Theoretical Issues in Development Answers

Psychologists who favor the theory of continuous development tend to refer to stage theories of development as “discontinuous.”

Which of the following statements concerning the debate between personality change and stability is not correct?A.Research indicates that some aspects of personality change while other aspects appear to remain stable. B.Changes in personality are found throughout childhood and in adolescence. C.Personality is more malleable before one reaches adulthood. D.An infant’s personality provides a solid basis for determining what their personality will be later.

Research indicates that stage theories are more accurate than developmental theories when it comes to assessing developmental changes.

When a psychologist claims that developmental processes occur rapidly and are marked by distinct periods, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development?A.stableB.stageC.continuityD.fluid

Over the course of an individual’s life, personality is __________.A.remarkably stable in the long termB.constantly changing between stagesC.impossible to reliably measureD.capable of both change and stability

Which personality trait appears to be stable over the course of a person’s life?A.neuroticismB.malfeasanceC.conscientiousnessD.agreeableness

When a psychologist claims that experience and learning are key elements in initiating developmental changes, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development? A.stableB.stageC.continuityD.fluid

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.Brooke, who believes in continuous human development, is reading a paper on famous psychologist Erik Erikson. In Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, children aged 3 to 5 years old struggle with becoming responsible for beginning tasks. Since Brooke believes in continuous human development, which of the following statements would she agree with?A.Children may begin their struggle with responsibility earlier than age 3 or later than age 5.B.Children are likely to have biological development that allows for this stage to occur.C.Children will resolve their issues with taking responsibility before they reach age 6.D.Children will complete their struggle with responsibility before they move onto the next stage.

If development does not occur in stages, then it is likely that development can be described as __________.A.continuousB.discontinuousC.discreteD.incremental

Temperament is an aspect of personality that often changes throughout someone’s life.