Question 1

Which of the following best describes the scientific definition of psychology?

Accepted Answer

The scientific study of the mind, including affect, behaviour, cognition, and their reciprocal interaction.

Question 2

A researcher claims that a new therapy 'proves' to cure anxiety based on a few client stories and uses impressive-sounding psychological terms. Which warning signs of pseudoscience are present?

Accepted Answer

Overreliance on anecdotes and meaningless psychobabble.

Question 3

Which principle of critical thinking is being applied when a psychologist considers alternative explanations for a research finding?

Accepted Answer

Ruling out rival hypotheses

Question 4

A psychologist wants to measure stress in participants. Which of the following is a psychophysiological measure?

Accepted Answer

Measuring cortisol levels in saliva

Question 5

In an experiment, the researcher manipulates the amount of sleep participants get (4, 6, or 8 hours) and measures their reaction time. What is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

Amount of sleep

Question 6

Which research design allows for cause-and-effect conclusions?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Question 7

A correlation coefficient of $$r = -0.85$$ between hours spent watching TV and exam scores indicates:

Accepted Answer

A strong negative relationship

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of operational definition?

Accepted Answer

Defining intelligence as the score on a specific IQ test

Question 9

A researcher finds that the more social support people report, the lower their stress levels. Which of the following is a valid conclusion?

Accepted Answer

There is a negative correlation between social support and stress.

Question 10

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for forming new memories?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Question 11

Which lobe of the brain is most involved in decision-making and voluntary movement?

Accepted Answer

Frontal lobe

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is most likely to increase the likelihood of an action potential?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Question 13

A researcher wants to compare the effectiveness of two study methods. She randomly assigns students to either group and compares their test scores. What type of experimental design is this?

Accepted Answer

Between-subjects design

Question 14

Which of the following is true about reliability and validity?

Accepted Answer

A test must be reliable to be valid.

Question 15

Which brain region is responsible for regulating hunger, thirst, and body temperature?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Question 16

A psychologist uses a self-report questionnaire to measure anxiety. What is a potential limitation of this method?

Accepted Answer

It cannot measure physiological responses.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the 'all-or-none' principle of action potentials?

Accepted Answer

An action potential either occurs at full strength or not at all.

Question 18

In a twin study, researchers find that identical twins are more similar in intelligence than fraternal twins. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Genetics play a significant role in intelligence.

Question 19

A researcher finds a $$p-$$value of $$0.03$$ when comparing two groups. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The result is statistically significant.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a confounding variable in an experiment testing the effect of noise on test performance?

Accepted Answer

Some participants take the test in the morning, others in the evening.

Introduction to Psychology: Foundational Concepts, Research Methods, and Biological Psychology

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