INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 140 Module 1 Exam
Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
Official Practice Exam · 2026/2027 Edition
Questions: 50 Minutes: 60 Passing Score: 80% Recertification: Annual
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods (Questions 1–14)
Section 2: Biological Foundations of Behavior (Questions 15–26)
Section 3: Sensation and Perception (Questions 27–38)
Section 4: States of Consciousness (Questions 39–50)
Instructions
This practice exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions divided across 4 sections covering the PSYC 140
Module 1 curriculum. You have 60 minutes to complete the entire exam. Each question has four answer choices
(A, B, C, D). Select the single best answer for each question. The correct answer and a detailed rationale are
provided immediately after each question for study purposes. A passing score of 80% (40 out of 50 questions
correct) is required. This exam is designed to be taken with the Respondus LockDown Browser and Webcam
enabled. Read each question stem carefully, paying close attention to the specific scenarios, research contexts,
and clinical situations described before selecting your answer.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 47
,Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 50
Dr. Martinez, a professor at State University, begins her introductory lecture by asking her 250
students to write down their own definition of psychology. Most students write that psychology is the
study of mental illness or the study of the unconscious mind. Dr. Martinez explains that the
contemporary, most accurate definition of psychology is best described as the scientific study of
what?
A. Unconscious motivations and repressed memories that influence human behavior
B. Mental disorders and the clinical treatments used to address psychological symptoms
C. Behavior and mental processes, encompassing both observable actions and internal
experiences
D. Human consciousness and free will through philosophical analysis and logical reasoning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The contemporary definition of psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, which
includes both observable actions and internal cognitive and emotional experiences. Choice A describes
only the psychoanalytic focus, choice B limits psychology to clinical applications, and choice D describes a
philosophical rather than scientific approach.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 47
,Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods -- 2026/2027
Q2 Question 2 of 50
Professor Chen's research team has spent three years documenting the sleep patterns of college
students, finding that students who sleep fewer than six hours perform worse on exams. The team
has now moved to the stage of trying to understand why this relationship exists, examining factors
like memory consolidation and attention. In terms of the four goals of psychology, the team has
moved from describing to which goal?
A. Explaining, because the team is now identifying the underlying reasons and mechanisms
for the observed relationship
B. Predicting, because the team is forecasting future academic outcomes based on sleep data
C. Controlling, because the team is attempting to change students' sleep habits to improve grades
D. Observing, because the team is continuing to watch and record student behavior over time
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The goal of explaining involves identifying the causes and underlying reasons for a behavior or
phenomenon, which is what the team is doing by investigating why less sleep leads to worse performance.
Choice B (predicting) would involve forecasting future outcomes rather than understanding causes, choice
C (controlling) would involve actively changing behavior, and choice D (observing) is not one of the four
formal goals of psychology.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 47
, Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods -- 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 50
In her history of psychology course, 19-year-old Jamalisha reads about two early pioneers: one who
established the first psychology laboratory in Germany using introspection to study the structure of
consciousness, and another American who developed functionalism, focusing on how mental
processes help organisms adapt to their environment. These two pioneers are, respectively, who?
A. Sigmund Freud and Carl Rogers, who focused on unconscious drives and self-actualization
B. Wilhelm Wundt and William James, who focused on structuralism and functionalism
respectively
C. John Watson and B.F. Skinner, who focused on behaviorism and operant conditioning
respectively
D. Wilhelm Wundt and Sigmund Freud, who focused on structuralism and psychoanalysis
respectively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879 and used
introspection to study the structure of consciousness, while William James developed functionalism in
America, emphasizing how mental processes serve adaptive purposes. Choice D is incorrect because
although it correctly identifies Wundt, it pairs him with Freud rather than James, misrepresenting the
functionalist pioneer.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 47
PSYC 140 Module 1 Exam
Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam
Official Practice Exam · 2026/2027 Edition
Questions: 50 Minutes: 60 Passing Score: 80% Recertification: Annual
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods (Questions 1–14)
Section 2: Biological Foundations of Behavior (Questions 15–26)
Section 3: Sensation and Perception (Questions 27–38)
Section 4: States of Consciousness (Questions 39–50)
Instructions
This practice exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions divided across 4 sections covering the PSYC 140
Module 1 curriculum. You have 60 minutes to complete the entire exam. Each question has four answer choices
(A, B, C, D). Select the single best answer for each question. The correct answer and a detailed rationale are
provided immediately after each question for study purposes. A passing score of 80% (40 out of 50 questions
correct) is required. This exam is designed to be taken with the Respondus LockDown Browser and Webcam
enabled. Read each question stem carefully, paying close attention to the specific scenarios, research contexts,
and clinical situations described before selecting your answer.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 47
,Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 50
Dr. Martinez, a professor at State University, begins her introductory lecture by asking her 250
students to write down their own definition of psychology. Most students write that psychology is the
study of mental illness or the study of the unconscious mind. Dr. Martinez explains that the
contemporary, most accurate definition of psychology is best described as the scientific study of
what?
A. Unconscious motivations and repressed memories that influence human behavior
B. Mental disorders and the clinical treatments used to address psychological symptoms
C. Behavior and mental processes, encompassing both observable actions and internal
experiences
D. Human consciousness and free will through philosophical analysis and logical reasoning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The contemporary definition of psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, which
includes both observable actions and internal cognitive and emotional experiences. Choice A describes
only the psychoanalytic focus, choice B limits psychology to clinical applications, and choice D describes a
philosophical rather than scientific approach.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 47
,Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods -- 2026/2027
Q2 Question 2 of 50
Professor Chen's research team has spent three years documenting the sleep patterns of college
students, finding that students who sleep fewer than six hours perform worse on exams. The team
has now moved to the stage of trying to understand why this relationship exists, examining factors
like memory consolidation and attention. In terms of the four goals of psychology, the team has
moved from describing to which goal?
A. Explaining, because the team is now identifying the underlying reasons and mechanisms
for the observed relationship
B. Predicting, because the team is forecasting future academic outcomes based on sleep data
C. Controlling, because the team is attempting to change students' sleep habits to improve grades
D. Observing, because the team is continuing to watch and record student behavior over time
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The goal of explaining involves identifying the causes and underlying reasons for a behavior or
phenomenon, which is what the team is doing by investigating why less sleep leads to worse performance.
Choice B (predicting) would involve forecasting future outcomes rather than understanding causes, choice
C (controlling) would involve actively changing behavior, and choice D (observing) is not one of the four
formal goals of psychology.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 47
, Section 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods -- 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 50
In her history of psychology course, 19-year-old Jamalisha reads about two early pioneers: one who
established the first psychology laboratory in Germany using introspection to study the structure of
consciousness, and another American who developed functionalism, focusing on how mental
processes help organisms adapt to their environment. These two pioneers are, respectively, who?
A. Sigmund Freud and Carl Rogers, who focused on unconscious drives and self-actualization
B. Wilhelm Wundt and William James, who focused on structuralism and functionalism
respectively
C. John Watson and B.F. Skinner, who focused on behaviorism and operant conditioning
respectively
D. Wilhelm Wundt and Sigmund Freud, who focused on structuralism and psychoanalysis
respectively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879 and used
introspection to study the structure of consciousness, while William James developed functionalism in
America, emphasizing how mental processes serve adaptive purposes. Choice D is incorrect because
although it correctly identifies Wundt, it pairs him with Freud rather than James, misrepresenting the
functionalist pioneer.
PSYC 140 Module 1 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 47
