PSYC 101 Modules 1–10 Exams & Final Exam –
Introduction to Psychology (2026) | Verified Questions
and Answers – Portage Learning
Q001
Topic: History/Research Methods
Stem: In 2025 a new replication study of the “marshmallow test” reduced the predictive
power of delayed gratification on adult outcomes after controlling for family SES.
Question: Which hallmark feature of psychological science does this update best
illustrate?
Options:
A. Determinism
B. Parsimony
C. Self-correcting nature
D. Ecological validity
(Correct: C)
Rationale:
● Answer: C
● Why (2026 Standard): Science revises conclusions as new data emerge; the
diminished effect size exemplifies psychology’s self-correction.
, ● Errors: A relates to causality, not revision; B concerns theoretical economy; D
refers to real-world mimicry, not replication.
Q002
Topic: History/Research Methods
Stem: Dr. Lopez hypothesizes that blue-light exposure increases alertness and uses a
repeated-measures design with n = 50 tested under both blue-light and control conditions.
Question: Which threat to internal validity must be counterbalanced?
Options:
A. Regression to the mean
B. Order effects
C. Social desirability
D. Selection bias
(Correct: B)
Rationale:
● Answer: B
● Why (2026 Standard): Repeated exposure may produce practice or fatigue;
counterbalancing distributes order effects evenly.
● Errors: A concerns extreme scores; C is a response bias; D is a group-difference
issue.
Q003
Topic: Biological Bases
,Stem: A neuroimaging meta-analysis in 2026 shows that transient global aphasia
following left-hemisphere transcranial magnetic stimulation consistently deactivated
Broca’s area.
Question: Which type of neuroglial cell is most directly involved in restoring ionic
balance after such deactivation?
Options:
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Schwann cells
(Correct: A)
Rationale:
● Answer: A
● Why (2026 Standard): Astrocytes maintain extracellular K⁺ concentrations critical
for neuronal re-polarization.
● Errors: B mediate immune response; C provide myelin in CNS; D are PNS myelin.
Q004
Topic: Sensation/Perception
Stem: Using adaptive optics, researchers map human S-cone distribution and find peak
density at ~1° retinal eccentricity.
Question: Which perceptual consequence is most supported?
, Options:
A. Greatest acuity for fine detail
B. Reduced sensitivity to short-wavelength flicker in fovea
C. Enhanced dark adaptation at optic disc
D. Tritanopia in peripheral vision
(Correct: B)
Rationale:
● Answer: B
● Why (2026 Standard): S-cone absence in foveal center yields minimal blue
sensitivity; peak at 1° explains short-wave flicker drop-off centrally.
● Errors: A concerns L/M cones; C relates to rods; D is a deficit, not normal
distribution.
Q005
Topic: Consciousness
Stem: A 2026 polysomnography study reports increased sleep spindles during NREM-2
after spaced vocabulary learning.
Question: Which corresponding EEG frequency best characterizes these spindles?
Options:
A. 0.5–4 Hz
B. 8–13 Hz
C. 12–16 Hz
Introduction to Psychology (2026) | Verified Questions
and Answers – Portage Learning
Q001
Topic: History/Research Methods
Stem: In 2025 a new replication study of the “marshmallow test” reduced the predictive
power of delayed gratification on adult outcomes after controlling for family SES.
Question: Which hallmark feature of psychological science does this update best
illustrate?
Options:
A. Determinism
B. Parsimony
C. Self-correcting nature
D. Ecological validity
(Correct: C)
Rationale:
● Answer: C
● Why (2026 Standard): Science revises conclusions as new data emerge; the
diminished effect size exemplifies psychology’s self-correction.
, ● Errors: A relates to causality, not revision; B concerns theoretical economy; D
refers to real-world mimicry, not replication.
Q002
Topic: History/Research Methods
Stem: Dr. Lopez hypothesizes that blue-light exposure increases alertness and uses a
repeated-measures design with n = 50 tested under both blue-light and control conditions.
Question: Which threat to internal validity must be counterbalanced?
Options:
A. Regression to the mean
B. Order effects
C. Social desirability
D. Selection bias
(Correct: B)
Rationale:
● Answer: B
● Why (2026 Standard): Repeated exposure may produce practice or fatigue;
counterbalancing distributes order effects evenly.
● Errors: A concerns extreme scores; C is a response bias; D is a group-difference
issue.
Q003
Topic: Biological Bases
,Stem: A neuroimaging meta-analysis in 2026 shows that transient global aphasia
following left-hemisphere transcranial magnetic stimulation consistently deactivated
Broca’s area.
Question: Which type of neuroglial cell is most directly involved in restoring ionic
balance after such deactivation?
Options:
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Schwann cells
(Correct: A)
Rationale:
● Answer: A
● Why (2026 Standard): Astrocytes maintain extracellular K⁺ concentrations critical
for neuronal re-polarization.
● Errors: B mediate immune response; C provide myelin in CNS; D are PNS myelin.
Q004
Topic: Sensation/Perception
Stem: Using adaptive optics, researchers map human S-cone distribution and find peak
density at ~1° retinal eccentricity.
Question: Which perceptual consequence is most supported?
, Options:
A. Greatest acuity for fine detail
B. Reduced sensitivity to short-wavelength flicker in fovea
C. Enhanced dark adaptation at optic disc
D. Tritanopia in peripheral vision
(Correct: B)
Rationale:
● Answer: B
● Why (2026 Standard): S-cone absence in foveal center yields minimal blue
sensitivity; peak at 1° explains short-wave flicker drop-off centrally.
● Errors: A concerns L/M cones; C relates to rods; D is a deficit, not normal
distribution.
Q005
Topic: Consciousness
Stem: A 2026 polysomnography study reports increased sleep spindles during NREM-2
after spaced vocabulary learning.
Question: Which corresponding EEG frequency best characterizes these spindles?
Options:
A. 0.5–4 Hz
B. 8–13 Hz
C. 12–16 Hz
