Unit 2 of 5
Study guide for CLEP CLEP Educational Psychology — Unit 2: Cognitive Development. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.
68
Practice Questions
11
Flashcards
4
Key Topics
Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 68.
A fourth-grade teacher notices that when students encounter a new type of animal they have never seen before, they initially categorize it based on familiar animals they already know. Which of the following best explains this cognitive process?
Accommodation, where students modify their existing mental frameworks to fit the new information
Assimilation, where students interpret new experiences through their existing schemas
Centration, where students focus on only one characteristic of the animal at a time
Reversibility, where students can mentally reverse their thinking about animal classifications
Conservation, where students understand that the animal's properties remain constant despite perceptual changes
Answer: B — Assimilation is the cognitive process by which individuals incorporate new information into existing mental structures (schemas). When students categorize an unfamiliar animal using known categories, they are fitting new experiences into pre-existing frameworks. Option "Accommodation, where students modify their existing mental frameworks to fit the new information" (accommodation) is incorrect because accommodation involves changing schemas, not applying them. Option "Centration, where students focus on only one characteristic of the animal at a time" (centration) refers to focusing on single features, which is not the primary mechanism here. Option "Reversibility, where students can mentally reverse their thinking about animal classifications" (reversibility) involves mentally reversing operations, and Option "Conservation, where students understand that the animal's properties remain constant despite perceptual changes" (conservation) concerns understanding that properties persist—neither directly explains initial categorization of novel stimuli.
A researcher is studying the effect of a new hormone supplement on cognitive function in adults. The study involves 100 participants who are given either the hormone supplement or a placebo. What is the primary purpose of including a placebo group in this study?
To increase the sample size of the study
To reduce the cost of the study by using fewer participants
To control for external variables and provide a basis for comparison
To ensure that all participants receive the hormone supplement
To increase the statistical power of the study by allowing for a within-group comparison
Answer: C — The placebo group serves as a control group, allowing the researcher to compare the effects of the hormone supplement to a group that did not receive the supplement.
What characterizes the concrete operational stage?
Ability to think abstractly
Use of symbols and language
Logical reasoning with concrete objects
Egocentric thinking and centration
Moral and ethical reasoning
Answer: C — Logical reasoning with concrete objects is correct because concrete operational stage involves logical reasoning with concrete objects. Abstract thinking is in formal operational.
Which Bloom's taxonomy level involves applying learned information to new situations?
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Answer: C — Application is correct because application involves using learned info in new situations.
What is the difference between lateral and vertical transfer of learning?
Lateral transfer involves applying learning to a higher level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to a similar level
Lateral transfer involves applying learning to a similar level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to a higher level
Lateral transfer involves applying learning to a lower level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to a higher level
Lateral transfer involves applying learning to an abstract level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to a concrete level
Lateral transfer involves applying learning to a concrete level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to an abstract level
Answer: B — Lateral transfer involves applying learning to a similar level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to a higher level is correct because lateral transfer involves applying learning to a similar level, while vertical transfer involves applying learning to a higher level..
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