Browse all practice questions for the DSST Lifespan Developmental Psychology Practice Exam. Search by topic, open any question and review its full explanation, then test yourself in the practice quiz.

DSST Lifespan Developmental Psychology Practice Exam 2026 - Free DSST Practice Questions and Study Guide course image
More practice questions

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

  • Which of the following is a characteristic of egocentrism in children?
  • What is a key characteristic of the invention of new means through mental combination in early development?
  • According to Carol Gilligan, which ethical perspective are women more likely to take?
  • According to John Bowlby's attachment theory, how do children feel if they sense their caregiver is attentive?
  • Which of the following is NOT an effect of syphilis or rubella on a fetus?
  • What term describes the perceptual quality of sound?
  • What type of research design often helps identify developmental trends in a population?
  • Which defense mechanism involves hiding feelings without acknowledgment?
  • Who is recognized for creating the scientific method?
  • What term refers to the ability to group objects together based on common features?
  • According to Erikson, what is the most important aspect to develop in early childhood?
  • What cognitive abilities are evident during the period of concrete operations?
  • What characteristic is typical of men and women with androgynous personalities?
  • When a young child feels frustrated or angry, they will most likely:
  • What is an example of a behavior during the primary circular reactions stage?
  • What type of study focuses on a single individual's in-depth examination?
  • What term describes a child's inability to read due to difficulties in processing language sounds?
  • What stage of life is primarily concerned with generativity according to Erikson?
  • What does extinction refer to in behavioral psychology?
  • Which condition characterized by inattention and hyperactivity is diagnosed in children?
  • During which stage of development does the child typically experience role confusion, according to Erikson?
  • What does a somatic cell represent?
  • Which cognitive process involves changing one’s framework to incorporate new information?
  • What is regression in the context of psychological defense mechanisms?
  • The early stages of Alzheimer's disease are often confused with which other disorder?
  • Which of the following will cause the appearance of aging in the skin to be accelerated?
  • What does divergent thinking primarily involve?
  • At what stage do children begin to think logically about concrete events?
  • According to Bowlby's theory, how many strong attachments do infants need to develop normally?
  • What is the role of the pupil in the eye?
  • During which developmental stage do children experience the conflict of industry vs. inferiority?
  • In Erikson's theory, what is the main conflict during the toddler stage?
  • What does the frontal lobe primarily control?
  • What is the process of cloning primarily associated with?
  • Which part of the nervous system is known as the calming part?
  • What are gametes?
  • Who is recognized as a cognitive theorist known for his theories on childhood development?
  • What is a hallmark characteristic of the sensory motor stage of development?
  • Which of the following correctly orders Kohlberg's three levels of moral development?
  • At what age do most children begin to identify specific best friends?
  • Dyslexia is primarily caused by a deficiency in understanding what component of language?
  • What is described by primary circular reactions (2-4 months)?
  • According to Vygotsky's theory of social development, when does learning occur?
  • Longitudinal studies are characterized by what main aspect?
  • What part of the ear is located inside the cochlea?
  • Which area of the brain is involved in processing auditory information?
  • Fear of the dark is most common for children of about what age?
  • What does the coordination of secondary reactions (8-12 months) entail?
  • What behavior suggests that an infant is showing habituation?
  • The 'punishment of obedience' phase is associated with which level of moral development?
  • What is preconventional morality based on?
  • Which type of variable remains constant throughout an experiment?
  • Which term refers to a set of perceptions, ideas, or actions that go together?
  • Which cellular component is involved in sexual reproduction?
  • What is a main characteristic of the latency stage in child development?
  • Which level of needs in Maslow's hierarchy is focused on basic physical requirements?
  • At what developmental stage might a child believe that their parent's divorce is their fault due to egocentrism?
  • The brain is part of which system in the body?
  • What does the acronym ADHD stand for?
  • What cognitive ability does cross-modal perception involve?
  • In which stage of Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a person primarily concerned with avoiding punishment?
  • What term describes the moral reasoning based on societal rules and expectations?
  • What is the name of the insulating sheath that helps transmit neural impulses?
  • What is the role of myelin in the nervous system?
  • At what age does the reflexive stage in child development typically occur?
  • What term describes the soft spots in a baby's skull where bone has yet to form?
  • What is measured in decibels and relates to the pressure produced by a sound wave?
  • Which of the following is NOT a primary role of clinical psychologists?
  • What significant contribution did Wilhelm Wundt make to psychology?
  • What does denial refer to in psychological terms?
  • Which part of the brain is included in the endocrine system?
  • What is suppression as a defense mechanism?
  • Which defense mechanism occurs when someone redirects their feelings, positive or negative, towards someone else?
  • Which approach is associated with William James?
  • Which areas of the brain are primarily affected by Alzheimer's disease?
  • What is characterized by a child displaying hand movements and simple words to convey meaning?
  • What is the primary function of the cerebellum in the human body?
  • What are the stages of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
  • At what age does language development begin in infants?
  • In terms of psychological processes, how important is the concept of sensation?
  • What is meant by the term absolute threshold?
  • The process of creating excuses to justify behaviors is known as:
  • What psychosocial stage is characterized by the conflict between generativity and stagnation?
  • Which type of thinking relies most on creativity?
  • Displacement involves what kind of emotional response?
  • What is the primary function of the reaction formation defense mechanism?
  • Which part of the brain processes information about body position and movement?
  • Which psychological theory emphasizes conflict at different stages of life development?
  • Which parenting style respects individuality but tries to instill social values?
  • Which psychological perspective views people primarily as products of their environment?
  • Initiative vs. guilt is a developmental stage according to Erikson that typically occurs in which age group?
  • In the intuitive phase of development, what changes occur in a child's speech?
  • What role does a psychiatrist fulfill in relation to a clinical psychologist?
  • Which concept is NOT a part of Freud's structural model of the mind?
  • How is the concrete operational stage of cognitive development best described?
  • What does depth perception enable individuals to do?
  • What best describes the intelligence level of individuals with dyslexia?
  • What type of research method did Dr. Smith use to study the brother and sister?
  • During which stage of pregnancy are syphilis and rubella considered the most dangerous?
  • What was the visual cliff experiment designed to test?
  • What role does the parasympathetic nervous system play in the body?
  • Who is considered the Father of genetics?
  • Which brain lobe is associated with processing body sensations?
  • In infancy, which psychological concept is evident when a child knows an object still exists when it is out of sight?
  • What method is demonstrated in Bandura's study with baby Albert?
  • As per Erikson's theory, the challenge of finding meaning in one's life is related to which stage?
  • Which part of the eye is responsible for protecting the inner structures?
  • In experimental research, what is the independent variable?
  • What is the process of relating new information to something familiar called?
  • What is the practice of providing explicit role instructions in play activities known for reinforcing gender stereotypes?
  • How is an infant likely to interact with an object they prefer compared to one they do not?
  • What term describes a person's typical mode of response to various situations in life?
  • What effect does the cornea have on the image that enters the eye?
  • What aspect of human experience does the cognitive approach primarily address?
  • Which part of the ear includes the pinna and external auditory canal?
  • Which of the following is NOT a sign of aging?
  • Ethics in psychology primarily concerns which of the following?
  • What signifies the start of adolescence in terms of developmental stages?
  • Which cognitive ability allows children to understand that two sets can represent the same quantity?
  • What does the Premack principle utilize to encourage engagement in less desired tasks?
  • What is a key characteristic of the "esteem needs" stage in Maslow's hierarchy?
  • What is the fetal period known as in human development?
  • Which defense mechanism occurs when someone hides their feelings and does not acknowledge them?
  • What area of psychology does the cognitive approach focus on?
  • What does classification refer to in cognitive development?
  • What is the term for growth that occurs from the head downward?
  • In psychological terms, what does the id primarily seek?
  • What does cross-modal perception refer to?
  • Projection as a defense mechanism is best described as:
  • What research method involves observing subjects without interference?
  • Which developmental stage allows for the ability to generate multiple hypotheses and incorporate formal logic?
  • Which level is identified as the fourth stage in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
  • Which term describes the ability to identify something encountered before?
  • What function do rods serve in the eye?
  • What term describes the need for love and belonging in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
  • Qualitative research is best described as?
  • What is the term for a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure?
  • Rationalization as a psychological defense mechanism is characterized by:
  • What is the focus of research on children raised in a kibbutz?
  • Which ethical perspective emphasizes relationships and responsibilities according to Carol Gilligan?
  • What concept in linguistics relates to the study of semantics?
  • At what stage do individuals typically grapple with issues of generativity?
  • What is the focus of development during the stage of industry vs. inferiority?
  • Which theorists are concerned with the effects of various types of conditioning?
  • What psychosocial challenge do preschoolers face according to Erikson?
  • Which component of personality is responsible for ethical standards?
  • What term describes the tendency for children to think about the world exclusively from their own perspective?
  • What is the function of the iris in the human eye?
  • What component of the subconscious is described as the ethical and "super good" part?
  • What describes cross-sectional studies?
  • What chromosome patterns would a person with Klinefelter's syndrome have?
  • How is convergent thinking best described?
  • Which psychological concept relates to failure to try due to past experiences of uncontrollable outcomes?
  • What characterizes the reflexive stage of development (0-2 months)?
  • Which study would focus on participants from various age groups to draw conclusions?
  • Hypokinetic diseases primarily arise from what type of lifestyle factor?
  • According to Erikson's theory of stages of development, which group of people are generally concerned with generativity vs self-absorption?
  • Generativity vs stagnation is a developmental stage identified by Erikson that occurs during which life phase?
  • What experiment provides evidence of depth perception in infants?
  • What describes growth from the spine outward?
  • In which age group is parallel play most commonly observed?
  • What behavioral technique involves ignoring a child's temper tantrum to reduce its occurrence?
  • What is a zygote?
  • What is the formula for calculating IQ?
  • Turned feelings into the exact opposite is an example of which concept?
  • What occurs during secondary circular reactions (4-8 months)?
  • What does Kohlberg’s theory of moral development focus on?
  • What percentage of children are affected by hyperactivity according to research?
  • According to Erikson's stages of development, what are older individuals chiefly concerned with?
  • Which of the following is NOT considered a cause of ADHD?
  • What is the term for the belief that one is the center of the universe?
  • During which phase do children exhibit increased use of verbal representation, although their speech is egocentric?
  • What does the autonomic nervous system control?
  • What is true about convergent thinking?
  • How is the behavioral approach primarily defined?
  • What does the term 'operation' refer to in developmental psychology?
  • Which of the following correctly identifies the final stage of Freud's psychosexual development theory?
  • What distinguishes parallel play in toddlers?
  • Which part of the subconscious acts as a mediator between the id and the ego?
  • Which of the following is a fluid-filled structure in the inner ear?
  • Which of the following is NOT considered a hypokinetic disease?
  • According to Freud, at what age does the phallic stage occur?
  • What is the primary concern for individuals in the stage of ego integrity versus despair?
  • In psychology, what term is used to describe irrelevant stimuli that competes for attention?
  • During what stage does a child begin to show intentional actions?
  • Which theory suggests that behavior can be learned through the observation of others?
  • What does elaboration refer to in cognitive processes?
  • Which philosopher believed that children were born a "blank slate"?
  • What is the function of the hypothalamus?
  • Which of the following is an effect of teratogens during pregnancy?
  • Who is credited with developing the concepts of fluid and crystallized intelligence?
  • What term describes a situation where ignoring a behavior leads to a decrease in that behavior over time?
  • Which of the following is not considered a basic need in Maslow's hierarchy?
  • What does the dialectical perspective focus on?
  • In developmental psychology, who is associated with the concept of functionalism?
  • What are early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
  • Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for controlling breathing and heart rate?
  • Which aspect of development is typically evaluated by developmental psychologists?
  • What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?
  • According to Freud, at what age does the genital stage of development occur?
  • What defines tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months)?
  • What term describes when a child only considers their own needs and not others'?
  • What is the term for providing a negative sanction to reduce undesired behavior?
  • Which of the following describes how one variable changes in correlation to another?
  • In early childhood development, what is the typical age range for children to engage in parallel play?
  • The focus on contradictions in life is associated with which perspective?
  • In Maslow's hierarchy, which level pertains to safety needs?
  • What does the term 'quantitative' refer to in research?
  • What is a crucial aspect of the trust vs. mistrust stage in infant development?
  • Which researcher is famous for the "Bobo doll" experiment that illustrates modeling?
  • At what age do children typically transition from parallel play to associative play?
  • Which term describes feelings redirected towards someone or something else?
  • Which of the following represents Maslow's third level of needs?
  • What is meant by 'stage' in the context of child development?
  • Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality or facts?
  • By what age do children typically develop a social smile?
  • Which personality trait is NOT typically associated with divergent thinking?
  • What is the earliest sound a child makes to communicate?
  • What are the stages of Piaget's cognitive development in order?
  • At what age do children typically begin to babble?
  • What behavior might indicate a child is developing normally in early stages?
  • What is the central debate in the nature vs. nurture discussion?
  • Which of the following best describes a clinical psychologist?
  • What does 'recall' mean in the context of memory?
  • What structures are part of the inner ear?
  • Esteem needs are represented in Maslow's hierarchy as:
  • What does the psychoanalytical approach emphasize?
  • What is the primary focus of correlational research?
  • Which structure is NOT part of the central nervous system?
  • According to Freud, at what age does the oral stage of development occur?
  • Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development occurs last?
  • When something is measurable in number, it is referred to as?
  • What is the term for a statistical measure of typical scores for categories of information?
  • What does a high mean length of utterance suggest about a child's language development?
  • Which outcome is a potential impact of syphilis on a developing fetus?
  • Which of the following best describes hypokinetic diseases?
  • The primary focus of qualitative data analysis is to assess what aspect?
  • What term describes the number of full wavelengths that pass through a point in a given amount of time?
  • Which system is most vulnerable during the early stages following conception?
  • In which psychological stage does egocentrism most significantly affect a child's reasoning?
  • In the context of Erikson's stages, what challenge is faced by young adults?
  • Which stage of development is characterized by the establishment of intimate relationships?
  • Which stage of life is associated with the conflict of ego integrity vs despair?
  • Who is notable for being kept in a box during conditioning experiments?
  • According to Gestalt Psychology, how do people organize their perceptions?
  • What is it called when a stimulus from one context carries over to another in conditioning?
  • Redirecting emotions into productive activities reflects which concept?
  • What development stage occurs from conception until the fetus is fully developed?
  • Which term refers to the reinforcement of behavior that results in a favorable outcome?
  • In the preoperational phase, what aspect of play becomes evident compared to earlier stages?
  • During pregnancy, which stage is most directly harmed by teratogens?
  • What is a 'schema' according to developmental psychology?
  • Who is considered a prominent humanist in psychology?
  • Which cognitive development theory emphasizes the role of hands-on experiences?
  • What defense mechanism occurs when a person expresses an opposite emotion to what they feel?
  • What do endocrine glands create and release into the bloodstream?
  • Which developmental stage starts at age 6 and lasts until the onset of puberty?
  • Which brain structure is responsible for the storage of memories?
  • During which stage do children typically engage in activities related to exploration of their own bodies and the differences between genders?
  • What signifies a secure attachment in children?
  • Which statement about reinforcers is NOT true?
  • What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?
  • At approximately what age do children begin communicating through telegraphic speech?
  • Which of the following is an example of a teratogen?
  • What does the concept of object permanence refer to?
  • In what stage do infants primarily interact with their environment through senses and motor skills?
  • How many stages of development did Erik Erikson propose in his theory?
  • What is a prominent feature of the formal operations stage of development?
  • Which part of the eye is referred to as the sclera?
  • In convergent thinking, the approach to problem-solving is typically characterized by?
  • The amount of words spoken in a sentence is linked to which of the following?
  • Which developmental stage is characterized by the challenge of trust vs. mistrust?
  • Which defense mechanism involves turning a feeling into its opposite?
  • What is telegraphic speech?
  • What type of learning is closely associated with Bandura's theories?
  • What are the two large halves of the brain referred to as?
  • In which stage of moral development do individuals begin to view laws as flexible guidelines?
  • What does a developmental norm represent?
  • At what age does the anal stage of development occur?
  • What is the primary characteristic of the lens in the eye?
  • What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?
  • What is the largest and most developed part of the human brain?
  • Which type of thinking is characterized as 'follower thinking'?
  • Which best describes divergent thinking?
  • What is the term for the process of being able to identify something encountered before?
  • Where is the retina located in the eye?
  • What is the principle of conservation in cognitive development?
  • Approximately what percentage of children under two are cared for solely by a parent?
  • What is the term for when a baby imitates words or sounds it has heard?
  • What is a key characteristic of the humanistic approach?
  • What is structuralism concerned with?
  • What is Maslow's first level of needs?
  • What does the "ego" serve to balance in Freud's theory?
  • Which concept involves understanding that some classes or sets of objects are also subsets of a larger class?
  • A parent who makes few demands on a child typically shows which parenting style?
  • At what age does the social smile typically appear in infants?
  • Which of the following best describes the morphemes in the word "unbreakable"?
  • Aggression in four and five-year-olds is usually related to what?
  • A higher APGAR score indicates what for a newborn?
  • What describes the motivation to obey in conventional morality?
  • What aspects are typically measured to assess temperament in infants?
  • Who has the authority to prescribe medication in the field of mental health?
  • An infant startling at a noise is an example of what type of reflex?
  • What is NOT a factor of psychosocial health?
  • What does trust vs mistrust focus on in Erikson's theory?
  • Which of the following is NOT an example of fluid intelligence?
  • Which of Erikson’s stages encompasses the challenge of finding personal relationships?
  • What does FAS stand for?
  • Who created the first standardized IQ test?
  • What part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for arousing the body’s responses in stressful situations?
  • What key concept does Erikson's theory primarily focus on?
  • Which stage involves discovering new ways to produce the same consequence?
  • What is the term for the first three weeks of prenatal growth?
  • What type of photoreceptor uses to view color in the eye?
  • What does the term "cerebrum" refer to in the context of brain anatomy?
  • Which of the following is the second stage of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
  • To assist the eye in focusing, what process allows the lens to change its curvature?
  • Which belief was established by Carol Gilligan in relation to moral development?
  • In the context of parenting, what is the result of egocentric behavior in children?
  • What is the role of reinforcement in operant conditioning?
  • Which type of reasoning is crucial for developing innovative solutions to problems?
  • Which part of the eye contains rods and cones?
  • Which structure of the eye is described as a clear membrane that protects the eye?
  • Who is the psychoanalyst known for his stages of psychosocial development?
  • Which lobe of the brain is primarily associated with vision?
  • Which structure serves as the main relay station for sensory signals in the brain?
  • Which perspective posits that all people are inherently good?
  • Which stage is associated with the development of initiative in children?
  • At what stage does ego development typically begin, according to Erikson's theory?
  • Which stage of moral development focuses on societal rules and laws?
  • How is humanism best described?
  • What does the term ethics refer to in psychology?
  • Which lobe of the brain is most associated with reasoning and problem-solving?
  • Sublimation is best defined as:
  • What does the biological approach suggest about personality?
  • The Premack principle always relies on what?
  • During which developmental stage does Erikson's identity vs. role confusion occur?
  • A child who perceives the world only from their own point of view is described as what?
  • What describes the belief that one is the center of the universe in early cognitive development?
  • What does stimulus generalization refer to in behavioral conditioning?
  • What does a dependent variable represent in an experiment?
  • Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
  • Which form of conditioning involves associating a response with a negative condition?
  • What primary variable did Harry Harlow’s experiment explore in terms of infant development?
  • What developmental milestone occurs when an infant can kick their feet to move a mobile?
  • According to Freud's personality theory, which component is present at birth?
  • Which of the following is NOT an element of Vygotsky's theory of social development?
  • What is the primary developmental challenge faced by adolescents according to Erikson?
  • Which psychological perspective emphasizes moral development differences between genders?
  • What is the term for the mental process of arriving at a single correct answer?
  • What type of research involves observing subjects in their natural environment?
  • What is the term for the process of taking in information from the environment?
  • Who is recognized as the father of genetics and inheritance?
  • What characterizes the autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage in toddlers?
  • What does functionalism focus on?
  • Who is credited with coining the term 'modeling' in the context of learning?
  • Which term describes the reluctance of children to share toys at the age of four?
  • What components are included in the middle ear?
  • Which of the following accurately defines a constant in an experiment?
  • What is the primary method used in naturalistic observation?
  • What phenomenon occurs when a participant experiences effects from a drug they haven't actually taken?
  • What defines the process of cloning?
  • What are the five stages of dying according to Kübler-Ross?
  • What is the primary function of the limbic system in the brain?
  • In Erikson's theory, at what stage would an individual face the initiative vs. guilt conflict?
  • Which term refers to a sound wave's amplitude?
  • An individual with dyslexia is most likely to encounter difficulties with which of the following?
  • What is the primary role of thalamus in sensory processing?
  • What concept describes using rewards to reinforce good behavior?
  • What cognitive development marks the transition from the intuitive phase to the concrete operations phase?
  • What is the main motivation in postconventional morality?
  • Organized, logical thought is characteristic of which of Piaget's stages of development?
  • What is the term for the adjustment made to one's mind or concepts by the process of assimilation?
  • In which stage of Erikson's development does trust vs mistrust occur?
  • What are the elements of the dialectical perspective?
  • In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, self-actualization is:
  • What is the main role of the brain stem?
  • What preference did monkeys show in Harlow's attachment experiment?
  • What defense mechanism occurs when an individual redirects stress into a socially productive activity?
  • What type of theories are based on the idea that our actions are deeply influenced by our unconscious?
  • By what age will both fontanels have hardened into bone?
  • What is it called when a person believes they will fail and therefore does not attempt a task?
  • In experimental research, what is the purpose of an independent variable?
  • What does the vestibular sense primarily help with?
  • Reaction formation involves:
  • A score of 7 on the APGAR scale would indicate what about a baby?
  • Who is known for conducting a pivotal experiment with monkeys regarding attachment?
  • What condition is Ritalin commonly prescribed to treat?
  • Which concept describes when responses to certain stimuli become associated with new stimuli?
  • Which of the following describes a key characteristic of somatic cells?
  • What is the typical age range for the oral stage of development?
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy