D664 – FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE Learners and
Learning Science (WGU, 2026/2027) | Complete
Review Notes
EXAM OVERVIEW
The WGU D664 Objective Assessment for Learners and Learning Science evaluates
your understanding of the cognitive, developmental, and contextual factors that
influence how people learn. This study guide synthesizes key concepts tested on the OA:
learning theories, developmental stages, brain structures, and evidence-based
instructional strategies.
PART 1: CORE LEARNING THEORIES
QUESTION 1
What is the primary focus of Behaviorism as a learning theory?
A) Internal mental processes like thinking and memory
B) Observable changes in behavior driven by environmental stimuli
,C) How learners actively construct their own knowledge
D) The social and cultural context of learning
Correct Answer: B) Observable changes in behavior driven by environmental
stimuli
Rationale: Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior shaped by reinforcement and
punishment, often associated with Skinner’s operant conditioning. The "black box" of the
mind is not the focus; instead, external stimuli and responses are emphasized.
QUESTION 2
A teacher uses a star chart to recognize good performance. Which learning science does
this strategy demonstrate?
A) Cognitivism
B) Constructivism
C) Behaviorism
D) Social Constructivism
Correct Answer: C) Behaviorism
Rationale: Star charts provide positive reinforcement for desired behaviors, which is a core
principle of behaviorism. This external reward system shapes behavior through
reinforcement.
QUESTION 3
What is the central idea of Cognitivism?
A) Learning occurs through observing others
B) Learning is a passive absorption of information
C) Learning involves internal mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-
solving
D) Learning is driven by reinforcement and punishment
Correct Answer: C) Learning involves internal mental processes such as thinking,
memory, and problem-solving
,Rationale: Cognitivism shifts focus from behavior to the internal mental processes involved
in learning. Key concepts include Information Processing Theory, mental schemas, and
cognitive load.
QUESTION 4
What is the main idea of Constructivism?
A) Learners passively absorb information from their environment
B) Learners actively construct their own knowledge based on personal experiences and
interactions
C) Learning is a result of reinforcement and punishment
D) Learning occurs through imitation of models
Correct Answer: B) Learners actively construct their own knowledge based on
personal experiences and interactions
Rationale: Constructivism posits that knowledge is constructed actively by the learner, not
passively absorbed. It includes both cognitive and social branches.
QUESTION 5
According to Vygotsky, what is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
A) The skills a child can perform independently
B) The skills a child cannot perform even with help
C) The gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve
with guidance from a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
D) The stage when a child develops object permanence
Correct Answer: C) The gap between what a learner can do independently and
what they can achieve with guidance from a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
Rationale: Vygotsky's ZPD is the area where learning occurs, with the help of scaffolding
from a teacher or more capable peer.
, QUESTION 6
Which instructional activity in a high school class aligns with Vygotsky's view of
development?
A) Students completing a worksheet independently
B) Students watching a lecture and taking notes
C) Allowing students to discuss new ideas in groups of peers
D) Students taking a multiple-choice quiz
Correct Answer: C) Allowing students to discuss new ideas in groups of peers
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized social interaction and peer collaboration. Group
discussions leverage the ZPD and social constructivism.
QUESTION 7
According to Bandura's Observational Learning theory, what is a key component of
the learning process?
A) Direct reinforcement of the learner
B) The learner must pay attention to the model, retain the information, reproduce the
behavior, and have motivation
C) The learner must receive a reward for the behavior
D) The learner must have prior knowledge of the task
Correct Answer: B) The learner must pay attention to the model, retain the
information, reproduce the behavior, and have motivation
Rationale: Bandura's work showed that learning can occur simply by observing others
(models) without direct reinforcement. The process involves attention, retention,
reproduction, and motivation.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following best describes learning science?
A) The study of classroom layout
B) The exploration of how the human brain acquires and processes information
Learning Science (WGU, 2026/2027) | Complete
Review Notes
EXAM OVERVIEW
The WGU D664 Objective Assessment for Learners and Learning Science evaluates
your understanding of the cognitive, developmental, and contextual factors that
influence how people learn. This study guide synthesizes key concepts tested on the OA:
learning theories, developmental stages, brain structures, and evidence-based
instructional strategies.
PART 1: CORE LEARNING THEORIES
QUESTION 1
What is the primary focus of Behaviorism as a learning theory?
A) Internal mental processes like thinking and memory
B) Observable changes in behavior driven by environmental stimuli
,C) How learners actively construct their own knowledge
D) The social and cultural context of learning
Correct Answer: B) Observable changes in behavior driven by environmental
stimuli
Rationale: Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior shaped by reinforcement and
punishment, often associated with Skinner’s operant conditioning. The "black box" of the
mind is not the focus; instead, external stimuli and responses are emphasized.
QUESTION 2
A teacher uses a star chart to recognize good performance. Which learning science does
this strategy demonstrate?
A) Cognitivism
B) Constructivism
C) Behaviorism
D) Social Constructivism
Correct Answer: C) Behaviorism
Rationale: Star charts provide positive reinforcement for desired behaviors, which is a core
principle of behaviorism. This external reward system shapes behavior through
reinforcement.
QUESTION 3
What is the central idea of Cognitivism?
A) Learning occurs through observing others
B) Learning is a passive absorption of information
C) Learning involves internal mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-
solving
D) Learning is driven by reinforcement and punishment
Correct Answer: C) Learning involves internal mental processes such as thinking,
memory, and problem-solving
,Rationale: Cognitivism shifts focus from behavior to the internal mental processes involved
in learning. Key concepts include Information Processing Theory, mental schemas, and
cognitive load.
QUESTION 4
What is the main idea of Constructivism?
A) Learners passively absorb information from their environment
B) Learners actively construct their own knowledge based on personal experiences and
interactions
C) Learning is a result of reinforcement and punishment
D) Learning occurs through imitation of models
Correct Answer: B) Learners actively construct their own knowledge based on
personal experiences and interactions
Rationale: Constructivism posits that knowledge is constructed actively by the learner, not
passively absorbed. It includes both cognitive and social branches.
QUESTION 5
According to Vygotsky, what is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
A) The skills a child can perform independently
B) The skills a child cannot perform even with help
C) The gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve
with guidance from a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
D) The stage when a child develops object permanence
Correct Answer: C) The gap between what a learner can do independently and
what they can achieve with guidance from a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
Rationale: Vygotsky's ZPD is the area where learning occurs, with the help of scaffolding
from a teacher or more capable peer.
, QUESTION 6
Which instructional activity in a high school class aligns with Vygotsky's view of
development?
A) Students completing a worksheet independently
B) Students watching a lecture and taking notes
C) Allowing students to discuss new ideas in groups of peers
D) Students taking a multiple-choice quiz
Correct Answer: C) Allowing students to discuss new ideas in groups of peers
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized social interaction and peer collaboration. Group
discussions leverage the ZPD and social constructivism.
QUESTION 7
According to Bandura's Observational Learning theory, what is a key component of
the learning process?
A) Direct reinforcement of the learner
B) The learner must pay attention to the model, retain the information, reproduce the
behavior, and have motivation
C) The learner must receive a reward for the behavior
D) The learner must have prior knowledge of the task
Correct Answer: B) The learner must pay attention to the model, retain the
information, reproduce the behavior, and have motivation
Rationale: Bandura's work showed that learning can occur simply by observing others
(models) without direct reinforcement. The process involves attention, retention,
reproduction, and motivation.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following best describes learning science?
A) The study of classroom layout
B) The exploration of how the human brain acquires and processes information
