WGU D094 Exam: Educational Psychology, Development of
Children and Adolescents New Study Guide, Best Exam
Preparation Material Updated 2025
1. According to Piaget, in which stage of cognitive development do children begin to think
logically about concrete events?
• A. Sensorimotor stage
• B. Preoperational stage
• C. Concrete operational stage
• D. Formal operational stage
Answer: C. Concrete operational stage
Rationale: Piaget’s concrete operational stage occurs between ages 7 and 11, where children
gain a better understanding of mental operations and start thinking logically about concrete
events, but struggle with abstract concepts.
2. Vygotsky's concept of the "Zone of Proximal Development" (ZPD) refers to:
• A. The distance between what a learner can do independently and what they can do with
guidance
• B. The level of achievement students reach without any help
• C. The space where learners apply existing knowledge
• D. The development of motor skills
Answer: A. The distance between what a learner can do independently and what they can do
with guidance
Rationale: Vygotsky's ZPD focuses on the range of tasks that a learner can perform with the
help of a more knowledgeable other, highlighting the role of social interaction in learning.
3. What is Erikson's primary psychosocial challenge for adolescents?
• A. Industry vs. Inferiority
• B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
• C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
• D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Answer: B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Rationale: According to Erikson, during adolescence (ages 12-18), individuals face the
challenge of developing a sense of personal identity, which can lead to either identity formation
or confusion about their role in society.
4. Which of the following best describes Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple
intelligences?
• A. Intelligence is a fixed trait that cannot be changed
• B. People have different kinds of intelligences, such as linguistic, spatial, and
interpersonal
• C. Intelligence can only be measured through standardized tests
• D. All individuals learn best in the same way
Answer: B. People have different kinds of intelligences, such as linguistic, spatial, and
,interpersonal
Rationale: Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences suggests that people have different types
of intelligences, each important in its own way, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical,
spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
5. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation in the classroom?
• A. A student completing homework to avoid punishment
• B. A student reading a book because they enjoy the story
• C. A student participating in class to earn extra credit
• D. A student studying to achieve a high test score
Answer: B. A student reading a book because they enjoy the story
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity for its own sake because it is
enjoyable or interesting, rather than for external rewards or pressure.
6. What is the primary focus of Bloom's Taxonomy?
• A. Assessing students' physical abilities
• B. Measuring academic performance through IQ tests
• C. Categorizing levels of cognitive skills for learning objectives
• D. Understanding emotional development in children
Answer: C. Categorizing levels of cognitive skills for learning objectives
Rationale: Bloom's Taxonomy is a hierarchical model used to classify educational learning
objectives into levels of complexity, including remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing,
evaluating, and creating.
7. In the context of behaviorism, which of the following strategies would be considered a
form of positive reinforcement?
• A. Removing a disliked chore after good behavior
• B. Giving praise or rewards to encourage repetition of a behavior
• C. Ignoring the behavior until it stops
• D. Punishing a student for bad behavior
Answer: B. Giving praise or rewards to encourage repetition of a behavior
Rationale: Positive reinforcement involves adding a rewarding stimulus after a behavior to
increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.
8. What is the main idea behind Bandura’s Social Learning Theory?
• A. Learning occurs through direct instruction and repetition
• B. Learning is the result of environmental stimuli alone
• C. People learn through observing and imitating others
• D. Learning only happens during specific critical periods in life
Answer: C. People learn through observing and imitating others
Rationale: Bandura’s Social Learning Theory posits that people learn behaviors, attitudes, and
emotional reactions by observing others, especially role models, and imitating their actions.
9. A key component of Constructivist Learning Theory is that:
• A. Knowledge is passively absorbed by students
• B. Learning is shaped by external rewards
, • C. Learners actively construct their own understanding and knowledge
• D. Teachers are the sole source of knowledge
Answer: C. Learners actively construct their own understanding and knowledge
Rationale: Constructivist theory emphasizes that learning is an active process where students
build their own understanding based on their experiences and interactions with the world.
10. Which type of assessment is used to monitor students' progress throughout instruction?
• A. Summative assessment
• B. Formative assessment
• C. Diagnostic assessment
• D. Standardized assessment
Answer: B. Formative assessment
Rationale: Formative assessments are ongoing assessments used to monitor student learning
during instruction, providing feedback to improve learning and teaching as it occurs.
At what age can a child be expected to ask and answer simple questions and use pronouns,
plurals, and rhyming words?
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years --------- Correct Answer ---------- 3-4 years
Michael, a seven-year-old student, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He is working at grade
level academically. but he is unable to climb the jungle gym with his classmate during recess or
fully participate in PE and extracurricular activities. In which area of development is Michael
struggling?
Cognitive
Physical
Language processing
Social --------- Correct Answer ---------- Physical
As a result of falling off a golf cart, Timmy has been diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI). Taking this diagnosis into consideration, which accommodation is most appropriate for
Timmy's teachers to use?
Provide information in smaller chunks.
Provide positive feedback.
Provide assistive technology.
Provide specialized writing instruction. --------- Correct Answer ---------- Provide information in
smaller chunks.
Mara's school went from face-to-face to online when COVID-19 hit her state. Her family does
not have a good internet connection and online learning has been a struggle for Mara. Which
type of barrier is Mara facing?
