SACE Psychology Stage 2: Individual Development — Flashcards & Quiz

Q1: Explain the nature versus nurture debate in psychology.

The nature versus nurture debate concerns the relative contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to human development. Modern psychology recognises that development results from the interaction of both — genes influence predispositions, while environment shapes their expression. Epigenetics demonstrates how environmental factors can alter gene expression without changing DNA sequence.

Q2: Describe Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development.

Piaget proposed four stages: Sensorimotor (0–2 years — object permanence, learning through senses and actions), Preoperational (2–7 years — symbolic thinking, egocentrism, lack of conservation), Concrete Operational (7–11 years — logical thinking about concrete objects, conservation, reversibility) and Formal Operational (11+ years — abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking, systematic problem-solving).

Q3: What are Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development?

Erikson proposed eight stages, each involving a psychosocial crisis: Trust vs Mistrust (0–1), Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt (1–3), Initiative vs Guilt (3–6), Industry vs Inferiority (6–12), Identity vs Role Confusion (12–18), Intimacy vs Isolation (18–40), Generativity vs Stagnation (40–65) and Integrity vs Despair (65+). Successful resolution of each crisis contributes to healthy personality development.

Q4: Explain Bowlby’s attachment theory and its key claims.

Bowlby (1969) proposed that infants have an innate need to form a strong emotional bond (attachment) with a primary caregiver during a critical period (first 2–3 years). Secure attachment provides a "safe base" for exploration and is essential for healthy emotional and social development. Bowlby’s internal working model suggests that early attachment patterns shape expectations for future relationships.

Q5: Describe the attachment types identified by Ainsworth’s Strange Situation.

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation (1970) identified three attachment types: Secure (distressed by separation, comforted by reunion; caregiver is responsive), Insecure-Avoidant (little distress at separation, avoids caregiver on reunion; caregiver is emotionally unavailable) and Insecure-Resistant/Ambivalent (highly distressed at separation, not easily comforted; caregiver is inconsistent). Main and Solomon later added Disorganised attachment (contradictory behaviours; often linked to trauma or abuse).

Q6: What is neuroplasticity and why is it important for development?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It is highest during early childhood (experience-expectant plasticity) but continues into adulthood (experience-dependent plasticity). Neuroplasticity enables learning, memory formation, recovery from brain injury and adaptation to new environments.

Q7: Distinguish between critical periods and sensitive periods in development.

A critical period is a fixed time window during which specific development must occur or will not happen at all (e.g. visual cortex development in the first few years of life). A sensitive period is an optimal time window where development occurs most readily, but can still happen (less efficiently) outside this window (e.g. language acquisition). Both concepts highlight the importance of early experience.

Q8: What is epigenetics and how does it relate to the nature-nurture debate?

Epigenetics studies changes in gene expression caused by environmental factors without altering the DNA sequence itself. Chemical modifications (e.g. DNA methylation) can "switch" genes on or off in response to experiences such as stress, nutrition or trauma. Epigenetics demonstrates that nature and nurture are not independent — the environment can literally reshape how genes are expressed.

Q1: Modern psychology views nature and nurture as completely independent influences on development.

Answer: FALSE

Modern psychology recognises that nature and nurture interact. Epigenetics demonstrates that environmental factors can alter gene expression, and gene-environment interactions show that the same experience can produce different outcomes depending on genotype.

Q2: In Piaget’s theory, the preoperational stage is characterised by the ability to perform abstract hypothetical reasoning.

Answer: FALSE

Abstract hypothetical reasoning is a feature of Piaget’s formal operational stage (11+ years). The preoperational stage (2–7 years) is characterised by symbolic thinking, egocentrism and the inability to conserve.

Q3: Erikson’s Identity vs Role Confusion stage occurs during adolescence (approximately 12–18 years).

Answer: TRUE

Identity vs Role Confusion is Erikson’s fifth stage, occurring during adolescence. The central task is forming a coherent sense of self and personal identity through exploration of roles, values and goals.

Q4: Bowlby proposed that attachment to a primary caregiver must form within the first 5–6 years of life.

Answer: FALSE

Bowlby proposed that the critical period for attachment formation is approximately the first 2–3 years of life, not 5–6 years. He argued that failure to form a secure attachment during this period could have lasting effects on emotional and social development.

Q5: In Ainsworth’s Strange Situation, securely attached infants show little distress when separated from their caregiver.

Answer: FALSE

Securely attached infants typically show distress during separation but are quickly comforted upon the caregiver’s return. It is insecure-avoidant infants who show little distress at separation and tend to avoid the caregiver on reunion.

Nature versus Nurture and Gene-Environment Interaction

The modern understanding is that genes and environment interact to produce developmental outcomes. Epigenetics and gene-environment interaction studies (such as Caspi et al., 2003) demonstrate that neither factor operates in isolation. SACE assessments require you to explain this interaction, not argue for one side.

Cognitive Development (Piaget)

Piaget’s four stages provide a framework for understanding how thinking develops from infancy to adulthood. Being able to describe each stage, identify key abilities and limitations, and critically evaluate the theory (e.g. underestimating children’s abilities, cultural bias) is essential for SACE extended responses.

Attachment Theory (Bowlby and Ainsworth)

Bowlby’s theory of attachment and Ainsworth’s classification of attachment types are foundational knowledge for SACE Psychology. Understanding how early attachment patterns influence later social and emotional development, and knowing the evidence base (Strange Situation, longitudinal studies), is a frequently assessed skill.

Neuroplasticity and Critical/Sensitive Periods

The brain’s capacity to reorganise itself throughout life (neuroplasticity) and the concept of critical and sensitive periods explain why early experiences have lasting effects on development. Maguire et al.’s (2000) taxi driver study and Hubel and Wiesel’s kitten studies are key evidence to know for SACE assessments.

What does SACE Psychology Stage 2 cover on individual development?

This topic covers lifespan development including the nature versus nurture debate, Piaget’s cognitive development stages, Erikson’s psychosocial development stages, Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory, neuroplasticity, critical and sensitive periods, and the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.

Are these flashcards aligned to the SACE Board curriculum?

Yes — every flashcard and quiz question is mapped to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Board Psychology Stage 2 curriculum for the Individual Development topic.

How should I study developmental theories for SACE exams?

Create comparison tables for Piaget and Erikson’s stage theories, noting age ranges, key features and limitations. Use flashcards to memorise attachment types (Ainsworth) and practise applying theories to scenario-based exam questions.