MAT Educational Psychology & Learning Theories 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning suggests that behavior is shaped primarily by:
- Unconscious drives and instincts
- Consequences that follow the behavior (Correct answer)
- Innate cognitive structures
- Observation of social models
Correct answer: Consequences that follow the behavior
Operant conditioning holds that behaviors are strengthened by reinforcement and weakened by punishment, based on their consequences.
Question 2: A teacher awards points for homework completion that students can exchange for free reading time. This is an example of:
- Classical conditioning
- A token economy (Correct answer)
- Negative reinforcement
- Intrinsic motivation
Correct answer: A token economy
A token economy is a behavior management system where students earn tokens for desired behaviors and exchange them for rewards.
Question 3: Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences challenges the idea that intelligence is:
- Influenced by both nature and nurture
- A single, fixed, general ability (Correct answer)
- Relevant to academic performance
- Measurable through observation
Correct answer: A single, fixed, general ability
Gardner proposed that intelligence encompasses at least eight distinct types, rejecting the traditional view of a single, unified g-factor.
Question 4: Metacognition is best described as a learner's ability to:
- Memorize large quantities of information quickly
- Think about and regulate their own thinking processes (Correct answer)
- Apply knowledge to novel real-world problems
- Collaborate effectively with peers on tasks
Correct answer: Think about and regulate their own thinking processes
Metacognition involves awareness and control of one's own cognitive processes, including planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning.
Question 5: Scaffolding in education, derived from Vygotsky's work, refers to:
- Providing permanent support structures in the classroom environment
- Temporarily adjusting support to match a learner's current ZPD (Correct answer)
- Sequencing curriculum from simple to complex over a school year
- Grading student work on a developmental continuum
Correct answer: Temporarily adjusting support to match a learner's current ZPD
Scaffolding involves providing temporary, adjustable support that is gradually removed as the learner gains competence.
Question 6: Which type of transfer occurs when a student's knowledge of Spanish pronunciation helps them learn French more easily?
- Negative transfer
- Near transfer
- Positive transfer (Correct answer)
- Zero transfer
Correct answer: Positive transfer
Positive transfer occurs when prior learning facilitates the acquisition of new, similar skills or knowledge.
Question 7: According to the dual-coding theory proposed by Allan Paivio, learning is enhanced when information is presented:
- Exclusively through auditory channels for maximum retention
- Through both verbal and visual representations simultaneously (Correct answer)
- In written form followed by oral recitation
- In isolated chunks to reduce cognitive load
Correct answer: Through both verbal and visual representations simultaneously
Dual-coding theory states that verbal and visual information are processed in separate channels and combining them strengthens memory encoding.
MAT Educational Psychology & Learning Theories 2
B.F.
Skinner's operant conditioning suggests that behavior is shaped primarily by: