PSY 2200 Exam #1 Questions With
Complete Answers
What is the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001? (5 characteristics) - ANSWER - all
students in grades 3-8 and again in high school, had to take reading and math
tests
- in each school span (elementary, middle, high), they'd be tested on science
- schools began developing AYP goals to make sure their students were making
adequate yearly progress
- testing expanding and became teachers' biggest focus; schools were punished
if they didn't meet the goals
- some schools that met the goals, were still labeled as failing
Define educational psychology. (2 characteristics) - ANSWER - distinct
discipline concerned with teaching and learning processes
- applies methods of psychology and has its own as well
What do educational psychologists think about the "common sense" approach in
teaching? (3 characteristics) - ANSWER - not acceptable
- principles = seem obvious but actually = results of rigorous research
- common sense answers = not always the best for students
Define descriptive studies.
Give 3 examples. - ANSWER definition:
- studies that collect detailed information about specific situations.
examples:
1. survey results
2. interview responses
3. video or audio of classroom interactions
Define ethnography. (3 characteristics) - ANSWER - a descriptive approach to
research
- focuses on life within a group
- tries to understand the meaning of naturally occurring events to the people
involved
Define case study. (2 characteristics) - ANSWER - intensive study of one person
or one situation
- similar to clinical studies
What kind of relationship can experimental studies determine?
Define quasi-experimental studies. - ANSWER determine:
, - cause-and-effect relationships
quasi-experimental:
- participants aren't assigned to groups at random
- example: there are existing groups like schools, classes, etc.
What are single-subject experimental designs? (2 characteristics) - ANSWER -
examines the impact of an intervention on one individual
- results are sensitive to that individual, not to a group
Define statistical significance. - ANSWER - a statistical statement showing that
the findings weren't due to chance.
Define theory.
What is the difference between the commonsense notion of theory and the
scientific meaning of a theory? - ANSWER definition:
- integrated statement of principles that attempts to explain a phenomenon and
make predictions
difference:
- commonsense = "oh, it's just a guess!"
- scientific meaning = it's actually reliable; based on research, experiments, etc.
Define participants/subjects. - ANSWER - people or animals studied
How should the results of an observational study be reported? - ANSWER -
should be reported while you acknowledge other confounding variables which =
variable that you didn't account for and also impacted your findings.
Define cognitive development.
What are the 3 basic principles of cognitive development? - ANSWER definition:
- changes where mental processes become more complex and sophisticated
basic principles:
1. rates differ = development will vary from student to student in your class
2. orderly = people develop abilities in a logical order which can progress
rapidly, stay in the same place, or regress.
3. gradual = development takes time.
Define the following: physical, personal, social, and cognitive development. -
ANSWER physical:
- changes in the body
- maturation
personal:
- changes in personality
social:
- changes in the way an individual relates to others
Complete Answers
What is the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001? (5 characteristics) - ANSWER - all
students in grades 3-8 and again in high school, had to take reading and math
tests
- in each school span (elementary, middle, high), they'd be tested on science
- schools began developing AYP goals to make sure their students were making
adequate yearly progress
- testing expanding and became teachers' biggest focus; schools were punished
if they didn't meet the goals
- some schools that met the goals, were still labeled as failing
Define educational psychology. (2 characteristics) - ANSWER - distinct
discipline concerned with teaching and learning processes
- applies methods of psychology and has its own as well
What do educational psychologists think about the "common sense" approach in
teaching? (3 characteristics) - ANSWER - not acceptable
- principles = seem obvious but actually = results of rigorous research
- common sense answers = not always the best for students
Define descriptive studies.
Give 3 examples. - ANSWER definition:
- studies that collect detailed information about specific situations.
examples:
1. survey results
2. interview responses
3. video or audio of classroom interactions
Define ethnography. (3 characteristics) - ANSWER - a descriptive approach to
research
- focuses on life within a group
- tries to understand the meaning of naturally occurring events to the people
involved
Define case study. (2 characteristics) - ANSWER - intensive study of one person
or one situation
- similar to clinical studies
What kind of relationship can experimental studies determine?
Define quasi-experimental studies. - ANSWER determine:
, - cause-and-effect relationships
quasi-experimental:
- participants aren't assigned to groups at random
- example: there are existing groups like schools, classes, etc.
What are single-subject experimental designs? (2 characteristics) - ANSWER -
examines the impact of an intervention on one individual
- results are sensitive to that individual, not to a group
Define statistical significance. - ANSWER - a statistical statement showing that
the findings weren't due to chance.
Define theory.
What is the difference between the commonsense notion of theory and the
scientific meaning of a theory? - ANSWER definition:
- integrated statement of principles that attempts to explain a phenomenon and
make predictions
difference:
- commonsense = "oh, it's just a guess!"
- scientific meaning = it's actually reliable; based on research, experiments, etc.
Define participants/subjects. - ANSWER - people or animals studied
How should the results of an observational study be reported? - ANSWER -
should be reported while you acknowledge other confounding variables which =
variable that you didn't account for and also impacted your findings.
Define cognitive development.
What are the 3 basic principles of cognitive development? - ANSWER definition:
- changes where mental processes become more complex and sophisticated
basic principles:
1. rates differ = development will vary from student to student in your class
2. orderly = people develop abilities in a logical order which can progress
rapidly, stay in the same place, or regress.
3. gradual = development takes time.
Define the following: physical, personal, social, and cognitive development. -
ANSWER physical:
- changes in the body
- maturation
personal:
- changes in personality
social:
- changes in the way an individual relates to others
