PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
**Question 1. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for the formation of new declarative
memories?**
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Thalamus
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B
Explanation: The hippocampus consolidates new declarative (explicit) memories and transfers them
to cortical storage.
**Question 2. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the brain's reward pathway
and is implicated in substance use disorders?**
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
Answer: B
Explanation: Dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway reinforces rewarding behaviors and
contributes to addiction.
**Question 3. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?**
A) Block dopamine reuptake
B) Inhibit monoamine oxidase
C) Prevent serotonin reabsorption into presynaptic neurons
D) Enhance GABAergic transmission
Answer: C
Explanation: SSRIs block the serotonin transporter, increasing extracellular serotonin levels.
**Question 4. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test primarily assesses which executive function?**
A) Working memory
B) Cognitive flexibility/set shifting
C) Inhibitory control
, PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
D) Processing speed
Answer: B
Explanation: The test measures the ability to shift strategies in response to changing rules, reflecting
set shifting.
**Question 5. In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus after
being paired with the:**
A) Unconditioned response
B) Unconditioned stimulus
C) Reinforcer
D) Extinction stimulus
Answer: B
Explanation: Pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus creates a conditioned
stimulus that elicits a conditioned response.
**Question 6. Which learning theory emphasizes the role of observational modeling, imitation, and
vicarious reinforcement?**
A) Operant conditioning
B) Classical conditioning
C) Social learning theory
D) Cognitive constructivism
Answer: C
Explanation: Social learning theory (Bandura) posits that behavior is learned through observing and
imitating others.
**Question 7. The “spotlight” metaphor is most closely associated with which cognitive process?**
A) Attention
B) Perception
C) Memory retrieval
D) Problem solving
Answer: A
Explanation: The spotlight metaphor describes selective attention, focusing mental resources on
particular stimuli.
, PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
**Question 8. Which of the following best characterizes the “central executive” component of
Baddeley’s working memory model?**
A) Stores auditory information temporarily
B) Manipulates and coordinates information from subordinate systems
C) Holds visual-spatial data for short periods
D) Converts short-term memory into long-term memory
Answer: B
Explanation: The central executive allocates attention and integrates information from the
phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.
**Question 9. The James-Lange theory of emotion proposes that:**
A) Emotion precedes physiological arousal
B) Physiological arousal precedes the experience of emotion
C) Cognitive appraisal determines emotion
D) Emotion is a socially constructed label
Answer: B
Explanation: According to James-Lange, bodily changes occur first, and the brain interprets them as
emotion.
**Question 10. Which brain region is most closely linked to processing of facial emotional
expressions, particularly fear?**
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Amygdala
C) Hippocampus
D) Insula
Answer: B
Explanation: The amygdala is critical for detecting and responding to threat-related facial
expressions.
**Question 11. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which level must be satisfied before an
individual can pursue self‑actualization?**
A) Esteem needs
, PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
B) Safety needs
C) Love and belonging
D) Physiological needs
Answer: A
Explanation: Self‑actualization is the highest level; esteem needs must be met before it can be
pursued.
**Question 12. Which of the following personality models emphasizes five broad dimensions of
traits?**
A) Psychodynamic theory
B) HEXACO model
C) Five‑Factor Model (Big Five)
D) Social‑cognitive theory
Answer: C
Explanation: The Five‑Factor Model includes Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion,
Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
**Question 13. In Erikson’s psychosocial stages, the primary conflict for adolescents is:**
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: D
Explanation: Adolescents work to develop a coherent sense of personal identity.
**Question 14. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
according to DSM‑5?**
A. Persistent depressive mood
B. Repetitive patterns of behavior and restricted interests
C. Hallucinations
D. Panic attacks
Answer: B
**Question 1. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for the formation of new declarative
memories?**
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Thalamus
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B
Explanation: The hippocampus consolidates new declarative (explicit) memories and transfers them
to cortical storage.
**Question 2. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the brain's reward pathway
and is implicated in substance use disorders?**
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
Answer: B
Explanation: Dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway reinforces rewarding behaviors and
contributes to addiction.
**Question 3. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?**
A) Block dopamine reuptake
B) Inhibit monoamine oxidase
C) Prevent serotonin reabsorption into presynaptic neurons
D) Enhance GABAergic transmission
Answer: C
Explanation: SSRIs block the serotonin transporter, increasing extracellular serotonin levels.
**Question 4. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test primarily assesses which executive function?**
A) Working memory
B) Cognitive flexibility/set shifting
C) Inhibitory control
, PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
D) Processing speed
Answer: B
Explanation: The test measures the ability to shift strategies in response to changing rules, reflecting
set shifting.
**Question 5. In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus after
being paired with the:**
A) Unconditioned response
B) Unconditioned stimulus
C) Reinforcer
D) Extinction stimulus
Answer: B
Explanation: Pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus creates a conditioned
stimulus that elicits a conditioned response.
**Question 6. Which learning theory emphasizes the role of observational modeling, imitation, and
vicarious reinforcement?**
A) Operant conditioning
B) Classical conditioning
C) Social learning theory
D) Cognitive constructivism
Answer: C
Explanation: Social learning theory (Bandura) posits that behavior is learned through observing and
imitating others.
**Question 7. The “spotlight” metaphor is most closely associated with which cognitive process?**
A) Attention
B) Perception
C) Memory retrieval
D) Problem solving
Answer: A
Explanation: The spotlight metaphor describes selective attention, focusing mental resources on
particular stimuli.
, PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
**Question 8. Which of the following best characterizes the “central executive” component of
Baddeley’s working memory model?**
A) Stores auditory information temporarily
B) Manipulates and coordinates information from subordinate systems
C) Holds visual-spatial data for short periods
D) Converts short-term memory into long-term memory
Answer: B
Explanation: The central executive allocates attention and integrates information from the
phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.
**Question 9. The James-Lange theory of emotion proposes that:**
A) Emotion precedes physiological arousal
B) Physiological arousal precedes the experience of emotion
C) Cognitive appraisal determines emotion
D) Emotion is a socially constructed label
Answer: B
Explanation: According to James-Lange, bodily changes occur first, and the brain interprets them as
emotion.
**Question 10. Which brain region is most closely linked to processing of facial emotional
expressions, particularly fear?**
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Amygdala
C) Hippocampus
D) Insula
Answer: B
Explanation: The amygdala is critical for detecting and responding to threat-related facial
expressions.
**Question 11. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which level must be satisfied before an
individual can pursue self‑actualization?**
A) Esteem needs
, PrepIQ Wyoming Psychologists Ultimate Exam
B) Safety needs
C) Love and belonging
D) Physiological needs
Answer: A
Explanation: Self‑actualization is the highest level; esteem needs must be met before it can be
pursued.
**Question 12. Which of the following personality models emphasizes five broad dimensions of
traits?**
A) Psychodynamic theory
B) HEXACO model
C) Five‑Factor Model (Big Five)
D) Social‑cognitive theory
Answer: C
Explanation: The Five‑Factor Model includes Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion,
Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
**Question 13. In Erikson’s psychosocial stages, the primary conflict for adolescents is:**
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: D
Explanation: Adolescents work to develop a coherent sense of personal identity.
**Question 14. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
according to DSM‑5?**
A. Persistent depressive mood
B. Repetitive patterns of behavior and restricted interests
C. Hallucinations
D. Panic attacks
Answer: B
