All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources
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?
None of these answers
Authoritarian
Permissive-Indulgent
Authoritative
Permissive-Uninvolved
Authoritarian
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 #1 : 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?
Permissive-Indulgent
Permissive-Uninvolved
None of these answers
Authoritative
Authoritarian
Permissive-Indulgent
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 #1 : Lifespan Development
According to the Denver Developmental Screening Test, a child should develop which of the following motor skills at approximately eight months old?
Make a tower of two cubes
Kick a ball
Grasp a piece of cereal in thumb and finger
Scribble
Walk
Grasp a piece of cereal in thumb and finger
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 : Lifespan Development
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?
Grasp
Babinski
Moro
Rooting
Babinski
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 #3 : Physical & Motor
Reflexes occur after particular parts of the body are stimulated. Which of the following body parts and infant reflexes is correctly matched?
Rooting and cheeks
Moro and hands
Grasping and toes
Babinski and ears
Rooting and cheeks
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 #3 : Lifespan Development
What motor movement is an infant expected to be able to do around the same time the child develops a social smile?
Crawl
Lift head up while lying on his or her back (prone)
Sit without assistance
Walk without assistance
Lift head up while lying on his or her back (prone)
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 #4 : Lifespan Development
At 4-6 months of age, an infant is expected to be able to do/exhibit all of the following except:
Smile socially
Crawl on hands and knees
Sit unassisted
Recognize familiar people
Crawl on hands and knees
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 #5 : Lifespan Development
An infant can show separation anxiety at the same time period they are expected to be able to:
say 5 or more words
walk unassisted
draw a square
throw unassisted
walk unassisted
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 #2 : Lifespan Development
At 1.5 years of age, a child is expected to be able to
Copy a circle
Catch a ball with two hands
Use about 250 words
Stack 3 blocks
Stack 3 blocks
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 #6 : Lifespan Development
A child is expected to have imaginary companions at the same age they are expected to be able to:
Copy a square
Tie their shoelaces
Hop on one foot
Read
Hop on one foot
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.