Which of the following is a characteristic of the whole-language approach in cognitive psychology?

• A. Teaching reading through rote memorization of words
• B. Emphasizing meaning and context in reading instruction
• C. Focusing primarily on phonics and decoding skills
• D. Using only isolated drills to improve reading fluency

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the whole-language approach in cognitive psychology focuses on reading as a natural process, emphasizing comprehension and meaning rather than isolated skills.
2. Recognize that this approach encourages learners to use context and prior knowledge to understand text, rather than relying solely on memorization or decoding.
3. Compare the options: rote memorization and isolated drills are more characteristic of traditional or phonics-based methods, not whole-language.
4. Note that focusing primarily on phonics and decoding skills aligns with phonics instruction, which contrasts with the whole-language emphasis on meaning.
5. Conclude that the characteristic of the whole-language approach is emphasizing meaning and context in reading instruction, as it promotes understanding text as a whole.