Praxis II Psychology (5391) Exam Flashcard Study System
Praxis II Psychology (5391) Flashcards — 1–20
Flashcard 1
Q (Front): What part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A (Back): Dendrites — Dendrites branch from the cell body and receive signals from other neurons.
Flashcard 2
Q: Which neurotransmitter is most associated with mood regulation and depression?
A: Serotonin — Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Flashcard 3
Q: The fight-or-flight response is activated by which system?
A: Sympathetic nervous system — It prepares the body for stress or danger by increasing heart rate,
respiration, and alertness.
Flashcard 4
Q: Piaget’s stage where children develop logical reasoning about concrete events is called?
A: Concrete operational stage — Ages 7–11; children think logically about tangible objects and
events.
Flashcard 5
Q: What is the primary focus of Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
A: Social and emotional development across the lifespan — Each stage presents a psychosocial crisis
that must be resolved.
Flashcard 6
Q: Classical conditioning was first described by which psychologist?
A: Ivan Pavlov — Pavlov demonstrated learning through associations using dogs and salivation
responses.
Flashcard 7
Q: In operant conditioning, what is negative reinforcement?
A: Removal of an aversive stimulus to increase behavior — For example, taking aspirin to relieve pain
reinforces future aspirin use.
Flashcard 8
Q: What type of memory holds information for only a few seconds and has limited capacity?
A: Short-term (working) memory — Typically retains 7±2 items for a short duration unless rehearsed.
Flashcard 9
Q: The serial position effect refers to?
A: Better recall for items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list — Explains patterns in
memory retrieval.
Flashcard 10
Q: Confirmation bias is the tendency to?
, A: Favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs — Often leads to ignoring contradictory
evidence.
Flashcard 11
Q: Which theory states that physiological arousal occurs first, then emotion is experienced?
A: James-Lange theory — Arousal → Emotion. Example: Your heart races → you feel fear.
Flashcard 12
Q: Cannon-Bard theory of emotion proposes that?
A: Physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously — Not sequentially.
Flashcard 13
Q: Bandura’s social cognitive theory emphasizes learning through?
A: Observational learning and modeling — Individuals learn by watching others and imitating
behaviors.
Flashcard 14
Q: Which disorder involves alternating episodes of mania and depression?
A: Bipolar disorder — Mood swings range from high energy (mania) to low mood (depression).
Flashcard 15
Q: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by?
A: Recurrent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) — Causes
significant distress.
Flashcard 16
Q: Schizophrenia positive symptoms include?
A: Hallucinations and delusions — Result from overactivity in dopamine pathways.
Flashcard 17
Q: ADHD is primarily characterized by?
A: Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity — Symptoms present across settings and interfere with
functioning.
Flashcard 18
Q: Reliability of a test refers to?
A: Consistency of scores across administrations — A reliable test produces stable, repeatable results.
Flashcard 19
Q: Validity refers to?
A: Whether a test measures what it is intended to measure — High validity ensures accurate
interpretation of results.
Flashcard 20
Q: Which research method observes behavior in its natural environment without manipulation?
A: Naturalistic observation — Allows the study of real-world behaviors but cannot determine
causality.
Praxis II Psychology (5391) Flashcards — 21–50
Praxis II Psychology (5391) Flashcards — 1–20
Flashcard 1
Q (Front): What part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A (Back): Dendrites — Dendrites branch from the cell body and receive signals from other neurons.
Flashcard 2
Q: Which neurotransmitter is most associated with mood regulation and depression?
A: Serotonin — Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Flashcard 3
Q: The fight-or-flight response is activated by which system?
A: Sympathetic nervous system — It prepares the body for stress or danger by increasing heart rate,
respiration, and alertness.
Flashcard 4
Q: Piaget’s stage where children develop logical reasoning about concrete events is called?
A: Concrete operational stage — Ages 7–11; children think logically about tangible objects and
events.
Flashcard 5
Q: What is the primary focus of Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
A: Social and emotional development across the lifespan — Each stage presents a psychosocial crisis
that must be resolved.
Flashcard 6
Q: Classical conditioning was first described by which psychologist?
A: Ivan Pavlov — Pavlov demonstrated learning through associations using dogs and salivation
responses.
Flashcard 7
Q: In operant conditioning, what is negative reinforcement?
A: Removal of an aversive stimulus to increase behavior — For example, taking aspirin to relieve pain
reinforces future aspirin use.
Flashcard 8
Q: What type of memory holds information for only a few seconds and has limited capacity?
A: Short-term (working) memory — Typically retains 7±2 items for a short duration unless rehearsed.
Flashcard 9
Q: The serial position effect refers to?
A: Better recall for items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list — Explains patterns in
memory retrieval.
Flashcard 10
Q: Confirmation bias is the tendency to?
, A: Favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs — Often leads to ignoring contradictory
evidence.
Flashcard 11
Q: Which theory states that physiological arousal occurs first, then emotion is experienced?
A: James-Lange theory — Arousal → Emotion. Example: Your heart races → you feel fear.
Flashcard 12
Q: Cannon-Bard theory of emotion proposes that?
A: Physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously — Not sequentially.
Flashcard 13
Q: Bandura’s social cognitive theory emphasizes learning through?
A: Observational learning and modeling — Individuals learn by watching others and imitating
behaviors.
Flashcard 14
Q: Which disorder involves alternating episodes of mania and depression?
A: Bipolar disorder — Mood swings range from high energy (mania) to low mood (depression).
Flashcard 15
Q: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by?
A: Recurrent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) — Causes
significant distress.
Flashcard 16
Q: Schizophrenia positive symptoms include?
A: Hallucinations and delusions — Result from overactivity in dopamine pathways.
Flashcard 17
Q: ADHD is primarily characterized by?
A: Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity — Symptoms present across settings and interfere with
functioning.
Flashcard 18
Q: Reliability of a test refers to?
A: Consistency of scores across administrations — A reliable test produces stable, repeatable results.
Flashcard 19
Q: Validity refers to?
A: Whether a test measures what it is intended to measure — High validity ensures accurate
interpretation of results.
Flashcard 20
Q: Which research method observes behavior in its natural environment without manipulation?
A: Naturalistic observation — Allows the study of real-world behaviors but cannot determine
causality.
Praxis II Psychology (5391) Flashcards — 21–50
