Western Governors University
U GW · 7 0 3 D
★ ★
W Teachers College
EST. 1997
A N E W M O D E L F O R H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N
WGU D307 Educational Psychology & Development of
Children and Adolescents
CO M P L E T E ST U DY G U I D E | A L R E A DY G RA D E D A +
INSTITUTION Western Governors University COURSE CODE D307
PROGRAM Teacher Education / Educational ACADEMIC YEAR
Psychology
EXAM TITLE WGU D307 Educational TOTAL QUESTIONS 61 Questions
Psychology & Development of
Children and Adolescents
COURSE TITLE Educational Psychology & FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Development Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Educational psychology theories, developmental stages, and language development are all testable
content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects standard educational psychology curriculum and developmental theory.
, SECTION I — EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY &
Questions 1 – 61
DEVELOPMENT
1. A key concept of this theory is that people are innately good.
A. Behavioral theory
B. Humanistic theory of learning
C. Constructivism theory of learning
D. Information-processing theory
CORRECT ANSWER B — Humanistic theory of learning
RATIONALE Humanistic theory, associated with Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes
that people are innately good and capable of self-actualization. This theory
focuses on feelings, emotions, self-perception, and motivation, and stresses the
importance of a safe, welcoming environment for learning.
2. According to Vygotsky, what should a teacher do to help a student move through the zone
of proximal development?
A. Allow the student to work independently
B. Provide instructional scaffolding
C. Administer a formal assessment
D. Use punishment for incorrect answers
CORRECT ANSWER B — Provide instructional scaffolding
RATIONALE Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the gap between what a
learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.
Scaffolding is the temporary support provided by a teacher or more
knowledgeable other to help the student move through the ZPD and achieve
higher levels of understanding.
,3. A child watching his parents brush their teeth is an example of learning from a _________,
according to Vygotsky.
A. Peer group
B. More knowledgeable other
C. Zone of proximal development
D. Scaffolding
CORRECT ANSWER B — More knowledgeable other
RATIONALE According to Vygotsky, learning occurs through social interaction. The "more
knowledgeable other" (MKO) is someone who has a higher level of understanding
or skill than the learner. Parents, as MKOs, model behaviors like teeth brushing
that children observe and learn from through guided participation and social
interaction.
4. At which stage would a child be expected to tie shoes?
A. Preschool
B. Primary school
C. Middle school
D. High school
CORRECT ANSWER B — Primary school
RATIONALE Tying shoes is a fine motor skill typically expected to be developed during the
primary school years (ages 5-7). This skill requires manual dexterity, hand-eye
coordination, and cognitive planning. Most children master shoe-tying by first or
second grade.
, 5. A child understands that a deflated balloon can be filled with air. According to Piaget,
which cognitive level is he demonstrating?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
CORRECT ANSWER C — Concrete operational
RATIONALE Understanding that a deflated balloon can be filled with air demonstrates
conservation and reversibility—hallmarks of Piaget's concrete operational stage
(ages 7-11). At this stage, children can think logically about concrete objects and
understand that actions can be reversed.
6. True or False: According to Bandura, physical capabilities can affect reproduction.
A. True
B. False
C. Only in children
D. Only in adults
CORRECT ANSWER A — True
RATIONALE Bandura's social cognitive theory includes the concept that physical capabilities
can affect reproduction. In his triadic reciprocal determinism model, personal
factors (including physical capabilities), environmental factors, and behavior all
interact and influence each other.
U GW · 7 0 3 D
★ ★
W Teachers College
EST. 1997
A N E W M O D E L F O R H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N
WGU D307 Educational Psychology & Development of
Children and Adolescents
CO M P L E T E ST U DY G U I D E | A L R E A DY G RA D E D A +
INSTITUTION Western Governors University COURSE CODE D307
PROGRAM Teacher Education / Educational ACADEMIC YEAR
Psychology
EXAM TITLE WGU D307 Educational TOTAL QUESTIONS 61 Questions
Psychology & Development of
Children and Adolescents
COURSE TITLE Educational Psychology & FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Development Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Educational psychology theories, developmental stages, and language development are all testable
content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects standard educational psychology curriculum and developmental theory.
, SECTION I — EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY &
Questions 1 – 61
DEVELOPMENT
1. A key concept of this theory is that people are innately good.
A. Behavioral theory
B. Humanistic theory of learning
C. Constructivism theory of learning
D. Information-processing theory
CORRECT ANSWER B — Humanistic theory of learning
RATIONALE Humanistic theory, associated with Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes
that people are innately good and capable of self-actualization. This theory
focuses on feelings, emotions, self-perception, and motivation, and stresses the
importance of a safe, welcoming environment for learning.
2. According to Vygotsky, what should a teacher do to help a student move through the zone
of proximal development?
A. Allow the student to work independently
B. Provide instructional scaffolding
C. Administer a formal assessment
D. Use punishment for incorrect answers
CORRECT ANSWER B — Provide instructional scaffolding
RATIONALE Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the gap between what a
learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.
Scaffolding is the temporary support provided by a teacher or more
knowledgeable other to help the student move through the ZPD and achieve
higher levels of understanding.
,3. A child watching his parents brush their teeth is an example of learning from a _________,
according to Vygotsky.
A. Peer group
B. More knowledgeable other
C. Zone of proximal development
D. Scaffolding
CORRECT ANSWER B — More knowledgeable other
RATIONALE According to Vygotsky, learning occurs through social interaction. The "more
knowledgeable other" (MKO) is someone who has a higher level of understanding
or skill than the learner. Parents, as MKOs, model behaviors like teeth brushing
that children observe and learn from through guided participation and social
interaction.
4. At which stage would a child be expected to tie shoes?
A. Preschool
B. Primary school
C. Middle school
D. High school
CORRECT ANSWER B — Primary school
RATIONALE Tying shoes is a fine motor skill typically expected to be developed during the
primary school years (ages 5-7). This skill requires manual dexterity, hand-eye
coordination, and cognitive planning. Most children master shoe-tying by first or
second grade.
, 5. A child understands that a deflated balloon can be filled with air. According to Piaget,
which cognitive level is he demonstrating?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
CORRECT ANSWER C — Concrete operational
RATIONALE Understanding that a deflated balloon can be filled with air demonstrates
conservation and reversibility—hallmarks of Piaget's concrete operational stage
(ages 7-11). At this stage, children can think logically about concrete objects and
understand that actions can be reversed.
6. True or False: According to Bandura, physical capabilities can affect reproduction.
A. True
B. False
C. Only in children
D. Only in adults
CORRECT ANSWER A — True
RATIONALE Bandura's social cognitive theory includes the concept that physical capabilities
can affect reproduction. In his triadic reciprocal determinism model, personal
factors (including physical capabilities), environmental factors, and behavior all
interact and influence each other.
