Question 1

Charlie Brown of the "Peanuts" cartoon strip is always trying to kick the football; however he never seems to succeed.According to Erikson,Charlie will most likely develop the basic characteristic of
A) guilt.
B) autonomy.
C) inferiority.
D) role confusion.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, during the stage of industry versus inferiority (ages 6-12 years), children become interested in gaining knowledge and skills. If they are given opportunities to succeed and receive recognition for their achievements, they develop a sense of competence and self-esteem. On the other hand, if they are not given these opportunities or encouraged by others, they may develop a sense of inferiority and lack of confidence in their abilities. Charlie Brown's repeated failure to kick the football may lead him to feel inferior and lacking in competence, which is consistent with the characteristic of inferiority in this stage of development.

Question 2

The elementary school-age child who does well in school and who receives praise and support at home will develop what Erikson calls a sense of
A) industry.
B) superiority.
C) generativity.
D) trust.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the elementary school-age child (ages 6-12) navigates the stage of Industry vs. Inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of competence and pride in their abilities when they receive praise and support for their hard work and accomplishments. This sense of industry is essential for building confidence and self-esteem, which will help the child face future challenges. Superiority and generativity are stages that occur later in life, and trust is established in infancy.

Question 3

Typically infants with ____ attachments exhibit little,if any,distress when their mothers leave the room.
A) especially strong
B) secure
C) anxious-ambivalent
D) avoidant

Accepted Answer

Infants with avoidant attachments often exhibit little or no distress when their caregiver leaves the room, indicating a tendency to avoid seeking comfort or contact from them.

Question 4

Stage theories of development assume that
A) individuals progress through specified stages in a particular order because each stage builds on the previous stage.
B) environmental circumstances can sometimes cause individuals to skip stages early on and return to them later.
C) progress through the sequence of stages is not related to age.
D) there are few, if any, discontinuities in development.

Accepted Answer

Stage theories of development propose that individuals go through a specific sequence of stages in a particular order, each building upon the previous stage. This implies that there is a linear direction to development and that individuals must pass through one stage before moving onto the next. This also implies that there is a degree of universality to how individuals develop.

Question 5

Craig is 2 years old,and he likes to put on his own coat and shoes.However,his mother often becomes impatient waiting for him to get ready,and she usually finishes zipping his coat and tying his shoes for him.Based on Erikson's theory,it is likely that Craig will develop
A) a general sense of mistrust.
B) feelings of shame and doubt.
C) a sense of inferiority.
D) feelings of autonomy.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory, if a child's efforts to develop autonomy are not supported, they may develop feelings of shame and doubt about their abilities.

Question 6

Avoidant attachments seem to be ____ common in German infants,and ____ common in Japanese infants,than in American infants.
A) more; more
B) more; less
C) less; more
D) less; less

Accepted Answer

Research on attachment styles across different cultures has shown that avoidant attachments are more common in German infants due to cultural norms that encourage independence, and less common in Japanese infants, where cultural norms emphasize interdependence and closeness.

Question 7

Harlow's research with monkeys raised with two types of artificial mothers found that when frightened,infant monkeys went to the artifical mother that
A) provided food.
B) did not provide food.
C) was made of cloth.
D) was made of wire.

Accepted Answer

Harlow's research found that when frightened, infant monkeys went to the artificial mother that was made of cloth, even if the other artificial mother provided food. This demonstrated that the need for comfort and security (provided by the cloth mother) was more important to the infant monkeys than the need for nourishment (provided by the wire mother).

Question 8

The challenge of learning to function,take personal responsibility for feeding and dressing,marks Erikson's childhood stage of
A) initiative versus guilt.
B) trust versus mistrust.
C) autonomy versus shame and doubt.
D) industry versus inferiority.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt describes the challenge of learning to function independently and take personal responsibility for one's actions, including feeding and dressing oneself. This stage typically occurs during toddlerhood (around 1 to 3 years old).

Question 9

Shawn is concerned with how he compares to his peer group.For example,he is always trying to kick the football farther than his friends and he constantly wonders if he is doing as well in school as the other boys in his second grade class.According to Erikson,Shawn is most likely in the stage of
A) initiative versus guilt.
B) autonomy versus shame and doubt.
C) identity versus role confusion.
D) industry versus inferiority.

Accepted Answer

Shawn's concern with comparing himself to his peers and his desire to do well in school and sports indicate that he is in the stage of industry versus inferiority. This stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 11, is marked by a focus on mastering skills and tasks, as well as a desire for recognition and praise from others. Children who are successful in this stage develop a sense of competence and confidence in themselves, while those who struggle to meet the demands of their environment may develop feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.

Question 10

The challenge of learning to function in society and beyond the family marks Erikson's childhood stage of
A) initiative versus guilt.
B) trust versus mistrust.
C) autonomy versus shame and doubt.
D) industry versus inferiority.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority is characterized by the challenge of learning to function in society beyond the family, where children strive to acquire competence and skills in various areas, leading to a sense of industry. Failure to do so can result in feelings of inferiority.

Question 11

During the third stage of psychosocial development,the crisis that must be resolved is initiative versus guilt.By this Erikson meant that the child must learn
A) who to trust or not trust.
B) how to deal with peers and adults.
C) how to pursue his or her own interests and also get along with others.
D) how to become self-sufficient.

Accepted Answer

During the third stage of psychosocial development, which occurs during ages 3 to 6, children must learn to balance their own urge for independence and pursuing their own interests with the need to cooperate and get along with others. If they are successful in this, they will develop a sense of initiative and confidence. If they fail and feel guilty about their independence-seeking behavior, they may develop a sense of inadequacy and a fear of taking action. Therefore, the correct choice is C, which captures this central theme of the third stage of psychosocial development. The other options (A, B, and D) do not fully capture the specific challenge faced by children in this stage.

Question 12

If an infant's basic biological needs are met by others and sound attachments are formed during the first year of life,the infant will,most likely,successfully resolve the crisis associated with the ____ stage.
A) industry versus inferiority
B) trust versus mistrust
C) autonomy versus shame and doubt
D) initiative versus guilt

Accepted Answer

The crisis associated with the first year of life is trust versus mistrust, according to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. If the infant's basic biological needs are met by responsive caregivers and strong attachments are formed, the infant will develop a sense of trust in others and in the world. This serves as the foundation for later stages of development. Therefore, the best choice is B, trust versus mistrust.

Question 13

Kyler is 9 years old and he likes to draw and paint.However,he doesn't receive very good grades on his art projects and several times his friends have laughed at the pictures Kyler has created.Based on Erikson's theory,it is likely that Kyler will develop
A) feelings of guilt.
B) feelings of inferiority.
C) a sense of despair.
D) a sense of industry.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory of psychosocial development states that during the stage of industry vs. inferiority (which occurs during middle childhood), children develop a sense of competence and skills in tasks such as schoolwork, sports, and artistic endeavors. If Kyler is receiving poor grades and ridicule from his peers, he may develop a sense of inferiority and feel like he is not capable of succeeding in drawing and painting.

Question 14

Assumptions of stage theorists of development include all of the following EXCEPT
A) individuals progress through specified stages in a particular order.
B) each stage builds on the previous stage.
C) progress through stages is strongly related to physical maturation.
D) development is marked by discontinuities that guide in dramatic changes in behavior.

Accepted Answer

Stage theorists do not necessarily focus on physical maturation as a primary factor in the progression through stages. Instead, they tend to emphasize psychological and cognitive changes that drive development.

Question 15

For Erikson,the stage during which toilet training occurs is
A) trust versus mistrust.
B) industry versus inferiority.
C) autonomy versus shame and doubt.
D) initiative versus guilt.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the stage that occurs during toilet training is autonomy versus shame and doubt (age 1-3 years). During this stage, toddlers are learning independence and self-control through their ability to control their bodily functions. Successful toilet training can lead to a sense of autonomy and confidence, while unsuccessful or harsh training can lead to feelings of shame and doubt.

Question 16

The major shortcoming of Erikson's psychosocial stages theory of development is that
A) he failed to look at adult development.
B) he placed too little emphasis on social forces in the development of personality.
C) like many stage theories, it pays little attention to explaining individual differences.
D) it fails to account for continuity in personality development.

Accepted Answer

Like many stage theories, Erikson's theory does not account for individual differences in personality development. This may limit its ability to fully explain variations in development among individuals.

Question 17

Erik Erikson's developmental stages are organized around potential turning points called
A) fixation points.
B) psychosocial crises.
C) developmental tasks.
D) psychosexual crises.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's developmental stages each have a psychosocial crisis or challenge that must be overcome in order to successfully move on to the next stage. These crises are the potential turning points in a person's development. The other answer choices (A, C, and D) are not accurate descriptions of Erikson's stages.

Question 18

Jerry is 8 months old.Based on Erikson's theory of personality development,the fundamental question that Jerry is dealing with at this point in his life is
A) "Is my world predictable and supportive?"
B) "Can I do things myself, or must I always rely on others?"
C) "Am I good or am I bad?"
D) "Am I competent or am I worthless?"

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the stage of infancy (birth to 18 months) is characterized by the fundamental question of "Is my world predictable and supportive?" Infants like Jerry are learning to trust their caregivers and their environment. They are developing a sense of security and dependability in the world around them. Therefore, although B, C, and D are important questions that individuals may struggle with at different stages of development, they are not the primary question for an infant in the first stage of life.

Question 19

Anne is 5 years old,and she likes to help with jobs around the house.Tonight,when she was clearing the dishes from the table,she dropped a stack of plates and broke them all.Her father scolded her and told her that she could help more by staying out of the way and letting her older brothers clear the table.If her father's reaction is typical of the interactions she has with him,Erikson would suggest that Anne is likely to develop
A) feelings of guilt.
B) feelings of inferiority.
C) a general sense of mistrust.
D) a sense of initiative.

Accepted Answer

Anne is likely to develop feelings of guilt because her father's reaction discourages her initiative and makes her feel bad for trying to help.

Question 20

A child who successfully completes stage 1 of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development will acquire
A) an ability to initiate one's own activities.
B) self-sufficiency.
C) a sense of competence.
D) optimism and trust toward the world.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson, during stage 1 (birth to 18 months), children develop a sense of trust when their needs are consistently met by their caregivers. Therefore, a child who successfully completes stage 1 will acquire optimism and trust toward the world. Choice A is associated with stage 2 (18 months to 3 years); choice B is associated with stage 3 (3 to 6 years); and choice C is associated with stage 4 (6 to 12 years).

Quiz 11: Human Development Across the Life Span

Charlie Brown of the "Peanuts" cartoon strip is always trying to kick the football; however he never seems to succeed.According to Erikson,Charlie will most likely develop the basic characteristic of

The elementary school-age child who does well in school and who receives praise and support at home will develop what Erikson calls a sense of

Typically infants with ____ attachments exhibit little,if any,distress when their mothers leave the room.

Stage theories of development assume that

Craig is 2 years old,and he likes to put on his own coat and shoes.However,his mother often becomes impatient waiting for him to get ready,and she usually finishes zipping his coat and tying his shoes for him.Based on Erikson's theory,it is likely that Craig will develop

Avoidant attachments seem to be common in German infants,and common in Japanese infants,than in American infants.

Harlow's research with monkeys raised with two types of artificial mothers found that when frightened,infant monkeys went to the artifical mother that

The challenge of learning to function,take personal responsibility for feeding and dressing,marks Erikson's childhood stage of

Shawn is concerned with how he compares to his peer group.For example,he is always trying to kick the football farther than his friends and he constantly wonders if he is doing as well in school as the other boys in his second grade class.According to Erikson,Shawn is most likely in the stage of

The challenge of learning to function in society and beyond the family marks Erikson's childhood stage of

During the third stage of psychosocial development,the crisis that must be resolved is initiative versus guilt.By this Erikson meant that the child must learn

If an infant's basic biological needs are met by others and sound attachments are formed during the first year of life,the infant will,most likely,successfully resolve the crisis associated with the ____ stage.

Kyler is 9 years old and he likes to draw and paint.However,he doesn't receive very good grades on his art projects and several times his friends have laughed at the pictures Kyler has created.Based on Erikson's theory,it is likely that Kyler will develop

Assumptions of stage theorists of development include all of the following EXCEPT

For Erikson,the stage during which toilet training occurs is

The major shortcoming of Erikson's psychosocial stages theory of development is that

Erik Erikson's developmental stages are organized around potential turning points called

Jerry is 8 months old.Based on Erikson's theory of personality development,the fundamental question that Jerry is dealing with at this point in his life is

A child who successfully completes stage 1 of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development will acquire