WGU EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is working memory (sometimes known as short-term memory)? --
CORRECT-- It actively processes a small amount of information, typically holding
it for less than a minute.
What is positive reinforcement? --CORRECT-- Reinforcement consists of getting
something a learner finds desirable.
What is metacognition? --CORRECT-- Thinking about thinking
What is an accurate comparison between behaviorist and social cognitive theories of
learning. --CORRECT-- social cognitive theorists propose that reinforcement
affects observers as well as the individuals actually being reinforced.
In what way does self-efficacy differ from the term self-concept? --CORRECT-- self-
efficacy varies depending on the specific task to be performed
The term negative reinforcement can best be described as a situation in which:
--CORRECT-- Something the learner doesn't want is taken away after a
response
- No homework after doing well on an exam
- Car chiming until you put your seatbelt on
Ms. O'Connor reinforces James every time she sees him reading independently. Once
he is reading frequently, she begins to reinforce him only every second time, then only
every third time, and so on, gradually reinforcing him less and less often. From a
behaviorist perspective, we can predict Jimmy will: --CORRECT-- Continue to read
independently
Which one of the following statements best characterizes ho reinforement of
incompatible behavior can help reduce inappropriate behavior in the classroom?
--CORRECT-- An undesirable behavior will decrease when a student is
reinforced for a behavior in an opposite manner
Social cognitive theory can best be characterized as being concerned with learning:
--CORRECT-- through observations of others
One characteristic common to all behavorist learning theories is an emphasis on:
--CORRECT-- the effect of the environment on learning
,Which one of the following statements best describes positive reinforcement? --
CORRECT-- Reinforcement consists of getting something a learner wants.
If we want to enhance students' metacognitive processes during problem solving, we
would be most likely to: --CORRECT-- suggest questions that students might ask
themselves as they work on problems.
Which one of the following is the best illustration of metacognition? --CORRECT--
Dolly is studying for a history test. She knows that she has trouble with dates, so she
checks herself by giving herself a short quiz after each chapter.
Criterion-Referenced Assessment --CORRECT-- - Helps to figure out whether of
not the teaching and students' learning meet the international goals and the content
area standards for the covered material.
- assess strengths and weaknesses of students' understanding
- Focus is on standards
Which one of the following eamples illustrates informal assessment? --
CORRECT-- observing how students handle the ball as they play soccer in
gym class
Which one of the following is the best example of performance assessment --
CORRECT-- having students do as many push-ups as they can
by encouraging students to evaluate their own performance during assessment
activities we are most likely to: --CORRECT-- promote self-regulation
Which one of the following is a legitimate concern about the use of performance
assessment? --CORRECT-- its reliability and content validitly are sometimes
questionable.
Which of the following students show motivation consistent with theoretical views of self
worth? --CORRECT-- Monica doesn't read the comments her teacher has written on
her research paper because she suspects that they're not very flattering.
which one of the following statements best describes motivation theorists' concept of
sense of self-determination? --CORRECT-- Believing that you have some choice
about what you do.
Norm-Referenced Assessment --CORRECT-- - Individual performance
- In your music class the teacher decides on chair order by having your whole trumpet
section play the same piece and then evaluates their quality relative to the other
students.
- Top 10% of your class in order to get into a certain college
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of informal assessment --
CORRECT-- informal assesment is valid
, Ms. Smith's 7th grade language arts class has a reading chart on the wall to chart how
mny books they read during the month of december. If they read 3 books each, the
class as a wholewill receive a movie day where they get to choose a movie. What type
of motivation is this classified as? --CORRECT-- Extrinisic motivation
The cognitive theory of motivation that one fo the congnitions that affect motivation is
goals. Out of the four types of goals, which of these scenarios best illustrates a mastery
approach? --CORRECT-- Sam loves playing football, but for some reason he just
can't seem to throw that perfect spiral. After many attempts he asks his dad for tips and
suggestions on how to throw a great pass since his dad played football throughout his
younger years
"My parents are proud of my academic achievements and peers look up to classmates
who are part of a team or club. It means a lot to me that i graduate with a perfect GPA
and I hope to be valedictorian" Which type of goal does this indicate? --CORRECT--
Performance-approach goal
Anthony is a seventh grade student who is struggling to be motivated in his science
class. Which of the following theories regarding Anthony's lack of motivation exhibits a
cognitive theoretical approach? --CORRECT-- "Anthony's teacher should present
him with choices, allowing him some control over his activities. His intrinsic motivation
to learn will increase if he is granted a sense of autonomy and self-determination"
what is a good way to enhance student's sense of self determination? --
CORRECT-- give students opportunites to make choices
What is an example of Erikson's state of identity versus role confusion? --CORRECT--
Craig is trying to decide what career he wants to pursue.
Many cognitive psychologists believe that learning and understanding are often
constructive in nature. Three of the following scenarios illustrate such construction.
Which scenario does not neccessarily involve construction in learning? --CORRECT--
Mr. McFarland asks his third graders to practice their multiplication tables every day.
After a month of such practice, Misty can retrieve all the basic multiplication facts
quickly and easily.
Which one of the following is the best example of Piaget's concept of assimilation? --
CORRECT-- A kindergartner uses a white crayon instead of chalk to draw on the
blackboard
According to Erik Erikson, students' ability to trust those around them intially stems
from: --CORRECT-- Experiences with adults during infancy
Which one of the following best describes Piaget's notion of equilibration? --
CORRECT-- A child revises existing schemes to incorporate new information
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is working memory (sometimes known as short-term memory)? --
CORRECT-- It actively processes a small amount of information, typically holding
it for less than a minute.
What is positive reinforcement? --CORRECT-- Reinforcement consists of getting
something a learner finds desirable.
What is metacognition? --CORRECT-- Thinking about thinking
What is an accurate comparison between behaviorist and social cognitive theories of
learning. --CORRECT-- social cognitive theorists propose that reinforcement
affects observers as well as the individuals actually being reinforced.
In what way does self-efficacy differ from the term self-concept? --CORRECT-- self-
efficacy varies depending on the specific task to be performed
The term negative reinforcement can best be described as a situation in which:
--CORRECT-- Something the learner doesn't want is taken away after a
response
- No homework after doing well on an exam
- Car chiming until you put your seatbelt on
Ms. O'Connor reinforces James every time she sees him reading independently. Once
he is reading frequently, she begins to reinforce him only every second time, then only
every third time, and so on, gradually reinforcing him less and less often. From a
behaviorist perspective, we can predict Jimmy will: --CORRECT-- Continue to read
independently
Which one of the following statements best characterizes ho reinforement of
incompatible behavior can help reduce inappropriate behavior in the classroom?
--CORRECT-- An undesirable behavior will decrease when a student is
reinforced for a behavior in an opposite manner
Social cognitive theory can best be characterized as being concerned with learning:
--CORRECT-- through observations of others
One characteristic common to all behavorist learning theories is an emphasis on:
--CORRECT-- the effect of the environment on learning
,Which one of the following statements best describes positive reinforcement? --
CORRECT-- Reinforcement consists of getting something a learner wants.
If we want to enhance students' metacognitive processes during problem solving, we
would be most likely to: --CORRECT-- suggest questions that students might ask
themselves as they work on problems.
Which one of the following is the best illustration of metacognition? --CORRECT--
Dolly is studying for a history test. She knows that she has trouble with dates, so she
checks herself by giving herself a short quiz after each chapter.
Criterion-Referenced Assessment --CORRECT-- - Helps to figure out whether of
not the teaching and students' learning meet the international goals and the content
area standards for the covered material.
- assess strengths and weaknesses of students' understanding
- Focus is on standards
Which one of the following eamples illustrates informal assessment? --
CORRECT-- observing how students handle the ball as they play soccer in
gym class
Which one of the following is the best example of performance assessment --
CORRECT-- having students do as many push-ups as they can
by encouraging students to evaluate their own performance during assessment
activities we are most likely to: --CORRECT-- promote self-regulation
Which one of the following is a legitimate concern about the use of performance
assessment? --CORRECT-- its reliability and content validitly are sometimes
questionable.
Which of the following students show motivation consistent with theoretical views of self
worth? --CORRECT-- Monica doesn't read the comments her teacher has written on
her research paper because she suspects that they're not very flattering.
which one of the following statements best describes motivation theorists' concept of
sense of self-determination? --CORRECT-- Believing that you have some choice
about what you do.
Norm-Referenced Assessment --CORRECT-- - Individual performance
- In your music class the teacher decides on chair order by having your whole trumpet
section play the same piece and then evaluates their quality relative to the other
students.
- Top 10% of your class in order to get into a certain college
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of informal assessment --
CORRECT-- informal assesment is valid
, Ms. Smith's 7th grade language arts class has a reading chart on the wall to chart how
mny books they read during the month of december. If they read 3 books each, the
class as a wholewill receive a movie day where they get to choose a movie. What type
of motivation is this classified as? --CORRECT-- Extrinisic motivation
The cognitive theory of motivation that one fo the congnitions that affect motivation is
goals. Out of the four types of goals, which of these scenarios best illustrates a mastery
approach? --CORRECT-- Sam loves playing football, but for some reason he just
can't seem to throw that perfect spiral. After many attempts he asks his dad for tips and
suggestions on how to throw a great pass since his dad played football throughout his
younger years
"My parents are proud of my academic achievements and peers look up to classmates
who are part of a team or club. It means a lot to me that i graduate with a perfect GPA
and I hope to be valedictorian" Which type of goal does this indicate? --CORRECT--
Performance-approach goal
Anthony is a seventh grade student who is struggling to be motivated in his science
class. Which of the following theories regarding Anthony's lack of motivation exhibits a
cognitive theoretical approach? --CORRECT-- "Anthony's teacher should present
him with choices, allowing him some control over his activities. His intrinsic motivation
to learn will increase if he is granted a sense of autonomy and self-determination"
what is a good way to enhance student's sense of self determination? --
CORRECT-- give students opportunites to make choices
What is an example of Erikson's state of identity versus role confusion? --CORRECT--
Craig is trying to decide what career he wants to pursue.
Many cognitive psychologists believe that learning and understanding are often
constructive in nature. Three of the following scenarios illustrate such construction.
Which scenario does not neccessarily involve construction in learning? --CORRECT--
Mr. McFarland asks his third graders to practice their multiplication tables every day.
After a month of such practice, Misty can retrieve all the basic multiplication facts
quickly and easily.
Which one of the following is the best example of Piaget's concept of assimilation? --
CORRECT-- A kindergartner uses a white crayon instead of chalk to draw on the
blackboard
According to Erik Erikson, students' ability to trust those around them intially stems
from: --CORRECT-- Experiences with adults during infancy
Which one of the following best describes Piaget's notion of equilibration? --
CORRECT-- A child revises existing schemes to incorporate new information
