Praxis II Psychology (5391) Exam
Praxis II Psychology (5391) Practice Questions
I. Methods, Approaches, Ethics & Assessment (Foundations of Psychology)
1. Which early school of psychology focused on breaking conscious experience into its basic
elements?
A) Functionalism
B) Behaviorism
C) Structuralism
D) Humanism
✔ Correct Answer: C — Structuralism analyzed mental processes into basic components like
sensations and feelings. Stuvia
2. Who is considered the “father of experimental psychology” for founding the first
psychological laboratory?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) William James
C) Ivan Pavlov
D) Wilhelm Wundt
✔ Correct Answer: D — Wundt established the first laboratory in 1879, marking psychology
as a scientific discipline. Docsity
3. What is the primary purpose of random assignment in experimental research?
A) Increase sample size
B) Control confounding variables
C) Ensure ethical standards
D) Improve external validity
✔ Correct Answer: B — Random assignment equalizes groups and controls confounds.
Docsity
II. Biopsychology, Sensation & Perception, States of Consciousness
4. Neurotransmitters are to neurons as hormones are to:
A) Ligaments
B) Endocrine glands
C) Myelin sheaths
D) Sensory receptors
✔ Correct Answer: B — Hormones are chemical messengers released by endocrine glands.
(based on standard biopsychology content)
5. The process by which sensory receptors translate environmental stimuli into neural
impulses is called:
A) Transduction
B) Accommodation
, C) Sensitization
D) Perception
✔ Correct Answer: A — Transduction converts physical energy into neural signals. (standard
psych content)
6. REM sleep is most closely associated with:
A) Deep relaxation without dreaming
B) Dreaming and rapid eye movements
C) Muscle paralysis and no brain activity
D) High muscle tone
✔ Correct Answer: B — REM sleep involves vivid dreams and rapid eye movement. (standard
sleep content)
III. Life Span Development & Individual Differences
7. According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, the primary challenge of adolescence is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
D) Integrity vs. Despair
✔ Correct Answer: C — Adolescence centers on identity formation. (well-established
developmental theory)
8. Which term refers to the biological blueprint inherited from one’s parents?
A) Phenotype
B) Schema
C) Genotype
D) Cognition
✔ Correct Answer: C — Genotype is the genetic code inherited. (standard genetics concept)
IV. Learning, Memory & Cognition
9. Classical conditioning is most closely associated with:
A) Reinforcement schedules
B) Unconditioned responses
C) Operant behavior
D) Cognitive schemas
✔ Correct Answer: B — Classical conditioning pairs neutral stimuli with unconditioned
stimuli to elicit responses. (core learning theory)
10. Proactive interference refers to:
A) Old learning interfering with new learning
B) New learning interfering with old learning
C) Forgetting due to decay
D) Memory improved by rehearsal
✔ Correct Answer: A — Previously learned information impedes new learning. Docsity
Praxis II Psychology (5391) Practice Questions
I. Methods, Approaches, Ethics & Assessment (Foundations of Psychology)
1. Which early school of psychology focused on breaking conscious experience into its basic
elements?
A) Functionalism
B) Behaviorism
C) Structuralism
D) Humanism
✔ Correct Answer: C — Structuralism analyzed mental processes into basic components like
sensations and feelings. Stuvia
2. Who is considered the “father of experimental psychology” for founding the first
psychological laboratory?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) William James
C) Ivan Pavlov
D) Wilhelm Wundt
✔ Correct Answer: D — Wundt established the first laboratory in 1879, marking psychology
as a scientific discipline. Docsity
3. What is the primary purpose of random assignment in experimental research?
A) Increase sample size
B) Control confounding variables
C) Ensure ethical standards
D) Improve external validity
✔ Correct Answer: B — Random assignment equalizes groups and controls confounds.
Docsity
II. Biopsychology, Sensation & Perception, States of Consciousness
4. Neurotransmitters are to neurons as hormones are to:
A) Ligaments
B) Endocrine glands
C) Myelin sheaths
D) Sensory receptors
✔ Correct Answer: B — Hormones are chemical messengers released by endocrine glands.
(based on standard biopsychology content)
5. The process by which sensory receptors translate environmental stimuli into neural
impulses is called:
A) Transduction
B) Accommodation
, C) Sensitization
D) Perception
✔ Correct Answer: A — Transduction converts physical energy into neural signals. (standard
psych content)
6. REM sleep is most closely associated with:
A) Deep relaxation without dreaming
B) Dreaming and rapid eye movements
C) Muscle paralysis and no brain activity
D) High muscle tone
✔ Correct Answer: B — REM sleep involves vivid dreams and rapid eye movement. (standard
sleep content)
III. Life Span Development & Individual Differences
7. According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, the primary challenge of adolescence is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
D) Integrity vs. Despair
✔ Correct Answer: C — Adolescence centers on identity formation. (well-established
developmental theory)
8. Which term refers to the biological blueprint inherited from one’s parents?
A) Phenotype
B) Schema
C) Genotype
D) Cognition
✔ Correct Answer: C — Genotype is the genetic code inherited. (standard genetics concept)
IV. Learning, Memory & Cognition
9. Classical conditioning is most closely associated with:
A) Reinforcement schedules
B) Unconditioned responses
C) Operant behavior
D) Cognitive schemas
✔ Correct Answer: B — Classical conditioning pairs neutral stimuli with unconditioned
stimuli to elicit responses. (core learning theory)
10. Proactive interference refers to:
A) Old learning interfering with new learning
B) New learning interfering with old learning
C) Forgetting due to decay
D) Memory improved by rehearsal
✔ Correct Answer: A — Previously learned information impedes new learning. Docsity
