Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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LEARNING FROM TEXTBOOKS 205

Sensorimotor Preoperational Concrete Formal

FIG. 8.2. Stages of cognitive development.

occurred can be illustrated by adjusting the intervals at which the

dates are placed on the line.

Matrices. Matrices display comparative relations. They are developed

from a hierarchy or sequence and have three parts: topics, repeatable

categories, and details located inside the matrix cells. These parts are

shown in Fig. 8.3. The topics appear across the matrix (e.g., ampheta-

mines, depressants, and hallucinogenics). The repeatable categories

appear down the left margin. They are the characteristics by which the

topics are compared (e.g., function, street terms, and example). They

are called repeatable categories, because each category is repeated for

each topic. The author often identifies repeatable categories. However,

sometimes categories will have to be identified from the information

provided by the author. The details are the facts that pertain to the

intersection of topics and repeatable categories. They appear inside the

matrix in the cells at the intersection of topics and repeatable categories.

Any hierarchy or sequence can be extended downward to form a

matrix. Fig. 8.4 illustrates a hierarchy extended into a matrix frame-

work, and Fig. 8.5 illustrates a sequence extended into a matrix

framework from the reading on cognitive development. In Fig. 8.5,

the repeatable categories (i.e., age and characteristics) are provided for

you. Fill in the details for each of the four stages of cognitive devel-

opment and compare your representation with a classmate.

Drugs

Function:

Street Term:

Example

Amphetamines Depressants Hallucinogenics

Increases

Uppers

Dexedrine

Reduces alertness

Downers

Alcohol

Alters perceptions

Mindbenders

LSD

Repeatable

Categories

Topics

Details

FIG. 8.3. Components of a matrix.