Psychology 101: Introduction to
Psychology - Exam Prep Notes
Key Concepts
• Memory – the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.
• Learning – a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.
• Behavior – any observable action made by a living person or animal.
• Cognition – mental processes such as thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Major Theories
1. Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory – behavior is influenced by unconscious motives and early
childhood experiences.
2. Skinner’s Behaviorism – learning occurs through reinforcement and punishment.
3. Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory – children progress through stages of cognitive
growth.
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – human motivation is driven by a progression of needs,
from basic survival to self-actualization.
Practice Questions
1. Which psychologist is associated with classical conditioning?
a) Freud
b) Pavlov
c) Skinner
d) Piaget
Answer: b) Pavlov
2. According to Maslow, which need must be met before esteem needs?
a) Physiological
b) Safety
c) Love/Belonging
d) Self-actualization
Answer: c) Love/Belonging
Psychology - Exam Prep Notes
Key Concepts
• Memory – the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.
• Learning – a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.
• Behavior – any observable action made by a living person or animal.
• Cognition – mental processes such as thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Major Theories
1. Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory – behavior is influenced by unconscious motives and early
childhood experiences.
2. Skinner’s Behaviorism – learning occurs through reinforcement and punishment.
3. Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory – children progress through stages of cognitive
growth.
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – human motivation is driven by a progression of needs,
from basic survival to self-actualization.
Practice Questions
1. Which psychologist is associated with classical conditioning?
a) Freud
b) Pavlov
c) Skinner
d) Piaget
Answer: b) Pavlov
2. According to Maslow, which need must be met before esteem needs?
a) Physiological
b) Safety
c) Love/Belonging
d) Self-actualization
Answer: c) Love/Belonging
