Life-span Development
Final Exam Questions
The exam will consist of one of the following five questions. On the exam you will be
limited to three written pages so make sure to be precise and eliminate unnecessary
elaborations. The exam will be administered Monday, December 8th at 4:30 PM.
1.) Throughout the semester we examined issues in lifespan development from the
perspective of determining if difficulties faced at various points in life are clinical versus
developmental. Please describe three issues faced through life that fits in to this question
and then provide evidence supporting each possibility (clinical or developmental) for
each of the three issues based on our class discussions and readings.
2.) One of the most fundamental questions faced by adolescent developmental
researchers is whether the “Storm and Stress” of adolescence is a phenomena experienced
only by Western adolescents or is the “Storm and Stress” of adolescence a phenomena
experienced by adolescents in all cultures. Please provide three elaborate examples from
our readings, class lectures, discussions, and student presentations supporting each side of
the argument. (Three examples for universality and three for culture)
3.) Describe Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Additionally, when you
describe his theory of identity vs. role confusion provide an elaboration on Marcia’s four
identity statuses. Finally, provide an example for each of Erikson’s stages of how the
theory translates into practical application based on our readings, class lectures,
discussions, and student presentations.
4.) During the semester we examined many aspects of an individual’s social network.
Please provide a detailed examination of the history of theory and research regarding
social relationships including changes that have occurred in recent times. Once you are
done with the history of social relations in general, provide a more detailed account of
current research on the relationship with mother, father, siblings, romantic partners,
friends, and peers.
5.) The traditional notion of development, exemplified by the cognitive theory of Piaget
and the psychoanalytic theory of Freud, has been reexamined by the modern life-span
theory of development. This new life-span perspective, led by researcher Paul Baltes,
proposes ten components to development. Please examine in detail each of the
components and provide two examples for each of the components from our readings,
class lectures, discussions, and student presentations.