Question 1

According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which stage is characterized by the ability to perform abstract mental operations and reason logically about hypothetical situations?

Accepted Answer

Formal operational stage

Question 2

A researcher wants to study the effect of a new teaching method on student performance. She randomly assigns students to two groups: one receives the new method, the other receives the traditional method. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The new teaching method

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a positive correlation?

Accepted Answer

As one variable increases, the other also increases

Question 4

A psychologist observes children playing in a park without interfering. Which research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 5

In the context of the scientific method, what is the main purpose of replication?

Accepted Answer

To see if the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Question 6

Which of the following is a key limitation of correlation studies?

Accepted Answer

They cannot demonstrate cause and effect

Question 7

A child who understands that the amount of water remains the same when poured from a short, wide glass into a tall, thin glass is most likely in which of Piaget's stages?

Accepted Answer

Concrete operational

Question 8

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else?

Accepted Answer

Projection

Question 9

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which need must be satisfied before an individual can focus on esteem needs?

Accepted Answer

Love and belonging

Question 10

A psychologist wants to compare the effects of two different therapies on depression. She assigns participants randomly to each therapy group. What is the main advantage of using random assignment?

Accepted Answer

It controls for confounding variables by giving each participant an equal chance of being in any group

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a confounding variable in an experiment testing the effect of sleep on memory?

Accepted Answer

Participants’ caffeine intake before the test

Question 12

In Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which system includes the broader cultural values and laws that influence an individual’s development?

Accepted Answer

Macrosystem

Question 13

A therapist uses systematic desensitization to help a client overcome a fear of flying. Which psychological approach is this technique most closely associated with?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral

Question 14

Which of the following best illustrates the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

A participant improves after receiving a sugar pill, believing it is real medication

Question 15

A researcher studies the same group of children every five years from age 5 to age 25. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal

Question 16

Which of the following is a key feature of Erikson’s stage of 'Identity vs. Role Confusion'?

Accepted Answer

Exploring personal values and beliefs to form a sense of self

Question 17

A psychologist uses a survey to collect data on people's attitudes toward climate change. What is a major potential weakness of this method?

Accepted Answer

Participants may not answer honestly or may be influenced by wording bias

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a double-blind study?

Accepted Answer

Neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving the treatment

Question 19

In Freud’s model of personality, which structure operates on the 'reality principle' and mediates between the id and the superego?

Accepted Answer

Ego

Question 20

A child who is able to think logically about concrete events but struggles with abstract concepts is most likely in which of Piaget’s stages?

Accepted Answer

Concrete operational

Comprehensive Study Notes: Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, Research Methods, and Psychological Disorders

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards