CPT CPT Educational Psychology & Student Motivation

Question 1

According to self-determination theory, which type of motivation leads to the most sustained academic engagement in students?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic motivation driven by autonomy, competence, and relatedness

Answer

Extrinsic motivation driven by rewards and punishments

Answer

Social motivation driven by peer pressure

Answer

Fear-based motivation driven by consequences

Question 2

What is 'growth mindset' as defined by researcher Carol Dweck, and why is it relevant to tutoring?

Accepted Answer

The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, good strategies, and feedback

Answer

The belief that intelligence is fixed and cannot change

Answer

The idea that students should focus only on their strongest subjects

Answer

A theory about the physical growth of the brain

Question 3

A student consistently avoids attempting difficult math problems. This behavior is most likely an example of:

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness or fear of failure undermining academic engagement

Answer

Strategic laziness

Answer

A preference for easier content

Answer

Advanced metacognitive awareness

Question 4

Which psychological concept describes a student's belief in their own ability to succeed at a specific academic task?

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy

Answer

Self-esteem

Answer

Metacognition

Answer

Attribution theory

Question 5

How can a tutor most effectively build a student's self-efficacy?

Accepted Answer

By providing mastery experiences through progressively challenging tasks, honest feedback, and celebrating effort

Answer

By assigning only the easiest tasks to guarantee success

Answer

By telling the student they are the smartest in their class

Answer

By reducing all academic expectations

Question 6

What does 'attribution theory' explain in the context of student motivation?

Accepted Answer

How students explain the causes of their academic successes and failures, which affects future motivation

Answer

How students categorize their learning styles

Answer

The way students attribute their grades to teacher quality

Answer

How tutors assign credit for student achievements