Developmental tasks Practice Questions
21 free Developmental tasks practice questions for the CDP. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
According to Havighurst's theory, what defines a developmental task?
- A A fixed personality trait that is determined entirely at birth
- B A stage skill that must be mastered for later success
- C An ability that emerges only through formal education
- D A goal set arbitrarily by society
Correct answer: A stage skill that must be mastered for later success
Havighurst defined a developmental task as one that arises at a certain period of life, and successful achievement leads to happiness and success with later tasks.
Which of the following is a developmental task for infancy and early childhood (birth to about 5–6 years)?
- A Learning to read and write
- B Establishing occupational goals
- C Learning to walk and talk
- D Choosing a life partner
Correct answer: Learning to walk and talk
During infancy and early childhood, basic physical and language skills like walking and talking are key developmental tasks.
In middle childhood (ages roughly 6–12), which developmental task is expected according to Havighurst’s model?
- A Learning to control elimination of body wastes
- B Learning physical skills for ordinary games
- C Establishing mature romantic relationships
- D Adjusting to menopause
Correct answer: Learning physical skills for ordinary games
One of the tasks in middle childhood is learning physical skills necessary for ordinary games, according to Havighurst.
Why does failing to achieve a developmental task at its appropriate stage pose problems later in life?
- A Because such tasks become completely irrelevant after that period
- B Because it brings unhappiness, disapproval and later difficulty
- C Because later tasks are easier
- D Because maturation halts completely
Correct answer: Because it brings unhappiness, disapproval and later difficulty
Havighurst argued that failure to master age-appropriate tasks could result in unhappiness, social disapproval, and hinder success in subsequent tasks.
Which of the following is one of the three sources of developmental tasks according to Havighurst?
- A Parental preferences
- B Physical maturation
- C Media influence
- D Economic status
Correct answer: Physical maturation
Havighurst identified physical maturation as one of the three sources of developmental tasks — tasks arising from biological growth.
During adolescence, a key developmental task is:
- A Learning to take solid foods
- B Learning basic reading and writing skills
- C Establishing a sense of personal identity
- D Preparing for retirement
Correct answer: Establishing a sense of personal identity
Adolescence involves identity development — forming a sense of self and personality — a fundamental developmental task at that stage.
Which of these tasks belongs to middle childhood rather than infancy or adolescence?
- A Learning to talk
- B Developing moral values and conscience
- C Adjusting to sexual maturity
- D Choosing an occupation
Correct answer: Developing moral values and conscience
Developing a conscience, morality, and a scale of values is listed among the tasks for middle childhood in Havighurst’s model.
In the context of developmental tasks, societal pressures contribute to tasks such as:
- A Tooth development
- B Learning to read and write
- C Puberty onset
- D Personal value formation
Correct answer: Learning to read and write
Learning skills like reading and writing is considered a developmental task arising from societal expectations.
Which developmental stage in Havighurst’s model is concerned with preparing for occupation and selecting a partner?
- A Middle childhood
- B Adolescence
- C Early adulthood
- D Later maturity
Correct answer: Early adulthood
Early adulthood is the stage where tasks include securing occupation and choosing a life partner.
Which is *not* typically considered a developmental task during infancy and early childhood?
- A Controlling elimination of body wastes
- B Learning sex differences and modesty
- C Learning abstract reasoning
- D Getting ready to read
Correct answer: Learning abstract reasoning
Abstract reasoning develops much later, not in infancy/early childhood; early tasks are basic motor, language, and early social skills.
What does achieving a developmental task in middle childhood often contribute to?
- A Better performance in infancy skills
- B A foundation for future social and academic competence
- C Immediate independence from family
- D Career success in old age
Correct answer: A foundation for future social and academic competence
Successful completion of tasks like reading, social values, moral development in middle childhood sets a foundation for later competence academically and socially.
Which developmental task is commonly associated with adolescence beyond physical changes?
- A Learning basic motor skills
- B Forming same-sex friendships only
- C Developing abstract thinking and decision-making abilities
- D Controlling elimination of body wastes
Correct answer: Developing abstract thinking and decision-making abilities
Adolescence involves cognitive maturation — development of abstract thinking, decision-making, problem-solving and future planning.
According to the developmental tasks concept, why is cultural context relevant?
- A Because maturation happens at different ages biologically
- B Because society and culture influence what skills are expected at certain ages
- C Because only culture defines all tasks
- D Because culture determines genetic growth
Correct answer: Because society and culture influence what skills are expected at certain ages
Cultural and societal expectations influence which tasks are relevant at a certain age — given tasks like reading, role behavior, and citizenship depend on social context.
Which of the following is a likely consequence of failing to master developmental tasks in adolescence according to developmental task theory?
- A Noticeably better psychosocial adjustment throughout adulthood
- B Difficulty forming identity and social relationships later
- C Greater physical strength
- D Enhanced early childhood skills
Correct answer: Difficulty forming identity and social relationships later
Failure to achieve tasks in adolescence—such as identity formation, independence, social relationships—can hinder later psychosocial adjustment.
Which of these is considered a psychological source of developmental tasks in Havighurst’s theory?
- A Sexual maturation
- B Personal values and aspirations (e.g. career choice)
- C Learning to read mandated by school
- D Learning physical motor skills
Correct answer: Personal values and aspirations (e.g. career choice)
Tasks arising from personal values and individual aspirations, like choosing an occupation or forming a worldview, are psychological sources.
During middle childhood, mastering which task helps a child adjust to social expectations?
- A Learning to take solid foods
- B Learning appropriate masculine or feminine social role
- C Choosing a spouse
- D Adjusting to retirement
Correct answer: Learning appropriate masculine or feminine social role
Adopting culturally acceptable social/gender roles is part of middle childhood developmental tasks in many societies as per Havighurst.
How does the concept of 'teachable moments' relate to developmental tasks?
- A They are fixed ages at which no meaningful learning is possible
- B Periods when a child is mature enough to learn a task
- C They imply tasks can be delayed indefinitely
- D They are unrelated to development
Correct answer: Periods when a child is mature enough to learn a task
Havighurst described sensitive periods or teachable moments during which individuals are mature enough to acquire tasks appropriate for that stage.
Which statement aligns with developmental tasks theory regarding human development across life span?
- A Development ends after adolescence
- B Development is continuous and involves tasks at all life stages
- C Only childhood is important for development
- D Tasks are identical across all ages
Correct answer: Development is continuous and involves tasks at all life stages
Havighurst’s model covers the entire life span with different tasks appropriate for each stage, indicating continuous development.
Which task is most likely to belong to early adulthood rather than adolescence or middle age?
- A Developing moral values
- B Establishing a career and financial independence
- C Learning to read
- D Adjusting to retirement
Correct answer: Establishing a career and financial independence
Early adulthood tasks typically include establishing an occupation and achieving financial/career independence.
What domain(s) do developmental tasks typically cover?
- A Only physical development
- B Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains
- C Only social behavior
- D Only intellectual skills
Correct answer: Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains
Developmental tasks can be physical, cognitive, social, or emotional — reflecting biopsychosocial development across life stages.
Which of these is least likely to be considered a universal developmental task across all cultures, according to the theory’s cultural sensitivity?
- A Learning to walk
- B Developing gender role behavior
- C Learning basic motor control
- D Developing personal moral values
Correct answer: Developing gender role behavior
Tasks like adopting specific gender-role behaviors may vary significantly across cultures; not every culture defines gender roles the same way.