Question 1

The textbook describes Patricia Alexander's theory regarding the development of expertise. Which one of the following statements best characterizes Alexander's theory?

Accepted Answer

Patricia Alexander's theory is focused on the acquisition of knowledge as a key component of expertise development. She argues that experts have more and better integrated knowledge about a particular topic, which allows them to approach problems in a more efficient and effective way. While skills and practice are important, Alexander's emphasis is on the role of knowledge in expertise development. Therefore, option D is the best characterization of her theory.

Question 2

From the textbook's perspective, what is a key advantage of developing schemas and scripts?

Accepted Answer

Developing schemas and scripts reduces the amount of information we need to acquire in order to make sense of a situation. By organizing information into familiar patterns, we can quickly understand and interpret new situations without having to process every detail.

Question 3

Which one of the following alternatives best illustrates the notion of a personal theory?

Accepted Answer

Darnell's view represents a personal theory because it reflects his individual conceptual framework for understanding and categorizing living creatures and manmade objects, which is the essence of a personal theory.

Question 4

Many of Mr. Henry's students have heard from family or friends that global climate change is a "hoax" perpetuated by certain politicians and policy makers. Mr. Henry is trying to convince them that, in fact, the earth's overall temperature is slowly rising and that, furthermore, the change is at least partly the result of human activity. The approach most likely to be successful in promoting conceptual change about climate change is to:

Accepted Answer

Presenting both sides of the debate but discrediting the "hoax" arguments allows students to see the contrast between the two perspectives and understand why the scientific consensus supports the reality of climate change. This approach encourages critical thinking and helps students to evaluate the evidence for themselves.

Question 5

Which one of the following factors is likely to have the greatest influence in the development of a person's worldview?

Accepted Answer

The culture in which a person grows up shapes their beliefs, values, and attitudes, which form the foundation of their worldview. It influences the way they perceive the world and interact with others. The social norms and expectations, beliefs, values, traditions, and customs that are passed down from generation to generation in a culture become the lenses through which individuals view the world. While books, education, and environment can all be significant factors in shaping a person's worldview, their impact is likely to be less profound than that of the culture in which they grew up.

Question 6

Which one of the following is the best example of confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

In this scenario, Paula already has a preconceived notion that heavy objects fall faster. When the paperclip and stone reach the ground at the same time, instead of accepting that her assumption was wrong, she adjusts her reasoning to fit her original belief by assuming she must have released the paperclip earlier. This is an example of confirmation bias, where she seeks to confirm her existing beliefs rather than evaluate the situation objectively.

Question 7

Each of the teachers below has students with misconceptions about the material they are studying. Three of the teachers are using strategies that should help their students correct these misconceptions. Which teacher is not using an effective strategy for changing misconceptions?

Accepted Answer

Reminding students about testing does not necessarily address their misconceptions about the material. This strategy may motivate them to spend more time studying, but it does not directly target their incorrect beliefs. The other three strategies (identifying correct understanding, presenting a situation that conflicts with current beliefs, and showing the true explanation) are all effective ways to challenge and correct misconceptions.

Question 8

Only one of the following is a true statement regarding the nature of knowledge in long-term memory. Which one?

Accepted Answer

Interconnected pieces of information are usually more useful than isolated pieces. This is because when information is connected to other information in our memory, it becomes easier to access and remember later. This is known as the principle of association or associative encoding.

Question 9

Three of the following teaching strategies should help promote conceptual change. Which one will not?

Accepted Answer

Having students learn definitions of important concepts to automaticity may help with rote memorization, but it is unlikely to promote conceptual change. To truly change students' understanding of a topic, deeper exploration and addressing misconceptions is necessary. A, B, and C are all strategies that can help promote conceptual change by increasing engagement, identifying and addressing misconceptions, and allowing for deeper understanding of fewer topics.

Question 10

When students have misconceptions about a concept, helping them acquire more scientifically acceptable understandings of that concept is difficult. It is most difficult when the student has:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When students have misconceptions about a concept,...

Question 11

Which one of the following illustrates conceptual change?

Accepted Answer

Conceptual change involves a shift in understanding or perspective about a concept. Option A describes skill acquisition, Option B describes a misunderstanding, and Option D describes an increase in awareness about the consequences of fire, but none of them involve a fundamental shift in understanding about the nature of fire. Option C, on the other hand, describes a change in understanding from thinking of fire as a substance to recognizing it as a chemical change, indicating a conceptual change has occurred.

Question 12

Which one of the following best illustrates a worldview at work?

Accepted Answer

Option D is an example of a worldview at work because it shows how Rachel interprets Mick's injury as a punishment for his behavior towards her, indicating a belief in some form of karma or divine justice. The other options do not demonstrate a clear worldview in action. Option A may indicate low self-esteem or social anxiety, but it does not necessarily reflect a broader belief system. Option B is a scientifically incorrect statement but does not necessarily reflect a specific worldview. Option C is simply a question about the ocean and does not reveal anything about Eli's worldview.

Question 13

Three of the following teaching strategies may foster students' acquisition of a theory about phenomena in the natural world. Which strategy is least likely to be effective in fostering students' theory development?

Accepted Answer

Memorization does not promote deep understanding or critical thinking, which are essential for theory development. The other strategies involve visual representation, conceptualization, and critical thinking, which support theory development.

Question 14

Which one of the following statements best describes the perspective known as theory theory?

Accepted Answer

Theory theory is the perspective that people develop general belief systems (or "theories") about how certain aspects of the world operate, such as the physical, biological, and psychological domains. These theories are used to make predictions and guide behavior.

Question 15

People often hold on stubbornly to their misconceptions about the world. Three of the following are possible explanations as to why this might be so. Which statement is not a likely explanation for the resilience of misconceptions?

Accepted Answer

While it is true that knowledge can become distorted over time, this statement does not directly relate to the resilience of misconceptions. The other three options explain how misconceptions can persist despite new information or evidence.

Question 16

Children's misconceptions about the world may come from a variety of sources. Which one of the following is not a likely source that theorists have identified?

Accepted Answer

The other answer options have been identified by theorists as likely sources for children's misconceptions, but there is no evidence to suggest that younger children's made-up stories contribute significantly to misconceptions.

Question 17

Three of the following are common misconceptions that elementary or secondary students are likely to have. Which one is not commonly found?

Accepted Answer

The other three misconceptions are commonly found among elementary or secondary students. The first misconception (A) is due to the common belief that an object must be constantly pushed to continue its motion, which is not true according to Newton's first law of motion. The third misconception (C) is often assumed because countries are commonly represented on maps with visible borders, giving the impression that the borders are physical boundaries. The fourth misconception (D) is often perpetuated by flat earth conspiracies or lack of exposure to accurate depictions of the shape of the earth. The second misconception (B) is not commonly found, as most students understand that animals require food to survive.

Question 18

Luana is taking her first course in psychology. With regard to her knowledge of psychology, Luana is probably in Alexander's ______ stage in the development of expertise:

Accepted Answer

According to Alexander's theory of expertise, the first stage is acclimation, which is characterized by a beginner's lack of familiarity with the field and its concepts. Since Luana is taking her first course in psychology, she is likely in this stage.

Question 19

Which one of the following examples best illustrates the use of a personal theory as a child learns the concept spider?

Accepted Answer

Julian's assumption that spiders give birth to baby spiders, similar to how humans give birth to babies, reflects a personal theory. He is using his existing knowledge about human reproduction to make sense of how spiders reproduce, demonstrating how children often use personal theories to understand new concepts.

Question 20

Which of the following formative assessments is most likely to promote cognitive change?

Accepted Answer

A multiple-choice exam allows the learner to compare the correct answer with misconceptions, which can promote cognitive change.

Quiz 9: Cognitive-Developmental Perspectives