Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Which of the following supports a stage theory of development?

1. The processes by which people learn new behaviors remain the same at all ages.

2. Children often appear to be in one stage on one occasion and in a different stage on another.

3. As children develop, they proceed in a predictable order through a series of qualitatively different stages.

4. Children's thinking is continually changing, with most of these changes occurring gradually.

The correct answer is: As children develop, they proceed in a predictable order through a series of qualitatively different stages.

The correct answer highlights that as children develop, they move through distinct stages in a predictable sequence, each characterized by unique and qualitatively different cognitive abilities and ways of understanding the world. This concept is a foundational aspect of stage theories, such as those proposed by developmental psychologists like Jean Piaget. These theories suggest that development is not just a matter of accumulating knowledge and skills but involves fundamental changes in how children think and perceive their environment. Recognizing that development occurs in stages implies that there are clear milestones that typically correspond to specific ages or developmental periods. Each stage represents a different approach to thinking and understanding, showcasing both the uniqueness of children's cognitive processes at different ages and the biological and psychological frameworks that guide these changes. The other options do not align with the notion of staged development. The first option suggests that the learning processes remain constant across ages, which contradicts the idea of qualitatively different stages. The second implies inconsistency in stage attainment, which undermines the predictive nature of stage theories. The last option suggests that changes occur gradually rather than through distinct stages, thus opposing the core concept of organized, recognizable phases in development.