Lifespan Developmental Psychology

EXAM CONTENT OUTLINE

The following is an outline of the content areas covered in the examination. The approximate percentage of the

examination devoted to each content area is also noted.

I. The Study of Lifespan Development – 12%

a. Models and Theories

b. Research Methods

c. Ethical Issues

II. Biological Development – 18%

a. Genetic Factors (including counseling)

b. Prenatal Development and Birth

c. Physical Development (nutrition, health)

d. Motor Development

e. Sexual Development

f. Neurological Development

g. Sensory Development

h. Aging Process

i. Dying and Death

III. Perception, Learning, and Memory – 15%

a. Perceptual Development

b. Learning, conditioning, and modeling

c. Memory (over the entire life span)

d. Executive Functioning

e. Attention and information Processing

IV. Cognition and Language – 20%

a. Cognitive-development Theory

b. Problem solving

c. Intelligence and intelligence testing, including criticism

d. Language development and theories

EXAM INFORMATION

This exam was developed to enable schools to award

credit to students for knowledge equivalent to that

learned by students taking the course. This exam

covers topics such as biological development,

perception, learning and memory, cognition and

language.

The exam contains 100 questions to be answered in 2

hours.

Form Codes: SQ490, SR490, SY490, SZ490

CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

The American Council on Education’s College

Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT)

has evaluated the DSST test development

process and content of this exam. It has made the

following recommendations:

Area or Course Equivalent: Lifespan

Developmental Psychology

Level: Lower-level baccalaureate

Amount of Credit: 3 Semester Hours

Minimum Score: 400

Source: www.acenet.edu

Rev 3/2017

e. Social Cognition

V. Social, Emotional, and Personality Development – 35%

a. Personality and Emotional development

b. Social behaviors and development

c. Singlehood, cohabitation, marriage and family

d. Extra familial Settings (e.g., day-care, school, nursing home, hospice, college)

e. Occupational development and retirement

f. Adjustment to life changes and stresses

g. Bereavement and loss