Psychology CLEP 2026 |
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,Token Economy A form of behavior modification using operant conditioning principles. Every time the
patient displays the desired behavior, he is awarded a token (such as a star or a
coin) that can be traded for a physical possession or special privilege.
Pedagogy The art of teaching. It encompasses different styles and methods of instructing.
Instructional Theory A theory which focuses on how to structure material to best teach students,
especially young ones. This approach can be divided into two general approaches:
cognitive and behavioral.
Critical pedagogy A teaching style which seeks to instruct students in how to recognize and rise up
against oppression. This area of teaching is influenced by the works of Karl Marx.
Law of Effect A principle proposed by Edward Thorndike stating behaviors with positive outcomes
will be repeated while those with negative outcomes will be avoided.
Direct instruction A type of instruction which involves the teacher systematically leading the students
step by step to a particular learning goals. This type of teaching is best for learning
math or other complex skills, but not for less structured tasks such as English
composition.
Academic Learning Time The amount of time the student spends focused on his studies when he is
successful at learning the material.
Scheduled Time The total length of the class.
Allocated Time The amount of class time devoted to teaching.
Engaged Time The amount of Allocated Time each individual student spends focused on the class.
Active teaching A method of pedagogy where the teacher actively looks for ways to improve the
students' knowledge of a subject. Ways of doing this include actively presenting
concepts, checking to see if the students understand, and reteaching any trouble
areas for the students.
Generative learning A type of learning where the teacher encourages the students to find their own
meaning in learning. The teacher will show relationships between the new subject
matter and past learning and will encourage the students to have confidence in their
own ability to make these connections.
, Two-sigma problem According to researcher Benjamin Bloom, students with individual tutors generally
perform two standard deviations (two "sigmas") above those in average classrooms.
Norm-Referenced Testing A testing procedure that measures an individual student's score relative to those of
a representative group of students. These tests are used to rank students based on
their skill levels compared to their peers.
Criterion-Referenced Testing A testing procedure that measures a student's mastery of a particular skill or
understanding of a certain concept. The purpose of this kind of test is to measure
whether a student has achieved a certain learning objective.
Instruction All sources that contribute to a student's learning. This term includes the teacher,
the textbook, the principal, and any others who promote education.
Carroll's Model of School Learning A learning model that proposes that learning is a function of the ratio between the
effort needed to the effort spent learning.
learning=f(time spent/time needed)
Mastery Learning Allowing each student to reach full mastery of a concept, regardless of how long it
takes.
Educational Psychology The study of how students learn and develop.
Steiner-Waldorf Education A humanistic, interdisciplinary form of teaching which emphasizes the role of
creativity and imagination in learning. According to this theory, children pass through
three learning stages: imitative learning, artistic learning, and abstract learning.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) A disruptive disorder characterized by the underdevelopment of certain traits such
as impulse control, leading to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The
three types are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, and
combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive.
Learning Disability A broad category of disorders in which the individual has difficulty learning in a
typical way.
Dyslexia A learning disability which impairs a person's language ability. Those with this
disorder may have difficulty with reading, writing, or spelling.
Mental Retardation A disorder characterized by an impairment of one's cognitive abilities and problems
with adapting to situations. Individuals with this problem often have IQs of under 70.