.
children have greater physical strength at older ages.
6
45.
According to Robert Havighurst, which of the following terms is considered a time when a person is
most ready to acquire a new ability?
A.
B.
C.
D.
46.
Ellie received a 'big' bike for her birthday without training wheels attached. She was eager and
apprehensive about riding her new bike. According to Havighurst, this is considered an example of
a
A.
B.
C.
D.
47.
coping situation
sensitive period
psychosocial conflict
developmental task
teachable moment.
developmental task.
transformation.
psychosocial crisis.
Which of the following statements about developmental tasks is most accurate?
A. Developmental tasks are universal and are not related to societal expectations.
B. Learning about team play is a developmental task for all stages of life.
C. There is no relationship between developmental tasks of one life stage and the psychosocial crisis
of previous stages.
D. Achieving developmental tasks in one stage contributes to greater chances of achieving
developmental tasks of future stages.
48.
Which of the following is most influential in the demands for growth based on developmental tasks?
A.
B.
C.
D.
49.
Izekial was preparing for his marriage at the age of 13. His upcoming marriage is typical of his peers
in Iran. This example best illustrates which of the following influences of developmental tasks?
A.
B.
C.
D.
50.
biological age of individuals
cultural values
physical growth and development
teachable moment and sensitive period
According to psychosocial theory, development occurs as a result of which of the following crises?
A.
B.
C.
D.
51.
cultural values
age of the individual
physical maturation
the sensitive period of growth
reinforcements and punishments
modeling and imitation
interaction between individual needs and societal demands
modification of boundaries as a result of feedback and adaptive self-regulation
Which of the following terms refer to the tension that is experienced as a person strives to adjust to
societal demands at each life stage of development?
A.
B.
C.
D.
psychosocial crisis
radius of significant relationships
epigenetic principle
sensitive period
7
52.
Which phrase best describes psychosocial crisis?
A.
B.
C.
D.
53.
According to psychosocial theory, prior to the end of each life stage, individuals try to adjust to
societal demands based on their personal terms. This process produces tension that must be reduced
in order to develop to the next stage. This tension produces
A.
B.
C.
D.
54.
Only infants and toddlers have psychosocial crises.
The psychosocial crisis is expressed as polarities with positive and negative ends on a continuum.
Most people do not experience a psychosocial crisis during their lifetime.
The psychosocial crisis is a result of vulnerability in the biological system without societal
influence.
Psychosocial crises arise because
A.
B.
C.
D.
57.
Mastery of developmental tasks is not related to the resolution of the psychosocial crisis.
Mastery of developmental tasks is influenced by the resolution of the psychosocial crisis.
Developmental tasks are resolved independently of the psychosocial crisis.
Skills learned from developmental tasks allow individuals to skip resolving the psychosocial
crisis.
Which of the following statements about the psychosocial crisis is most accurate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
56.
sensitive periods of life.
transformational change.
teachable moments.
psychosocial crisis.
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between developmental tasks and
the psychosocial crisis?
A.
B.
C.
D.
55.
an unusual set of stresses and strains
an absence of societal demands
a normal set of stresses and strains
an unpredictable life event
most people are not prepared for the level of intimacy and identity required in adult life.
of the unsatisfactory relationship developed between parents and children.
of a discrepancy between a person's competence and societal expectations.
society benefits when most of the people are in some kind of conflict.
Which of the following statements concerning the resolution of psychosocial crisis is most accurate?
A. Individuals are most likely to have a completely positive resolution of the crisis based on
epigenetic principle.
B. Individuals are most likely to have a completely negative resolution of the crisis based on societal
influence.
C. Most people resolve crisis in a generally positive direction based on developmental task
achievement.
D. Most people resolve crisis in a generally negative direction based on complex developmental
tasks as one ages.
58.
Which of the following statements is most accurate pertaining to the concept of psychosocial crisis?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Most people resolve the crisis with a completely negative resolution.
Most people never resolve the first crisis of trust versus mistrust.
Most people resolve the crisis positively with some negative experience.
Most people resolve the crisis with a completely positive resolution.
8
59.
Which of the following statements about the negative pole of the psychosocial crisis is most
accurate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
60.
According to the epigenetic principle, the succession of psychosocial crises
A.
B.
C.
D.
61.
Joel being able to resolve his current psychosocial crisis more quickly.
Joel ignoring his developmental needs.
Joel needing to revisit and reinterpret earlier psychosocial stages.
Joel focusing only on his intimate relationship.
Unpredictable life stresses, such as divorce and death, may contribute to the
A.
B.
C.
D.
65.
highlighting the tension and conflict between positive and negative poles.
speeding up the biological maturation process.
focusing on the sensitive period of an infant's development.
experiencing only the negative of a conflict.
Joel just graduated from college and is about to start his first job as a family life educator. He has
planned to ask his college sweetheart to marry him after about 3 months in his new job. When Joel
came home last weekend, he learned that his parents are divorcing, and each parent plans to dedicate
more time to career. According to psychosocial theory, a combination of Joel's needs for
development and the unexpected divorce of his parents may lead to
A.
B.
C.
D.
64.
The negative poles define specific types of mental illness.
The negative poles reflect areas of vulnerability at each stage.
The negative poles predict the possibility of criminal activity at a later stage.
The negative poles highlight issues where the rights of the individual outweigh the rights of the
group.
The psychosocial crisis serves as a mechanism for development by
A.
B.
C.
D.
63.
is unpredictable and haphazard in nature.
occurs in a predictable sequence over the life course.
is non-sequential over the life course, especially during adolescence.
occurs in an unpredictable sequence over the life course.
Which of the following statements best describes the importance of the negative poles at each
psychosocial crisis?
A.
B.
C.
D.
62.
Most people experience both the negative as well as the positive poles of each psychosocial crisis.
The negative pole is only relevant for understanding extreme cases of mental illness.
Any exposure to the negative pole is likely to result in a negative resolution to the crisis.
The negative pole is produced by individual vulnerability and genetic predisposition, not by
society.
re-working of earlier life stages.
progression to future life stages.
speeding up of resolving a psychosocial crisis.
sequential progression of life stage development.
A psychosocial crisis is resolved through
A.
B.
C.
D.
hard work and persistence.
an orderly unfolding of functions.
age-graded expectations based on biological maturity.
a central process linking individuals' needs with cultural expectations.
9
66.
The central process in psychosocial theory refers to
A.
B.
C.
D.
67.
Which of the following statements best describes the central process, an organizing concept of
psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
68.
help individuals learn their spoken language.
recognize the demands of society brought to bear on the individual.
determine a person's fame based on network size.
determine the age of adulthood.
Dylan wants to drop out of high school and go to New York to be a musician. Her parents, friends,
and high school teachers encourage her to graduate from high school prior to moving to New York.
This encouragement is an example of what organizing principle of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
73.
There is a deepening and narrowing of significant relationships.
There is a new focus on one's relationship with humankind with the radius of significant others.
The radius of significant relationships does not change much during these years.
The range and variety of significant relationships expand.
The key function of the radius of significant relationships is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
72.
a geometric pattern illustrating the life stages and psychosocial crisis.
a process for resolving a psychosocial crisis.
the tension between individual development and societal pressures.
a network of relationships important to an individual.
Which of the following statements best describes the pattern of change in the radius of significant
relationships from infancy through adolescence?
A.
B.
C.
D.
71.
a stabilization of boundaries and identity.
a reworking of an individual's psychological system.
a stagnation in growth and development.
a decrease in the acquisition of new skills.
The term radius of significant others refers to
A.
B.
C.
D.
70.
The central process identifies a discrepancy between a developmental task and stage.
The dichotomy of a psychosocial crisis is reflected in the central process.
The central process helps to resolve the psychosocial crisis.
The epigenetic principle allows internalization of processes central to development.
When an individual engages in a central process, the result is
A.
B.
C.
D.
69.
stages of development.
how a person resolves a psychosocial crisis.
important people in an individual's life.
a dichotomy between positive and negative poles.
stages of development
central process
radius of significant others
coping behavior
Which of the following are discussed as the three primary social contexts for development?
A.
B.
C.
D.
family, culture, and ethnic group
school, work, and community
home, neighborhood, and country
friends, family, and work
10
74.
For most children, the primary social context of childhood is
A.
B.
C.
D.
75.
Cheria wanted to attend the local community college rather than attend a prestigious college where
she was awarded a full scholarship. Her decision was based on the family expectation that she would
be near her parents to assist with their care. Her other siblings were unable to provide care, and she
was raised to believe that it was her responsibility. Cheria's perception is an example of
A.
B.
C.
D.
76.
coping behavior.
defensive behavior.
core pathologies.
life crises.
Anna started dating Chris soon after breaking up with Hayden. She wants to continue to explore
intimate relationships and doesn't like being alone. Anna strives to be with others and has acquired
new skills and coping that can be classified as
A.
B.
C.
D.
80.
developmental stage
coping
defense
equilibrium
The ability to enlist affective and behavioral strategies is a key element of
A.
B.
C.
D.
79.
socially standardized ways of thinking, feeling, and acting shared by members of a society.
a group of individuals who co-reside with one another in a community.
the exclusion of technology and religion in age-graded expectations.
uncommon threads of standardization of an ethnic group.
Which of the following terms refers to an individual's active efforts to resolve stress and find new
solutions to challenges?
A.
B.
C.
D.
78.
core pathology.
cultural context.
stage of development.
central process.
In terms of the context of development, culture refers to
A.
B.
C.
D.
77.
family.
community.
nation.
religion.
a psychosocial crisis.
progression through stages.
her radius of significant others.
the central process of coping.
Coping is an important concept in psychosocial theory because
A.
B.
C.
D.
no other theory uses it.
coping is determined by the epigenetic principle.
it explains how unique and inventive behaviors occur.
it always involves gathering new information that changes the biological system.
11
81.
Robin has moved to a new town during her sophomore year in high school. In order to find a new
group of friends, she joins the staff of the school paper and tries out for the girls' swim team. These
efforts are examples of which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
82.
Which of the following is not a factor in understanding how a person copes?
A.
B.
C.
D.
83.
reappraisal.
emotional-focused coping.
stage progression.
central process identification.
According to Robert White, effective coping is characterized by which of the following features?
A.
B.
C.
D.
87.
controlling emotions associated with a stressor.
changing something about the source of stress.
controlling the emotions of others involved.
changing stages of development.
An important aspect of coping is the ability to redefine the meaning or value of a stressful situation.
This process is referred to as
A.
B.
C.
D.
86.
negatively resolving the identity crisis.
determining members of his radius of significant others.
following the epigenetic principle.
appraising the situation as a coping behavior.
Problem-focused coping refers to
A.
B.
C.
D.
85.
the range of resources available
the meaning of the stressor
the nature of the stressor
how the situation is perceived
When Lou arrived at summer camp, he was uncomfortable and began to walk around and learn where
the activities were held. He next observed the boys in his age group playing a game of ball.
According to psychosocial theory, Lou was
A.
B.
C.
D.
84.
developmental stage
core pathology
psychosocial crisis
coping behavior
allow the person to develop and grow
ability to maintain equilibrium over one's emotional state
physical maturation associated with chronological age
physical restraint to limit movement
Consistent efforts to cope with a psychosocial crisis result in
A.
B.
C.
D.
developmental tasks.
appraisal.
prime adaptive ego qualities.
radius significant others.
12
88.
____ develop from the positive resolution of the psychosocial crisis, and ____ develop from the
negative resolution of the psychosocial crisis.
A.
B.
C.
D.
89.
Terms such as hope, will, competence, care, and wisdom are examples of which of the following
terms?
A.
B.
C.
D.
90.
It provides insight into directions of healthy development across the lifespan.
It identifies predictable crises.
It links childhood and later life stages.
Supporting research is gender neutral.
The emphasis on the interplay between individual development and society is considered a
A.
B.
C.
D.
94.
provide new resources for coping with the next psychosocial crisis.
protect the person from unwanted interaction with the societal system.
provide new information.
promote an optimistic worldview.
Which of the following is not considered a strength of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
93.
physical development.
subcultural or ethnic identity.
worldview.
generational cohort.
Core pathologies
A.
B.
C.
D.
92.
prime adaptive ego qualities
psychosocial crises
core pathologies
central processes
Prime adaptive ego qualities and core pathologies influence one's
A.
B.
C.
D.
91.
Worldviews; insider views
Prime adaptive ego qualities; core pathologies
Adaptation techniques; self-approaching techniques
Core pathologies; ego qualities
weakness of psychosocial theory.
factor that is not considered in psychosocial theory.
strength of psychosocial theory.
psychosocial crisis embedded in psychosocial theory.
Longitudinal research using psychosocial theory as a framework has found
A.
B.
C.
D.
general support for many of the psychosocial concepts.
lack of support for many of the psychosocial concepts.
that individuals do not preview themes prior to entering a life stage.
mixed results focusing on developmental tasks.
13
95.
Dr. Know and Dr. No were discussing the merits of psychosocial theory while drinking lattes.
Dr. Know asserted that the basic concepts of psychosocial theory were not well developed or defined.
Dr. No concurred and felt that the theory was further hampered because its concepts were based on
its European American male context. As a student of human development, how would you
characterize these comments?
A.
B.
C.
D.
96.
Which of the following statements is considered a weakness of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
97.
Both comments are inaccurate and hinder the advancement of the theory.
Both comments are accurate portrayals of the weaknesses associated with the theory.
Dr. Know's comment is accurate; Dr. No's is inaccurate.
Dr. No's comment is accurate; Dr. Know's comment is inaccurate.
It focuses on childhood rather than adulthood.
It hypothesizes a specific direction for healthy growth at each life stage.
The process of moving from one stage to another needs more development.
The psychosocial crisis is not the same from one stage to the next.
Which of the following is no longer considered a weakness of psychosocial theory?
A. Basic concepts are presented in terms that are abstract and difficult to measure.
B. A dynamic view of the interaction between a genetically guided plan and societal expectations is
offered.
C. The theory identifies predictable crises throughout the lifespan.
D. The theory provides a broad societal and historical perspective within which to study
development.
98.
Researchers using three cohorts of college students studied psychosocial development and the
concept of changes in coping as one proceeds through the life stages. The researchers found that
there
A. was no difference in the life stages and the type of coping in which individuals engage.
B. is evidence that people do change in their resolution over time as predicted by psychosocial
theory.
C. was lack of evidence for life stages and central processes.
D. is insignificant evidence to support prime adaptive ego qualities and core pathologies.
99.
Which of the following statements is most accurate concerning life expectancy and psychosocial
theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
100.
Which of the following criticisms of psychosocial theory relates to the stages of development?
A.
B.
C.
D.
101.
Life expectancy determines the age breakdown of the life stages.
The number of life stages is based on the life expectancy age.
As life expectancy increases, it is expected that developmental tasks may need reexamination.
Psychosocial theory concepts will remain the same despite increases in life expectancy.
A male, Eurocentric, individualistic perspective is utilized to create the stages.
The period of adult life is not adequately differentiated.
The life stage concept is abstract and difficult to measure.
Movement from one stage to the next is not adequately explained.
Which of the following psychosocial concepts best illustrates a sense of communion or connection?
A.
B.
C.
D.
prime adaptive ego quality
central process
developmental tasks
radius of significant others
14
102.
Which of the following statements is not considered a basic prediction of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
103.
Which term refers to a logical system of general concepts that provides a framework for organizing
and understanding observations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
104.
Development is primarily a product of genetic factors.
Individuals have the capacity to contribute to their development.
The basic accomplishments of development are resolved by early adolescence.
Chronological age is the most significant marker of psychological maturity.
A ____ is a period of life that is characterized by a specific underlying organization.
A.
B.
C.
D.
109.
early adulthood
experiences in a variety of other cultures
social expectations and demands
logical reasoning
Which of the following statements is considered an assumption of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
108.
how people change and grow over time
causal relationships
how people can predict future behavior
correlational relationships
Psychosocial theory focuses on the interaction between individual needs and abilities and ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
107.
psychosocial crisis
developmental task
theory
coping strategy
A theory of development helps to explain ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
106.
a prediction
an assumption
a matrix
a theory
One of the primary functions of a ____ is to describe unobservable mechanisms or structures and
relate them to one another and to observable events.
A.
B.
C.
D.
105.
There are distinct stages of development.
A normal crisis that occurs at each stage of development.
Cultures are characterized by discontinuity and are more stage-like.
The way the psychosocial crisis of each stage is resolved results in growth forces and new
capabilities or destructive forces and restriction of development.
developmental stage
developmental task
psychosocial crisis
core pathology
According to psychosocial theory, which of the following statements best describes a developmental
stage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Stages follow strict age guidelines.
Stages form a sequence of development based only on genetics.
Stages are the same for all individuals regardless of culture.
Stages can be re-experienced and offer hope if a negative resolution emerges.
15
110.
Which of the following examples best illustrates the idea of a sensitive period?
A. Mario is 5 years old and gets his feelings hurt easily if his behavior is criticized.
B. Language is more readily learned during the first four years of life; afterward it becomes more
difficult to acquire language skills.
C. At age 65, Fred is experiencing hearing loss, but doesn't want hearing aids because they are a sign
of aging.
D. Each life stage has characteristics that differentiate it from the one before and the one after.
111.
Which of the following statements best describes Erikson's view of stages of development?
A.
B.
C.
D.
112.
In psychosocial theory, a developmental task is ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
113.
psychosocial theory
psychosocial stage
psychosocial environment
psychosocial crisis
Mastery of developmental tasks is most influenced by ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
115.
a stage of development
a set of polar tensions
a way of learning skills and competencies
a social role based on cultural influences
Which of the following terms refers to the tension between the person's competencies at the
beginning of a stage and social expectations for how one ought to function at that period of life?
A.
B.
C.
D.
114.
Each stage is independent and unrelated to the next.
Stages form a sequence.
Stages do not follow a biological plan.
The themes of one stage are not revisited or reinterpreted in future stages.
age of the individual
resolution of previous psychosocial crises
the theoretical perspective
teachable moments
A psychosocial crisis is best defined by which of the following?
A. Tension state caused by discrepancies between individual competencies and society's
expectations.
B. The loss of reality testing abilities as a result of a severe trauma.
C. Mental state that emerges at each stage creating a positive orientation toward life experiences.
D. An interpersonal bond that can be maintained or broken across stages of life.
116.
The ____ for resolving the psychosocial crisis at each life stage provides personal and societal
mechanisms for taking in new information and reorganizing existing information.
A.
B.
C.
D.
developmental stage
core pathology
central process
social support
16
117.
The radius of significant relationships in psychosocial theory ____.
A. places age-related demands on individuals that are communicated through important social
relationships
B. is a network of distant acquaintances
C. has little impact on an individual's development
D. incorporates the genetic influence on development into increasingly complex biological systems
118.
At each stage of development, the person has the capacity to engage in a changing network of
meaningful social relationships. These social relationships refer to which of the following concepts?
A.
B.
C.
D.
119.
Stefan grew up celebrating Kwanza and Christmas based on cultural influences on his family. His
family shared socially standardized ways to celebrate these holidays based on their ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
120.
It highlights the dynamics of family development.
Psychosocial crises allow for the examination of the tension between individual and society.
Infancy and toddlerhood are key periods of development.
The stages of development are patterned after non-Western theories of self and society.
What phenomena is psychosocial theory trying to explain?
A.
B.
C.
D.
123.
coping
psychosocial development stage
central processing
significant relationship construction
Which of the following is considered a strength of psychosocial theory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
122.
stage of development
teachable moments
ethnic group membership
coping mechanisms
After five years of marriage, Ken recently divorced his wife. After a period of grief and withdrawal,
Ken decided to join a support group. He is also taking college classes to focus on a career and has
started a regular exercise program to relieve stress and improve his confidence. Which of the
following concepts best describe Ken's behaviors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
121.
prime adaptive ego qualifications
coping relationships
radius of significant relationships
ethnicity
Changes in problem solving capacity and intelligence.
Changes in sexual motivation and drives.
Changes in habits and other behavior modifications
Changes in self-understanding, social relationships, and worldview.
A theory helps explain observations.
TRUE
124.
A formal theory should be logical and externally consistent.
FALSE
125.
The assumptions of any theory may or may not be correct.
TRUE
17
126.
Psychosocial theory predicts that self-concept and worldview are reorganized at each stage of life.
TRUE
127.
Psychosocial theory is unconcerned with the effect of culture on the individual.
FALSE
128.
Psychosocial evolution allows us to pass information from generation to generation through
education.
TRUE
129.
Erikson initially proposed eight stages of psychosocial development.
TRUE
130.
Psychosocial stages of life may be partially described through autobiographical memories.
TRUE
131.
Imitation is the central process for psychosocial growth during adolescence.
FALSE
132.
Children imitate only adults and siblings.
FALSE
133.
Imitation can help toddlers exercise some control over potentially confusing events.
TRUE
134.
Imitation moves a child toward autonomy.
TRUE
135.
Coping is a process that begins with appraising a situation.
TRUE
136.
The major coping task of survivors is to reconcile with the situation and carry on with their own
lives.
TRUE
137.
Socioeconomic status does not affect a person's ability to cope.
FALSE
138.
The importance of some prime adaptive ego qualities, such as love and wisdom, has been verified by
research.
TRUE
139.
Core pathologies can lead to a paralysis of action and thought that prevents productivity.
TRUE
18
140.
We can tell someone has entered a new psychosocial stage when the person feels comfortable and
does not have new worries.
FALSE
141.
Erikson suggested that previous stages can be reinterpreted later.
TRUE
142.
Development tasks contribute to increased mastery over our environment.
TRUE
143.
One of the developmental tasks of later adolescence is membership in a peer group.
FALSE
144.
Terms such as hope and personal identity are too abstract to be empirically researched.
FALSE
145.
Psychosocial crises are predictable tensions between socialization and maturation.
TRUE
146.
Longer life expectancy is causing developmental psychologists to reexamine later stages.
TRUE
147.
There are 11 stages of development according to the text.
TRUE
148.
Match each term with an example.
Term
a.
life stage
b.
developmental task
c.
psychosocial crisis
Example
1. managing a career
2. generativity versus stagnation
3. middle adulthood
choice B 1
choice A 3
choice C 2
19
149.
Match the term and its definition.
Term
a.
psychosocial crisis
b.
prime adaptive ego quality
c.
core pathology
Definitions
1. coping resources that result from the positive resolution of
a psychosocial crisis
2. a destructive force that emerges as a result of a negative
resolution of a psychosocial crisis
3. tension produced by one's level of development at the
beginning of a stage and society's demands for a new level of
functioning by the end of it
150.
choice 3
A
choice 1
B
choice 2
C
Match the life stage and its prime adaptive ego quality.
Life stage
a.
infancy
b.
early adolescence
c.
early adulthood
Prime adaptive ego quality
1. fidelity to others
2. hope
3. love
151.
choice C 3
choice A 2
choice B 1
Match the life stage and its core pathology.
Life stage
a.
infancy
b.
toddlerhood
c.
later adulthood
Core pathology
1. compulsion
2. disdain
3. withdrawal
152.
choice C 2
choice B 1
choice A 3
Match the life stage with the psychosocial crisis.
Life stage
a.
infancy
b.
early school age
c.
middle adulthood
Psychosocial crisis
1. trust vs. mistrust
2. generativity vs. stagnation
3. initiative vs. guilt
153.
choice B 3
choice A 1
choice C 2
Describe at least three requirements of a good theory.
Answer not provided.
20
154.
Discuss the questions that must be answered in the evaluation of a theory.
Answer not provided.
155.
Choose one of the six issues that a theory of human development ought to explain and give an
example.
Answer not provided.
156.
Identify and define the six basic concepts of psychosocial theory.
Answer not provided.
157.
Describe the three features of psychosocial theory that provide a rationale for its use as the
framework for the text.
Answer not provided.
158.
Explain radius of significant relationships and how it influences development. Give at least one
example.
Answer not provided.
159.
Define the concept of psychosocial crisis. Give an example. Explain how the crisis contributes to
psychosocial growth.
Answer not provided.
160.
Define the concept of coping behavior. Explain how coping contributes to development. Give two
examples of coping, one for a toddler aged 2-4 years and one for a person in middle adulthood, aged
34-60.
Answer not provided.
21
161.
Explain how psychosocial accounts for positive and negative development over the life span.
Answer not provided.
162.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of psychosocial theory.
Answer not provided.
22