Chapter 12

Question 1

Describe the concrete operational stage of Piaget’s theory

Answer 1

In this stage, occurring during the middle school years, children begin to utilize mental operations

Question 2

Describe the evolution of the development of memory strategies

Answer 2

1. Young children typically will stare or touch objects they need to remember
2. Children will then begin to repeat information out loud they need to remember
3. This develops into writing things down
4. With age, more complex strategies are learned like when reading a text, remembering the major points of the story not all the small details

Question 3

What are the 4 basic steps in monitoring the effectiveness of a memory strategy ?

Answer 3

1. Identify the goal
2. Choose the strategy
3. Use the strategy
4. Decide if its effective: if it is, the strategy proceeds to be used, if not, we start the sequence over

Question 4

What are the 3 theories of Intelligence

Answer 4

1. Psychometric theories
2. Gardner’s multiple intelligence theories
3. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Successful Intelligence

Question 5

Describe the psychometric theory of intelligence

Answer 5

This theory describes intelligence based on the measurement of a certain psychological characteristic using specific tests. This theory developed to understand a hierarchical component consisting of 3 levels.
Level 1 (top): general intelligence
Level 2: 8 categories of broad intellectual skill including fluid and crystalized intelligence, visual and auditory perception, creativity, processing speed etc. 
Level 3: the specific skills required for each of the 8 categories

Question 6

Describe Gardners theory of multiple intelligences

Answer 6

Gardner’s theory is based on developmental research, rather than concentrating on testing and measurement. It consists of 8 forms of intelligence: linguistic, mathematical, spatial, musical, kinesthetic, inter/intra personal and naturalistic. Each of these 8 forms develop at different times of life and occur in different regions of the brain and for each category there are some extreme cases of intelligence known as savants

Question 7

Describe Sternberg’s triarchic theory

Answer 7

This theory understands intelligence in a socio-cultural perspective that is made up of 3 sub theories:

1. Componential
2. Experiential
3. Contextual

Question 8

Are intelligence tests accurate?

Answer 8

It is hard to determine the reliability of intelligence tests, since they must establish a criterion for validity. In so, “intelligence” must have an objective definition across all tests which is not necessarily the case that we are seeing.

Question 9

Describe the hereditary and environmental influences on intelligence

Answer 9

1. Heredity: biological vs adoptive studies show that with age there is a strong correlation between IQ scores of biological children and biological parents suggesting that heredity does play a role
2. The two environmental factors that are important are family and preschool intervention

Question 10

Describe how environmental factors play a role in intelligence

Answer 10

Children who are in homes with parents who are responsive, stimulating and involved typically demonstrate higher intelligence. Similarly, children who are involve with enrichment activities and programs prior to school and continuing into school years develop appropriate skills linked to intelligence

Question 11

What are the 4 factors that make for an effective school ?

Answer 11

1. Staff and students understand the primary goal of the school is academic excellence
2. The school climate is safe and nurturing
3. Parents are involved
4. The progress of students and teachers is monitored

Question 12

What 5 factors make for a good teacher ?

Answer 12

1. They can manage the classroom effectively
2. Hold themselves responsible for their students learning
3. They emphasize mastery of topics
4. Teach actively and can pace learning properly
5. Value tutoring and can teach students their own techniques for managing their own learning