PSY101 Introduction to Psychology
Practice Exam Study Guide 2026 |
Verified Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Research Methods,
Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation
& Perception, Learning, Memory,
Cognition and Intelligence Review
• This practice exam contains 200 verified MCQs covering all PSY101 topics — each
question includes 5 options (A–E), a highlighted correct answer, and a detailed
EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Use this guide by attempting each question independently before checking the
answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method significantly boosts
exam retention and performance.
PSY101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Practice Exam Study Guide 2026
200 Questions | Verified Answers & Detailed EXPERT RATIONALE
SECTION 1: RESEARCH METHODS
1. A researcher wants to study the effect of sleep deprivation on academic
performance. She randomly assigns students to either a sleep-deprived group
or a normal-sleep group and measures their test scores. What type of study is
this?
A. Correlational study
B. Case study
C. Naturalistic observation
,D. Experiment
E. Survey study
Correct Answer: D. Experiment
EXPERT RATIONALE: An experiment involves manipulating an independent
variable (sleep deprivation) and measuring its effect on a dependent variable (test
scores). Random assignment of participants to conditions is a hallmark of true
experimental design, allowing causal conclusions to be drawn.
2. Which of the following best describes the independent variable in a
psychology experiment?
A. The variable that is measured as the outcome
B. The variable that participants choose themselves
C. The variable that remains constant throughout the study
D. The variable that the researcher manipulates
E. The variable that controls for extraneous factors
Correct Answer: D. The variable that the researcher manipulates
EXPERT RATIONALE: The independent variable (IV) is deliberately changed or
controlled by the experimenter to observe its effect. The dependent variable (DV) is
what gets measured. Understanding this distinction is foundational to experimental
design.
3. Dr. Smith observes that students who study more hours tend to get higher
grades. This is an example of:
A. A negative correlation
B. A causal relationship
C. A positive correlation
,D. An experimental finding
E. A spurious relationship
Correct Answer: C. A positive correlation
EXPERT RATIONALE: A positive correlation exists when two variables increase
or decrease together. More study hours correlating with higher grades is a classic
positive correlation. Correlation does not imply causation — other variables may
explain the relationship.
4. Which ethical principle requires that participants be fully informed about a
study after any deception has been used?
A. Informed consent
B. Confidentiality
C. Voluntary participation
D. Debriefing
E. Anonymity
Correct Answer: D. Debriefing
EXPERT RATIONALE: Debriefing occurs after a study concludes and involves
explaining the true purpose, especially when deception was used. It is an ethical
obligation to protect participants from psychological harm and maintain the
integrity of research.
5. A psychologist studies one individual in great depth over a long period of
time. This research method is called:
A. Survey
B. Experiment
C. Case study
, D. Meta-analysis
E. Longitudinal survey
Correct Answer: C. Case study
EXPERT RATIONALE: A case study involves an in-depth investigation of a single
individual, group, or event. While rich in detail, findings may not generalize to the
broader population, which is one of its main limitations.
6. Which of the following correlation coefficients indicates the strongest
relationship?
A. +0.45
B. −0.32
C. +0.10
D. −0.89
E. +0.67
Correct Answer: D. −0.89
EXPERT RATIONALE: The strength of a correlation is determined by its absolute
value, not its sign. −0.89 has an absolute value of 0.89, which is closer to 1.0 than
any other option listed, indicating the strongest relationship regardless of direction.
7. When researchers use a sample that accurately represents the population,
the sample is described as:
A. Controlled
B. Random
C. Representative
D. Stratified
E. Biased
Practice Exam Study Guide 2026 |
Verified Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Research Methods,
Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation
& Perception, Learning, Memory,
Cognition and Intelligence Review
• This practice exam contains 200 verified MCQs covering all PSY101 topics — each
question includes 5 options (A–E), a highlighted correct answer, and a detailed
EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Use this guide by attempting each question independently before checking the
answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method significantly boosts
exam retention and performance.
PSY101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Practice Exam Study Guide 2026
200 Questions | Verified Answers & Detailed EXPERT RATIONALE
SECTION 1: RESEARCH METHODS
1. A researcher wants to study the effect of sleep deprivation on academic
performance. She randomly assigns students to either a sleep-deprived group
or a normal-sleep group and measures their test scores. What type of study is
this?
A. Correlational study
B. Case study
C. Naturalistic observation
,D. Experiment
E. Survey study
Correct Answer: D. Experiment
EXPERT RATIONALE: An experiment involves manipulating an independent
variable (sleep deprivation) and measuring its effect on a dependent variable (test
scores). Random assignment of participants to conditions is a hallmark of true
experimental design, allowing causal conclusions to be drawn.
2. Which of the following best describes the independent variable in a
psychology experiment?
A. The variable that is measured as the outcome
B. The variable that participants choose themselves
C. The variable that remains constant throughout the study
D. The variable that the researcher manipulates
E. The variable that controls for extraneous factors
Correct Answer: D. The variable that the researcher manipulates
EXPERT RATIONALE: The independent variable (IV) is deliberately changed or
controlled by the experimenter to observe its effect. The dependent variable (DV) is
what gets measured. Understanding this distinction is foundational to experimental
design.
3. Dr. Smith observes that students who study more hours tend to get higher
grades. This is an example of:
A. A negative correlation
B. A causal relationship
C. A positive correlation
,D. An experimental finding
E. A spurious relationship
Correct Answer: C. A positive correlation
EXPERT RATIONALE: A positive correlation exists when two variables increase
or decrease together. More study hours correlating with higher grades is a classic
positive correlation. Correlation does not imply causation — other variables may
explain the relationship.
4. Which ethical principle requires that participants be fully informed about a
study after any deception has been used?
A. Informed consent
B. Confidentiality
C. Voluntary participation
D. Debriefing
E. Anonymity
Correct Answer: D. Debriefing
EXPERT RATIONALE: Debriefing occurs after a study concludes and involves
explaining the true purpose, especially when deception was used. It is an ethical
obligation to protect participants from psychological harm and maintain the
integrity of research.
5. A psychologist studies one individual in great depth over a long period of
time. This research method is called:
A. Survey
B. Experiment
C. Case study
, D. Meta-analysis
E. Longitudinal survey
Correct Answer: C. Case study
EXPERT RATIONALE: A case study involves an in-depth investigation of a single
individual, group, or event. While rich in detail, findings may not generalize to the
broader population, which is one of its main limitations.
6. Which of the following correlation coefficients indicates the strongest
relationship?
A. +0.45
B. −0.32
C. +0.10
D. −0.89
E. +0.67
Correct Answer: D. −0.89
EXPERT RATIONALE: The strength of a correlation is determined by its absolute
value, not its sign. −0.89 has an absolute value of 0.89, which is closer to 1.0 than
any other option listed, indicating the strongest relationship regardless of direction.
7. When researchers use a sample that accurately represents the population,
the sample is described as:
A. Controlled
B. Random
C. Representative
D. Stratified
E. Biased
