Social Cognitive
This type of learning, often called modeling, occurs by observing the behaviors of others and the consequences that follow.
What is observational learning?
The basic building blocks of knowledge, mental structures or models that individuals use to organize and interpret new information.
What is a schema?
Freud divided the mind into three levels of awareness: the conscious, the preconscious, and this deepest level where all repressed desires reside.
What is the Unconscious?
Debate over genetic vs environmental influence.
What is nature vs. nurture?
Learning by association, where a neutral stimulus comes to trigger a learned response.
What is Classical Conditioning?
A student starts raising her hand more often after seeing her friend get called on and praised for participating. What Social Cognitive Theory concept is illustrated?
Vicarious learning
In constructivism, this process involves fitting new information into existing cognitive schemas.
What is assimilation?
A person who suddenly forgets the details of a painful argument and insists that it “never happened” is demonstrating the defense mechanism which keeps unpleasant or threatening thoughts out of the conscious mind. What Freudian defense mechanism is this person portraying?
What is repression?
One side of this debate believes development is slow and gradual while the other side believes development involves steps and stages with abrupt shifts in between them.
What is continuity vs. discontinuity?
A teacher gives a sticker every time a student completes their homework, increasing the chances that the student will do it again. What behavioral principle is being shown?
Positive reinforcement
Explains how personal factors, behavior, and environmental influences interact to shape human action.
eciprocal determinism
A theory stating that knowledge, reality, and identity are created through social interaction and cultural context, rather than being objective truths.
What is Social Constructivism?
A teenager loudly insists that she “doesn’t care at all” after being rejected from a team, even though she is clearly upset from the news. What freudian defense mechanism is she portraying?
reaction formation
Some psychologists argue that personality traits remain the same throughout life, while others believe people’s personalities shift significantly over time. Which controversy is represented here?
stability vs change
Learning through rewards and punishments.
What is operant conditioning?
The social cognitive theory is called the bridge between constructivism and _____
Cognitivism.
Vygotsky developed this concept, representing the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with guidance.
What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
This structure operates on the morality principle.
What is superego?
This controversy asks whether early life traits predict adult behavior or whether development remains flexible.
What is stability vs. change?
A researcher gradually teaches a pigeon to peck a button by first rewarding it to turn toward the button, then for stepping closer, and then for finally pecking the button. Which behavioral technique is being used?
Shaping
A student keeps performing poorly in exams because she believes putting in more effort will not change the outcome. This shows a learned expectation that better results are out of her control. What Social Cognitive Theory construct does this example illustrate?
Outcome expectancy
The sweet spot of where learning occurs.
What is VPD?
Crying loudly for candy in a store without considering consequences best reflects this personality structure.
What is an example of id?
Seeing humans as “blank slates” molded by experience aligns most closely with this position.
What is passive?
A student feels relaxed when hearing a favorite song because it’s always played while studying in a calm environment. What kind of behaviorism?
An example of classical conditioning.