Question 1

Which of the following best explains why psychology is considered a science?

Accepted Answer

Because it uses systematic observation, empirical evidence, and the scientific method to study behavior and mental processes.

Question 2

A researcher wants to study the effects of sleep deprivation on memory. She randomly assigns participants to either a sleep deprivation group or a control group. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The amount of sleep participants receive.

Question 3

Which research method is most appropriate for studying a rare psychological disorder in depth over a long period of time?

Accepted Answer

Case study

Question 4

A psychologist finds a correlation of $$ r = 0.85 $$ between stress levels and hours of sleep. What does this correlation indicate?

Accepted Answer

As stress increases, hours of sleep tend to decrease.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Assuming a student failed an exam because they are lazy, without considering they might have been ill.

Question 6

In Pavlov's classic experiment with dogs, what was the conditioned stimulus (CS)?

Accepted Answer

The bell

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of negative punishment?

Accepted Answer

Taking away a teenager's phone after they break curfew.

Question 8

Which theoretical perspective in psychology focuses on how behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures?

Accepted Answer

Sociocultural

Question 9

A student reads an article claiming that eating chocolate improves memory. To critically evaluate this claim, which of the following should the student do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Check if the article cites peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to seek out information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs.

Question 11

According to Piaget, which stage of cognitive development is characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events but not abstract concepts?

Accepted Answer

Concrete operational

Question 12

Which of the following best illustrates the use of random assignment in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Flipping a coin to decide which group each participant joins.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key finding from the Milgram shock experiment?

Accepted Answer

Most people will obey authority figures even when it conflicts with their personal conscience.

Question 14

A psychologist is interested in whether a new therapy reduces symptoms of depression. She measures depression scores before and after treatment. Which research design is she using?

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the main difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning pairs two stimuli, while operant conditioning pairs behavior with consequences.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of applying the scientific method in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Formulating a hypothesis, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the main idea of behaviorism?

Accepted Answer

Behavior is learned through interactions with the environment.

Question 18

A student is trying to remember a list of words for a test. According to memory research, which strategy is most likely to improve recall?

Accepted Answer

Organizing the words into meaningful categories.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the main finding of the Bobo doll experiment?

Accepted Answer

Children learn aggression by observing aggressive models.

Question 20

A researcher finds a strong correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents. What is the most scientifically valid conclusion?

Accepted Answer

A third variable, such as hot weather, may explain the correlation.

General Psychology Assessment Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards