Educational Psychology & Learning Theories Flashcards

B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning suggests that behavior is shaped primarily by:

Answer: Consequences that follow the behavior

Operant conditioning holds that behaviors are strengthened by reinforcement and weakened by punishment, based on their consequences.

A teacher awards points for homework completion that students can exchange for free reading time. This is an example of:

Answer: A token economy

A token economy is a behavior management system where students earn tokens for desired behaviors and exchange them for rewards.

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences challenges the idea that intelligence is:

Answer: A single, fixed, general ability

Gardner proposed that intelligence encompasses at least eight distinct types, rejecting the traditional view of a single, unified g-factor.

Metacognition is best described as a learner's ability to:

Answer: Think about and regulate their own thinking processes

Metacognition involves awareness and control of one's own cognitive processes, including planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning.

Scaffolding in education, derived from Vygotsky's work, refers to:

Answer: Temporarily adjusting support to match a learner's current ZPD

Scaffolding involves providing temporary, adjustable support that is gradually removed as the learner gains competence.

Which type of transfer occurs when a student's knowledge of Spanish pronunciation helps them learn French more easily?

Answer: Positive transfer

Positive transfer occurs when prior learning facilitates the acquisition of new, similar skills or knowledge.

According to the dual-coding theory proposed by Allan Paivio, learning is enhanced when information is presented:

Answer: Through both verbal and visual representations simultaneously

Dual-coding theory states that verbal and visual information are processed in separate channels and combining them strengthens memory encoding.