WGU D664 – Learners and Learning Science Objective
Assessment | 72 New Practice Questions with Answers
& RATIONALE (2026 Update)
1. A teacher provides a student with verbal praise and a sticker every time the
student completes a math problem correctly. Over time, the student completes
more problems. This is an example of:
A) Negative reinforcement
B) Positive reinforcement
C) Punishment
D) Extinction
Answer: B – Positive reinforcement
RATIONALE : Positive reinforcement adds a pleasant stimulus (praise, sticker) to
increase the likelihood of a behavior (completing problems). Negative
reinforcement involves removing an unpleasant stimulus; punishment decreases
behavior; extinction is the disappearance of a behavior when reinforcement
stops.
2. According to Piaget, at what stage can a child begin to think logically about
concrete events but struggle with abstract, hypothetical reasoning?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Answer: C – Concrete operational
RATIONALE : Concrete operational stage (ages 7-11) involves logical thinking
about tangible objects and events, but abstract thought is limited. Formal
,operational stage (adolescence and beyond) allows for hypothetical and abstract
reasoning.
3. Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to:
A) What a learner can do independently
B) What a learner cannot do even with help
C) The gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with
guidance
D) The level of development a learner reaches at puberty
Answer: C – Gap between independent performance and performance with
guidance
RATIONALE : ZPD is the sweet spot for instruction—tasks that are too hard to do
alone but can be accomplished with scaffolding from a more knowledgeable
other.
4. Which of the following is a key component of Bandura's Social Learning
Theory?
A) Unconscious drives
B) Observational learning and modeling
C) Classical conditioning
D) Cognitive dissonance
Answer: B – Observational learning and modeling
RATIONALE : Bandura emphasized that people learn by watching others and
imitating behaviors, especially when the model is reinforced. His famous Bobo
doll experiment demonstrated this.
5. A student is motivated to study because they find the subject fascinating and
enjoy learning new things. This is an example of:
A) Extrinsic motivation
B) Amotivation
, C) Intrinsic motivation
D) External regulation
Answer: C – Intrinsic motivation
RATIONALE : Intrinsic motivation arises from internal factors like interest and
enjoyment. Extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards or pressures.
6. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental crisis
during adolescence (ages 12-18) is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
D) Generativity vs. Stagnation
Answer: C – Identity vs. Role Confusion
RATIONALE : Adolescents explore different roles and develop a sense of personal
identity. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy; Autonomy vs. Shame is toddlerhood;
Generativity vs. Stagnation is middle adulthood.
7. In the information processing model, which memory system holds a vast
amount of information for an extended period, potentially a lifetime?
A) Sensory memory
B) Working memory
C) Short-term memory
D) Long-term memory
Answer: D – Long-term memory
RATIONALE : Long-term memory stores information indefinitely and has
unlimited capacity. Sensory memory lasts milliseconds; working/short-term
memory holds about 7±2 chunks briefly.
8. Ms. Rivera gives her students a quiz at the end of a unit to determine what
they have learned. This is an example of:
A) Formative assessment
Assessment | 72 New Practice Questions with Answers
& RATIONALE (2026 Update)
1. A teacher provides a student with verbal praise and a sticker every time the
student completes a math problem correctly. Over time, the student completes
more problems. This is an example of:
A) Negative reinforcement
B) Positive reinforcement
C) Punishment
D) Extinction
Answer: B – Positive reinforcement
RATIONALE : Positive reinforcement adds a pleasant stimulus (praise, sticker) to
increase the likelihood of a behavior (completing problems). Negative
reinforcement involves removing an unpleasant stimulus; punishment decreases
behavior; extinction is the disappearance of a behavior when reinforcement
stops.
2. According to Piaget, at what stage can a child begin to think logically about
concrete events but struggle with abstract, hypothetical reasoning?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Answer: C – Concrete operational
RATIONALE : Concrete operational stage (ages 7-11) involves logical thinking
about tangible objects and events, but abstract thought is limited. Formal
,operational stage (adolescence and beyond) allows for hypothetical and abstract
reasoning.
3. Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to:
A) What a learner can do independently
B) What a learner cannot do even with help
C) The gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with
guidance
D) The level of development a learner reaches at puberty
Answer: C – Gap between independent performance and performance with
guidance
RATIONALE : ZPD is the sweet spot for instruction—tasks that are too hard to do
alone but can be accomplished with scaffolding from a more knowledgeable
other.
4. Which of the following is a key component of Bandura's Social Learning
Theory?
A) Unconscious drives
B) Observational learning and modeling
C) Classical conditioning
D) Cognitive dissonance
Answer: B – Observational learning and modeling
RATIONALE : Bandura emphasized that people learn by watching others and
imitating behaviors, especially when the model is reinforced. His famous Bobo
doll experiment demonstrated this.
5. A student is motivated to study because they find the subject fascinating and
enjoy learning new things. This is an example of:
A) Extrinsic motivation
B) Amotivation
, C) Intrinsic motivation
D) External regulation
Answer: C – Intrinsic motivation
RATIONALE : Intrinsic motivation arises from internal factors like interest and
enjoyment. Extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards or pressures.
6. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental crisis
during adolescence (ages 12-18) is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
D) Generativity vs. Stagnation
Answer: C – Identity vs. Role Confusion
RATIONALE : Adolescents explore different roles and develop a sense of personal
identity. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy; Autonomy vs. Shame is toddlerhood;
Generativity vs. Stagnation is middle adulthood.
7. In the information processing model, which memory system holds a vast
amount of information for an extended period, potentially a lifetime?
A) Sensory memory
B) Working memory
C) Short-term memory
D) Long-term memory
Answer: D – Long-term memory
RATIONALE : Long-term memory stores information indefinitely and has
unlimited capacity. Sensory memory lasts milliseconds; working/short-term
memory holds about 7±2 chunks briefly.
8. Ms. Rivera gives her students a quiz at the end of a unit to determine what
they have learned. This is an example of:
A) Formative assessment
