Ambulatory Care Nurse Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide for Successful Certification

The statement about stress not impacting development is false because research in developmental psychology shows that stress can significantly influence an individual's developmental trajectory. Stressful experiences can affect cognitive, emotional, and social development across the lifespan. Chronic stress, for instance, has been linked to negative outcomes such as impaired learning, emotional regulation issues, and hindered social interactions.

In contrast, the other statements accurately reflect key principles of developmental theory. The pace of development varies among individuals due to a wide variety of factors including genetics, environment, and personal experiences, illustrating that development is not a one-size-fits-all process. Furthermore, development is often described as patterned and predictable, indicating that while individuals may progress at different rates, there are general stages and milestones that tend to occur in a similar order. Lastly, development is understood to be a continuous process, meaning that learning and growth do not stop at a certain age but rather continue throughout a person's life. Thus, the assertion that stress does not impact development stands out as inaccurate in the context of developmental theories.