Question 1

Three of the following examples reflect the use of metacognition in problem solving. Which one shows little or no metacognition?

Accepted Answer

A)  When Allan discovers that his homework assignment in social studies involves an especially ill-defined and difficult problem, he realizes that he will have to devote a considerable amount of time to the assignment. 
B)  Brendan is replacing an old, single-paned window in his home with a new, double-paned window unit. Before he begins to work, he thinks about the steps he will need to take and jots down the tools and materials he will need to purchase. 
C)  Clyde is working on a series of word problems after a unit on multiplication of two-digit numbers. To complete the task as quickly as possible, he simply multiplies the two numbers he sees in each problem; he doesn't bother to read the problems themselves. 
D)  When Duncan's chemistry teacher assigns a challenging problem that she wants her students to address in chemistry lab, Duncan feels confident that he has both the knowledge and skills to solve the problem successfully if he works slowly and carefully. 
A)  When Allan discovers that his homework assignment in social studies involves an especially ill-defined and difficult problem, he realizes that he will have to devote a considerable amount of time to the assignment. 
B)  Brendan is replacing an old, single-paned window in his home with a new, double-paned window unit. Before he begins to work, he thinks about the steps he will need to take and jots down the tools and materials he will need to purchase. 
C)  Clyde is working on a series of word problems after a unit on multiplication of two-digit numbers. To complete the task as quickly as possible, he simply multiplies the two numbers he sees in each problem; he doesn't bother to read the problems themselves. 
D)  When Duncan's chemistry teacher assigns a challenging problem that she wants her students to address in chemistry lab, Duncan feels confident that he has both the knowledge and skills to solve the problem successfully if he works slowly and carefully.

Question 2

Three of the four teachers below are likely to facilitate her students' ability to solve problems in the classroom. Which teacher is least likely to do so?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ms. Axelrod wants her students to have an in-depth understanding of classroom subject matter. 
B)  Ms. Blakely explains to her students that algorithms are almost always better than heuristics for solving problems. 
C)  Ms. Corning often assigns a series of word problems that differ in terms of the specific mathematical operations (e.g., addition, subtraction) needed for problem solution. 
D)  After her students read a chapter about the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, Ms. Darwin asks them to identify potential problems that the attack created for the United States government. 
A)  Ms. Axelrod wants her students to have an in-depth understanding of classroom subject matter. 
B)  Ms. Blakely explains to her students that algorithms are almost always better than heuristics for solving problems. 
C)  Ms. Corning often assigns a series of word problems that differ in terms of the specific mathematical operations (e.g., addition, subtraction) needed for problem solution. 
D)  After her students read a chapter about the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, Ms. Darwin asks them to identify potential problems that the attack created for the United States government.

Question 3

Distinguish between general and specific transfer, and give a concrete example of each to illustrate the distinction. Describe the four perspectives of transfer listed below in terms of their views on general and specific transfer:
a. Formal discipline
b. Similarity of stimuli and responses
c. Information processing
d. Situated learning

Accepted Answer

General transfer refers to the applicati

Question 4

From the perspective of information processing theory, incubation facilitates problem solving primarily by:

Accepted Answer

A)  enhancing attentional focus on the problem to be solved 
B)  slightly expanding the capacity of working memory 
C)  enabling a more expansive search of long-term memory 
D)  increasing one's ability to engage in means-ends analysis 
A)  enhancing attentional focus on the problem to be solved 
B)  slightly expanding the capacity of working memory 
C)  enabling a more expansive search of long-term memory 
D)  increasing one's ability to engage in means-ends analysis

Question 5

Which one of the following is most likely to be useful in teaching children to solve mathematical problems effectively?

Accepted Answer

A)  Teaching tricks such as "When you see altogether in a problem, you should add" 
B)  Making sure that students know why procedures work as well as how to use them 
C)  Having students practice procedures in isolation before applying them to real-life situations 
D)  Making sure that students can think abstractly before they begin to solve problems 
A)  Teaching tricks such as "When you see altogether in a problem, you should add" 
B)  Making sure that students know why procedures work as well as how to use them 
C)  Having students practice procedures in isolation before applying them to real-life situations 
D)  Making sure that students can think abstractly before they begin to solve problems

Question 6

Ms. Sharp wants her students to use what they learn in their psychology class to interact with other people more effectively. Given what we know about factors that promote transfer, which one of the following teaching strategies is most likely to accomplish this objective?

Accepted Answer

A)  Present a prototype of how effective interaction occurs. 
B)  Have students describe behaviors that might promote effective interaction. 
C)  Have students apply effective interaction skills in role-playing situations. 
D)  Ask questions that encourage students to review the basic principles they have learned about human interaction. 
A)  Present a prototype of how effective interaction occurs. 
B)  Have students describe behaviors that might promote effective interaction. 
C)  Have students apply effective interaction skills in role-playing situations. 
D)  Ask questions that encourage students to review the basic principles they have learned about human interaction.

Question 7

Francis learns that the Spanish word malo means "bad." He later learns that the French word mal also means "bad." Analyzing this situation in terms of the similarity of stimuli and responses, we can predict that Francis will:

Accepted Answer

A)  Probably have positive transfer from one language to the other 
B)  Probably have negative transfer from one language to the other 
C)  Have positive transfer from Spanish to French, but negative transfer from French to Spanish 
D)  Have positive transfer from French to Spanish, but negative transfer from Spanish to French 
A)  Probably have positive transfer from one language to the other 
B)  Probably have negative transfer from one language to the other 
C)  Have positive transfer from Spanish to French, but negative transfer from French to Spanish 
D)  Have positive transfer from French to Spanish, but negative transfer from Spanish to French

Question 8

Which one of the following statements best describes theorists' rationale for advocating the use of authentic activities?

Accepted Answer

A)  Authentic activities are the most efficient way of teaching basic skills to a level of automaticity. 
B)  Authentic activities have built-in scaffolding that assures students' success. 
C)  Authentic activities help students transfer classroom subject matter to real-world contexts. 
D)  Authentic activities usually promote a mental set, which facilitates students' knowledge construction. 
A)  Authentic activities are the most efficient way of teaching basic skills to a level of automaticity. 
B)  Authentic activities have built-in scaffolding that assures students' success. 
C)  Authentic activities help students transfer classroom subject matter to real-world contexts. 
D)  Authentic activities usually promote a mental set, which facilitates students' knowledge construction.

Question 9

Three of the following examples illustrate the use of scaffolding in promoting students' problem-solving abilities. Which example does not illustrate scaffolding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ms. Amayo presents an example of a computer program that alphabetizes a list of names. She then has students do something similar-write a program that puts items in numerical order. 
B)  When students struggle with arithmetic word problems, Ms. Blake gives them subtle hints about how to proceed. 
C)  Mr. Charlesworth gives easy, straight-forward problems at first, then gradually progresses to more difficult ones. 
D)  Mr. Darlington makes sure that all students know physics concepts well before he asks them to solve problems. 
A)  Ms. Amayo presents an example of a computer program that alphabetizes a list of names. She then has students do something similar-write a program that puts items in numerical order. 
B)  When students struggle with arithmetic word problems, Ms. Blake gives them subtle hints about how to proceed. 
C)  Mr. Charlesworth gives easy, straight-forward problems at first, then gradually progresses to more difficult ones. 
D)  Mr. Darlington makes sure that all students know physics concepts well before he asks them to solve problems.

Question 10

Which one of the following illustrates positive transfer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Robert is trying to learn the spelling of the word shepherd. He remembers that he learned to spell tomcat by putting two words together and so writes "sheepherd." 
B)  Vince notices that rules of grammar are not always the same in English and Japanese. 
C)  Zelda uses the formula for calculating the area of a circle when she wants to know how much bigger a 10-inch pizza is than a 7-inch pizza. 
D)  David is trying to learn to program a computer. He reads his programming manual but is confused by some of its instructions. 
A)  Robert is trying to learn the spelling of the word shepherd. He remembers that he learned to spell tomcat by putting two words together and so writes "sheepherd." 
B)  Vince notices that rules of grammar are not always the same in English and Japanese. 
C)  Zelda uses the formula for calculating the area of a circle when she wants to know how much bigger a 10-inch pizza is than a 7-inch pizza. 
D)  David is trying to learn to program a computer. He reads his programming manual but is confused by some of its instructions.

Question 11

Mary's parents want her to study advanced mathematics as a way of helping her remember her lines in theater productions. Considering research on transfer, are Mary's parents correct? Will studying advanced mathematics help Mary learn her lines more readily?

Accepted Answer

A)  Probably 
B)  Only if Mary studies mathematics for an extended period of time 
C)  Only if Mary studies abstract concepts 
D)  Probably not 
A)  Probably 
B)  Only if Mary studies mathematics for an extended period of time 
C)  Only if Mary studies abstract concepts 
D)  Probably not

Question 12

Will is trying to repair a leaky faucet. He first uses the method he used on the last three leaky faucets he repaired, but this approach doesn't work. Then he tries a technique he used several years ago, but this doesn't work either. Finally he remembers a method his mother taught him long ago, and this one stops the leak. Will's approach to the problem can probably best be understood from which of the following perspectives of problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stages of problem solving 
B)  Trial-and-error 
C)  The Gestalt notion of insight 
D)  Response hierarchy 
A)  Stages of problem solving 
B)  Trial-and-error 
C)  The Gestalt notion of insight 
D)  Response hierarchy

Question 13

Three of the following should help students learn mathematical problem-solving procedures. Given the textbook's discussion of problem solving, which one is least likely to be effective?

Accepted Answer

A)  Accompany word problems with illustrative pictures. 
B)  Provide worked-out examples that illustrate a particular procedure. 
C)  Have students apply the procedures to real-world problems in the classroom. 
D)  Encourage students to do problems entirely in their heads whenever possible. 
A)  Accompany word problems with illustrative pictures. 
B)  Provide worked-out examples that illustrate a particular procedure. 
C)  Have students apply the procedures to real-world problems in the classroom. 
D)  Encourage students to do problems entirely in their heads whenever possible.

Question 14

Peter is trying to find something his cat will eat. He presents a variety of different foods to the cat until eventually she begins to eat something. Peter's approach to the problem of feeding a finicky cat can probably best be understood from which of the following perspectives of problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stages of problem solving 
B)  Trial-and-error 
C)  The Gestalt notion of insight 
D)  Response hierarchy 
A)  Stages of problem solving 
B)  Trial-and-error 
C)  The Gestalt notion of insight 
D)  Response hierarchy

Question 15

If you wanted students to learn how to critically evaluate what they read on Internet websites, you would be most likely to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Ask students to consider the motives of the people creating the websites 
B)  Suggest that students check to see how recently the information was posted on the websites 
C)  Urge students to disregard any websites that aren't sponsored by a well-respected agency or organization 
D)  Tell students that websites with eye-catching graphics are usually designed by professionals and therefore offer credible information 
A)  Ask students to consider the motives of the people creating the websites 
B)  Suggest that students check to see how recently the information was posted on the websites 
C)  Urge students to disregard any websites that aren't sponsored by a well-respected agency or organization 
D)  Tell students that websites with eye-catching graphics are usually designed by professionals and therefore offer credible information

Question 16

Peg is trying to change a light bulb in a ceiling light, but she cannot reach the light even when she stands on a chair. She looks around the room, puzzled, and then suddenly realizes that she can reach the light by piling two telephone books on the chair and standing on them. Peg's approach to the problem can probably best be understood from which one of the following perspectives of problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stages of problem solving 
B)  Trial-and-error 
C)  The Gestalt notion of insight 
D)  Response hierarchy 
A)  Stages of problem solving 
B)  Trial-and-error 
C)  The Gestalt notion of insight 
D)  Response hierarchy

Question 17

Three of the following alternatives describe instances of transfer that are likely to occur. Which scenario is least likely?

Accepted Answer

A)  Taking a course in computer programming helps Leslie reason more logically and systematically when she looks at maps in her geography class. 
B)  In ninth grade Ned learns that he can do reasonably well in his classes even without studying. As a result, he does little or no studying in his tenth-grade classes the following year. 
C)  After being bitten by the neighbor's German shepherd, Pablo becomes anxious whenever he sees any German shepherd. 
D)  Sheri has discovered that she can apply many ideas she learns in her general science class to real-world situations. She brings this let-me-apply-it attitude to a physics class she takes the following year. 
A)  Taking a course in computer programming helps Leslie reason more logically and systematically when she looks at maps in her geography class. 
B)  In ninth grade Ned learns that he can do reasonably well in his classes even without studying. As a result, he does little or no studying in his tenth-grade classes the following year. 
C)  After being bitten by the neighbor's German shepherd, Pablo becomes anxious whenever he sees any German shepherd. 
D)  Sheri has discovered that she can apply many ideas she learns in her general science class to real-world situations. She brings this let-me-apply-it attitude to a physics class she takes the following year.

Question 18

Other things being equal, which one of the following students is most likely to engage in critical thinking about scientific topics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Al is a "trivia whiz" who loves to memorize obscure scientific facts. 
B)  Brita realizes that scientists' theories change as new evidence comes in. 
C)  Chris is confident that she can understand something if she puts her mind to it. 
D)  Devin often asks questions when he doesn't understand a section of the textbook. 
A)  Al is a "trivia whiz" who loves to memorize obscure scientific facts. 
B)  Brita realizes that scientists' theories change as new evidence comes in. 
C)  Chris is confident that she can understand something if she puts her mind to it. 
D)  Devin often asks questions when he doesn't understand a section of the textbook.

Question 19

Ms. Kaehler is hoping that the students in her mathematics class will transfer the things they learn in class to real-world situations. Which one of the following things should she not do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Help students understand the logic behind mathematical procedures. 
B)  Make sure that students master each topic before moving to the next one. 
C)  Have students practice basic arithmetic operations on just one or two vivid examples. 
D)  Teach students general principles more than specific facts. 
A)  Help students understand the logic behind mathematical procedures. 
B)  Make sure that students master each topic before moving to the next one. 
C)  Have students practice basic arithmetic operations on just one or two vivid examples. 
D)  Teach students general principles more than specific facts.

Question 20

Which one of the following pieces of advice is most consistent with current beliefs about transfer?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Take calculus to help you develop your critical thinking skills." 
B)  "Study German so that you'll have an easier time learning Japanese next year." 
C)  "Taking an advanced history class will help you think more abstractly about the various subjects you will study in college." 
D)  "Use your knowledge of algebra to simplify this chemistry equation." 
A)  "Take calculus to help you develop your critical thinking skills." 
B)  "Study German so that you'll have an easier time learning Japanese next year." 
C)  "Taking an advanced history class will help you think more abstractly about the various subjects you will study in college." 
D)  "Use your knowledge of algebra to simplify this chemistry equation."

Three of the following examples reflect the use of metacognition in problem solving. Which one shows little or no metacognition?

Three of the four teachers below are likely to facilitate her students' ability to solve problems in the classroom. Which teacher is least likely to do so?

From the perspective of information processing theory, incubation facilitates problem solving primarily by:

Which one of the following is most likely to be useful in teaching children to solve mathematical problems effectively?

Ms. Sharp wants her students to use what they learn in their psychology class to interact with other people more effectively. Given what we know about factors that promote transfer, which one of the following teaching strategies is most likely to accomplish this objective?

Francis learns that the Spanish word malo means "bad." He later learns that the French word mal also means "bad." Analyzing this situation in terms of the similarity of stimuli and responses, we can predict that Francis will:

Which one of the following statements best describes theorists' rationale for advocating the use of authentic activities?

Three of the following examples illustrate the use of scaffolding in promoting students' problem-solving abilities. Which example does not illustrate scaffolding?

Which one of the following illustrates positive transfer?

Mary's parents want her to study advanced mathematics as a way of helping her remember her lines in theater productions. Considering research on transfer, are Mary's parents correct? Will studying advanced mathematics help Mary learn her lines more readily?

Three of the following should help students learn mathematical problem-solving procedures. Given the textbook's discussion of problem solving, which one is least likely to be effective?

Peter is trying to find something his cat will eat. He presents a variety of different foods to the cat until eventually she begins to eat something. Peter's approach to the problem of feeding a finicky cat can probably best be understood from which of the following perspectives of problem solving?

If you wanted students to learn how to critically evaluate what they read on Internet websites, you would be most likely to:

Three of the following alternatives describe instances of transfer that are likely to occur. Which scenario is least likely?

Other things being equal, which one of the following students is most likely to engage in critical thinking about scientific topics?

Ms. Kaehler is hoping that the students in her mathematics class will transfer the things they learn in class to real-world situations. Which one of the following things should she not do?

Which one of the following pieces of advice is most consistent with current beliefs about transfer?

Perspectives on Learning

Learning and the Brain

Behaviorism and Classical Conditioning

Instrumental Conditioning

Applications of Instrumental Conditioning

Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction to Cognitivism

Basic Components of Memory

Long-Term Memory I: Storage and Encoding

Long-Term Memory Iii: Retrieval and Forgetting

Long-Term Memory Iii: Retrieval and Forgetting

Cognitive-Developmental Perspectives

Sociocultural Theory and Other Contextual Perspectives

Metacognition, Self-Regulated Learning, and Study Strategies

Motivation and Affect

Cognitive Factors in Motivation

Filters

Exam 15: Transfer, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking

Three of the following examples reflect the use of metacognition in problem solving. Which one shows little or no metacognition?

Three of the four teachers below are likely to facilitate her students' ability to solve problems in the classroom. Which teacher is least likely to do so?

From the perspective of information processing theory, incubation facilitates problem solving primarily by:

Which one of the following is most likely to be useful in teaching children to solve mathematical problems effectively?

Ms. Sharp wants her students to use what they learn in their psychology class to interact with other people more effectively. Given what we know about factors that promote transfer, which one of the following teaching strategies is most likely to accomplish this objective?

Francis learns that the Spanish word malo means "bad." He later learns that the French word mal also means "bad." Analyzing this situation in terms of the similarity of stimuli and responses, we can predict that Francis will:

Which one of the following statements best describes theorists' rationale for advocating the use of authentic activities?

Three of the following examples illustrate the use of scaffolding in promoting students' problem-solving abilities. Which example does not illustrate scaffolding?

Which one of the following illustrates positive transfer?

Mary's parents want her to study advanced mathematics as a way of helping her remember her lines in theater productions. Considering research on transfer, are Mary's parents correct? Will studying advanced mathematics help Mary learn her lines more readily?

Three of the following should help students learn mathematical problem-solving procedures. Given the textbook's discussion of problem solving, which one is least likely to be effective?

Peter is trying to find something his cat will eat. He presents a variety of different foods to the cat until eventually she begins to eat something. Peter's approach to the problem of feeding a finicky cat can probably best be understood from which of the following perspectives of problem solving?

If you wanted students to learn how to critically evaluate what they read on Internet websites, you would be most likely to:

Three of the following alternatives describe instances of transfer that are likely to occur. Which scenario is least likely?

Other things being equal, which one of the following students is most likely to engage in critical thinking about scientific topics?

Ms. Kaehler is hoping that the students in her mathematics class will transfer the things they learn in class to real-world situations. Which one of the following things should she not do?

Which one of the following pieces of advice is most consistent with current beliefs about transfer?

Perspectives on Learning

Learning and the Brain

Behaviorism and Classical Conditioning

Instrumental Conditioning

Applications of Instrumental Conditioning

Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction to Cognitivism

Basic Components of Memory

Long-Term Memory I: Storage and Encoding

Long-Term Memory Iii: Retrieval and Forgetting

Long-Term Memory Iii: Retrieval and Forgetting

Cognitive-Developmental Perspectives

Sociocultural Theory and Other Contextual Perspectives

Metacognition, Self-Regulated Learning, and Study Strategies

Motivation and Affect

Cognitive Factors in Motivation

Filters