WGU EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025 WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is working memory (sometimes known as short-term memory)?- Correct Answer -It
actively processes a small amount of information, typically holding it for less than a
minute.
What is positive reinforcement?- Correct Answer -Reinforcement consists of getting something
a learner finds desirable.
What is metacognition?- Correct Answer -Thinking about thinking
What is an accurate comparison between behaviorist and social cognitive theories of
learning.- Correct Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -through observations of others
One characteristic common to all behavorist learning theories is an emphasis on: -
Correct Answer -the effect of the environment on learning
,Which one of the following statements best describes positive reinforcement?- Correct Answer -
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 Answer -suggest questions that students might ask themselves as
they work on problems.
Which one of the following is the best illustration of metacognition?- Correct Answer -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 Answer -- 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 Answer -
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 Answer -
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 Answer -promote self-regulation
Which one of the following is a legitimate concern about the use of performance assessment?-
Correct Answer -its reliability and content validitly are sometimes questionable.
Which of the following students show motivation consistent with theoretical views of self
worth?- Correct Answer -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 Answer -Believing that you have some choice about what you
do.
Norm-Referenced Assessment- Correct Answer -- 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 Answer
-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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -"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 Answer -give
students opportunites to make choices
What is an example of Erikson's state of identity versus role confusion?- Correct Answer -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 Answer -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
Answer -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 Answer -Experiences with adults during infancy
Which one of the following best describes Piaget's notion of equilibration?- Correct Answer -A
child revises existing schemes to incorporate new information
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025 WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is working memory (sometimes known as short-term memory)?- Correct Answer -It
actively processes a small amount of information, typically holding it for less than a
minute.
What is positive reinforcement?- Correct Answer -Reinforcement consists of getting something
a learner finds desirable.
What is metacognition?- Correct Answer -Thinking about thinking
What is an accurate comparison between behaviorist and social cognitive theories of
learning.- Correct Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -through observations of others
One characteristic common to all behavorist learning theories is an emphasis on: -
Correct Answer -the effect of the environment on learning
,Which one of the following statements best describes positive reinforcement?- Correct Answer -
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 Answer -suggest questions that students might ask themselves as
they work on problems.
Which one of the following is the best illustration of metacognition?- Correct Answer -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 Answer -- 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 Answer -
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 Answer -
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 Answer -promote self-regulation
Which one of the following is a legitimate concern about the use of performance assessment?-
Correct Answer -its reliability and content validitly are sometimes questionable.
Which of the following students show motivation consistent with theoretical views of self
worth?- Correct Answer -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 Answer -Believing that you have some choice about what you
do.
Norm-Referenced Assessment- Correct Answer -- 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 Answer
-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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -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 Answer -"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 Answer -give
students opportunites to make choices
What is an example of Erikson's state of identity versus role confusion?- Correct Answer -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 Answer -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
Answer -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 Answer -Experiences with adults during infancy
Which one of the following best describes Piaget's notion of equilibration?- Correct Answer -A
child revises existing schemes to incorporate new information
