Question 1

Which number illustrates the fact that in English, numbers do not all follow a regular naming pattern, thus making learning to count more difficult in English than in some other number systems?

Accepted Answer

The number 11 is an example of irregular naming in English numbers, as it does not follow a predictable pattern based on the digits themselves, unlike many other languages that have a more systematic approach to naming numbers.

Question 2

What term is used to describe the structure which forms the foundation for a person being able to perform particular tasks?

Accepted Answer

Mental software refers to the cognitive structures and processes that enable individuals to perform specific tasks.

Question 3

Which principle of counting states that number names must be counted in the same sequence?

Accepted Answer

The stable-order principle states that number names must be counted in the same sequence, meaning that if you count 1, 2, 3, you can't suddenly switch to saying 5, 6, 7. This principle helps establish a consistent and stable way of counting, which is essential for accurate mathematical reasoning.

Question 4

What do we call a memory for some significant life event?

Accepted Answer

An autobiographical memory is a memory for a significant life event that is tied to personal experience and is often emotional or personally meaningful. It is a type of episodic memory that relates to events in a person's life.

Question 5

Which child does Piaget's theory have the most difficulty explaining?

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory suggests a stage-like progression in cognitive development, where mastering tasks like conservation and perspective-taking (three-mountain task) occurs in a specific order. Daisy's mixed abilities challenge the theory's assumption of uniform stage progression, as she has mastered one advanced task but not another typically developed around the same time.

Question 6

What are the neural structures we are born with sometimes called?

Accepted Answer

The term "mental hardware" refers to the neural structures we are born with, as they are biologically determined and innate rather than learned or acquired through experience.

Question 7

Which principle of counting states that the last number in a counting sequence differs from previous numbers and denotes the total number of objects being counted?

Accepted Answer

The cardinality principle states that the last number in a counting sequence denotes the total number of objects being counted. It is a foundational concept in early mathematics education. A is incorrect as the stable-order principle states that the order in which objects are counted should be consistent (e.g. always starting from the leftmost object). C is incorrect as the one-to-one principle states that each object should be paired with one and only one counting word. D is incorrect as habituation is a learning principle related to repeated exposure to a stimulus leading to decreased response over time.

Question 8

Which principle of counting states that there must be a single number name for each item counted?

Accepted Answer

The one-to-one principle ensures that each item being counted is assigned a single, unique number name, ensuring an accurate count.

Question 9

Amanda's 4-year-old daughter, Lin, was the only witness to a robbery. As Amanda's friend and "psychology expert," what advice would you give her to help ensure that Lin provides the most accurate testimony to police?

Accepted Answer

It is important to prepare Lin for the types of questions she may be asked by investigators and to make her feel comfortable if she does not know the answer to a question. This can help minimize the potential for false or misleading information to be provided. Option A may delay the opportunity to gather critical information, while option C may inadvertently shape Lin's testimony. Option D may limit the ability for Lin to provide a complete and accurate narrative of what happened.

Question 10

Which of the following is a Piagetian-based implication for teaching to promote cognitive growth?

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that cognitive growth occurs through a process of active exploration and discovery, so providing materials with which students can make their own discoveries promotes this growth. Choices A and D are incorrect as Piaget believed that children should actively construct their own understanding through exploration and error, and providing guidance only when necessary. Choice B is incorrect as Piaget believed that children's cognitive growth occurs when they are challenged with tasks that are slightly beyond their current level of thinking, not slightly behind.

Question 11

How did Piaget and Vygotsky view the "journey" of cognitive development?

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that cognitive development occurred through individual exploration and adaptation to the environment, while Vygotsky believed that it was a collaborative process, as children learned through interactions with more knowledgeable others. Vygotsky referred to this as the "zone of proximal development," which involves children working together with a more knowledgeable individual to solve problems or complete tasks. Therefore, C is the correct choice as it accurately reflects the different perspectives of the two theorists.

Question 12

Stan is asked to count the toes on his left foot and report the total. Stan says, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There are three!" Assuming he has five toes on his foot, which principle of counting has Stan apparently failed to master?

Accepted Answer

Stan has failed to master the cardinality principle, which states that the last number name denotes the number of objects counted. He correctly counts to five but then incorrectly states the total as three.

Question 13

Liam can count to 20 with ease, and he has almost mastered the 30s, but he has difficulty when he reaches 39, because he doesn't know the next decade's name. At what approximate age is Liam?

Accepted Answer

Children typically begin to understand and use counting skills around age 4, including recognizing number sequences and names of numbers in order. Mastery of counting into higher numbers and understanding the sequence of decade names (like moving from the 30s to the 40s) often develops with more exposure and practice, which aligns with the capabilities of a 4-year-old.

Question 14

Research illustrates that which ethnicity of children remembers their younger years more vividly?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that North American children tend to have more vivid and detailed autobiographical memories from their younger years compared to children from East Asian cultures, such as Chinese and Japanese. This difference is often attributed to the more individualistic culture in North America, which emphasizes personal experiences and self-expression, leading to more detailed personal memory recall.

Question 15

Which of the following is one of the strategies suggested to aid children who are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Reminding children to focus attention on relevant information is a strategy that can help children who are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. This reinforces the importance of paying attention to the task at hand and filtering out distracting stimuli. Options A and C may actually introduce additional distractions, while option B may oversimplify the lesson and not provide enough stimulation for engaged learning.

Question 16

Which of the following is a component that enhances the development of autobiographical memory in preschool children?

Accepted Answer

Acquiring a sense of self is crucial for the development of autobiographical memory, as it allows children to organize and interpret personal experiences as part of their own life story.

Question 17

Which parenting strategy has been shown to improve autobiographical memory in preschoolers?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging children to talk about past events in detail has been shown to improve autobiographical memory in preschoolers. This allows them to develop a more elaborate and detailed memory of the event. Rewarding children for any response, asking yes or no questions or asking them to repeat themselves frequently may not necessarily improve their memory capacity.

Question 18

The following 3-year-olds are asked to count the number of fingers they have on their left hand. Assuming that they each have five fingers, who best illustrates the one-to-one principle?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The following 3-year-olds are asked to count...

Question 19

Which type of memory is Kara relying on when she tells her mother all about the picnic she went on with her class?

Accepted Answer

Autobiographical memory is a type of long-term memory that stores information about our personal experiences. It is what allows us to remember specific events from our lives, such as the picnic that Kara went on with her class.

Question 20

While counting four objects, Yoshiko says "1, 2, 4, 8" one time, and "2, 1, 4, 8" the next time. Which principle of counting has Yoshiko failed to master?

Accepted Answer

Yoshiko has failed to master the stable-order principle, which states that the counting words must be said in a consistent and stable order (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4...). By skipping numbers and changing the order of the counting words, Yoshiko is not demonstrating an understanding of this principle. The cardinality principle refers to the understanding that the last number counted represents the total quantity of objects, while the one-to-one principle refers to the idea that each object must be paired with a unique counting word. The habituation principle refers to the idea that repeated exposure to a stimulus will eventually lead to a decreased response.

Quiz 5: Growing and Learning in the Preschool Years