Behavioral Sciences Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A
1. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating
emotions?
A. Occipital lobe
B. Frontal lobe
C. Limbic system
D. Cerebellum
The limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus, plays a
central role in emotion regulation.
2. Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development in adolescence
focuses on:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescents work on developing a clear sense of self and personal
identity during this stage.
3. The defense mechanism in which a person refuses to
acknowledge reality is called:
A. Projection
B. Denial
C. Regression
D. Sublimation
,Denial involves ignoring or refusing to accept reality to avoid stress.
4. Classical conditioning was first described by:
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Jean Piaget
C. Ivan Pavlov
D. Sigmund Freud
Pavlov’s experiments with dogs demonstrated that behaviors could
be conditioned through association.
5. The type of reinforcement that increases behavior by removing
an unpleasant stimulus is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by taking away an
aversive condition.
6. In Piaget’s theory, the stage of concrete operations occurs at
what age range?
A. 0–2 years
B. 2–7 years
C. 7–11 years
D. 12–18 years
Children begin logical thinking about concrete events but struggle
with abstract concepts during this stage.
,7. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places which of the following at the
top of the pyramid?
A. Safety
B. Physiological needs
C. Self-actualization
D. Esteem
Self-actualization represents achieving one’s full potential and
personal growth.
8. The concept of “nature vs. nurture” refers to:
A. Genetic vs. environmental influences on behavior
B. Conscious vs. unconscious thoughts
C. Emotional vs. cognitive development
D. Reflex vs. learned behaviors
This concept examines whether genetics or environment has a
greater impact on human development.
9. A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder is likely to engage
in:
A. Panic attacks
B. Repetitive behaviors and intrusive thoughts
C. Delusions of grandeur
D. Social withdrawal
OCD is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions)
and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
10. Which theory emphasizes learning through observation and
modeling?
, A. Psychoanalytic theory
B. Classical conditioning
C. Operant conditioning
D. Social learning theory (Bandura)
Bandura demonstrated that people can learn behaviors by observing
others without direct reinforcement.
11. Which personality structure operates on the “pleasure
principle”?
A. Ego
B. Superego
C. Id
D. Shadow
According to Freud, the id seeks immediate gratification without
regard for reality or morality.
12. Cognitive dissonance occurs when:
A. Behavior is consistent with beliefs
B. New information aligns with old beliefs
C. Behavior conflicts with beliefs, causing discomfort
D. Memories are repressed
This psychological discomfort motivates people to change beliefs or
behaviors to reduce inconsistency.
13. A patient who forgets traumatic events from childhood is
demonstrating:
A. Regression
B. Projection
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A
1. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating
emotions?
A. Occipital lobe
B. Frontal lobe
C. Limbic system
D. Cerebellum
The limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus, plays a
central role in emotion regulation.
2. Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development in adolescence
focuses on:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Adolescents work on developing a clear sense of self and personal
identity during this stage.
3. The defense mechanism in which a person refuses to
acknowledge reality is called:
A. Projection
B. Denial
C. Regression
D. Sublimation
,Denial involves ignoring or refusing to accept reality to avoid stress.
4. Classical conditioning was first described by:
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Jean Piaget
C. Ivan Pavlov
D. Sigmund Freud
Pavlov’s experiments with dogs demonstrated that behaviors could
be conditioned through association.
5. The type of reinforcement that increases behavior by removing
an unpleasant stimulus is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by taking away an
aversive condition.
6. In Piaget’s theory, the stage of concrete operations occurs at
what age range?
A. 0–2 years
B. 2–7 years
C. 7–11 years
D. 12–18 years
Children begin logical thinking about concrete events but struggle
with abstract concepts during this stage.
,7. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places which of the following at the
top of the pyramid?
A. Safety
B. Physiological needs
C. Self-actualization
D. Esteem
Self-actualization represents achieving one’s full potential and
personal growth.
8. The concept of “nature vs. nurture” refers to:
A. Genetic vs. environmental influences on behavior
B. Conscious vs. unconscious thoughts
C. Emotional vs. cognitive development
D. Reflex vs. learned behaviors
This concept examines whether genetics or environment has a
greater impact on human development.
9. A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder is likely to engage
in:
A. Panic attacks
B. Repetitive behaviors and intrusive thoughts
C. Delusions of grandeur
D. Social withdrawal
OCD is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions)
and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
10. Which theory emphasizes learning through observation and
modeling?
, A. Psychoanalytic theory
B. Classical conditioning
C. Operant conditioning
D. Social learning theory (Bandura)
Bandura demonstrated that people can learn behaviors by observing
others without direct reinforcement.
11. Which personality structure operates on the “pleasure
principle”?
A. Ego
B. Superego
C. Id
D. Shadow
According to Freud, the id seeks immediate gratification without
regard for reality or morality.
12. Cognitive dissonance occurs when:
A. Behavior is consistent with beliefs
B. New information aligns with old beliefs
C. Behavior conflicts with beliefs, causing discomfort
D. Memories are repressed
This psychological discomfort motivates people to change beliefs or
behaviors to reduce inconsistency.
13. A patient who forgets traumatic events from childhood is
demonstrating:
A. Regression
B. Projection
