ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

Which developmental stage represents a child aged 5 to 9 months?

1. Preoperational stage

2. Infant stage

3. Separation/Individuation phase

4. Concrete operations stage

The correct answer is: Separation/Individuation phase

The separation/individuation phase is an important developmental stage that aligns with the age range of 5 to 9 months. During this period, infants begin to develop a sense of self, which contributes to their understanding of being separate from their primary caregivers. This stage is crucial as babies start to explore their environment more actively, demonstrating an emerging awareness of the differences between themselves and others. In this developmental phase, infants engage with their surroundings, begin crawling, and experience a greater range of emotions. They also start to form attachments and show preferences for primary caregivers while developing social skills and learning about object permanence. The behaviors exhibited during this time, such as anxiety when separated from a caregiver, illustrate the growth in their self-concept and their ability to manage relationships with other people. The other options refer to different developmental concepts that do not directly correlate with the 5 to 9 months age range. The preoperational stage occurs later in childhood, typically from ages 2 to 7 years. The infant stage refers more generally to the entire period of infancy rather than a specific developmental phase. The concrete operations stage follows the preoperational stage, which occurs from approximately ages 7 to 11 years, focusing on logical thinking about concrete events