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PSY 101 / EPS 101: Introduction to Psychology
Summative Practice Examination – 120 Items with
Answer Key and Explanatory Rationales
This comprehensive exam covers all major topics in introductory psychology, including: history
& perspectives, research methods, biological psychology, learning, memory, cognition,
development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and treatments.
SECTION 1: History, Perspectives & Research Methods (Questions 1-20)
1. Who is considered the "father of psychology" and established the first psychology
laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879?
A. William James
B. Sigmund Freud
C. Wilhelm Wundt
D. John B. Watson
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first experimental psychology laboratory in 1879 at
the University of Leipzig, marking psychology's emergence as a separate scientific discipline.
William James wrote "Principles of Psychology." Freud founded psychoanalysis. Watson founded
behaviorism.
2. Which psychological perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious drives and early
childhood experiences?
A. Behaviorism
, 2
B. Humanism
C. Psychodynamic perspective
D. Cognitive perspective
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes unconscious
conflicts, childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms in shaping behavior and personality.
3. "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is a core principle of which school of
psychology?
A. Structuralism
B. Functionalism
C. Gestalt psychology
D. Behaviorism
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Gestalt psychology emphasizes that perception is holistic; the mind organizes sensory
information into meaningful wholes (Gestalts) rather than just individual components. "The
whole is different from the sum of its parts."
4. Which research method involves observing behavior in its natural environment without
manipulating variables?
A. Laboratory experiment
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Survey
D. Case study
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Naturalistic observation involves observing and recording behavior in real-world
, 3
settings without interference or manipulation. It has high external validity but low control over
variables.
5. A researcher finds a correlation of -0.85 between stress levels and immune function. This
indicates:
A. As stress increases, immune function increases
B. As stress increases, immune function decreases (strong negative correlation)
C. Stress causes improved immune function
D. There is no relationship between stress and immune function
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: *A negative correlation (-0.85) indicates that as one variable increases, the other
decreases. The magnitude (0.85) indicates a strong relationship. Correlation does not imply
causation.*
6. Which of the following is an example of an independent variable in an experiment?
A. The outcome being measured
B. The variable manipulated by the researcher
C. A variable that cannot be controlled
D. The participant's age
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates or changes to observe
its effect on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the measured outcome.
7. B.F. Skinner is best known for his work on:
A. Classical conditioning
B. Operant conditioning and reinforcement
, 4
C. Psychoanalysis
D. Hierarchy of needs
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: B.F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning, emphasizing how
behavior is shaped by consequences (reinforcement and punishment). He invented the Skinner
box.
8. In an experiment, the control group is the group that:
A. Receives the experimental treatment
B. Does NOT receive the experimental treatment
C. Is observed in a natural setting
D. Knows the hypothesis being tested
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The control group serves as a baseline for comparison and does not receive the
experimental manipulation. It helps determine whether changes in the experimental group are
due to the independent variable.
9. Which perspective emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of
people?
A. Behaviorism
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Humanism
D. Structuralism
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Humanistic psychology (Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow) emphasizes human
potential, free will, self-actualization, and the innate drive toward growth and fulfillment.
PSY 101 / EPS 101: Introduction to Psychology
Summative Practice Examination – 120 Items with
Answer Key and Explanatory Rationales
This comprehensive exam covers all major topics in introductory psychology, including: history
& perspectives, research methods, biological psychology, learning, memory, cognition,
development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and treatments.
SECTION 1: History, Perspectives & Research Methods (Questions 1-20)
1. Who is considered the "father of psychology" and established the first psychology
laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879?
A. William James
B. Sigmund Freud
C. Wilhelm Wundt
D. John B. Watson
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first experimental psychology laboratory in 1879 at
the University of Leipzig, marking psychology's emergence as a separate scientific discipline.
William James wrote "Principles of Psychology." Freud founded psychoanalysis. Watson founded
behaviorism.
2. Which psychological perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious drives and early
childhood experiences?
A. Behaviorism
, 2
B. Humanism
C. Psychodynamic perspective
D. Cognitive perspective
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes unconscious
conflicts, childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms in shaping behavior and personality.
3. "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is a core principle of which school of
psychology?
A. Structuralism
B. Functionalism
C. Gestalt psychology
D. Behaviorism
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Gestalt psychology emphasizes that perception is holistic; the mind organizes sensory
information into meaningful wholes (Gestalts) rather than just individual components. "The
whole is different from the sum of its parts."
4. Which research method involves observing behavior in its natural environment without
manipulating variables?
A. Laboratory experiment
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Survey
D. Case study
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Naturalistic observation involves observing and recording behavior in real-world
, 3
settings without interference or manipulation. It has high external validity but low control over
variables.
5. A researcher finds a correlation of -0.85 between stress levels and immune function. This
indicates:
A. As stress increases, immune function increases
B. As stress increases, immune function decreases (strong negative correlation)
C. Stress causes improved immune function
D. There is no relationship between stress and immune function
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: *A negative correlation (-0.85) indicates that as one variable increases, the other
decreases. The magnitude (0.85) indicates a strong relationship. Correlation does not imply
causation.*
6. Which of the following is an example of an independent variable in an experiment?
A. The outcome being measured
B. The variable manipulated by the researcher
C. A variable that cannot be controlled
D. The participant's age
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates or changes to observe
its effect on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the measured outcome.
7. B.F. Skinner is best known for his work on:
A. Classical conditioning
B. Operant conditioning and reinforcement
, 4
C. Psychoanalysis
D. Hierarchy of needs
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: B.F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning, emphasizing how
behavior is shaped by consequences (reinforcement and punishment). He invented the Skinner
box.
8. In an experiment, the control group is the group that:
A. Receives the experimental treatment
B. Does NOT receive the experimental treatment
C. Is observed in a natural setting
D. Knows the hypothesis being tested
☑CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The control group serves as a baseline for comparison and does not receive the
experimental manipulation. It helps determine whether changes in the experimental group are
due to the independent variable.
9. Which perspective emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of
people?
A. Behaviorism
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Humanism
D. Structuralism
☑CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Humanistic psychology (Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow) emphasizes human
potential, free will, self-actualization, and the innate drive toward growth and fulfillment.
