ACT Educational Psychology Principles 2

Question 1

According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to:

Accepted Answer

The gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with guidance

Answer

The ZPD is the range of tasks a learner cannot yet complete independently but can accomplish with skilled support or collaboration.

Question 2

Which learning theory emphasizes reinforcement and punishment as the primary drivers of behavior change?

Accepted Answer

Behaviorism

Answer

Behaviorism, associated with Skinner and Watson, holds that observable behaviors are shaped through reinforcement (increasing behavior) and punishment (decreasing behavior).

Question 3

A test administrator notices that students in a high-stakes testing environment show extreme anxiety affecting performance. This phenomenon is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Test anxiety

Answer

Test anxiety is a form of performance anxiety specifically triggered by evaluation situations, causing emotional and cognitive disruption that impairs test performance.

Question 4

Bloom's Taxonomy categorizes educational objectives into domains. Which domain includes skills like analysis, synthesis, and evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive

Answer

The cognitive domain in Bloom's Taxonomy addresses intellectual skills ranging from basic recall to higher-order thinking such as analysis, evaluation, and creation.

Question 5

Which concept describes a student's belief that their intelligence and abilities can grow through dedication and hard work?

Accepted Answer

Growth mindset

Answer

Carol Dweck's 'growth mindset' theory holds that students who believe their abilities are developable through effort outperform those who see abilities as fixed.

ACT Practice Test

ACT Practice Test

ACT Educational Psychology Principles 2