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248 CHAPTER 10Content Coverage and Question Format
Janis prepared for an examination in Human Development, which
included 30 multiple-choice and 4 short-essay questions. Her instruc-
tor announced that the exam would include two chapters on adoles-
cence development and related lecture notes. Janis read one of the
chapters thoroughly and skimmed the second chapter. She realized
from her dated notes that she needed to obtain a copy of one day’s
notes from her friend.Organize the Content for Study
The two chapters and lecture notes were on the physical, intellec-
tual, personality, and social development in adolescence. Janis
reviewed the textbook and lecture notes and decided that the best
organizing topics or themes for her review should be based on the
four topics. The textbook was already organized around these topics,
and the lecture notes needed to be reorganized to fit this organiza-
tion. Because she used a three-ring binder for all her class notes, it
was easy for her to place the notes in a different order from which
they were originally presented.
Based on meeting with her instructor and her review of the course
syllabus, Janis decided that she needed to learn the (a) key terms
found in the readings and lecture notes, (b) important research find-
ings, (c) theories of development, and (d) typical behavior of adoles-
cence in each of the four areas.Identify Specific Study Strategies
Janis decided to make study cards for all the major terms in the
two chapters, as well as the terms introduced by her instructor. The
definitions were written in her own words rather than verbatim from
the text so she was sure that she understood each term. She also added
examples, when appropriate, to enhance her recall of specific course
content. For example, one key term was personal fable, which is
defined as a belief in adolescence that one is special, unique, and not
subject to the rules that govern the rest of the world. Janis wrote on
the back of the study card: belief that one is special such that bad
things affect others, not oneself (e.g., other people have sex and get
pregnant, but not you).
One of the topics discussed in the readings and lecture notes was
eating disorders. She decides it would be important to compare the
three types of eating disorders—obesity, anorexia, and bulimia—in a
matrix form. Figure 10.3 includes the matrix she developed.