1. Which of the following best defines ‘growth’ in the context of child development?
A. Increase in skills and abilities
B. Qualitative changes in behavior
C. Increase in size, height, and weight
D. Emotional and social adjustment
Correct Answer: C. Increase in size, height, and weight
Explanation: Growth refers to quantitative physical changes in the body such as height, weight, and organ size.
2. Development is different from growth because it includes:
A. Only physical changes
B. Only biological maturation
C. A sequence of changes in physical, cognitive, and social domains
D. Changes in weight and height only
Correct Answer: C. A sequence of changes in physical, cognitive, and social domains
Explanation: Development is a broader concept that includes physical, emotional, intellectual, and social changes.
3. During which stage does the child develop symbolic thought and begin to use language?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: B. Preoperational
Explanation: According to Piaget, children in the preoperational stage (2–7 years) begin using symbols and language to represent objects.
4. Which of the following is NOT a major area of development in children?
A. Physical
B. Cognitive
C. Spiritual
D. Social
Correct Answer: C. Spiritual
Explanation: The major areas of development are physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. Spiritual is not universally categorized as a developmental domain in early childhood psychology.
5. At what stage does puberty usually begin?
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Middle childhood
D. Adolescence
Correct Answer: D. Adolescence
Explanation: Puberty, characterized by rapid physical and hormonal changes, typically starts during adolescence (around 10–19 years).
6. Which of the following behaviors is characteristic of the sensorimotor stage?
A. Logical thinking
B. Use of abstract reasoning
C. Object permanence
D. Moral reasoning
Correct Answer: C. Object permanence
Explanation: In Piaget’s sensorimotor stage (0–2 years), infants develop object permanence—understanding that objects exist even when out of sight.
7. Social development in early childhood primarily involves:
A. Developing abstract reasoning
B. Mastering sensorimotor skills
C. Learning to interact and share with peers
D. Experiencing mood swings due to hormones
Correct Answer: C. Learning to interact and share with peers
Explanation: During early childhood (3–6 years), children learn basic social skills like cooperation, sharing, and understanding others’ feelings.
8. Which domain of development includes problem-solving and memory abilities?
A. Physical
B. Cognitive
C. Social
D. Emotional
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive
Explanation: Cognitive development involves mental processes such as attention, memory, logic, reasoning, and problem-solving.
9. What is the approximate age range for Piaget’s concrete operational stage?
A. 2–7 years
B. 7–11 years
C. 11–15 years
D. Birth to 2 years
Correct Answer: B. 7–11 years
Explanation: In the concrete operational stage, children begin to think logically about concrete events.
10. Emotional outbursts, identity exploration, and peer influence are common during:
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Middle childhood
Correct Answer: C. Adolescence
Explanation: Adolescence is marked by identity formation, emotional changes, and a heightened influence of peer groups.
11. Which factor primarily influences physical growth during early childhood?
A. Moral development
B. Nutrition and health
C. Language development
D. Peer pressure
Correct Answer: B. Nutrition and health
Explanation: Adequate nutrition and health care are critical for physical growth in early childhood.
12. The ability to perform logical operations on abstract concepts is a feature of:
A. Preoperational stage
B. Concrete operational stage
C. Sensorimotor stage
D. Formal operational stage
Correct Answer: D. Formal operational stage
Explanation: Piaget’s formal operational stage (from about age 11 onwards) includes the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically.
13. Which age group corresponds to the term ‘middle childhood’?
A. Birth to 2 years
B. 3 to 6 years
C. 6 to 12 years
D. 13 to 19 years
Correct Answer: C. 6 to 12 years
Explanation: Middle childhood spans from age 6 to about 12 years, typically associated with school-going age.
14. Development proceeds from:
A. Specific to general
B. General to specific
C. Vertical to horizontal
D. Abstract to concrete
Correct Answer: B. General to specific
Explanation: In development, children gain control over general movements (e.g., whole arm) before specific ones (e.g., fingers).
15. Erikson’s stage of “Identity vs Role Confusion” occurs during:
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Adulthood
Correct Answer: C. Adolescence
Explanation: Erikson stated that the major task of adolescence is to develop a sense of self or identity.
16. Which is the best example of a gross motor skill?
A. Writing letters
B. Buttoning a shirt
C. Tying shoelaces
D. Jumping rope
Correct Answer: D. Jumping rope
Explanation: Gross motor skills involve large muscle movements like running, jumping, or climbing.
17. Which of the following is a fine motor skill?
A. Crawling
B. Running
C. Catching a ball
D. Drawing a picture
Correct Answer: D. Drawing a picture
Explanation: Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements such as those used in writing or drawing.
18. According to Jean Piaget, at which stage does a child understand the concept of conservation?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: C. Concrete operational
Explanation: Conservation—the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance—is understood during the concrete operational stage.
19. Which of the following is an example of social development during adolescence?
A. Learning to walk
B. Understanding object permanence
C. Developing peer relationships and independence
D. Mastering number operations
Correct Answer: C. Developing peer relationships and independence
Explanation: Adolescents begin to form stronger peer bonds and seek independence from parents, key elements of social development.
20. Which principle of development states that development occurs from head to toe?
A. Proximodistal
B. Orthogenetic
C. Cephalocaudal
D. Sequential
Correct Answer: C. Cephalocaudal
Explanation: The cephalocaudal principle means development starts from the head and progresses toward the feet.
21. Which of the following theorists proposed stages of moral development in children?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Erik Erikson
C. Lawrence Kohlberg
D. Albert Bandura
Correct Answer: C. Lawrence Kohlberg
Explanation: Kohlberg extended Piaget’s ideas and formulated a theory of moral development involving three major levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
22. According to the proximodistal principle of development, children gain control over:
A. Limbs before torso
B. Legs before arms
C. Head before feet
D. Trunk before arms and fingers
Correct Answer: D. Trunk before arms and fingers
Explanation: The proximodistal principle suggests that development proceeds from the center of the body outward.
23. Which developmental milestone is typically achieved during infancy?
A. Symbolic thought
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Walking
D. Hypothetical thinking
Correct Answer: C. Walking
Explanation: Most infants start walking between 9 to 18 months—part of their gross motor development.
24. Which of the following is an indicator of cognitive development in a preschool child?
A. Ability to run
B. Use of pretend play
C. Writing long paragraphs
D. Solving algebraic equations
Correct Answer: B. Use of pretend play
Explanation: Pretend play reflects symbolic thought, an important part of cognitive development in the preoperational stage (2–7 years).
25. Emotional regulation begins to develop during which stage?
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Adulthood
Correct Answer: B. Early childhood
Explanation: During early childhood (3–6 years), children begin learning how to regulate their emotions with adult support.
26. In which developmental stage do children typically begin school and expand their social relationships?
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Middle childhood
D. Adolescence
Correct Answer: C. Middle childhood
Explanation: Middle childhood (6–12 years) is marked by school enrollment and development of friendships beyond the family.
27. Which psychologist introduced the theory of psychosocial development?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Sigmund Freud
C. Erik Erikson
D. Lev Vygotsky
Correct Answer: C. Erik Erikson
Explanation: Erikson proposed 8 stages of psychosocial development, from infancy to old age, focusing on social and emotional conflicts.
28. According to Erikson, the primary conflict in early childhood is:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Correct Answer: B. Initiative vs. Guilt
Explanation: In early childhood, children begin asserting power and control through play and interactions, leading to initiative or feelings of guilt if discouraged.
29. Which of the following factors does NOT influence child development?
A. Heredity
B. Environment
C. Nutrition
D. Superstition
Correct Answer: D. Superstition
Explanation: Heredity, environment, and nutrition are scientifically recognized factors; superstition has no empirical role in child development.
30. What is a major cognitive development task of adolescence?
A. Understanding object permanence
B. Thinking in abstract terms
C. Learning to walk
D. Using telegraphic speech
Correct Answer: B. Thinking in abstract terms
Explanation: Adolescents develop formal operational thought, enabling them to think abstractly and hypothetically.
31. Which is a characteristic of emotional development during adolescence?
A. Attachment to parents only
B. Little emotional fluctuation
C. Identity confusion and mood swings
D. Complete emotional stability
Correct Answer: C. Identity confusion and mood swings
Explanation: Adolescents experience rapid emotional changes and may struggle with identity and self-concept.
32. Which aspect of development helps a child build relationships and interact in society?
A. Physical development
B. Social development
C. Cognitive development
D. Moral development
Correct Answer: B. Social development
Explanation: Social development enables children to build friendships, work cooperatively, and understand social norms.
33. When does the rapid spurt in height and weight typically occur in children?
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Middle adulthood
Correct Answer: C. Adolescence
Explanation: Puberty during adolescence triggers a rapid growth spurt in height and weight.
34. What is the term for a child’s ability to understand another person’s point of view?
A. Egocentrism
B. Centration
C. Conservation
D. Perspective-taking
Correct Answer: D. Perspective-taking
Explanation: Perspective-taking develops around middle childhood, allowing children to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.
35. Which of the following is a key feature of physical development in middle childhood?
A. Onset of menstruation
B. Rapid brain growth
C. Improved fine motor skills
D. Appearance of secondary sexual characteristics
Correct Answer: C. Improved fine motor skills
Explanation: In middle childhood (6–12 years), children refine motor skills such as handwriting, cutting, and drawing.
36. In Vygotsky’s theory, what plays a crucial role in a child’s cognitive development?
A. Biological maturation
B. Social interaction and language
C. Classical conditioning
D. Physical maturation
Correct Answer: B. Social interaction and language
Explanation: Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction and cultural tools, especially language, in cognitive development.
37. Which of the following shows an adolescent’s movement toward independence?
A. Imitating parents
B. Increased attachment to parents
C. Seeking privacy and peer approval
D. Constant supervision by adults
Correct Answer: C. Seeking privacy and peer approval
Explanation: Adolescents often prefer peer relationships, desire independence, and explore their identity.
38. What is the term for the ability to plan ahead and evaluate options, which begins developing during adolescence?
A. Preoperational reasoning
B. Abstract thinking
C. Object permanence
D. Sensorimotor coordination
Correct Answer: B. Abstract thinking
Explanation: Formal operational thinking in adolescence includes the ability to reason about hypothetical situations and plan for the future.
39. What kind of play is common in early childhood and helps social development?
A. Solitary play
B. Parallel play
C. Cooperative play
D. No play at all
Correct Answer: C. Cooperative play
Explanation: Cooperative play involves shared goals and interaction, helping children develop communication and teamwork skills.
40. Which of the following is TRUE about the development process?
A. It is irregular and unpredictable
B. It follows a fixed, linear path for all children
C. It proceeds in a predictable sequence but varies in rate
D. It cannot be studied scientifically
Correct Answer: C. It proceeds in a predictable sequence but varies in rate
Explanation: While developmental stages occur in a sequence, the rate at which children progress through them can vary due to multiple factors.
41. The term “maturation” in development refers to:
A. Learning through experience
B. Growth due to nutrition
C. Unfolding of genetic potential
D. External stimulus-response conditioning
Correct Answer: C. Unfolding of genetic potential
Explanation: Maturation is the genetically determined progression of growth and development, independent of external learning.
42. What is one key difference between growth and development?
A. Growth is qualitative; development is quantitative
B. Development stops after adolescence; growth continues
C. Growth is physical; development includes all areas
D. Growth refers to emotional maturity
Correct Answer: C. Growth is physical; development includes all areas
Explanation: Growth mainly refers to physical changes, whereas development is a broader term encompassing physical, cognitive, social, and emotional areas.
43. Which of the following is a characteristic of cognitive development in adolescence?
A. Egocentric thought
B. Magical thinking
C. Concrete operations
D. Hypothetical-deductive reasoning
Correct Answer: D. Hypothetical-deductive reasoning
Explanation: Adolescents can think abstractly, form hypotheses, and reason logically, as per Piaget’s formal operational stage.
44. Which developmental principle states that development is continuous and orderly?
A. Proximodistal
B. Cephalocaudal
C. General to specific
D. Sequential development
Correct Answer: D. Sequential development
Explanation: Sequential development means that children pass through stages in a predictable order, though the rate may vary.
45. Which of the following is not a fine motor skill?
A. Catching a ball
B. Cutting with scissors
C. Writing with a pencil
D. Buttoning a shirt
Correct Answer: A. Catching a ball
Explanation: Catching a ball involves larger muscle groups and is a gross motor skill.
46. The ability to delay gratification and control impulses begins developing in:
A. Infancy
B. Early childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Late childhood
Correct Answer: B. Early childhood
Explanation: Emotional self-regulation, including delaying gratification, starts developing around preschool years.
47. Which developmental psychologist emphasized the importance of cultural context in development?
A. Erikson
B. Vygotsky
C. Freud
D. Kohlberg
Correct Answer: B. Vygotsky
Explanation: Vygotsky believed that culture and social interaction are essential for cognitive development.
48. The term “zone of proximal development” refers to:
A. The area of the brain where memory is stored
B. A stage between sensorimotor and preoperational thinking
C. The gap between what a child can do alone and with help
D. A stage of puberty
Correct Answer: C. The gap between what a child can do alone and with help
Explanation: Vygotsky’s ZPD identifies tasks a learner can achieve with guidance but not yet independently.
49. Emotional bonding between infant and caregiver is called:
A. Temperament
B. Attachment
C. Affection
D. Socialization
Correct Answer: B. Attachment
Explanation: Attachment is a strong emotional bond developed during infancy, critical for healthy emotional development.
50. In Piaget’s theory, egocentrism is most prominent in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: B. Preoperational
Explanation: Children in the preoperational stage struggle to understand others’ viewpoints and are egocentric in thinking.
51. During adolescence, peers become increasingly important because:
A. Parents no longer provide support
B. Peer approval contributes to identity formation
C. Teachers demand it
D. Cognitive growth slows down
Correct Answer: B. Peer approval contributes to identity formation
Explanation: Adolescents often seek validation and a sense of belonging from peer groups, aiding in self-concept development.
52. Which hormone is primarily responsible for physical changes during adolescence in boys?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Testosterone
D. Oxytocin
Correct Answer: C. Testosterone
Explanation: Testosterone is the principal hormone responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in adolescent boys.
53. Which of the following is an example of social development during middle childhood?
A. Learning to use the toilet
B. Engaging in group games with rules
C. Developing abstract thinking
D. Beginning to talk
Correct Answer: B. Engaging in group games with rules
Explanation: In middle childhood, children enjoy cooperative play involving rules, which strengthens social competence.
54. Puberty is initiated by the activation of:
A. Digestive system
B. Immune system
C. Endocrine system
D. Nervous system
Correct Answer: C. Endocrine system
Explanation: The endocrine system releases hormones (e.g., from pituitary gland) that trigger puberty.
55. What is a major physical milestone during adolescence?
A. Learning to crawl
B. Rapid growth of long bones
C. Learning to speak
D. Object permanence
Correct Answer: B. Rapid growth of long bones
Explanation: Puberty brings about a major growth spurt, including elongation of limbs and skeletal growth.
56. What does the term “developmental milestone” refer to?
A. The peak of physical growth
B. A standard for IQ
C. Observable skills or behaviors at a specific age
D. Highest academic score
Correct Answer: C. Observable skills or behaviors at a specific age
Explanation: Developmental milestones are benchmarks used to assess if a child is developing typically for their age.
57. According to Piaget, children develop the concept of reversibility in the:
A. Sensorimotor stage
B. Preoperational stage
C. Concrete operational stage
D. Formal operational stage
Correct Answer: C. Concrete operational stage
Explanation: Reversibility—understanding that numbers or objects can be changed and returned to their original condition—emerges during concrete operations (7–11 years).
58. What is one key characteristic of adolescence across cultures?
A. Rapid physical changes
B. Start of language development
C. Dependency on parents
D. Lack of self-awareness
Correct Answer: A. Rapid physical changes
Explanation: Regardless of cultural background, adolescence universally includes rapid bodily and hormonal changes.
59. The process by which children learn the values and norms of their culture is called:
A. Civilization
B. Enculturation
C. Socialization
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C. Socialization
Explanation: Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn cultural norms, values, and behaviors.
60. Which of the following stages is typically associated with identity crisis?
A. Early childhood
B. Middle childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Infancy
Correct Answer: C. Adolescence
Explanation: Erikson identified adolescence as the stage of identity vs. role confusion, where individuals explore personal identity.