Child Psychology Practice Test: Get Ready for Your Exam! (2024 Updated)

The Child Psychology Exam assesses the knowledge and skills in the realm of child development, revising the changes and occurrences that take place from early childhood through adolescence.

The questions in this test were taken from recent previous tests.

Good luck!

Child Psychology Exam

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Question 1

Please mark the statement which is not true regarding panic disorder:

A	Panic disorder is characterized by repeated and unexpected panic.
B	Panic disorder is a comorbid condition.
C	Panic disorder can be a serious problem for children
D	Panic disorder is genetically predisposed.

Question 1 Explanation:

Panic disorder is not a typical problem that children experience.

Question 2

Please mark the appropriate diagnosis of a child who has problems in socializing, moves unusually, performs repetitive behavior and does well on cognitive tests:

A	Autism
B	Asperger’s syndrome
C	Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
D	Pervasive developmental disorder

Question 2 Explanation:

Asperger’s syndrome is indicated by symptoms of autism but these patients have higher linguistic and cognitive development.

Question 3

Please mark the dimension which does NOT belong to the variety of dimensions regarding the personality structure assessed by Rorschach personality test:

A	Content
B	Location
C	Developmental quality
D	Response time

Question 3 Explanation:

Response time is not one of the dimensions scored in a Rorschach test.

Question 4

What will an emotionally abused young child do?

A	The child will reach for things that belong to someone else.
B	The child will confuse teachers with primary caregivers.
C	The child will have sleep and speech disorders.
D	The child will form secure attachments with primary caregivers.

Question 4 Explanation:

An emotionally abused young child will have sleep and speech disorders.

Question 5

Please mark the most accurate statement regarding projective tests:

A	Projective tests are rather used as a psychological assessment tool with adults than with children.
B	Projective tests can be administered by a teacher or social worker when there is no psychologist.
C	Projective tests are subjective because of the open-ended nature of the responses.
D	Projective tests are an assessment tool in the differential diagnosis of severe mental illness.

Question 5 Explanation:

Projective tests are rather used as a psychological assessment tool with adults than with children.

Question 6

Please mark the explanation of the ABC assessment tool:

A	Aberrant Behavior Checklist
B	Atypical Behavior Criteria
C	Assessment of Behavior in Children
D	Aggressive Behavior Checklist

Question 6 Explanation:

The ABC assessment tool stands for Aberrant Behavior Checklist.

Question 7

Please mark the childhood mental illness associated with Anhedonia:

A	Schizophrenia
B	Bipolar disorder
C	Depression
D	Antisocial personality

Question 7 Explanation:

Depression is mostly associated with Anhedonia.

Question 8

Please mark the procedure which is NOT included in a child’s psychological assessment:

A	Non-verbal exercises and activities
B	Paper and pencil tests
C	Physical examination
D	Parental interview

Question 8 Explanation:

Physical examination is not included in a child’s psychological assessment.

Question 9

Please mark what is NOT a valid criticism of the original WISC, which may lead to subsequent test versions:

A	Some of the items were potentially discriminatory against certain subgroups of the population.
B	There are additional areas of intellectual functioning that the test could have tapped into but didn’t.
C	The test provided little helpful clinical information other than a verbal, performance, and overall IQ score which could be also done with a simpler written intelligence.
D	The test was not fully useful because it was not in align with current theories about intelligence.

Question 9 Explanation:

The test provided little helpful clinical information other than a verbal, performance, and overall IQ score which could be also done with a simpler written intelligence.

Question 10

Please mark the most adequate relationship between the psychologist and the child and parents in case of evaluation in child custody disagreements:

A	The psychologist should conduct an evaluation of the family in case they were in therapy together.
B	The psychologist should conduct an evaluation if the child has been in therapy.
C	A psychologist who doesn' know the family should conduct the evaluation.
D	A psychologist who does not have a current therapeutic relationship with the family but who will have one after the case is settled should conduct the evaluation.

Question 10 Explanation:

A psychologist who doesn' know the family should conduct the evaluation.

Question 11

What should a private child psychologist, who doesn't accept sliding scale payments, do if the mother of a child who attends a weekly play therapy informs them that they will no longer have the chance to pay the fee?

A	Reduce the frequency of the therapy.
B	Accept to see the patient for one more month at a reduced fee.
C	End therapy but refer the family to another psychologist.
D	End therapy and invite them to continue when they can afford it.

Question 11 Explanation:

The psychologist should end therapy but refer the family to another psychologist.

Question 12

How should a psychologist start the session if they have to cancel a consultation appointment with a new client and reschedule it for the following week?

A	The psychologist should apologize for the canceled appointment and assure the client it wasn’t on purpose.
B	The psychologist should offer the client an extra 30 minutes at no charge to make up for the inconvenience.
C	The psychologist should ask the client how they feel about the situation.
D	The psychologist should ignore the event in front of the client.

Question 12 Explanation:

The psychologist should apologize for the canceled appointment and assure the client it wasn’t on purpose.

Question 13

Monty’s parents are giving him a party to celebrate his 7^th birthday. His brother Paul, who will be at the party along with Monty, turned 4 three months ago. Aunt Christine, a therapy patient of yours, was invited to the party and is wondering now about whether she should bring any gifts and, if so, just for Monty, or for Paul, too. She brings up this matter during her therapy session. What would you do if you were her and why?

A	You will tell her that you would not feel obliged to give presents.
B	You will tell her that you would only bring a present for Monty.
C	You will tell her that you would only bring a present for Paul.
D	You will tell her that you would bring a gift for Monty and a small token gift for Paul.

Question 13 Explanation:

You will tell her that you would bring a gift for Monty and a small token gift for Paul.

Question 14

Please mark the way a therapist should respond to parents who refuse to face the possibility that their child has a behavior problem:

A	The therapist should tell the parents that they have no knowledge and should read more about this problem.
B	The therapist should tell the parents that probably they contribute to their child's problem.
C	The therapist should tell the parents to talk to an expert about the child's problem.
D	The therapist should assure the parents that their child's problem is regular and they can get effective help in therapy.

Question 14 Explanation:

The therapist should assure the parents that their child's problem is regular and they can get effective help in therapy.

Question 15

Please mark the way a computer can assist parents to find a child psychologist for a consultation:

A	The parents can verify the psychologist’s credentials and ratings by others.
B	The parents can e-mail the psychologist with questions.
C	The parents can request a consultation by e-mail.
D	The parents can negotiate a lower fee for consultation.

Question 15 Explanation:

The parents can verify the psychologist’s credentials and ratings by others.

Question 16

Sonia Jason takes her 6-year-old daughter Carolina to a psychologist for consultation upon the dual recommendation of Carolina’s teacher and the school guidance counselor. Carolina was referred to because she is inattentive and misbehaved rudely in class. During the psychological consultation, Mrs. Jasonabruptly declares "Please stop with your stupid questions. Carolina, let’s go,” and then they leave the psychologist’s office. What should the psychologist do next?

A	The psychologist should file a report with Child Protective Services because the parent is refusing help for her child.
B	The psychologist should prepare a report to the person making the consultation referral, describing what happened.
C	The psychologist should write a follow-up letter to Mrs. Jason advising her to reconsider the decision not to continue therapy.
D	The psychologist should not do anything for a week.

Question 16 Explanation:

The psychologist should prepare a report to the person making the consultation referral, describing what happened.

Question 17

Please mark why the parents are given an appointment for a consultation with the psychologist even when the problem behavior is evidently on the child’s part:

A	In order to be informed about how their child can receive helped and what can they do to facilitate the child's progress.
B	In order to get a definite diagnosis.
C	In order to get authorized permission for the child's removal from school.
D	In order to be assured that they shouldn't make any further tests.

Question 17 Explanation:

In order to be informed about how their child can receive helped and what can they do to facilitate the child's progress.

Question 18

Please mark the stage of sleep in which sleepwalking or somniloquy take place:

A	N1
B	N2
C	N3
D	None of the above

Question 18 Explanation:

Sleepwalking or somniloquy take place in N3.

Question 19

Please mark the proponent of quantitative change, regarding developmental psychology:

A	Piaget
B	Case
C	Kohlberg
D	Erikson

Question 19 Explanation:

Robbie Case is a proponent of quantitative change, of the information processing approach.

Question 20

Please mark the first step in Patterson’s coercion model of aggression:

A	Observing coercive behavior in parents
B	Observing coercive behavior of peers
C	Peer rejection due to conduct problems
D	Observing coercive behavior on television

Question 20 Explanation:

Patterson’s model suggests that the first step to delinquency is observing coercive behavior in parents.

Question 21

Please mark the neuropsychological disorder which is characterized by purposeless movements or short losses of time:

A	Partial seizures
B	Petit mal seizures
C	Dissociative episodes
D	Apraxia

Question 21 Explanation:

Petit mal seizures are characterized by purposeless movements or short losses of time.

Question 22

How are youngsters who live close to noisy airports different from youngsters who live in the more quiet suburbs?

A	Youngsters who live close to noisy airports do better in school.
B	Youngsters who live close to noisy airports show greater stress responses such as high blood pressure.
C	Youngsters who live close to noisy airports show less observance towards the elderly.
D	Youngsters who live close to noisy airports do worse in church activities.

Question 22 Explanation:

Youngsters who live close to noisy airports show greater stress responses such as high blood pressure.

Question 23

Please mark what is NOT in the three memory processes:

A	Retrieve
B	Encode
C	Define
D	Store

Question 23 Explanation:

Define is not in the three memory processes.

Question 24

Please mark the age in which a child’s brain is already 80% of its adult size:

A	Age 1
B	Age 2
C	Age 3
D	Age 5

Question 24 Explanation:

Age 3

Question 25

What neurotransmitter can cause the development of both aggressive behavior and depression in children when its levels are low?

A	Serotonin
B	Dopamine
C	Epinephrine
D	Norepinephrine

Question 25 Explanation:

Low levels of serotonin affect a child’s mood and emotions.

Question 26

Please mark the part of the brain whose over-activity is linked to children’s anxiety disorders:

A	Hippocampus
B	Amygdala
C	Frontal lobe
D	Cerebellum

Question 26 Explanation:

The over-activity of the amygdala is linked to children's anxiety disorders.

Question 27

Please mark the linguistic theory regarding the relationship between language and culture which posits that language structure, categories and concepts determine cognition:

A	Linguistic relativity principle
B	Language of thought hypothesis
C	Cultural evolution theory
D	Innovative language use

Question 27 Explanation:

Linguistic relativity principle, also known as Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that cultural concepts and categories in different languages affect cognition of speakers.

Question 28

Please mark the number of emotions which are found in Paul Ekman's list of universal emotions that appear in cross-cultural studies:

A	5
B	8
C	4
D	6

Question 28 Explanation:

Paul Ekman’s research determined 6 universal emotions that appear in cross-cultural studies: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise.

Question 29

Please mark the primary purpose of the Individualized Education Program (IEP):

A	To place the special needs child in a special class or school in order not to impede either the teacher’s established lesson plan or the progress of children who do not require individual attention.
B	To place the special needs child in whatever special class or school is most appropriate for that child’s level of functioning.
C	To combine regular classes and special classes in a way that would enable special needs children to participate in regular school activities-both academic and non-academic-and interact with their non-special education classmates.
D	To greatly reduce the need for special schools and classes by structuring an individualized instruction plan that would work entirely in a regular classroom setting.

Question 29 Explanation:

The primary purpose is to combine regular classes and special classes in a way that would enable special needs children to participate in regular school activities-both academic and non-academic-and interact with their non-special education classmates.

Question 30

Please mark the reason why 21st-century psychology emphasizes more culture, ethnicity, and diversity than before:

A	In the past, the basic principles of behavior were universal and the same for people of any culture, which is not the case today.
B	Psychologists used to be almost exclusively North Americans or Europeans who happened to be white.
C	The American population is becoming much more diversified so research studies with white subjects only are no longer relevant.
D	All of the above.

Question 30 Explanation:

All of the above.

Question 31

Ginna Cummings is a smart 6-year-old in first grade who, according to her father, is already reading at a third-grade level. Her father has been trying for some time to put her in her school district’s Gifted and Talented program but fails to do so. Ginna is now beginning to display improper behavior in school, which her father blames on her being bored. What might be a valid argument supporting his case, if he were to file a complaint against the school district?

A	Low achieving students are being given higher priority than gifted students for Individualized Education Programs (IEP) placement.
B	There are not enough Gifted and Talented program slots available to accommodate every applicant.
C	Ginna might have been given higher priority with test results and a recommendation from a private psychologist, but Mr. Cummings can’t afford one.
D	All of the above.

Question 31 Explanation:

All of the above.

Question 32

In comparison to other students in American schools, the school dropout rate for Hispanics is disproportionately high. Please mark the factor for this anomaly, suggested from Hispanic psychology research:

A	Hispanic students have limited knowledge of the English language and therefore they get poor grades in school.
B	Hispanic students and their parents think that education is not relevant.
C	Hispanic students don't see any benefits of staying in school.
D	American schools still have problems with racially discriminatory practices.

Question 32 Explanation:

American schools still have problems with racially discriminatory practices.

Question 33

Please mark the major contributing factor in the high incidence of suicidal ideation among Asian-American adolescent girls:

A	Excessive schoolwork.
B	Bad school results.
C	Lack of social interaction.
D	Reluctance to seek treatment for depression

Question 33 Explanation:

The contributing factor in the high incidence of suicidal ideation among Asian-American adolescent girls is the reluctance to seek treatment for depression.

Question 34

A girl in Ginna's first-grade announced that she has two married girlfriends as parents. Ginna's mother was unprepared when one day Ginna came home from school and asked her to explain to her what does lesbian mean. How should the mother answer her daughter?

A	"You are too young to know that. I will tell you later".
B	“A lesbian is a woman who likes another woman. But it isn’t natural and these people should not be parents."
C	“A lesbian is a woman who feels more comfortable being with another woman than with a man. That other woman may be her wife whom she loves, and they may have children, too. Let me show you a book about a family like that and we’ll read it together.”
D	"You should ask your teacher and tell her to explain this to the entire class".

Question 34 Explanation:

“A lesbian is a woman who feels more comfortable being with another woman than with a man. That other woman may be her wife whom she loves, and they may have children, too. Let me show you a book about a family like that and we’ll read it together.”

Question 35

Please mark the behavior which is permissible for a psychologist although it is a behavior that is often deprecated:

A	Recording a client’s voice and/or image without prior permission from the client/patient or legal representative.
B	Using electronic communication without advising the client1 of the Right to Privacy and Limits of Confidentiality.
C	Charging a client a higher fee than the amount agreed to beforehand because it becomes clear during the first meeting that the client has money for it.
D	Ending therapy early even though the client wants and could possibly still benefit from additional therapy.

Question 35 Explanation:

Ending therapy early even though the client wants and could possibly still benefit from additional therapy.

Question 36

Please mark the information which is NOT typically provided by the psychologist to enable the participant to give informed consent:

A	Where the results of the study will be published.
B	The purpose of the research.
C	The length of time the study will take.
D	The benefits and risks to the participant.

Question 36 Explanation:

This information is about where the results of the study will be published.

Question 37

Please mark the instance in which the Limits of Confidentiality in psychotherapy no longer apply:

A	With a parent who is paying for their child’s therapy but has provided informed consent, then asks to get detailed reports about the treatment sessions.
B	When children state strong reason to believe that they intend to harm either themselves or others.
C	In a case when the psychologist is asked to testify in court in child abuse and neglect cases.
D	All of the above.

Question 37 Explanation:

All of the above.

Question 38

Please mark the most appropriate statement regarding parental lawsuits after their teenager has committed suicide:

A	The majority of these lawsuits are decided in favor of the parents due to the court’s sympathy for them.
B	The majority of these lawsuits are decided in favor of the psychologist due to the absence of evidence.
C	The incidence of these lawsuits is greater than ever due to increased awareness of the parents.
D	The incidence of these lawsuits is extremely rare because most parents realize that it would futile to sue the psychologist without evidence.

Question 38 Explanation:

The majority of these lawsuits are decided in favor of the psychologist due to the absence of evidence.

Question 39

Psychologists are called upon to testify in court in child protection cases in the capacity of :

A	Parental rights advocates
B	Concerned citizens
C	Impartial professional experts
D	Being legally obliged to talk in court.

Question 39 Explanation:

Psychologists are called upon to testify in court in child protection cases as impartial professional experts.

Question 40

Please mark the biggest problem faced by psychologists who want to practice distance therapy:

A	They lack proficiency in IT.
B	They lack clients who are interested in distance therapy.
C	They face strict and overly complex legal and ethical guidelines for distance therapy.
D	They have too many tasks that surpass their working hours.

Question 40 Explanation:

The biggest problem is that they face strict and overly complex legal and ethical guidelines for distance therapy.

Question 41

Please mark the legal proceeding in which patients' confidentiality is put aside:

A	Subpoenas
B	Court orders
C	Court-appointed evaluation
D	Court-ordered therapy

Question 41 Explanation:

The primary purpose of a court-appointed evaluation is to give the court an evaluation for consideration, so confidentiality is put aside.

Question 42

How many of the child sexual abuse cases are considered to be false?

A	1%
B	2%
C	5%
D	8%

Question 42 Explanation:

Around 8% of child sexual abuse cases are considered to be false.

Question 43

Please mark the example of primary prevention, regarding community psychology:

A	Twelve-step programs
B	Drug and alcohol education
C	Emergency hotlines
D	Screening children for disabilities

Question 43 Explanation:

Drug and alcohol education is an example of primary prevention because it aims to educate individuals about addiction before they have a problem.

Question 44

Please mark the guidelines concerning the authorization of a licensed clinical psychologist who is not an MD to prescribe medication for patients:

A	Psychologists who are not also licensed practitioners of general medicine cannot prescribe medication.
B	Psychologist’s Ph.D. in clinical psychology is a sufficient qualification to prescribe medication in some states.
C	In some states, the psychologist can prescribe medication after completing a specialized training program and a course of study completed for the Ph.D.
D	In every state, the psychologist may prescribe medication after completing a specialized training program and the course of study completed for the Ph.D.

Question 44 Explanation:

In some states, the psychologist can prescribe medication after completing a specialized training program and a course of study completed for the Ph.D.

Question 45

Please mark the reason why play therapy is an effective approach to numerous children:

A	Because all children love to play.
B	Play therapy allows children to express their problems symbolically when they can't articulate feelings and emotions with words.
C	Play therapy is effective because the therapist can observe.
D	This type of therapy provokes no stigma to children or parents.

Question 45 Explanation:

Play therapy allows children to express their problems symbolically when they can't articulate feelings and emotions with words.

Question 46

How should a psychologist proceed with a teenage patient who has been receiving weekly outpatient therapy for depression for several months but during the last visits, the patient displayed instances of suicidal ideation? In addition, the patient denied having the ideation. The psychologist contacted the parents who said that they are not worried because their teenager behaves like that constantly.

A	The psychologist should insist on having the patient hospitalized.
B	The psychologist should have the patient tested to assess whether there is high risk or low risk.
C	The psychologist should schedule sessions with the parents, both alone and in family therapy with the patient.
D	The psychologist should refer the patient to another therapist.

Question 46 Explanation:

The psychologist should schedule sessions with the parents, both alone and in family therapy with the patient.

Question 47

Which mental disorder is treated with the Exposure and Response Prevention cognitive behavior therapy?

A	Autism
B	Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
C	Anxiety
D	Paranoid Ideation

Question 47 Explanation:

The Obsessive-compulsive Disorder is treated with cognitive behavior therapy known as Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy.

Question 48

What is recommendable for parents to do first if they suspect that their child has an eating disorder?

A	Parents should trust their instincts and consult a professional.
B	Parents should read the information online and follow suggestions.
C	Parents should wait and see if it is just a temporary state.
D	Parents should ask their child what is wrong and insist on an answer.

Question 48 Explanation:

Parents should trust their instincts and consult a professional to get help.

Question 49

What is the main purpose of the "rescue plans" designed for children and adolescents who experiment with drugs or alcohol?

A	Their main purpose is to be a lifeline-stop for a person tempted to use a substance.
B	Their main purpose is to reduce the incidence of DWIs by setting up arrangements for a designated driver to bring the child home safely.
C	Their main purpose is to get the child or teenager to the hospital if they overdose or have an accident.
D	Their main purpose is to place the child or teenage substance abuser in rehab.

Question 49 Explanation:

Their main purpose is to reduce the incidence of DWIs by setting up arrangements for a designated driver to bring the child home safely.

Question 50

Please mark the most effective approach for treating adolescent schizophrenic patients:

A	Helping patients to get a profound insight into their illness.
B	Helping patients by increasing the dosage of psychotropic medication.
C	Helping patients through group therapy.
D	Helping patients by actively treating symptoms of depression.