Question 1

Which psychological perspective focuses primarily on the influence of genetics, brain structures, and neurochemistry on behavior?

Accepted Answer

Biological perspective

Question 2

A researcher wants to determine if there is a relationship between hours of sleep and test performance. Which research method is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Correlational study

Question 3

Which brain area is most closely associated with the production of speech?

Accepted Answer

Broca's area

Question 4

A person who cannot form new memories after a brain injury likely has damage to which structure?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'chunking' in cognition?

Accepted Answer

Remembering a phone number as 555-1234 instead of 5-5-5-1-2-3-4

Question 6

Which research method is best for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?

Accepted Answer

Experiment

Question 7

Which neurotransmitter is most directly involved in the regulation of mood and sleep?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Question 8

A split-brain patient is shown an object in their left visual field. Which brain hemisphere processes this information, and what is a likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

Right hemisphere; the patient cannot verbally identify the object

Question 9

Which theory explains color vision as the result of opposing neural processes (such as red-green, blue-yellow)?

Accepted Answer

Opponent process theory

Question 10

Which sleep stage is most closely associated with vivid dreaming and rapid eye movements?

Accepted Answer

REM sleep

Question 11

A student uses rehearsal to keep a phone number in mind just long enough to dial it. Which type of memory is being used?

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Participants' prior sleep the night before the test

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the function of the myelin sheath?

Accepted Answer

It insulates axons to speed up neural transmission

Question 14

A child learns to fear a white rat after it is repeatedly paired with a loud noise. What type of learning is this?

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning

Question 15

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'confirmation bias'?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out information that supports one's existing beliefs

Question 16

Which intelligence theory proposes that intelligence is composed of analytical, creative, and practical abilities?

Accepted Answer

Sternberg's triarchic theory

Question 17

A person who can solve puzzles and adapt to new situations but struggles with standardized tests likely has high ______ intelligence according to Sternberg.

Accepted Answer

Creative

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Turning off a loud alarm when a button is pressed

Question 19

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating hunger, thirst, and body temperature?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the function of the vestibular sense?

Accepted Answer

Detecting body position and movement

Midterm Study Guide: Key Topics in Psychology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards