Educational Psychology: Individual Differences in Learning

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering individual differences, cognitive processes, exceptionalities, and inclusive educational frameworks from the Educational Psychology lecture notes.

Learning

A change in knowledge, skills, abilities, attitude, and behavior that results from experience, practice, interaction with the environment, instruction, or reflection.

Learners

Individuals who actively engage in the process of learning by having involvement in learning activities to understand concepts and apply new knowledge and skills.

Behaviorism

A learning perspective focusing on how behavior is learned through interaction with the environment via conditioning, reinforcement, practice, and consequences.

Cognitivism

A learning perspective focusing on mental processes such as attention, perception, memory, thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Constructivism

A learning perspective focusing on how learners actively construct an understanding of and build knowledge by relating or associating new experiences with previous knowledge.

Social Learning / Social Cognitive Theory

A learning perspective emphasizing learning through observation, imitation, attention, or modeling.

Cultural Background

Traditions, values, language, beliefs, ways of interacting with others, and environment associated with an individual.

Prior Knowledge and Experience

Knowledge, skills, and experiences based on previous education, environment, and learning opportunities.

Emotional Awareness and Emotion Regulation

The ability to recognize, manage, and understand one's emotions and understand the emotions of other people (emotional intelligence).

Self-Awareness (Emotional Awareness)

The ability to recognize and understand one's own emotions.

Emotion Regulation

The ability to manage and redirect one's negative emotions and adapt to changes.

Empathy

The ability to recognize and understand how others are feeling.

Social Skills

The ability to understand and connect with people through active listening and verbal or nonverbal communication.

Reasoning

The use of information and logic to reach conclusions.

Problem-Solving

The cognitive process of identifying problems and developing effective and practical solutions.

Decision-Making

The cognitive process of evaluating information and choosing among alternatives.

Comprehension

The ability to understand and interpret information.

Intelligence

A broad construct defined as the ability to learn from experience, recognize and solve problems, and adapt to new situations.

IQ Tests

Assessments used in educational settings for cognitive assessment, identifying learning needs to tailor instruction, and guiding educational placement.

Motivation

The reason or drive to learn, participate, and achieve a goal.

Intrinsic Motivation

Internal drive to learn or participate, such as a student who enjoys learning about a subject for its own sake.

Extrinsic Motivation

External drive to perform or achieve, such as a student who works to obtain high grades.

Learning Engagement

Active involvement and participation in the learning process, such as asking questions, completing tasks, participating in discussions, paying attention, and reviewing lessons.

Exceptional Learners

Students or individuals whose learning needs often require support through a personalized and/or flexible approach.

Impairment

Conditions affecting the structure or function of the body.

Disability

Limitation in participation in tasks or activities due to impairment, focusing on its impact on daily life and functioning.

Disorder

Recognized symptoms, characteristics, or conditions that affect a person's functioning and ability to learn, communicate, or interact.

Vision Impairment

A condition occurring when an eye condition affects the visual system and its functions, which may be caused by a loss of visual acuity.

Hearing Impairment

Hearing loss affecting one or both ears that leads to difficulty in hearing conversations or sounds.

Hard of Hearing

Hearing loss ranging from mild to severe which often requires hearing aids or assistive devices.

Profound Hearing Loss

Very limited or no ability to hear, often requiring alternative communication methods such as sign language, written communication, captions, or cochlear implants.

Physical Impairment/Disability

A condition which affects mobility, coordination, stamina, and dexterity.

Speech Disorder

A condition affecting the ability to create or form speech sounds, including difficulties with articulation, fluency, or voice.

Articulation

The formation of speech sounds; difficulty forming these sounds indicates a speech issue.

Fluency

The smooth flow of speech; interruptions in flow characterize fluency disorders.

Voice

The sound produced in speaking, where problems can involve pitch, volume, or voice quality.

Language Disorder

A condition affecting the ability to understand, process, and use language appropriately, impacting expressive or receptive language.

Expressive Language

The capability of expressing or getting a message across to others through speaking, sentence structure, or writing.

Receptive Language

The capability of understanding messages coming from others, such as questions or directions.

Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Neurodevelopmental disorders affecting a person's ability to learn and use specific academic skills including reading, spelling, written expression, calculations, and reasoning.

Dyslexia

A specific learning disorder characterized by difficulty in reading-related skills.

Dysgraphia

A specific learning disorder characterized by difficulty in writing-related skills.

Dyscalculia

A specific learning disorder characterized by difficulty in number-related skills.

Intellectual Disability

A condition characterized by limitations in cognitive abilities and adaptive skills for managing tasks independently.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting attention and impulse control, characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder associated with difficulties in social interaction and communication, along with restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Giftedness

Exceptional potential or ability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership domains.

Talent

High or exceptional ability in a specific skill or domain, such as athletic, creative/artistic, or leadership skills.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

A plan tailored to a student's needs designed to provide educational support, promote academic progress, inclusion, participation, and independence.

Differentiated Instruction

Intentionally adjusting teaching strategies (content, process, output, learning environment) in response to learner differences while maintaining learning goals.

Inclusive Education

An educational approach featuring equal access to quality education, supportive teaching practices, elimination of discrimination, and collaboration among school, family, and community.

Culturally Responsive Learning

An educational approach that values diversity and promotes the understanding and appreciation of different cultural perspectives within the learning environment.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

An approach to teaching that proactively designs flexible and inclusive learning experiences to address learner variability rather than modifying only after difficulties occur.