New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What concept suggests that learning occurs through engagement in social and cultural contexts?

1. Constructivism

2. Behaviorism

3. Information Processing

4. Humanism

The correct answer is: Constructivism

The concept that suggests learning occurs through engagement in social and cultural contexts is closely associated with constructivism. This educational theory posits that knowledge is constructed through interaction with the environment and other individuals. Learners actively build their understanding and make sense of information based on their experiences, which are deeply influenced by the cultural and social contexts in which they find themselves. Constructivist theorists, like Vygotsky, emphasize the role of social interaction in cognitive development. Vygotsky's idea of the Zone of Proximal Development illustrates how learners benefit from collaboration with more knowledgeable peers or adults. By engaging in dialogue and shared activities, learners not only gain new knowledge but also develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills relevant to their cultural contexts. In contrast, behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors and the responses to stimuli, often neglecting the social and cultural factors that influence learning. The information processing approach emphasizes how individuals encode, store, and retrieve information, but does not inherently prioritize the social dimensions of learning. Humanism concentrates on personal growth and self-directed learning, which is important but may not specifically address the social and cultural influences that constructivism highlights. Thus, the emphasis on social interaction and cultural context in constructivism clearly identifies it