GRE Subject Test: Psychology : Lifespan Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Lifespan Development

A parent sets rigid rules and demands obedience. They may use physical force, verbal insults or withdrawal of attention or love as motivators. They lack the warmth of other parents. According to Baumrind, this parent is using which parenting style?

Possible Answers:

Permissive-Uninvolved

Permissive-Indulgent

Authoritarian

None of these answers

Authoritative

Correct answer:

Authoritarian

Explanation:

Remember that authoritarian, not authoritative, refers to this style of parenting. Here's a bad rhyme to remember the difference: "Authoritarian is scaring friends and fairly tense. Authoritative is stimulative and facultative". The other parenting styles have permissive in the name, which should tip you off that neither of them will be a strict parenting style. 

Example Question #2 : Lifespan Development

A parent is warm and loving to their child. They are very affectionate, and rarely punish their offspring. In fact, they almost never set limits or boundaries, and never dole out punishments. This parent is exhibiting which of Baumrind's parenting styles?

Possible Answers:

Authoritarian

Permissive-Uninvolved

None of these answers

Authoritative

Permissive-Indulgent

Correct answer:

Permissive-Indulgent

Explanation:

This can be worked out logically, even without knowledge of Baumrind's four parenting styles. The parent is permissive but not uninvolved. The parent does not display much authority. However, the parent is clearly permissive and indulgent. 

Example Question #3 : Lifespan Development

According to the Denver Developmental Screening Test, a child should develop which of the following motor skills at approximately eight months old?

Possible Answers:

Make a tower of two cubes

Grasp a piece of cereal in thumb and finger

Kick a ball

Walk

Scribble

Correct answer:

Grasp a piece of cereal in thumb and finger

Explanation:

According to the Denver Developmental Screening Test, which is a widely used screening test to detect problems in the development of children from birth to six years of age, a child should be able use use their thumb and finger to grasp or pinch a piece of cereal at eight months of age. After one year of age the child should be able to walk, scribble, make a tower of two cubes, and kick a ball. 

Example Question #2 : Physical & Motor

A mother tickles her newborn baby's foot, causing the baby's big toe to extend upwards while the other toes fan out. This best describes which of the following reflexes?

Possible Answers:

Rooting

Grasp 

Babinski 

Moro 

Correct answer:

Babinski 

Explanation:

The question describes the Babinski reflex. It is present at birth and will continue until the infant reaches approximately two years of age.

Example Question #1 : Lifespan Development

Reflexes occur after particular parts of the body are stimulated. Which of the following body parts and infant reflexes is correctly matched?

Possible Answers:

Rooting and cheeks

Grasping and toes

Moro and hands

Babinski and ears

Correct answer:

Rooting and cheeks

Explanation:

The correct answer is “rooting and cheeks.” The rooting reflex involves the infant turning its head after its cheek is stimulated. The Moro reflex is also called the startle reflex because the infant extends its arms and limbs after being startled. The Babinski reflex happens when an infant's foot is rubbed and its toes fan out. Last, the grasping reflex occurs when a finger or object is put in an infant's hand. 

Example Question #4 : Lifespan Development

What motor movement is an infant expected to be able to do around the same time the child develops a social smile?

Possible Answers:

Lift head up while lying on his or her back (prone)

Sit without assistance

Crawl 

Walk without assistance

Correct answer:

Lift head up while lying on his or her back (prone)

Explanation:

Infants are expected to be able to lift their head, smile socially, and coo between the age of 1-3 months. Infants begin to crawl between 7-11 months. Infants start walking between 12-15 months. Lastly, infants can begin to sit unassisted between 4-6 months. 

Example Question #5 : Lifespan Development

At 4-6 months of age, an infant is expected to be able to do/exhibit all of the following except:

Possible Answers:

Smile socially

Recognize familiar people

Crawl on hands and knees

Sit unassisted

Correct answer:

Crawl on hands and knees

Explanation:

An infant is not expected to be able to crawl until 7-11 months, where they are also expected to show stranger anxiety, use gestures, and imitate sounds. The rest of the listed behaviors are typical of an infant between 4-6 months. 

Example Question #3 : Lifespan Development

An infant can show separation anxiety at the same time period they are expected to be able to:

Possible Answers:

say 5 or more words

walk unassisted

throw unassisted

draw a square

Correct answer:

walk unassisted

Explanation:

An infant is expected to be able to walk unassisted, can show separation anxiety, and say their first words (not necessarily 5 new words) at 12-15 months. By 1.5 years (18 months) of age, a toddler is expected to say around 10 words and throw a ball. A child is expected to be able to copy a square around age 5.

Example Question #6 : Lifespan Development

At 1.5 years of age, a child is expected to be able to

Possible Answers:

Stack 3 blocks

Catch a ball with two hands

Use about 250 words

Copy a circle

Correct answer:

Stack 3 blocks

Explanation:

At 1.5 years of age, a child is expected to be able to stack 3 blocks and use about 10 individual words. A toddler can say around 250 words by the age of 2. Secondly, a child is expected to be able to copy a circle by the age of 3. Lastly, a child is expected to catch a ball with two hands by the age of 5.

Example Question #7 : Lifespan Development

A child is expected to have imaginary companions at the same age they are expected to be able to:

Possible Answers:

Tie their shoelaces

Copy a square

Hop on one foot

Read

Correct answer:

Hop on one foot

Explanation:

A child normally, if applicable, begins having imaginary companions at 4 years of age. During this time they are also expected to be able to hop on one foot, copy a cross, play cooperatively with other children, and express themselves clearly verbally. A child is not expected to be able to copy a square until age 5. Children learn to tie shoelaces and read by the age of 6. 

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