Final Exam - Study Guide Q's

Question 1

According to Dembo & Seli, why is it that some students are less successful learners than others?

Answer 1

D&S pg 7-9

• they hold faulty beliefs about their ability, learning, and motivation,
• they are unaware of their ineffective learning behavior
• they fail to sustain effective learning and motivational strategies
• they are not ready to change their learning and study behavior

Question 2

31. What are all the reasons why we may procrastinate in doing our work?

Answer 2

D&S pg 160
2 patterns were identified by Ferrari, Johnson, and McCown; 1) lack of conscientiousness—associated with poor time management, work discipline, self-control, and responsibility. 2) Avoidance—associated with fear of failure and anxiety.
Also self-worth theory (which is why we avoid things that are important to us),
To avoid anxiety/things that make us uncomfortable

D&S pg 162
Overestimation of time left to do a task
Underestimation of time necessary to do a task
Overestimation of future emotional states
Misreliance on the necessity of emotional states to succeed in doing a task
Belief that working when not in the mood is unproductive or sub-optimal

Question 3

28. According to Dembo & Seli, why are some students unmotivated to change their study strategies?

Answer 3

D&S pg 9
Some students are not convinced they need to change. Many do recognize that they need to improve but tend to stick with familiar strategies even at the expense of sub-par results. They are simply not motivated to change. Some believe it takes too much effort and time to learn new methods of learning.

Question 4

54. What time management tips are recommended by your authors and WHY do they recommend them?

Answer 4

D&S pg 149

• Set regular study periods
• Create an environment that is relatively free of distractions and interruptions
• Schedule tasks so they can be accomplished in 30-60 minute blocks
• Take short breaks
• Be specific in identifying how you plan to use your time
• Alternate subjects when you have a long time block available for study
• estimate the time needed for each assignment
• Prioritize tasks
• Do the assignments for the course you don’t like first
• Work ahead when possible
• Put appointments in your smartphone or calendar as soon as you get them
• Use technology to manage your time

Question 5

40. What are “attributions” and how do our attributions of success vs. failure influence our motivation to be better students?

Answer 5

Attributions are an individual’s perception of the causes of their successes or failures.

Question 6

53. According to Oakley, Dembo, & Seli, what are the benefits of group studying?

Answer 6

Oakley; everyone has blind spots and others can help fill those in,
explaining things to others can help you,
important networking opportunity,
excessive agreeableness decreases helpfulness,
good prep for employment,
validation for homework frustrations

D&S higher academic achievement,
higher deeper thinking skills,
greater ability to transfer learning from one situation to another

Question 7

41. According to Covington (as cited in Dembo & Seli), when a student is afraid of failing, what sorts of behaviors might occur?

Answer 7

• Procrastination
• Unattainable goals
• Underachievers
• Anxiety

Question 8

37. What factors are involved with causing boredom?

Answer 8

• internal factors (personality, how much you value things-i.e. some people find everything boring). You might have to change the way you think about things.
• external factors (classes, instructors)

Question 9

16. What sorts of things can be done to increase dendritic branching?

Answer 9

chunking, sleep, exercise, good nutrition, learning (all the things we’ve talked about), also be positive this does actually help with dendritic branching/synapto/neurogenesis. Physical contact is important too