Human Growth and Development
Description of the Examination
The Human Growth and Development examination (Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood, and Aging) covers material that is generally taught in a one-semester introductory course in developmental psychology or human development. An understanding of the major theories and research related to the broad categories of physical development, cognitive development, and social development is required, as is the ability to apply this knowledge.
The examination contains approximately 90 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. Some of them are pretest questions that will not be scored. Any time candidates spend on tutorials and providing personal information is in addition to the actual testing time.
Knowledge and Skills Required
Questions on the Human Growth and Development examination require candidates to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities.
- Knowledge of basic facts and terminology
- Understanding of generally accepted concepts and principles
- Understanding of theories and recurrent developmental issues
- Applications of knowledge to particular problems or situations
The subject matter of the Human Growth and Development examination is drawn from the following categories. For each category, several key words and phrases identify topics with which candidates should be familiar. The percentages next to the main categories indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions on that topic.
| 10% |
|
Theoretical Perspectives
- Cognitive developmental
- Evolutionary
- Learning
- Psychodynamic
- Social cognitive
- Sociocultural
|
| 5% |
|
Research Strategies and Methodology
- Case study
- Correlational
- Cross-sectional
- Cross sequential
- Experimental
- Longitudinal
- Observational
|
| 10% |
|
Biological Development Throughout the Life Span
- Development of the brain and nervous system
- Heredity, genetics, and genetic testing
- Hormonal influences
- Influences of drugs
- Motor development
- Nutritional influences
- Perinatal influences
- Physical growth and maturation, aging
- Prenatal influences
- Sexual maturation
- Teratogens
|
| 7% |
|
Perceptual Development Throughout the Life Span
- Sensitive periods
- Sensorimotor activities
- Sensory acuity
- Sensory deprivation
|
| 12% |
|
Cognitive Development Throughout the Life Span
- Attention
- Environmental influences
- Executive function
- Expertise
- Information processing
- Memory
- Piaget, Jean
- Play
- Problem solving and planning
- Thinking
- Vygotsky, Lev
- Wisdom
|
| 8% |
|
Language Development
- Bilingualism
- Development of syntax
- Environmental, cultural, and genetic influences
- Language and thought
- Pragmatics
- Semantic development
- Vocalization and sound
|
| 4% |
|
Intelligence Throughout the Life Span
- Concepts of intelligence and creativity
- Developmental stability and change
- Heredity and environment
|
| 10% |
|
Social Development Throughout the Life Span
- Aggression
- Attachment
- Gender
- Interpersonal relationships
- Moral development
- Prosocial behavior
- Risk and resilience
- Self
- Social cognition
- Wellness
|
| 8% |
|
Family, Home, and Society Throughout the Life Span
- Abuse and neglect
- Bronfenbrenner, Urie
- Death and dying
- Family relationships
- Family structures
- Media and technology
- Multicultural perspectives
- Parenting styles
- Social and class influences
|
| 8% |
|
Personality and Emotion
- Attribution styles
- Development of emotions
- Emotional expression and regulation
- Emotional intelligence
- Erikson, Erik
- Freud, Sigmund
- Stability and change
- Temperament
|
| 8% |
|
Learning
- Classical conditioning
- Discrimination and generalization
- Habituation
- Operant conditioning
- Social learning and modeling
|
| 5% |
|
Schooling, Work, and Interventions
- Applications of developmental principles
- Facilitation of role transitions
- Intervention programs and services
- Learning styles
- Occupational development
- Preschool care, day care, and elder care
- Retirement
|
| 5% |
|
Atypical Development
- Antisocial behavior
- Asocial behavior, fears, phobias, and obsessions
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Chronic illnesses and physical disabilities
- Cognitive disorders, including dementia
- Genetic disorders
- Giftedness
- Learning disabilities
- Mental retardation
- Mood disorders
- Trauma-based syndromes
|
