AP Psychology Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Who studied psychosocial development across the lifespan?

Kohlberg
Piaget
Marcia
Erikson

The correct answer is: Erikson

The study of psychosocial development across the lifespan is primarily attributed to Erik Erikson. Erikson proposed a theory consisting of eight stages that individuals go through from infancy to late adulthood, each characterized by a specific psychological conflict that must be resolved. His stages emphasize the importance of social relationships and the development of identity throughout different periods of life, highlighting how experiences in earlier stages can influence later development. This framework has been instrumental in understanding both individual growth and societal influences on personality and behavior. In contrast, the other figures listed focus on different aspects of development. Lawrence Kohlberg is known for his work on moral development, particularly the stages of moral reasoning. Jean Piaget concentrated on cognitive development in children, outlining how thinking evolves as children interact with their environment. James Marcia is recognized for his research on identity development specifically during adolescence, which builds on Erikson's concepts but does not encompass the entire lifespan. Therefore, Erikson is indeed the most fitting choice for the study of psychosocial development across all stages of life.