Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan - AP Psychology

1. What is the term for the process of incorporating new experiences into existing schemas?

   Assimilation. Fitting new information into existing cognitive frameworks without changing them.

2. What is the term for the mental frameworks that organize and interpret information?

   Schemas. Basic cognitive structures that help organize and understand new information.

3. What is the primary developmental task in Erikson's stage of 'Trust vs. Mistrust'?

   Developing trust in caregivers. Fundamental task in first year involving caregiver reliability and security.

4. Which psychologist proposed the eight stages of psychosocial development?

   Erik Erikson. Theorist who emphasized psychosocial crises across the entire lifespan.

5. What is the primary focus of cognitive development during adolescence according to Piaget?

   Abstract and hypothetical reasoning. Formal operational abilities enabling complex problem-solving and theoretical thinking.

6. Which type of reasoning involves making predictions based on hypothetical situations?

   Hypothetical-deductive reasoning. Systematic approach to testing possibilities characteristic of formal operations.

7. What is Piaget's first stage of cognitive development?

   Sensorimotor stage. First stage (0-2 years) where infants learn through sensory experiences and motor actions.

8. Which stage of Erikson's psychosocial development involves the challenge of 'Intimacy vs. Isolation'?

   Young adulthood. Erikson's sixth stage focusing on forming intimate relationships versus isolation.

9. What is the key characteristic of moral reasoning at Kohlberg's pre-conventional level?

   Focus on consequences and self-interest. Earliest moral level based on avoiding punishment and gaining rewards.

10. What is the main focus of Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

    Moral reasoning. Kohlberg's theory examines how moral thinking develops through distinct stages.

11. What cognitive milestone is achieved during Piaget's formal operational stage?

    Abstract thinking. Major cognitive advancement allowing reasoning about ideas and possibilities.

12. Define Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

    Difference between what a learner can do without help and with help. Gap between current ability and potential with guidance from skilled others.

13. Identify the hallmark cognitive ability developed in the concrete operational stage.

    Conservation. Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance.

14. During which Piagetian stage do children begin to think abstractly?

    Formal operational stage. Final Piagetian stage (age 11+) enabling hypothetical and abstract reasoning.

15. Which stage of cognitive development is characterized by the development of logical thought about concrete events?

    Concrete operational stage. Third Piagetian stage enabling systematic and logical problem-solving abilities.

16. What is the term for a child's understanding of the principles of conservation?

    Conservation. Understanding that physical properties remain constant despite superficial changes.

17. What concept refers to a child's difficulty in seeing the world from another's perspective?

    Egocentrism. Characteristic limitation of preoperational thinking, gradually diminishes with age.

18. Define 'scaffolding' in the context of cognitive development.

    Support provided to promote learning and development. Temporary assistance that helps learners achieve tasks within their ZPD.

19. What is the term for the inability to see the world from others' perspectives, typical in early childhood?

    Egocentrism. Cognitive limitation gradually overcome during concrete operational development.

20. Define 'decentring' in the context of Piaget's stages of development.

    Ability to consider multiple aspects of a situation. Cognitive shift allowing focus on multiple dimensions rather than single features.

21. What is the process called when children adjust their schemes to take new information into account?

    Accommodation. Modifying existing schemas when new information doesn't fit current understanding.

22. Which type of play involves children engaging in similar activities but without direct interaction?

    Parallel play. Common in early childhood, shows developing social awareness without cooperation.

23. Which stage in Erikson's theory involves the challenge of 'Generativity vs. Stagnation'?

    Middle adulthood. Erikson's seventh stage focused on contributing to society versus self-absorption.

24. During which stage of Piaget's theory does hypothetical-deductive reasoning develop?

    Formal operational stage. Advanced reasoning involving systematic hypothesis testing and abstract logic.

25. Identify the cognitive ability to mentally manipulate information, developed in the formal operational stage.

    Abstract reasoning. Mental manipulation of concepts, hypotheses, and abstract relationships.

26. What is the primary focus of Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development?

    Social interaction. Emphasizes cultural tools and collaborative learning over individual discovery.

27. What age range is associated with Erikson's 'Industry vs. Inferiority' stage?

    6 to 11 years. School-age period where children develop competence and mastery of skills.

28. What is a critical cognitive skill developed during the sensorimotor stage?

    Object permanence. Key milestone showing cognitive advancement beyond simple sensory-motor responses.

29. Identify the Piagetian stage where children understand the concept of reversibility.

    Concrete operational stage. Stage where logical operations and understanding of reversible processes develop.

30. At what age does Piaget's preoperational stage begin?

    Around age 2. Begins when sensorimotor stage ends and symbolic thinking emerges.

31. What is the term for the ability to understand that objects exist even when not seen?

    Object permanence. Major achievement of sensorimotor stage, typically develops around 8-12 months.

32. At what age does Piaget's formal operational stage typically begin?

    Around age 11. Beginning of adolescence when abstract and hypothetical thinking emerges.

33. Identify the Piagetian concept where children are unable to differentiate between their perspective and others'.

    Egocentrism. Central limitation preventing perspective-taking in early childhood development.

34. What is the term for the belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities?

    Animism. Preoperational thinking characteristic where children attribute life to inanimate objects.

35. What is the primary challenge in Erikson's stage of 'Integrity vs. Despair'?

    Reflecting on one's life and feeling a sense of fulfillment or regret. Final psychosocial stage in late adulthood, evaluating life's meaning and accomplishments.

36. Which Piagetian stage is marked by the child's ability to consider multiple aspects of a situation?

    Concrete operational stage. Cognitive advancement enabling consideration of different perspectives and variables.

37. What is the primary developmental challenge in Erikson's 'Identity vs. Role Confusion' stage?

    Developing a personal identity. Adolescent crisis involving forming stable sense of self versus confusion.

38. At what age range does Piaget's concrete operational stage occur?

    7 to 11 years. Third stage where logical thinking about concrete objects and events emerges.

39. What cognitive ability is characterized by the use of symbols in the preoperational stage?

    Symbolic thinking. Ability to use words, images, and symbols to represent objects and ideas.

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