Educational Psychology Essay assignment Ch3
*Please answer the questions on a separate piece of paper. You do not need to copy the
questions. I encourage you to do this on a word processor and print multiple copies or photocopy your
answers so that you have them to review for the test (especially for the last chapter before the exam).
*You may NOT work in groups on homework assignments (you must have your own answer)
Short Essay Questions (answer all essay questions in complete sentences. Define all
psychological terms that you use. Use at least 6 sentences per question)
1. For each of the 5 levels of Uri Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory: name the level, define
what that level means, and discuss how one aspect of that level of your environment
influenced your educational development.
2. Research suggests that expectations from parents have a large effect on kids' behaviors in
school. What were your parents' expectations for you in terms of schooling and what effects
has that had on your school experience? Research suggests that parents from low SES
backgrounds tend to have lower expectations for their children's academic success. If you
worked at a school in a poor neighborhood, what would you do to combat that?
Objectives for Chapter 3
1.
Describe two contemporary perspectives on socioemotional development: Bronfenbrenner’s
ecological theory* and Erikson’s life-span development theory.
2.
Describe the general influences of parenting practices, culture, and peer influences on children’s
development and behavior.
3.
Describe the multifaceted nature of children’s sense of self, explain how sense of self is apt to change
over the course of childhood and adolescence, and identify several effective ways to enhance
children’s self-esteem.
4.
Explain how peer relationships promote children’s personal and social development.
5.
Define social cognition, and explain how it affects children’s interpersonal behaviors and
relationships.
6.
Describe several strategies for helping children develop appropriate social skills and interact
effectively with peers, including those who are very different from themselves.
7.
Describe at least four developmental trends in morality and/or prosocial behavior.
8.
Apply Kohlberg’s theory in analyzing children’s moral reasoning.
Vocabulary: attachment, parenting styles, culture, self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy, imaginary
audience, personal fable, popular, controversial*, neglected and rejected students, prosocial behavior,
morality, moral and conventional transgression, distributive justice, empathy, moral dilemma,
*class only
Miscellaneous:
Socioeconomic Status (SES): combines 3 interrelated, but not completely overlapping variables:
(1) Years of education and
(2) the prestige of and skill required by one's job, both of which measure social status and
(3) income, which measures economic status.