PSYC 140 MODULE 4 EXAM PORTAGE
LEARNING 2026 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE SOLVED QUESTION BANK
◉ Describe myelination. How does it affect the way that young children
think? Answer: Myelination is when some neurons become insulated
with a layer of fat. This fat layer speeds messages being relayed among
neurons and therefore enhances processing speed.
◉ Describe synaptic pruning. What does this imply for the differences
between how children think versus how adults think? Answer: Synaptic
pruning is when under-utilized synaptic connections between neurons
die away while important ones become strengthened. Adult brains that
have gone through much of this process are essentially more efficient
than children's brains. However, they may also be less plastic, or
changeable. For example, it may be harder to learn new things and do
adapt quickly.
◉ Type out the two substages of Piaget's Preoperational stage, and
describe in detail key features of each substage. Answer: During the
Symbolic Function substage (ages 2-4) children continue to develop in
their abilities to mentally represent objects that are not right in front of
them. Limitations or errors in thinking that occur in this substage include
Egocentrism and Animism. Egocentrism refers to a problem with taking
another person's perspective or point of view. Animism refers to a child's
belief that inanimate objects can have lifelike qualities.
,In the Intuitive Thought substage, children start to develop reasoning
ability. However, young children are prevented from engaging in highly
rational thought because of centration. Centration involves focusing all
attention on one feature of an object. In doing so, the young child may
miss the "big picture" as well as any other feature of the object.
Centration may also result in a child's difficulty with conservation.
Conservation involves understanding that the physical properties of
substances or objects do not change if merely the appearance is altered.
◉ Compare and contrast Piaget's and Vygotsky's approaches to cognitive
development. Answer: Piaget approached cognitive development from a
biological/maturational standpoint. That is, he believed that abilities
naturally unfolded at certain ages. Vygotsky, on the other hand,
approached cognitive development from a sociocultural standpoint and
emphasized collaborative learning.
◉ Define "zone of proximal development" and "scaffolding." Answer:
The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the gap between what
children can accomplish alone and what they can do if guided by an
expert. Scaffolding involves the teacher/expert to offer changing levels
of support as the child's competence increases.
◉ gender stereotype. Answer: A Gender Stereotype is a set belief about
the expected behaviors of males and females.
◉ Authoritarian parents are tend to be more ___________ in their
children's lives. The ________ are strict and there are many. Rules that
, are set must be followed without ___________ and the parent will not
reason with the child.
An example of this is if your child tries to question any of the rules you
have set, you reply with a "__________" and understand the questioning
as a form of disobedience Answer: uninvolved; boundaries; questioning;
because I said
◉ Authoritative parents put a lot of effort into having a ___________
relationship with their child and is considered the "_______" parent.
This parent is extremely _________ with the rules and boundaries they
choose to set and always hold a space for the child's _________.
An example of this is providing the child with a safe space so that they
would feel comfortable to come to you with any questions/concerns they
have with rules/or any particular form of punishment Answer: positive;
ideal; communicative; feelings
◉ Permissive parents have rules but do not frequently ______ them or
have _________ when they are not followed. This can lead to children
not developing _________
An example of this is a child running around a restaurant with toys,
yelling, dodging waiters and running into other customers while the
parent sits at the table eating--totally disregarding the chaos the child is
causing around them Answer: enforce; consequences; self control
◉ 4. Neglectful parents are largely ___________ in the child's life. They
do not spend much time with the child nor do they know what they are
LEARNING 2026 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE SOLVED QUESTION BANK
◉ Describe myelination. How does it affect the way that young children
think? Answer: Myelination is when some neurons become insulated
with a layer of fat. This fat layer speeds messages being relayed among
neurons and therefore enhances processing speed.
◉ Describe synaptic pruning. What does this imply for the differences
between how children think versus how adults think? Answer: Synaptic
pruning is when under-utilized synaptic connections between neurons
die away while important ones become strengthened. Adult brains that
have gone through much of this process are essentially more efficient
than children's brains. However, they may also be less plastic, or
changeable. For example, it may be harder to learn new things and do
adapt quickly.
◉ Type out the two substages of Piaget's Preoperational stage, and
describe in detail key features of each substage. Answer: During the
Symbolic Function substage (ages 2-4) children continue to develop in
their abilities to mentally represent objects that are not right in front of
them. Limitations or errors in thinking that occur in this substage include
Egocentrism and Animism. Egocentrism refers to a problem with taking
another person's perspective or point of view. Animism refers to a child's
belief that inanimate objects can have lifelike qualities.
,In the Intuitive Thought substage, children start to develop reasoning
ability. However, young children are prevented from engaging in highly
rational thought because of centration. Centration involves focusing all
attention on one feature of an object. In doing so, the young child may
miss the "big picture" as well as any other feature of the object.
Centration may also result in a child's difficulty with conservation.
Conservation involves understanding that the physical properties of
substances or objects do not change if merely the appearance is altered.
◉ Compare and contrast Piaget's and Vygotsky's approaches to cognitive
development. Answer: Piaget approached cognitive development from a
biological/maturational standpoint. That is, he believed that abilities
naturally unfolded at certain ages. Vygotsky, on the other hand,
approached cognitive development from a sociocultural standpoint and
emphasized collaborative learning.
◉ Define "zone of proximal development" and "scaffolding." Answer:
The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the gap between what
children can accomplish alone and what they can do if guided by an
expert. Scaffolding involves the teacher/expert to offer changing levels
of support as the child's competence increases.
◉ gender stereotype. Answer: A Gender Stereotype is a set belief about
the expected behaviors of males and females.
◉ Authoritarian parents are tend to be more ___________ in their
children's lives. The ________ are strict and there are many. Rules that
, are set must be followed without ___________ and the parent will not
reason with the child.
An example of this is if your child tries to question any of the rules you
have set, you reply with a "__________" and understand the questioning
as a form of disobedience Answer: uninvolved; boundaries; questioning;
because I said
◉ Authoritative parents put a lot of effort into having a ___________
relationship with their child and is considered the "_______" parent.
This parent is extremely _________ with the rules and boundaries they
choose to set and always hold a space for the child's _________.
An example of this is providing the child with a safe space so that they
would feel comfortable to come to you with any questions/concerns they
have with rules/or any particular form of punishment Answer: positive;
ideal; communicative; feelings
◉ Permissive parents have rules but do not frequently ______ them or
have _________ when they are not followed. This can lead to children
not developing _________
An example of this is a child running around a restaurant with toys,
yelling, dodging waiters and running into other customers while the
parent sits at the table eating--totally disregarding the chaos the child is
causing around them Answer: enforce; consequences; self control
◉ 4. Neglectful parents are largely ___________ in the child's life. They
do not spend much time with the child nor do they know what they are
