The "nature vs nurture" debate concerns the relative contributions of

Answer: Genes vs environment to behavior Modern view: most psychological traits result from interaction between heredity and environment.

The "stability vs change" debate concerns

Answer: Whether personality and traits remain stable or change over the lifespan Some traits remain stable (temperament); others change (e.g., role-related behavior).

Team X is using which research design?

Answer: Cross-sectional Cross-sectional designs compare participants of different ages at the same point in time, allowing quick estimates of age-related differences but conflating age effects with cohort differences.

AP Psychology · Topic 3.1

Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology Practice

Part of Development and Learning.

Practice questions

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Sample questions

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Sample 1difficulty 2/5
$The "nature vs nurture" debate concerns the relative contributions of$
- A
  $Heredity vs maturation in growth$
- B
  $Stability vs change in traits$
- C
  $Conscious vs unconscious motives$
- D
  $Genes vs environment to behavior$
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Why
$Modern view: most psychological traits result from interaction between heredity and environment.$
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Sample 2difficulty 3/5
$The "stability vs change" debate concerns$
- A
  $Whether early childhood experiences determine adult outcomes$
- B
  $Whether development proceeds in stages or continuously$
- C
  $Whether personality and traits remain stable or change over the lifespan$
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- D
  $Whether genes or environment exert greater behavioral influence$
Why
$Some traits remain stable (temperament); others change (e.g., role-related behavior).$
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Sample 3difficulty 3/5
$Two teams study vocabulary growth. Team X gives a vocabulary test to 200 children aged 4, 6, 8, and 10 in 2025 and compares scores. Team Y gives the same test to 200 four-year-olds in 2025 and retests the same children every two years until 2031. Both teams report age-related vocabulary gains.$
$Team X is using which research design?$
- A
  $Cross-sectional$
  check_circle
- B
  $Longitudinal$
- C
  $Case study$
- D
  $Naturalistic observation$
Why
$Cross-sectional designs compare participants of different ages at the same point in time, allowing quick estimates of age-related differences but conflating age effects with cohort differences.$
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Sample 4difficulty 3/5
$Dr. Reyes shows 4-year-olds two identical glasses with equal amounts of juice. She then pours one glass into a tall, narrow container while the children watch. When asked which has more juice, 78% of the children point to the tall container. When the same children are tested at age 7, only 12% make the same error.$
$Because Dr. Reyes tested the same children at both ages, her design is best described as:$
- A
  $Longitudinal$
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- B
  $Cross-sectional$
- C
  $Cross-sequential$
- D
  $Case study$
Why
$Longitudinal research follows the same participants over time. Cross-sectional designs compare different age groups simultaneously. Cross-sequential combines both. A case study examines one individual or unit in depth.$
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Sample 5difficulty 3/5
$The "continuity vs stages" debate asks whether development is$
- A
  $Whether traits remain stable or shift across the lifespan$
- B
  $Gradual and continuous OR proceeds in distinct stages$
  check_circle
- C
  $Whether nature unfolds independently of cultural influence$
- D
  $Whether genes or environment shape behavior more strongly$
Why
$Many theorists (Piaget, Erikson, Kohlberg) propose stage theories; others see continuous change.$
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