WGU D186: Learning as a Science and Motivating Students 2026
1. According to Self-Determination Theory, which three basic psychological
needs must be met to foster intrinsic motivation?
A. Expectancy, Value, Cost
B. Safety, Belonging, Esteem
C. Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness
D. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Answer: C
Rationale: Self-Determination Theory identifies autonomy (feeling in control), competence
(feeling capable), and relatedness (feeling connected) as essential for intrinsic motivation.
2. Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic motivator?
A. Getting a gold star on a chart
B. Learning a new language to enjoy foreign literature
C. Studying to avoid being grounded
D. Entering a competition for the prize money
Answer: B
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation comes from internal satisfaction or interest in the task
itself, rather than external rewards.
3. In Expectancy-Value Theory, ‘Value’ refers to:
A. The belief that one can successfully complete a task
B. The monetary cost of a learning program
C. The perceived importance or usefulness of a task
D. The grade a student expects to receive
Answer: C
,Rationale: Value represents why a student wants to do a task, including its utility,
importance, and interest level.
4. A student who believes their intelligence can be developed through hard
work and strategies has a:
A. Fixed mindset
B. Performance mindset
C. Growth mindset
D. Closed mindset
Answer: C
Rationale: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities are not innate but can be cultivated
through effort and learning.
5. According to Attribution Theory, which dimension describes whether a cause
is internal or external to the learner?
A. Locus
B. Controllability
C. Stability
D. Magnitude
Answer: A
Rationale: Locus of causality refers to whether the student attributes success or failure to
themselves (internal) or outside forces (external).
6. A student attributes a failing grade to ‘bad luck.’ This attribution is:
A. Internal and stable
B. External and unstable
C. Internal and unstable
D. External and stable
Answer: B
, Rationale: Luck is external to the student and is unstable because it can change from one
situation to the next.
7. Self-efficacy is best defined as:
A. General self-esteem and self-worth
B. The desire to be better than peers
C. The belief in one’s capability to perform a specific task
D. A student’s natural talent for a subject
Answer: C
Rationale: Self-efficacy is task-specific confidence in one’s ability to succeed in a particular
challenge.
8. Which goal orientation is focused on deep understanding and improvement?
A. Mastery goal
B. Performance-avoidance goal
C. Performance-approach goal
D. Work-avoidance goal
Answer: A
Rationale: Mastery goals focus on learning, understanding, and personal progress rather
than comparing oneself to others.
9. What is the primary danger of the ‘overjustification effect’?
A. Extrinsic rewards may decrease existing intrinsic interest
B. Students become too smart for the material
C. Students may refuse to work without a group
D. It leads to a fixed mindset
Answer: A
Rationale: The overjustification effect occurs when external rewards are given for tasks
that were already intrinsically rewarding, leading to a decrease in that internal interest.
1. According to Self-Determination Theory, which three basic psychological
needs must be met to foster intrinsic motivation?
A. Expectancy, Value, Cost
B. Safety, Belonging, Esteem
C. Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness
D. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Answer: C
Rationale: Self-Determination Theory identifies autonomy (feeling in control), competence
(feeling capable), and relatedness (feeling connected) as essential for intrinsic motivation.
2. Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic motivator?
A. Getting a gold star on a chart
B. Learning a new language to enjoy foreign literature
C. Studying to avoid being grounded
D. Entering a competition for the prize money
Answer: B
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation comes from internal satisfaction or interest in the task
itself, rather than external rewards.
3. In Expectancy-Value Theory, ‘Value’ refers to:
A. The belief that one can successfully complete a task
B. The monetary cost of a learning program
C. The perceived importance or usefulness of a task
D. The grade a student expects to receive
Answer: C
,Rationale: Value represents why a student wants to do a task, including its utility,
importance, and interest level.
4. A student who believes their intelligence can be developed through hard
work and strategies has a:
A. Fixed mindset
B. Performance mindset
C. Growth mindset
D. Closed mindset
Answer: C
Rationale: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities are not innate but can be cultivated
through effort and learning.
5. According to Attribution Theory, which dimension describes whether a cause
is internal or external to the learner?
A. Locus
B. Controllability
C. Stability
D. Magnitude
Answer: A
Rationale: Locus of causality refers to whether the student attributes success or failure to
themselves (internal) or outside forces (external).
6. A student attributes a failing grade to ‘bad luck.’ This attribution is:
A. Internal and stable
B. External and unstable
C. Internal and unstable
D. External and stable
Answer: B
, Rationale: Luck is external to the student and is unstable because it can change from one
situation to the next.
7. Self-efficacy is best defined as:
A. General self-esteem and self-worth
B. The desire to be better than peers
C. The belief in one’s capability to perform a specific task
D. A student’s natural talent for a subject
Answer: C
Rationale: Self-efficacy is task-specific confidence in one’s ability to succeed in a particular
challenge.
8. Which goal orientation is focused on deep understanding and improvement?
A. Mastery goal
B. Performance-avoidance goal
C. Performance-approach goal
D. Work-avoidance goal
Answer: A
Rationale: Mastery goals focus on learning, understanding, and personal progress rather
than comparing oneself to others.
9. What is the primary danger of the ‘overjustification effect’?
A. Extrinsic rewards may decrease existing intrinsic interest
B. Students become too smart for the material
C. Students may refuse to work without a group
D. It leads to a fixed mindset
Answer: A
Rationale: The overjustification effect occurs when external rewards are given for tasks
that were already intrinsically rewarding, leading to a decrease in that internal interest.
