Answers – 2 Marks Questions (with
examples)
Q1. Define development.
Answer: Development is the lifelong process of growth and change in physical, cognitive,
emotional, and social aspects of an individual.
Example: A child learning to walk, talk, and make friends shows development.
Q2. How does growth differ from development?
Answer: Growth is quantitative change (like increase in height or weight), while
development is qualitative change (like learning or reasoning).
Example: Growing 5 cm taller is growth, but learning problem-solving in math is
development.
Q3. What is meant by the principle of continuity in development?
Answer: It means development continues throughout life without a break, though the pace
may vary.
Example: Learning language begins in childhood but vocabulary keeps improving in
adulthood.
Q4. State the difference between cephalocaudal and proximodistal principles.
Answer: Cephalocaudal development occurs from head to toe, while proximodistal occurs
from the center outward.
Example: Babies control head movements before walking (cephalocaudal) and use arms
before fingers (proximodistal).
Q5. Give one physical and one emotional change in adolescence.
Answer: Physical – puberty changes like deepening of voice in boys. Emotional – mood
swings due to hormonal changes.
Q6. What is the importance of critical periods in development?
Answer: Critical periods are sensitive times when certain skills must develop, or they may
not form properly later.
Example: Language skills develop best in early childhood.
Q7. Mention two characteristics of infancy.
Answer: Rapid growth in height and weight; emotional bonding with caregivers.
Example: A baby doubles birth weight in 6 months and cries when the mother leaves.
Q8. What do you mean by context of development?
Answer: It refers to the settings (family, school, peers, culture) that influence development.
Example: A child in a supportive school learns better social and academic skills.
Q9. List two domains of development.
Answer: Physical and Cognitive development.
Example: Physical – learning to walk; Cognitive – learning numbers.
Q10. What is meant by social development?
Answer: Social development is learning to interact, share, and form relationships.
Example: Children playing team games learn cooperation.
Q11. Mention one milestone of prenatal development.
Answer: Formation of major organs during the embryonic stage.
Example: The heart begins to beat around 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Q12. State any two responsibilities of adulthood.
Answer: Career building and caring for family.
Example: An adult managing a job while raising children.
Q13. What is meant by individual differences in development?
Answer: Each person grows at a different rate and pattern.
Example: One child may start speaking at 12 months, another at 15 months.
Q14. Mention two challenges faced during old age.
Answer: Decline in health and feelings of isolation.
Example: A retired person facing memory loss and loneliness after children move away.
Q15. Define heredity and environment.
Answer: Heredity is genetic transmission of traits, while environment is external influence
like family, school, and culture.
Example: Musical talent may be inherited, but training and encouragement help develop it.
Answers – 3 Marks Questions (with
examples)
Q1. Differentiate between growth and development (three points).
Answer: Growth is quantitative (increase in height, weight), while development is qualitative
(changes in thinking, emotions, and social skills). Growth stops after a certain age, but
development continues lifelong. Growth is physical, but development covers physical,
cognitive, emotional, and social aspects.
Example: A boy growing 10 cm taller shows growth, but learning to reason logically shows
development.
Q2. Explain any three principles of development.
Answer: (i) Development is continuous from conception to death. (ii) It proceeds in a
definite direction – head to foot (cephalocaudal) and center to outward (proximodistal). (iii)
Development includes both quantitative and qualitative changes.
Example: A child first controls head before walking (directional principle), and speech
develops gradually (continuity).
Q3. How does heredity affect human development?
Answer: Heredity provides the biological foundation by transmitting physical and
psychological traits from parents. It influences height, skin color, intelligence potential, and
temperament. However, expression depends on environmental support.
Example: A child may inherit high intelligence from parents, but if deprived of education, the
potential may not develop fully.
Q4. Explain the role of environment in shaping personality.
Answer: Environment provides external influences like family, school, peers, and culture
that shape habits, values, and social behaviour. Even with genetic predispositions,
environment determines their expression.
Example: A child raised in a supportive family becomes confident, while the same child in a
neglectful environment may become insecure.
Q5. Write a short note on infancy as a foundation period.
Answer: Infancy (birth–2 years) is crucial because physical growth, motor skills, and
emotional bonds form rapidly. Language development, attachment, and sensory-motor
coordination lay the foundation for later stages.
Example: A baby learning to walk and developing trust with the caregiver provides the base
for social and emotional security.
Q6. What are the features of the prenatal stage?
Answer: The prenatal stage (conception to birth) has three phases: germinal, embryonic, and
foetal. It shows the most rapid growth, organ formation, and sensitivity to harmful substances
(teratogens). Proper nutrition and care are essential.
Example: The foetal heartbeat begins in the early embryonic stage, and exposure to alcohol
may cause developmental issues.
Q7. List three domains of development with examples.
Answer: The three domains are: (i) Physical (growth in body size, motor skills). (ii)
Cognitive (thinking, memory, language). (iii) Social-emotional (attachment, relationships,
feelings).
Example: A 5-year-old learns to ride a bicycle (physical), solve puzzles (cognitive), and
make friends (social).
Q8. Why is adolescence called a “period of storm and stress”?
Answer: Adolescence involves rapid physical changes due to puberty, emotional instability,
and identity crisis. Conflicts with parents, peer influence, and mood swings create stress. It is
a transitional stage filled with challenges and adjustments.
Example: A teenager rebelling against parents while seeking peer approval shows this storm
and stress.
Q9. Mention three major changes in old age.
Answer: (i) Decline in physical strength and health. (ii) Retirement from work leading to role
changes. (iii) Emotional issues like loneliness or isolation.
Example: An elderly person may suffer from arthritis, feel less productive after retirement,
and rely more on family support.
Q10. How does the family influence human development?
Answer: Family is the first context of socialization, providing security, values, and emotional
support. It shapes personality, attitudes, and coping abilities. Warm and supportive families
foster confidence, while neglect may lead to insecurity.
Example: A child raised in a caring family develops trust and responsibility, while one in a
hostile environment may show aggression.
Q11. Explain the importance of peer group in adolescence.
Answer: Peers provide acceptance, identity, and independence during adolescence. They
influence habits, attitudes, and decision-making. Peer pressure may be positive (motivation in
studies) or negative (risk-taking).
Example: A student working harder because friends value good grades shows positive peer
influence.
Q12. What role does culture play in development?
Answer: Culture provides traditions, language, norms, and values that guide behaviour and
thinking. It influences gender roles, parenting styles, and social relationships.
Example: In collectivist cultures, children are taught cooperation, while in individualistic
cultures, independence is emphasized.
Q13. What are the physical changes during adolescence?
Answer: Rapid physical growth, sexual maturation, and hormonal changes occur. Boys
develop facial hair and deeper voices; girls experience menstruation and breast development.
Example: A 14-year-old boy experiencing a sudden growth spurt and voice change.
Q14. How does the school contribute to cognitive development?
Answer: Schools provide structured learning, problem-solving, and exposure to new ideas.
Teachers encourage reasoning, memory, and creativity. Social interaction in school also
sharpens thinking.
Example: A child solving math problems or participating in science projects shows cognitive
development.
Q15. Write any three differences between childhood and adolescence.
Answer: Childhood is marked by steady growth, dependence on family, and concrete
thinking. Adolescence involves puberty, independence, and abstract reasoning.
Example: A 9-year-old focuses on group games and rules (childhood), while a 15-year-old
debates social issues (adolescence).
Answers – 4 Marks Questions (Simple &
Elaborative)
Q1. Differentiate between growth and development (four points with examples).
Answer: Growth means an increase in size, height, and weight, while development refers to
overall changes in behaviour, thinking, emotions, and skills. Growth is quantitative, but
development is qualitative. Growth stops after maturity, but development continues lifelong.
Growth is physical, while development includes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive
changes.
Example: A boy gaining 5 kg is growth, but learning problem-solving in school is
development.
Q2. Explain the principles of development in detail.
Answer: Development follows certain principles: (i) It is continuous from conception to
death. (ii) It proceeds in a definite order, like head-to-foot (cephalocaudal) and center-to-
outward (proximodistal). (iii) It is influenced by heredity and environment. (iv) Different
domains of development (physical, cognitive, social) are interrelated.
Example: A child first learns to control head before walking (cephalocaudal principle).
Q3. Describe the domains of development with examples.
Answer: Development occurs in three main domains: (i) Physical – growth in body size,
motor skills, and health. (ii) Cognitive – changes in thinking, memory, reasoning, and
language. (iii) Social-emotional – development of relationships, values, and emotions. These
domains are interconnected.
Example: A 6-year-old learns to write (physical), solve puzzles (cognitive), and play with
friends (social).
Q4. Discuss the importance of heredity and environment in development.
Answer: Heredity provides the genetic foundation, such as height, skin color, and
intelligence potential. Environment shapes how these traits are expressed by providing
nutrition, education, and culture. Both work together to shape personality and behaviour.
Example: A child may inherit musical ability, but without training and encouragement, the
talent may not fully develop.
Q5. Explain the role of family and school as developmental contexts.
Answer: Family provides love, security, and values, shaping the child’s personality and
emotional stability. School contributes to cognitive growth, discipline, and social interaction.
Both are important contexts that prepare the child for future responsibilities.
Example: Parents teaching moral values and teachers encouraging problem-solving both
influence development.
Q6. What are the features of infancy?
Answer: Infancy (0–2 years) is marked by rapid physical growth, development of motor
skills (crawling, walking), and sensory coordination. Emotional bonding with caregivers
develops, and early language skills begin. Infancy is considered the “foundation stage” as it
lays the base for later development.
Example: A baby learns to walk, speak simple words, and shows trust in the mother.
Q7. Explain physical, cognitive, and emotional changes during childhood.
Answer: Childhood (2–12 years) shows steady physical growth, improved motor skills, and
independence. Cognitively, children develop logical thinking, memory, and problem-solving
(concrete operations). Emotionally, they learn empathy, cooperation, and self-control.
Childhood is crucial for socialization and learning.
Example: A 9-year-old solving math sums, playing in groups, and expressing empathy to
friends.
Q8. Discuss the responsibilities of adulthood.
Answer: Adulthood involves responsibilities in family, career, and society. Adults must
balance professional growth, financial stability, parenting, and social relationships. This stage
requires maturity, decision-making, and stress management. Success in adulthood provides
satisfaction and stability.
Example: A working parent managing office duties while supporting children’s education.
Q9. List the developmental challenges of adolescence.
Answer: Adolescence faces challenges such as (i) rapid physical and hormonal changes, (ii)
identity crisis and search for self, (iii) peer pressure and influence, (iv) conflicts with parents
over independence. Emotional instability and risky behaviours may also occur.
Example: A teenager experiencing mood swings and arguing with parents while forming new
peer groups.
Q10. Explain the importance of old age as a stage of life.
Answer: Old age is important as it brings reflection, wisdom, and transfer of knowledge to
younger generations. It is also a stage of decline in physical strength and possible loneliness.
Respect, care, and family support become essential.
Example: A grandparent sharing life experiences and guiding grandchildren.
Q11. Why is prenatal development considered critical?
Answer: Prenatal stage (conception to birth) is critical because organs and body structures
form, and any harm can affect lifelong health. Proper nutrition, medical care, and avoiding
teratogens are essential. Early care determines survival and well-being of the child.
Example: A mother avoiding alcohol and ensuring proper diet during pregnancy ensures
healthy foetal growth.
Q12. What role does peer group play in adolescent development?
Answer: Peer groups give adolescents a sense of belonging, independence, and identity.
They influence behaviour, habits, and decision-making. Positive peer influence motivates in
studies, while negative influence may lead to risky behaviours.
Example: A student preparing hard for exams because friends value good grades shows
positive peer influence.
Q13. How do culture and society shape human development?
Answer: Culture provides traditions, values, and social norms that guide behaviour, while
society sets expectations for roles and responsibilities. Both affect language, gender roles,
and lifestyle.
Example: In collectivist societies, cooperation and family ties are valued, while in
individualist societies, independence is encouraged.
Q14. Discuss the role of school in emotional and social development.
Answer: Schools provide structured learning, but also shape emotions and social behaviour.
Children learn teamwork, discipline, empathy, and conflict resolution. Teachers play a role in
building self-esteem and moral values.
Example: Group projects in class encourage cooperation, while school rules develop
discipline.
Q15. What are the main characteristics of late adulthood?
Answer: Late adulthood (60+) involves decline in health, retirement from work, and
increased dependency. It also brings wisdom, reflection, and a desire for social and family
connection. Emotional needs like respect and love become very important.
Example: An elderly person enjoying storytelling but also needing family support due to
health issues.
Answers – 6 Marks Questions (Elaborated
with Examples)
Q1. Explain the difference between growth and development with suitable examples.
Answer: Growth means quantitative changes in the body such as increase in height, weight,
or size of organs. Development means qualitative changes like improvement in thinking,
emotions, and social behaviour. Growth is limited to early years, but development continues
throughout life. Growth is physical, while development covers physical, cognitive, social, and
emotional changes. Growth follows heredity, but development depends on environment too.
Example: A child growing taller (growth) while also learning problem-solving and teamwork
(development).
Q2. Discuss the principles of development in detail with examples.
Answer: Development follows principles: (i) It is continuous from conception to death. (ii) It
proceeds in a definite order – head to toe (cephalocaudal) and center to outward
(proximodistal). (iii) Different areas of development are interrelated. (iv) Development varies
in rate from individual to individual. (v) It includes both quantitative and qualitative changes.
(vi) Early development influences later stages.
Example: A baby first controls the head before walking (directional principle), and learning
to speak develops step by step (continuity).
Q3. Describe the domains of development and their interrelation with examples.
Answer: Development takes place in three domains: (i) Physical – changes in body size,
motor skills, health. (ii) Cognitive – learning, memory, problem-solving, and reasoning. (iii)
Social-emotional – interaction, values, personality, and emotional control. These domains are
interconnected. If one area grows, it affects others.
Example: A child learning to play football (physical skill) also learns teamwork (social) and
develops strategies (cognitive).
Q4. Explain the interaction of heredity and environment in shaping personality.
Answer: Heredity gives biological foundation such as height, skin colour, and intelligence.
Environment provides nutrition, education, and cultural support that shape the expression of
inherited traits. Both factors interact, not work separately. Without environment, heredity
cannot fully show itself.
Example: A child may inherit musical talent (heredity), but without training or
encouragement (environment), the talent may not develop fully.
Q5. What is the context of development? Discuss the role of family, school, peer group,
and culture.
Answer: Context of development refers to the surroundings and influences like family,
school, peers, and culture. Family gives love, values, and emotional stability. School shapes
cognitive and social skills. Peer groups provide identity, independence, and social learning.
Culture provides traditions, norms, and values guiding behaviour. All these contexts together
shape a child’s personality.
Example: A child in a supportive family, good school, and positive peer group develops
confidence and responsibility.
Q6. Explain the prenatal stage of development and its importance.
Answer: The prenatal stage lasts from conception to birth and has three phases: (i) Germinal
(first 2 weeks) – cell division and implantation. (ii) Embryonic (2–8 weeks) – major organs
form. (iii) Foetal (8 weeks to birth) – growth and organ functioning. This stage is critical
because harmful substances (teratogens) can affect lifelong health. Proper nutrition and care
are necessary.
Example: A mother avoiding smoking ensures healthy brain and organ development of the
foetus.
Q7. Discuss the characteristics of infancy with reference to physical, cognitive, and
emotional changes.
Answer: Infancy (0–2 years) shows rapid physical growth – babies double weight by six
months and begin walking. Cognitively, infants learn object permanence, recognition, and
simple language. Emotionally, they show attachment, trust, and fear of strangers. Infancy is
called the “foundation stage” as it sets the base for later growth.
Example: A one-year-old learning to say “mama,” walking with support, and crying when
the mother leaves.
Q8. Describe the childhood stage of development.
Answer: Childhood (2–12 years) is marked by steady growth and improved motor skills.
Cognitively, children show logical thinking (concrete operations), better memory, and
problem-solving. Emotionally, they develop empathy, cooperation, and self-control. Socially,
peer interaction and teamwork become important. Childhood is crucial for learning,
socialization, and personality formation.
Example: A 9-year-old solving math sums, playing cricket in a team, and helping friends in
need.
Q9. What are the challenges and characteristics of adolescence?
Answer: Adolescence (12–19 years) is a transitional stage with rapid physical changes due to
puberty. Cognitively, abstract and logical reasoning develops. Emotionally, mood swings and
search for identity occur. Socially, peer influence becomes strong, and independence is
sought. Challenges include identity crisis, conflicts with parents, and risk-taking behaviours.
Example: A 15-year-old debating social issues (cognitive) but also rebelling against rules
(social-emotional).
Q10. Explain the responsibilities and transitions of adulthood.
Answer: Adulthood involves responsibilities in career, family, and society. Adults manage
jobs, financial stability, parenting, and social roles. They face stress balancing personal and
professional life. Transitions include marriage, career shifts, and caring for both children and
parents. Adulthood requires maturity, responsibility, and problem-solving.
Example: A working adult raising children, supporting parents, and managing office duties.
Q11. Discuss the features of old age with examples.
Answer: Old age (60+) involves physical decline, reduced stamina, and health issues.
Retirement from work brings role changes. Emotionally, some may feel loneliness, while
others find satisfaction in family and reflection. Wisdom and life experiences are strengths of
old age. Support and respect are essential.
Example: A retired grandfather sharing stories with grandchildren but needing help for daily
activities.
Q12. Explain Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of development.
Answer: Bronfenbrenner explained development through environmental systems: (i)
Microsystem – immediate family, school, peers. (ii) Mesosystem – interaction between
microsystems. (iii) Exosystem – larger social settings like media and neighbourhood. (iv)
Macrosystem – cultural values, traditions, laws. (v) Chronosystem – changes over time. All
levels influence a child’s growth.
Example: A supportive family (microsystem) and cultural values (macrosystem) together help
in positive development.
Q13. Compare and contrast childhood and adolescence.
Answer: Childhood is marked by steady growth, concrete thinking, and dependence on
family. Adolescence brings puberty, abstract reasoning, and independence from family.
Childhood focuses on learning basic skills, while adolescence involves identity formation and
emotional instability. Both stages are critical in shaping personality but differ in challenges
and abilities.
Example: A 9-year-old playing group games (childhood) vs a 16-year-old debating career
choices (adolescence).
Q14. Why is human development considered a lifelong process?
Answer: Development is continuous from conception to death. Each stage – prenatal,
infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age – brings new changes and tasks.
Early development affects later life, but learning and adaptation continue lifelong.
Development does not stop at maturity but evolves with experience.
Example: A child learning to speak (infancy), a teenager learning abstract reasoning
(adolescence), and an adult learning new skills (lifelong).
Q15. How does culture influence each stage of human development?
Answer: Culture shapes behaviour, values, and roles at all stages. In childhood, it teaches
language, traditions, and gender roles. In adolescence, culture influences identity and social
expectations. In adulthood, it guides family roles, career choices, and responsibilities. In old
age, culture decides respect and care for elders.
Example: In collectivist cultures, elders are respected and cared for, while in individualist
cultures independence is emphasized.
Q16. Explain Piaget’s theory of cognitive development in detail. Discuss the four stages
with suitable examples.
Answer (100–120 words):
Jean Piaget explained cognitive development as a process that occurs in four stages, where
children actively construct knowledge through interaction with their environment.
1. Sensorimotor Stage (0–2 years): Infants learn through senses and actions, develop
object permanence.
Example: A baby searches for a toy hidden under a cloth.
2. Preoperational Stage (2–7 years): Children use symbols and language but are
egocentric and lack conservation.
Example: A child thinks a taller glass has more water even if amounts are equal.
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years): Logical reasoning about concrete objects,
conservation, and classification develop.
Example: A child can arrange sticks in ascending order (seriation).
4. Formal Operational Stage (11+ years): Abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking,
and problem-solving appear.
Example: A teenager can debate social issues and imagine different possibilities.
Thus, Piaget showed how thinking evolves step by step with age.
Q17. Explain Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory of development in detail
with examples.
Answer (100–120 words):
Urie Bronfenbrenner proposed the Ecological Systems Theory, which explains how a child’s
development is shaped by different layers of the environment.
1. Microsystem: Immediate surroundings like family, school, and peers.
Example: Parents teaching moral values directly influence behaviour.
2. Mesosystem: Connections between microsystems.
Example: A supportive relationship between parents and teachers improves a child’s
learning.
3. Exosystem: Indirect influences like media, neighbourhood, or parents’ workplace.
Example: A father’s job stress affects family atmosphere.
4. Macrosystem: Cultural values, traditions, and laws.
Example: A culture emphasizing cooperation shapes group behaviour.
5. Chronosystem: Changes over time, such as life events or historical shifts.
Example: Divorce of parents or adapting to digital technology.
Thus, development is a result of interactions at all levels of the environment.
3 Marks Case Study Questions (60–80
words answers)
Q1. Case Study – Infancy Attachment
Two-year-old Arya cries loudly when her mother leaves the room but calms down instantly
when she returns.
Ans. Arya shows secure attachment. Infants form strong emotional bonds with caregivers
through consistent love and care. According to Bowlby, secure attachment provides
emotional stability and trust, which later supports healthy social and cognitive development.
It reflects positive parent–child interaction.
Q2. Case Study – Childhood Learning
Kunal, 7 years old, loves science activities but struggles with reading. His teacher encourages
him by highlighting his strengths in experiments.
Ans. Kunal is in middle childhood, where self-understanding grows through social
comparison and academic achievements. Encouragement in areas of strength helps self-
esteem and motivation. Balanced support prevents feelings of inferiority, aligning with
Erikson’s stage of industry vs. inferiority.
Q3. Case Study – Adolescence Egocentrism
Seema, 15, spends hours checking her appearance, convinced everyone in class notices her.
Ans. Seema’s behaviour reflects the imaginary audience, part of adolescent egocentrism.
Teenagers believe they are constantly observed and judged. This creates self-consciousness
but also motivates them to manage their social image. With maturity, this tendency reduces.
Q4. Case Study – Adulthood Career Pressure
Ravi, 30, works long hours to get promotions but feels guilty for not giving enough time to
his family.
Ans. Ravi is experiencing role conflict in early adulthood. Adults must balance career,
family, and personal responsibilities. Failure to adjust can cause stress, while proper time
management and communication can promote harmony. It reflects challenges of life structure
in adulthood.
Q5. Case Study – Old Age Wisdom
Despite arthritis, 75-year-old Mr. Sharma advises young teachers and writes articles.
Ans. This reflects successful ageing. Physical abilities may decline, but wisdom, judgment,
and social contribution remain strong. Old age brings gains as well as losses. Staying
cognitively and socially active gives purpose and improves well-being.
4 Marks Case Study Questions (80–100
words answers)
Q1. Case Study – Prenatal Influence
A mother-to-be avoids nutritious food and remains stressed throughout pregnancy. Later, her
baby shows developmental delays.
Ans. This highlights the importance of the prenatal stage. Teratogens like poor diet, stress,
and toxins can harm foetal growth. They cause low birth weight, delays, or health risks. Both
heredity and environment interact during this stage. Good nutrition, medical care, and stress-
free environment are essential for healthy development. Neglect can leave long-term physical
and cognitive effects on the child.
Q2. Case Study – Childhood Egocentrism
Five-year-old Neha hides behind curtains during hide-and-seek, believing others cannot see
her since she cannot see them.
Ans. Neha demonstrates egocentrism in the preoperational stage (Piaget). Children at this
age cannot view the world from another’s perspective. They assume others see what they see.
Such errors are common in early childhood. As children mature, logical thought and
perspective-taking skills develop, reducing egocentric thinking.
Q3. Case Study – Adolescence Identity Search
Arjun, 17, frequently changes his fashion style, hobbies, and friend groups while searching
for “who he really is.”
Ans. Arjun is undergoing identity exploration, part of Erikson’s identity vs. role confusion
stage. Adolescents experiment with values, roles, and peer groups to form a personal identity.
Though frequent changes reflect confusion, they are normal. With support and self-reflection,
he will eventually build a stable identity.
Q4. Case Study – Adulthood Adjustment
Shreya, 26, finds it difficult to manage her marriage, career, and household responsibilities
simultaneously.
Ans. Shreya is facing challenges of early adulthood, where individuals juggle career
building, relationships, and independence. This often creates role strain. Effective adjustment
requires communication with spouse, time management, and balancing personal with social
expectations. Successful adaptation leads to intimacy and stability, while poor coping causes
stress.
Q5. Case Study – Old Age Loneliness
Mrs. Kapoor, 70, feels isolated after her children move abroad. She spends most of her time
alone, feeling purposeless.
Ans. Mrs. Kapoor faces the social challenges of old age, particularly loneliness and loss of
roles. According to Erikson, this stage involves integrity vs. despair. Without support,
despair arises, but staying socially active, volunteering, or joining senior groups can restore
purpose. Social engagement reduces isolation.
6 MARKS
Q2. Case Study – Prenatal Development
Anita, 38 years old and pregnant, continues smoking despite medical advice. She also
consumes unhealthy food and remains stressed due to work pressure. At birth, her baby is
underweight and shows signs of delayed reflexes.
Ans. This case highlights the importance of the prenatal stage. Teratogens like nicotine,
alcohol, and stress hormones negatively affect foetal growth. Smoking reduces oxygen
supply, leading to low birth weight and developmental delays. Advanced maternal age (over
35) further increases risks of complications. According to the interaction of heredity and
environment, both biological vulnerability and poor maternal care contributed to the baby’s
condition. Proper prenatal nutrition, medical check-ups, and stress reduction are essential for
healthy development.
Q3. Case Study – Childhood Cognitive Development
Six-year-old Meena believes that when water from a short, wide glass is poured into a tall,
thin glass, the tall glass has “more water.” She also blames her “naughty table” for hurting
her when she falls.
Ans. Meena is in the preoperational stage of Piaget’s theory. Her belief about the tall glass
shows centration—focusing on one feature (height) and ignoring width, which leads to
failure in conservation tasks. Blaming the table reflects animism, where children attribute life
to non-living objects. These errors are normal in this stage, as thinking is intuitive rather than
logical. With growth and experiences, she will enter the concrete operational stage, where
logical thinking, reversibility, and conservation develop. This shows how children’s
reasoning evolves gradually.
Q4. Case Study – Adulthood Role Conflict
Arjun, 28, recently got married while pursuing higher studies and managing a full-time job.
He feels stressed balancing family responsibilities, career growth, and personal goals.
Sometimes he feels overwhelmed by expectations from both work and home.
Ans. Arjun’s situation reflects challenges of early adulthood. This stage involves
establishing independence, choosing careers, and adjusting to intimate relationships like
marriage. According to Erikson, it corresponds to intimacy vs. isolation, where balancing
relationships with self-goals is key. Role conflict arises when multiple responsibilities
(spouse, employee, student) compete for attention. Successful adaptation requires time
management, mutual understanding in marriage, and career planning. Positive adjustment
leads to intimacy, stability, and growth, while poor coping may cause stress and isolation.
Q5. Case Study – Old Age Adjustment
Shanti, 72, lost her husband last year. She feels lonely as her children live abroad. Though
physically healthy, she often says life feels empty and purposeless.
Ans. Shanti is facing the social and emotional challenges of old age. According to Erikson,
this stage involves integrity vs. despair. Older adults reflect on life achievements and losses.
Widowhood and separation from children often create loneliness and dependency. However,
successful ageing involves staying socially engaged, finding new purposes, and maintaining
physical and cognitive activity. Volunteering, hobbies, or community groups can provide
Shanti with meaning and reduce despair. Social support from friends and extended family
also helps maintain well-being.