GED Learning Theories & Psychology 3

Question 1

Lev Vygotsky emphasized which factor as central to cognitive development?

Accepted Answer

Social interaction and the role of language

Answer

Vygotsky believed cognitive development is fundamentally social — it occurs through interaction with more knowledgeable others, and language is the primary tool of thought and learning.

Question 2

Jean Piaget identified four stages of cognitive development. Which stage is associated with abstract and hypothetical reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Formal operational stage

Answer

The formal operational stage (approximately age 12 and beyond) is characterized by the ability to think abstractly, reason hypothetically, and engage in systematic deductive reasoning.

Question 3

The concept of 'self-efficacy,' central to Bandura's theory, refers to:

Accepted Answer

A student's belief in their own capacity to execute tasks and achieve goals

Answer

Self-efficacy is a person's belief in their own ability to successfully perform specific tasks — it is one of the strongest predictors of motivation, effort, and academic achievement.

Question 4

Classical conditioning, developed by Ivan Pavlov, demonstrates that:

Accepted Answer

A neutral stimulus can become associated with a response through repeated pairing

Answer

Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus alone elicits the conditioned response — as with Pavlov's dogs and the bell.

Question 5

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that:

Accepted Answer

There are eight or more distinct types of intelligence beyond verbal-linguistic ability

Answer

Gardner proposed that intelligence is not a single capacity but multiple distinct intelligences including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.

GED Practice Test

GED Practice Test

GED Learning Theories & Psychology 3