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Study Guide for Final Exam
Honors Human Development
1. Basic Outline of the Exam: The exam is a 150-point exam, 100 points of which will focus on
the second part of the course. This part of the exam includes 10 multiple-choice questions (each
worth 2 points), 5 required 10-point short answer questions (no choices here), and 1 essay
question (worth 30 points). There also will be one integrative essay question worth 50 points.
2. Advice about the integrative essay question:
The integrative essay question will ask you to apply multiple theories and research topics
we have gone over throughout the semester to a particular case study or vignette. For each
theory, you will need to discuss the conceptual underpinnings of the theory as well as research
findings that support that theory and can be applied to the case. Here is a nonexhaustive list of
theories with which you should familiar:
 Attachment theory and research
 Theory and research on socialization during early and mid-childhood (particularly
Hoffman and Baumrind)
 Social domain theory of social development in childhood and adolescence
(Smetana, Turiel, etc.)
 Erikson’s theory of lifespan development
 Jung’s theory of psychosocial and emotional development
 Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
 Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development
 Chomsky’s theory of language learning
3. The following is a list of topics that will be emphasized on questions on the exam pertaining
to the second part of the course. I have starred issues of particular importance.
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The argument between the Behaviorists and Chomsky concerning language
learning. The criticisms Chomsky pointed out about the behaviorist position in
terms of explaining language learning. 6. Piaget’s general model of cognitive
development. How children learn and grow cognitively according to Piaget.
The sensorimotor stage of cognitive development, Piaget’s view on object
permanence and its development, and challenges to Piaget’s theory of cognitive
development during the sensorimotor and preoperational stages from Nativists
like Biallergeon, Spelke, and Gelman.
The sequence and details of language development during early childhood.
Vygotsky’s basic views on cognitive development. What the role of cultural
signs are in cognitive development, how children should be taught, and what
scaffolding is and how it exemplifies Vygotsky’s ideas.
Pubertal changes during adolescence and how puberty effects boys and girls
Piaget’s final stage of cognitive development during adolescence – implications
of cognitive development for social-cognitive functioning in adolescence
(Elkind’s ideas about the nature of adolescent social-cognitive reasoning)*
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Theory and research (Marcia’s research) on identity development in adolescence
(mentioned in your book but not discussed in class)
The nature of physical development in young adulthood and physical health
problems or issues of concern to young adults
Nature of postformal thought and emotional intelligence- what those terms mean,
how they are defined and conceptualized
Formation of intimate relationships in young adulthood – Sternberg’s triangular
theory of love*
Physical changes associated with middle adulthood and health concerns of
middle-aged adults
Jung’s theory of adult midlife development and Vaillant and Levinson’s research
that supports Jung’s theory*
Erikson’s theory of midlife adult development (generativity vs. stagnation) and
research that supports an Eriksonian model*
Physical changes associated with late adulthood and health concerns facing late
adults
Psychosocial challenges facing older adults (integrity vs. despair, the
development of wisdom) and how those challenges are depicted in the movie,
Wild Strawberries*