LMSW Human Development Theories Questions and Answers Flashcards

According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD) refers to:

Answer: The gap between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with guidance

The ZPD is the distance between a learner's actual developmental level and their potential level when assisted by a more capable person.

Erik Erikson's stage of 'Generativity vs. Stagnation' is primarily associated with which life phase?

Answer: Middle adulthood

Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs in middle adulthood, focusing on contributing to society and guiding the next generation.

In Bowlby's attachment theory, which attachment pattern is characterized by a child who shows distress when the caregiver leaves but is not easily comforted upon return?

Answer: Anxious-ambivalent attachment

Anxious-ambivalent (resistant) attachment involves both distress at separation and difficulty being soothed upon reunion, reflecting inconsistent caregiving.

Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory identifies the 'mesosystem' as:

Answer: Direct interactions between two or more settings containing the child

The mesosystem comprises the interactions and linkages between two or more microsystems in which the child actively participates, such as home-school connections.

According to Jean Piaget, a child in the 'concrete operational stage' is best characterized by the ability to:

Answer: Understand conservation and classify objects by multiple dimensions

During the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11), children master conservation tasks and can classify objects by more than one attribute simultaneously.

Kohlberg's 'postconventional' level of moral development is best represented by which behavior?

Answer: Making moral decisions based on universal ethical principles

Postconventional morality involves reasoning based on self-chosen ethical principles that may transcend societal laws, representing the highest level of moral development.