Study Guide for Development and Learning Test (Unit 3)

1. What kind of development is Jean Piaget advocating for? 

He is advocating for the theory of cognitive development where biological and environment both shape our development

2. How would you best describe Piaget’s ideas of schemas? 

They are mental molds into which we pour our experiences. The schema theory develops in 2 steps:

  1. Assimilation

  • Learn something new and incorporate it into our experiences

  1. Accommodation

  • Schema is adjusted based on new information or experiences

3. What are the distinct differences between Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development? 

0-2 years: Sensorimotor

  • Object permanence

  • Stranger anxiety

2-6 years: Preoperational

  • Pretend Play

  • Egocentrism

7-11 years: Concrete operational

  • Conservation

  • Mathematical Observations

12+ years: Formal operational

  • Abstract logic

  • Mature & Moral Reasoning

4. How would you best describe the 3 main types of parenting styles? 

Authoritarian

  • Parents impose rules and expect obedience

Authoritative

  • Parents are demanding but are responsive to children

Permissive

  • Parents listen to children completely

5. What is the main difference between fluid intelligence and crystalline intelligence in older individuals?

Fluid Intelligence (ability to reason quickly)

  • Declines with age

Crystalline Intelligence (accumulated knowledge & skills)

  • Does NOT decline with age

6. What physical and physiological changes tend to occur when puberty hits in adolescence?

Spermarche: 1st ejaculation for male

Menarche: 1st menstrual period for female

7. What are some potential limitations of Piaget’s theory?

Some limitations are development and age

8. How would you best describe Vygotsky’s theory? 

He advocates for the sociocultural theory, which states that the environment around the individual is the only factor that affects development.

9. What does Vygotsky mean by the zone of proximal development?

It is the stage where the child can do something by themselves or needs guidance. Vygotsky considered this person who assists as a “more knowledgeable other”. 

10. Why does Vygotsky argue that a “more knowledgeable other” is needed? 

A “more knowledgeable other” is needed because they can provide clear guidance or modeling for the individual’s learning, which can lead to the individual developing higher mental abilities.

11. How would you best describe Vygotsky’s idea of scaffolding? How might it change over time? 

Scaffolding is a support system that is used to help guide the learner to reach the end goal. This might change over time because as the learner develops they need less scaffolding.

12. What does Vygotsky mean by the development of private speech? 

Private speech is the inner thoughts you tell yourself instead of saying out loud to others.

13. How are we seeing a changing understanding of gender and sexuality in our world, especially during adolescence? 

We see that people are starting to accept a growing range of genders due to increased awareness from protests, social media, etc.

14. What is the best breakdown by letter of the LGBTQIA+ nomenclature? 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, etc. (+)

15. What are the 3 types of learning we discussed in class?

  • Classical Conditioning

  • Operant Conditioning

  • Observational Conditioning

16. What do Albert Bandura’s experiments tell us about observational learning?

It tells us that people (especially children) learn through imitating others who receive rewards and punishments.

17. How would you best describe latent learning? 

It is when an individual learns something without a reward or punishment because they are truly passionate and have an incentive for it.

18. How would you best describe Pavlov’s setup of classical conditioning? 

A UCS and UCR are replaced with a new CS and CR. 

19. In terms of classical conditioning, why does timing matter (look at the ideas of acquisition and extinction)?

Timing matters because the neutral stimulus that you are introducing must happen right after the UCS otherwise acquisition won’t work and extinction will occur.

20. How might spontaneous recovery occur with classical conditioning?

This is when after a “rest period” a CR can occur again based on a neutral stimulus.

21. How might generalization occur in regard to classical conditioning?

This occurs when you have an established CR and a stimulus that is similar to the CS gains the same response. (e.g. a dog is used to eating when he hears a whistle, but a child screaming sometimes acts as a whistle)

22. What are the major differences between classical conditioning and operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning is when learning is based on behavior and can be strengthened by reinforcement or weakened by punishment. In contrast, classical conditioning does not involve punishments or reinforcements and is rather learned through responses.

23. What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement? 

Positive Reinforcement: 

  • strengthens a response by presenting a positive stimulus after a response (e.g. receiving a lollipop after a quiz makes you want to do the quiz more)

Negative Reinforcement

  • strengthens a response by reducing or removing an aversive stimulus (e.g. putting dishes away in order to avoid a fight or argument)

24. Why can we make an argument that positive reinforcement is NOT always a good thing?

It isn’t always good because individuals could become dependent on external rewards, leading them to perform tasks solely for the sake of the reward rather than personal satisfaction.

25. How would you explain the difference between a fixed ratio schedule and a fixed interval schedule? Between variable ratio schedule and a variable interval schedule?

A Fixed Ratio Schedule is a reinforcement given only after a specified number of responses (e.g. every 5 correct answers you get a cookie). A Variable Ratio Schedule is a reinforcement given after an unpredictable number of responses (e.g. every time Nikhil says a joke I give him a cookie, but only at random times)

A Fixed Interval Schedule happens when a reinforcer is given after a specific amount of time has elapsed. (e.g. weekly/monthly paycheck) Variable Intervals Schedule happens when a reinforcer occurs at unpredictable amounts of time. (e.g. scheduling dentist appointments every 6 months)

26. How would you best describe the difference between positive punishment and negative punishment?

Positive punishment is giving out an aversive stimulus (e.g. spanking a child for wrong behavior)


Negative punishment is withdrawing or taking away the desired stimulus (e.g. having your license taken away)