WGU D664 Learners and Learning Science Exam 1 - Questions
with Correct Answers (Verified Update)
58 questions
1. Which part of the brain is the last to fully mature, typically in the mid-20s, and governs
planning, impulse control and decision-making?
A. Cerebellum
B. Brainstem
C. Prefrontal cortex
D. Occipital lobe
Correct Answer: C. Prefrontal cortex
Rationale: The prefrontal cortex matures last, which helps explain adolescent impulsivity and the need to
scaffold executive-function skills.
2. The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to
learning and experience is called:
A. Myelination
B. Lateralization
C. Habituation
D. Neuroplasticity
Correct Answer: D. Neuroplasticity
Rationale: Neuroplasticity means the brain changes with experience throughout life, the biological basis
for the belief that abilities can grow.
3. The process of 'use it or lose it,' in which unused neural connections are eliminated, is known
as:
A. Synaptogenesis
B. Myelination
C. Synaptic pruning
D. Neurogenesis
Correct Answer: C. Synaptic pruning
Rationale: Synaptic pruning removes weak or unused connections, making frequently used pathways
more efficient.
4. Myelination improves learning primarily by:
A. Creating new neurons
B. Increasing the speed and efficiency of neural signal transmission
C. Eliminating unused synapses
D. Storing long-term memories
Correct Answer: B. Increasing the speed and efficiency of neural signal transmission
Rationale: Myelin is a fatty sheath around axons that speeds electrical impulses, supporting faster, more
efficient processing.
5. Which brain structure is most closely associated with forming new long-term memories?
A. Amygdala
B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C. Hippocampus
Rationale: The hippocampus consolidates new information into long-term memory; the amygdala
processes emotion and threat.
, 6. A student is highly anxious before a test and cannot recall material she knew the day before.
The best explanation is that:
A. Her working memory capacity has permanently decreased
B. She never encoded the information
C. Stress activates the amygdala and impairs prefrontal and memory functioning
D. Anxiety improves recall in all situations
Correct Answer: C. Stress activates the amygdala and impairs prefrontal and memory
functioning
Rationale: High stress triggers the amygdala's threat response, reducing access to prefrontal reasoning
and retrieval; safe, low-threat environments support learning.
7. Executive functions include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Working memory
B. Inhibitory control
C. Cognitive flexibility
D. Visual acuity
Correct Answer: D. Visual acuity
Rationale: The three core executive functions are working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive
flexibility; visual acuity is a sensory ability.
8. According to Piaget, a child who understands that the amount of water stays the same when
poured into a taller glass has achieved:
A. Conservation
B. Object permanence
C. Egocentrism
D. Animism
Correct Answer: A. Conservation
Rationale: Conservation is the hallmark of the concrete operational stage (about ages 7-11).
9. In which of Piaget's stages do learners first reason abstractly and test hypotheses
systematically?
A. Concrete operational
B. Preoperational
C. Formal operational
D. Sensorimotor
Correct Answer: C. Formal operational
Rationale: Formal operations (about age 11+) bring abstract, hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
10. A 4-year-old believes everyone sees the room exactly as she does. Piaget would call this:
A. Conservation
B. Accommodation
C. Egocentrism
D. Decentration
Correct Answer: C. Egocentrism
Rationale: Egocentrism, difficulty taking others' perspectives, is typical of the preoperational stage (about
ages 2-7).
with Correct Answers (Verified Update)
58 questions
1. Which part of the brain is the last to fully mature, typically in the mid-20s, and governs
planning, impulse control and decision-making?
A. Cerebellum
B. Brainstem
C. Prefrontal cortex
D. Occipital lobe
Correct Answer: C. Prefrontal cortex
Rationale: The prefrontal cortex matures last, which helps explain adolescent impulsivity and the need to
scaffold executive-function skills.
2. The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to
learning and experience is called:
A. Myelination
B. Lateralization
C. Habituation
D. Neuroplasticity
Correct Answer: D. Neuroplasticity
Rationale: Neuroplasticity means the brain changes with experience throughout life, the biological basis
for the belief that abilities can grow.
3. The process of 'use it or lose it,' in which unused neural connections are eliminated, is known
as:
A. Synaptogenesis
B. Myelination
C. Synaptic pruning
D. Neurogenesis
Correct Answer: C. Synaptic pruning
Rationale: Synaptic pruning removes weak or unused connections, making frequently used pathways
more efficient.
4. Myelination improves learning primarily by:
A. Creating new neurons
B. Increasing the speed and efficiency of neural signal transmission
C. Eliminating unused synapses
D. Storing long-term memories
Correct Answer: B. Increasing the speed and efficiency of neural signal transmission
Rationale: Myelin is a fatty sheath around axons that speeds electrical impulses, supporting faster, more
efficient processing.
5. Which brain structure is most closely associated with forming new long-term memories?
A. Amygdala
B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C. Hippocampus
Rationale: The hippocampus consolidates new information into long-term memory; the amygdala
processes emotion and threat.
, 6. A student is highly anxious before a test and cannot recall material she knew the day before.
The best explanation is that:
A. Her working memory capacity has permanently decreased
B. She never encoded the information
C. Stress activates the amygdala and impairs prefrontal and memory functioning
D. Anxiety improves recall in all situations
Correct Answer: C. Stress activates the amygdala and impairs prefrontal and memory
functioning
Rationale: High stress triggers the amygdala's threat response, reducing access to prefrontal reasoning
and retrieval; safe, low-threat environments support learning.
7. Executive functions include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Working memory
B. Inhibitory control
C. Cognitive flexibility
D. Visual acuity
Correct Answer: D. Visual acuity
Rationale: The three core executive functions are working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive
flexibility; visual acuity is a sensory ability.
8. According to Piaget, a child who understands that the amount of water stays the same when
poured into a taller glass has achieved:
A. Conservation
B. Object permanence
C. Egocentrism
D. Animism
Correct Answer: A. Conservation
Rationale: Conservation is the hallmark of the concrete operational stage (about ages 7-11).
9. In which of Piaget's stages do learners first reason abstractly and test hypotheses
systematically?
A. Concrete operational
B. Preoperational
C. Formal operational
D. Sensorimotor
Correct Answer: C. Formal operational
Rationale: Formal operations (about age 11+) bring abstract, hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
10. A 4-year-old believes everyone sees the room exactly as she does. Piaget would call this:
A. Conservation
B. Accommodation
C. Egocentrism
D. Decentration
Correct Answer: C. Egocentrism
Rationale: Egocentrism, difficulty taking others' perspectives, is typical of the preoperational stage (about
ages 2-7).
