⋆ ⋆
PYC1501: BASIC PSYCHOLOGY
OCT/NOV Examination 2026 Revision Guide
Covers OCT/NOV 2023, OCT/NOV 2024 & OCT/NOV 2025 Past Papers
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
Psychology — University of South Africa (UNISA)
Exam Revision Guide
PYC1501
Module Code:
Basic Psychology
Module Name:
OCT/NOV 2023, 2024 & 2025
Papers Covered:
OCT/NOV 2026
Target Exam:
9 Units (All Syllabus Topics)
Units Covered:
100 marks (50 MCQ × 2)
Total Marks:
Understand the concepts. Do not merely memorise. Every question includes
the correct answer with explanation.
Exam Revision Notes | PYC1501 | Covers 2023–2025
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
Unit 1: Human Nervous System — Questions 1–10
Key Concept
The human nervous system is the primary control network of all behaviour, thought,
and bodily functions. The exam typically draws 8–12 multiple-choice questions from
this unit across all paper years.
(1) [2 marks]
Question: What are the two main divisions of the human nervous system?
Answer:
The human nervous system is divided into two main parts:
• Central Nervous System (CNS): Consists of the brain and spinal cord. It acts as
the command centre, processing all incoming sensory information and coordinating outgo-
ing motor responses.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): All nerves and ganglia outside the brain and
spinal cord. It connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
Exam Tip
The PNS is further divided into the Somatic NS (voluntary movement) and Au-
tonomic NS (involuntary functions). The Autonomic NS splits into Sympathetic
(fight-or-flight) and Parasympathetic (rest-and-digest). Examiners love asking which
system activates under stress.
(2) [2 marks]
Question: Name and describe the structural parts of a neuron.
Answer:
A neuron (nerve cell) is the basic unit of the nervous system. Its main structural parts are:
Page 2 of 33 ⋆
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
Function
Part
Tree-root-like branches that receive messages from other neurons
Dendrites
Contains the nucleus; integrates incoming signals
Cell Body (Soma)
Long fibre that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body
Axon
Fatty insulation around the axon, speeds up impulse conduction
Myelin Sheath
Tips of the axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse
Axon Terminals
(3) [2 marks]
Question: Explain the process of impulse conduction in the neuron (action potential).
Answer:
An action potential is the electrical signal that travels along the axon. The process:
1. Resting state: The neuron has a negative charge inside relative to outside (resting po-
tential ).
2. Depolarisation: A stimulus causes sodium (Na+ ) ions to rush into the cell, making the
inside temporarily positive.
3. Repolarisation: Potassium (K+ ) ions flow out, restoring the negative charge.
4. Refractory period: The neuron briefly cannot fire again, preventing backward transmis-
sion.
5. The impulse travels along the axon to the synaptic knob, where neurotransmitters are
released.
(4) [2 marks]
Question: What is a synapse and how does synaptic transmission work?
Answer:
A synapse is the tiny gap (synaptic cleft) between the axon terminal of one neuron and the
dendrite of the next. Transmission occurs chemically:
• The electrical impulse causes vesicles in the axon terminal to release neurotransmitters
Page 3 of 33 ⋆
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
into the synaptic cleft.
• Neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on the next neuron, either exciting (EPSP) or
inhibiting (IPSP) it.
• Excess neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes or reabsorbed (reuptake) by the
sending neuron.
Example
Serotonin regulates mood; low serotonin is linked to depression. Dopamine is associ-
ated with reward and pleasure. Acetylcholine plays a role in muscle contraction and
memory.
(5) [2 marks]
Question: Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and state the primary function of
each.
Answer:
Primary Function
Lobe
Higher-order thinking, planning, decision-making, voluntary movement,
Frontal Lobe
personality, Broca’s area (speech production)
Processes touch, temperature, pain; spatial awareness; integrates sen-
Parietal Lobe
sory information
Hearing, language comprehension (Wernicke’s area), memory formation
Temporal Lobe
Visual processing; recognising shapes, colours, and movement
Occipital Lobe
(6) [2 marks]
Question: What is the function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sys-
tems?
Answer:
Both form the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which regulates involuntary bodily
functions:
• Sympathetic NS (“fight-or-flight”): Activated under stress or danger. Effects include
Page 4 of 33 ⋆
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
increased heart rate, dilated pupils, inhibited digestion, release of adrenaline, and increased
respiration.
• Parasympathetic NS (“rest-and-digest”): Active during calm, relaxed states. Effects
include decreased heart rate, constricted pupils, stimulated digestion, and energy conser-
vation.
Watch Out
These two systems are antagonistic: one activates while the other inhibits. Examiners
sometimes ask which system is dominant during a specific scenario — always ask: is the
person in danger or at rest?
Page 5 of 33 ⋆
, PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
Unit 2: Sensation and Perception — Questions 11–15
Key Concept
Sensation is the detection of physical stimuli through sensory organs. Perception is
the organisation, interpretation, and conscious experience of those sensory signals. Both
are distinct but linked processes.
(7) [2 marks]
Question: Distinguish between sensation and perception, and give an example.
Answer:
• Sensation: The raw process of detecting a stimulus through sensory receptors (e.g., the
eyes detecting light waves). It is a bottom-up process.
• Perception: The brain’s interpretation and organisation of sensory data into a meaning-
ful experience (e.g., recognising that the light waves form the image of a friend’s face). It
is a top-down process influenced by experience and context.
Example
You sense the sound waves from a ringing phone (sensation), but you perceive it as
your ringtone and recognise it as an incoming call (perception).
(8) [2 marks]
Question: What are the Gestalt principles of perceptual organisation? Name and explain
at least four.
Answer:
Gestalt psychology proposes that the brain naturally organises sensory information into
meaningful wholes. Key principles:
• Figure-Ground: We perceive objects (figures) as distinct from their background (ground).
• Proximity: Objects close together are perceived as belonging to the same group.
• Similarity: Objects that look alike are grouped together.
• Closure: We fill in gaps to perceive complete shapes even when parts are missing.
• Continuity: We prefer to perceive smooth, continuous lines rather than abrupt changes.
• Common fate: Objects moving in the same direction are perceived as a unit.
Page 6 of 33 ⋆
PYC1501: BASIC PSYCHOLOGY
OCT/NOV Examination 2026 Revision Guide
Covers OCT/NOV 2023, OCT/NOV 2024 & OCT/NOV 2025 Past Papers
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
Psychology — University of South Africa (UNISA)
Exam Revision Guide
PYC1501
Module Code:
Basic Psychology
Module Name:
OCT/NOV 2023, 2024 & 2025
Papers Covered:
OCT/NOV 2026
Target Exam:
9 Units (All Syllabus Topics)
Units Covered:
100 marks (50 MCQ × 2)
Total Marks:
Understand the concepts. Do not merely memorise. Every question includes
the correct answer with explanation.
Exam Revision Notes | PYC1501 | Covers 2023–2025
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
Unit 1: Human Nervous System — Questions 1–10
Key Concept
The human nervous system is the primary control network of all behaviour, thought,
and bodily functions. The exam typically draws 8–12 multiple-choice questions from
this unit across all paper years.
(1) [2 marks]
Question: What are the two main divisions of the human nervous system?
Answer:
The human nervous system is divided into two main parts:
• Central Nervous System (CNS): Consists of the brain and spinal cord. It acts as
the command centre, processing all incoming sensory information and coordinating outgo-
ing motor responses.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): All nerves and ganglia outside the brain and
spinal cord. It connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
Exam Tip
The PNS is further divided into the Somatic NS (voluntary movement) and Au-
tonomic NS (involuntary functions). The Autonomic NS splits into Sympathetic
(fight-or-flight) and Parasympathetic (rest-and-digest). Examiners love asking which
system activates under stress.
(2) [2 marks]
Question: Name and describe the structural parts of a neuron.
Answer:
A neuron (nerve cell) is the basic unit of the nervous system. Its main structural parts are:
Page 2 of 33 ⋆
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
Function
Part
Tree-root-like branches that receive messages from other neurons
Dendrites
Contains the nucleus; integrates incoming signals
Cell Body (Soma)
Long fibre that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body
Axon
Fatty insulation around the axon, speeds up impulse conduction
Myelin Sheath
Tips of the axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse
Axon Terminals
(3) [2 marks]
Question: Explain the process of impulse conduction in the neuron (action potential).
Answer:
An action potential is the electrical signal that travels along the axon. The process:
1. Resting state: The neuron has a negative charge inside relative to outside (resting po-
tential ).
2. Depolarisation: A stimulus causes sodium (Na+ ) ions to rush into the cell, making the
inside temporarily positive.
3. Repolarisation: Potassium (K+ ) ions flow out, restoring the negative charge.
4. Refractory period: The neuron briefly cannot fire again, preventing backward transmis-
sion.
5. The impulse travels along the axon to the synaptic knob, where neurotransmitters are
released.
(4) [2 marks]
Question: What is a synapse and how does synaptic transmission work?
Answer:
A synapse is the tiny gap (synaptic cleft) between the axon terminal of one neuron and the
dendrite of the next. Transmission occurs chemically:
• The electrical impulse causes vesicles in the axon terminal to release neurotransmitters
Page 3 of 33 ⋆
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
into the synaptic cleft.
• Neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on the next neuron, either exciting (EPSP) or
inhibiting (IPSP) it.
• Excess neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes or reabsorbed (reuptake) by the
sending neuron.
Example
Serotonin regulates mood; low serotonin is linked to depression. Dopamine is associ-
ated with reward and pleasure. Acetylcholine plays a role in muscle contraction and
memory.
(5) [2 marks]
Question: Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and state the primary function of
each.
Answer:
Primary Function
Lobe
Higher-order thinking, planning, decision-making, voluntary movement,
Frontal Lobe
personality, Broca’s area (speech production)
Processes touch, temperature, pain; spatial awareness; integrates sen-
Parietal Lobe
sory information
Hearing, language comprehension (Wernicke’s area), memory formation
Temporal Lobe
Visual processing; recognising shapes, colours, and movement
Occipital Lobe
(6) [2 marks]
Question: What is the function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sys-
tems?
Answer:
Both form the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which regulates involuntary bodily
functions:
• Sympathetic NS (“fight-or-flight”): Activated under stress or danger. Effects include
Page 4 of 33 ⋆
,PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
increased heart rate, dilated pupils, inhibited digestion, release of adrenaline, and increased
respiration.
• Parasympathetic NS (“rest-and-digest”): Active during calm, relaxed states. Effects
include decreased heart rate, constricted pupils, stimulated digestion, and energy conser-
vation.
Watch Out
These two systems are antagonistic: one activates while the other inhibits. Examiners
sometimes ask which system is dominant during a specific scenario — always ask: is the
person in danger or at rest?
Page 5 of 33 ⋆
, PYC1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Basic Psychology
Unit 2: Sensation and Perception — Questions 11–15
Key Concept
Sensation is the detection of physical stimuli through sensory organs. Perception is
the organisation, interpretation, and conscious experience of those sensory signals. Both
are distinct but linked processes.
(7) [2 marks]
Question: Distinguish between sensation and perception, and give an example.
Answer:
• Sensation: The raw process of detecting a stimulus through sensory receptors (e.g., the
eyes detecting light waves). It is a bottom-up process.
• Perception: The brain’s interpretation and organisation of sensory data into a meaning-
ful experience (e.g., recognising that the light waves form the image of a friend’s face). It
is a top-down process influenced by experience and context.
Example
You sense the sound waves from a ringing phone (sensation), but you perceive it as
your ringtone and recognise it as an incoming call (perception).
(8) [2 marks]
Question: What are the Gestalt principles of perceptual organisation? Name and explain
at least four.
Answer:
Gestalt psychology proposes that the brain naturally organises sensory information into
meaningful wholes. Key principles:
• Figure-Ground: We perceive objects (figures) as distinct from their background (ground).
• Proximity: Objects close together are perceived as belonging to the same group.
• Similarity: Objects that look alike are grouped together.
• Closure: We fill in gaps to perceive complete shapes even when parts are missing.
• Continuity: We prefer to perceive smooth, continuous lines rather than abrupt changes.
• Common fate: Objects moving in the same direction are perceived as a unit.
Page 6 of 33 ⋆
