University of New Mexico PSY 110 Introduction
to Psychology Practice Exam Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is considered the founder of modern
psychology?
a) Sigmund Freud
b) Wilhelm Wundt
c) B.F. Skinner
d) John Watson
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in
1879 in Leipzig, Germany, marking the formal beginning of psychology
as a scientific discipline.
2. The perspective in psychology that emphasizes observable
behaviors over internal mental processes is called:
a) Cognitive psychology
b) Behaviorism
, c) Humanistic psychology
d) Psychoanalysis
Rationale: Behaviorism focuses on measurable behaviors and the ways
they are learned through interaction with the environment, ignoring
unobservable mental processes.
3. A researcher wants to examine the relationship between hours of
sleep and test performance. Which research method is most
appropriate?
a) Experiment
b) Case study
c) Correlation study
d) Naturalistic observation
Rationale: Correlational research measures the strength and direction of
the relationship between two variables without manipulating them.
4. In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the
researcher is called the:
a) Dependent variable
b) Independent variable
c) Confounding variable
d) Control variable
,Rationale: The independent variable is the factor that the researcher
changes to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
5. The part of the neuron that receives messages from other neurons
is the:
a) Axon
b) Myelin sheath
c) Dendrite
d) Synapse
Rationale: Dendrites are branching structures that receive signals from
other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body.
6. The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are
released is called the:
a) Axon terminal
b) Synapse
c) Soma
d) Dendrite
Rationale: The synapse is a small gap between neurons where
neurotransmitters carry messages from one neuron to another.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the regulation of
mood, appetite, and sleep?
a) Dopamine
, b) Serotonin
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
Rationale: Serotonin plays a key role in stabilizing mood, as well as
regulating appetite and sleep patterns.
8. The part of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking,
planning, and decision-making is the:
a) Cerebellum
b) Brainstem
c) Limbic system
d) Frontal lobe
Rationale: The frontal lobe, located in the front part of the cerebral
cortex, is essential for executive functions, such as reasoning, problem-
solving, and planning.
9. The theory that explains dreaming as the brain’s way of processing
and integrating memories is called:
a) Activation-synthesis theory
b) Information-processing theory
c) Psychoanalytic theory
d) Cognitive-behavioral theory
to Psychology Practice Exam Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is considered the founder of modern
psychology?
a) Sigmund Freud
b) Wilhelm Wundt
c) B.F. Skinner
d) John Watson
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in
1879 in Leipzig, Germany, marking the formal beginning of psychology
as a scientific discipline.
2. The perspective in psychology that emphasizes observable
behaviors over internal mental processes is called:
a) Cognitive psychology
b) Behaviorism
, c) Humanistic psychology
d) Psychoanalysis
Rationale: Behaviorism focuses on measurable behaviors and the ways
they are learned through interaction with the environment, ignoring
unobservable mental processes.
3. A researcher wants to examine the relationship between hours of
sleep and test performance. Which research method is most
appropriate?
a) Experiment
b) Case study
c) Correlation study
d) Naturalistic observation
Rationale: Correlational research measures the strength and direction of
the relationship between two variables without manipulating them.
4. In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the
researcher is called the:
a) Dependent variable
b) Independent variable
c) Confounding variable
d) Control variable
,Rationale: The independent variable is the factor that the researcher
changes to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
5. The part of the neuron that receives messages from other neurons
is the:
a) Axon
b) Myelin sheath
c) Dendrite
d) Synapse
Rationale: Dendrites are branching structures that receive signals from
other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body.
6. The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are
released is called the:
a) Axon terminal
b) Synapse
c) Soma
d) Dendrite
Rationale: The synapse is a small gap between neurons where
neurotransmitters carry messages from one neuron to another.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the regulation of
mood, appetite, and sleep?
a) Dopamine
, b) Serotonin
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
Rationale: Serotonin plays a key role in stabilizing mood, as well as
regulating appetite and sleep patterns.
8. The part of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking,
planning, and decision-making is the:
a) Cerebellum
b) Brainstem
c) Limbic system
d) Frontal lobe
Rationale: The frontal lobe, located in the front part of the cerebral
cortex, is essential for executive functions, such as reasoning, problem-
solving, and planning.
9. The theory that explains dreaming as the brain’s way of processing
and integrating memories is called:
a) Activation-synthesis theory
b) Information-processing theory
c) Psychoanalytic theory
d) Cognitive-behavioral theory
