Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes psychology from pseudo-psychology?

Accepted Answer

Psychology uses the scientific method to test hypotheses, whereas pseudo-psychology does not.

Question 2

A psychologist is conducting a study to determine if a new teaching method improves test scores. She randomly assigns students to two groups: one uses the new method, and the other uses the traditional method. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The type of teaching method used

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring evidence that contradicts your beliefs and only seeking information that supports them.

Question 4

A researcher wants to study the relationship between hours of sleep and GPA among college students. She finds $$r = -0.45. $$What does this correlation coefficient indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a moderate negative correlation between sleep and GPA.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the function of the corpus callosum?

Accepted Answer

It connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them.

Question 6

A psychologist is interested in how children’s personalities change as they grow. She follows the same group of children from age 5 to age 18, collecting data every two years. What type of research design is this?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Question 7

Which of the following is an operational definition of 'anxiety' in a psychological experiment?

Accepted Answer

A score above 40 on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Question 8

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for forming new memories?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Question 9

A survey on eating habits is distributed online. Which bias is most likely to affect the results?

Accepted Answer

Sampling bias

Question 10

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of plasticity in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The ability of the brain to reorganize itself after injury.

Question 11

Which of the following is a key difference between agonists and antagonists in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Agonists enhance neurotransmitter activity, while antagonists block it.

Question 12

Which psychological perspective would most likely investigate how genetic inheritance influences behavior?

Accepted Answer

Biological

Question 13

A psychologist wants to study the effect of caffeine on reaction time. She gives one group caffeinated coffee and another group decaf, then measures their reaction times. Which group is the control group?

Accepted Answer

The group that receives decaf coffee

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the epigenetic view of genetics?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression can be influenced by environmental factors.

Question 15

Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Question 16

A case study is most useful for which type of psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Studying rare or unusual cases in depth

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a positive correlation?

Accepted Answer

As study time increases, exam scores increase.

Question 18

Which brain structure is most closely associated with regulating hunger, thirst, and body temperature?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the main function of the somatosensory cortex?

Accepted Answer

Processing sensory information from the body

Question 20

A researcher wants to compare the cognitive abilities of 10-year-olds, 20-year-olds, and 30-year-olds at the same time. What type of research design is this?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional study

PSYC 101 Exam 1 Review: The Science of Psychology and The Biological Perspective

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