AP Psychology Practice Quiz: Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 16 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 16

Which of the following best describes the influence of a teratogen during prenatal development?

A)A nutrient that enhances the development of primary sex characteristics.B)A factor, such as maternal illness, that can negatively influence physical and psychological milestones.C)A reflex, like the rooting reflex, that indicates on-track neurological growth.D)A genetic component that predetermines the timing of the adolescent growth spurt.

All Questions (16)

Which of the following best describes the influence of a teratogen during prenatal development?

A) A nutrient that enhances the development of primary sex characteristics.

B) A factor, such as maternal illness, that can negatively influence physical and psychological milestones.

C) A reflex, like the rooting reflex, that indicates on-track neurological growth.

D) A genetic component that predetermines the timing of the adolescent growth spurt.

Correct Answer: B

Based on the provided content, teratogens are factors, which can include maternal illness, that can negatively influence physical and psychological development before birth.

An infant who automatically turns their head and begins to suck when their cheek is stroked is demonstrating the:

A) grasping reflex.

B) startle reflex.

C) rooting reflex.

D) visual cliff response.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that infant reflexes, like the rooting reflex, indicate on-track physical and psychological development. The behavior described is the definition of the rooting reflex.

The visual cliff apparatus was specifically designed to test an infant's early ability in:

A) fine motor coordination.

B) gross motor coordination.

C) language acquisition.

D) depth perception.

Correct Answer: D

The provided text explicitly states that the visual cliff apparatus is used to demonstrate an early ability in infants to perceive depth.

Which of the following is an example of a secondary sex characteristic that develops during adolescence?

A) Maturation of the testes in males.

B) Development of the ovaries in females.

C) Deepening of the voice in males.

D) Decline in reproductive ability.

Correct Answer: C

Secondary sex characteristics are physical traits that emerge during puberty but are not directly involved in reproduction. A deepening voice is a classic example. Maturation of testes and ovaries are primary sex characteristics.

According to the provided content, physical development in adulthood is most commonly characterized by a general decline in:

A) the ability to form new memories.

B) mobility and sensory acuity.

C) the presence of infant reflexes.

D) the size of primary sex characteristics.

Correct Answer: B

The text specifies that adulthood is characterized by a general decline in reproductive ability, mobility, and sensory acuity.

A child learning to button a shirt is developing fine motor coordination, whereas a child learning to run is developing:

A) a secondary sex characteristic.

B) gross motor coordination.

C) the rooting reflex.

D) depth perception.

Correct Answer: B

Physical development in childhood includes milestones in both fine motor coordination (small muscle movements like buttoning) and gross motor coordination (large muscle movements like running).

The concept of a critical or sensitive period in infancy is particularly important for the development of which skill, suggesting a specific window for optimal learning?

A) Walking

B) Language

C) Puberty

D) Rooting

Correct Answer: B

The content explicitly mentions that critical or sensitive periods in infancy have strong developmental effects, especially for skills like language.

Which of the following best exemplifies the connection between physical development before birth and later mental processes?

A) An adolescent's growth spurt leads to changes in self-perception.

B) An infant's ability to perceive depth allows them to navigate their environment safely.

C) A fetus's exposure to a teratogen leads to cognitive deficits after birth.

D) An older adult's decline in mobility affects their social engagement.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that physical development before birth applies to behavior and mental processes, and that teratogens can influence psychological milestones. A fetus exposed to a harmful substance that later shows cognitive deficits is a direct example of this principle.

Puberty is a key physical milestone in adolescence that encompasses both the growth spurt and the:

A) development of fine and gross motor coordination.

B) emergence of infant reflexes like rooting.

C) development of primary and secondary sex characteristics.

D) decline in sensory acuity and mobility.

Correct Answer: C

The text defines the adolescent physical milestone of puberty as including the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics.

The fact that infants typically gain control over their torso before their hands and fingers demonstrates that physical development:

A) is primarily influenced by teratogens.

B) follows a general order.

C) is complete by the end of childhood.

D) is dependent on the visual cliff.

Correct Answer: B

The content states that physical development in infancy and childhood follows a general order. The example (proximodistal development) illustrates this principle of an orderly, predictable sequence of motor control.

Which statement best contrasts the physical development of adolescence with that of late adulthood?

A) Adolescence involves a decline in mobility, while adulthood involves a growth spurt.

B) Adolescence is marked by the development of reproductive ability, while late adulthood is often marked by its decline.

C) Adolescence is a critical period for language, while adulthood is a critical period for motor skills.

D) Adolescence is when infant reflexes disappear, while adulthood is when they reappear.

Correct Answer: B

This question requires synthesizing information. The content states that adolescence includes puberty (development of sex characteristics) and that adulthood is characterized by a decline in reproductive ability.

The development of ovaries in females and testes in males during puberty are examples of:

A) primary sex characteristics.

B) secondary sex characteristics.

C) gross motor coordination.

D) infant reflexes.

Correct Answer: A

Primary sex characteristics are those directly involved in reproduction. The maturation of ovaries and testes falls into this category, as described in the content on adolescent development.

A psychologist studying how the physical changes of puberty affect an adolescent's decision-making and emotional regulation is investigating the link between:

A) teratogens and prenatal development.

B) infant reflexes and psychological well-being.

C) physical development in adolescence and mental processes.

D) sensory acuity decline and adult behavior.

Correct Answer: C

This scenario directly applies the concept that physical development in adolescence (puberty) has an impact on behavior and mental processes (decision-making, emotional regulation).

An older adult who begins to use reading glasses and turns up the television volume is compensating for the typical age-related decline in:

A) gross motor skills.

B) reproductive ability.

C) infant reflexes.

D) sensory acuity.

Correct Answer: D

The content specifies that adulthood is characterized by a general decline in sensory acuity. Difficulty with vision and hearing are direct examples of this decline.

The presence of infant reflexes at birth and their subsequent integration is seen as a positive indicator because it suggests:

A) the infant has successfully passed through a critical period for language.

B) the infant's physical and psychological development is on-track.

C) the infant is ready for the adolescent growth spurt.

D) the infant has fully developed depth perception.

Correct Answer: B

The content explicitly states that infant reflexes, such as the rooting reflex, are indicators of on-track physical and psychological development. Their presence at the appropriate time is a key developmental sign.

While the development of motor coordination is a key physical milestone of _____, a general decline in mobility is characteristic of ____.

A) adulthood; infancy

B) adolescence; childhood

C) infancy and childhood; adulthood

D) prenatal development; adolescence

Correct Answer: C

This question requires comparing different life stages. The content identifies motor coordination as a milestone of infancy and childhood, and a decline in mobility as a characteristic of adulthood.