PSYC 101 Module 8 Exam Prep 2026 | 200 Practice Questions
with Answers & Explanations | General Psychology Study
Guide
Section 1: Foundations of Motivation (Questions 1–25)
1. Motivation is defined as:
A) A physiological state of tension
B) The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal‑oriented behaviors
C) The ability to delay gratification
D) An unconscious drive
Answer: B
Explanation: Motivation refers to the internal processes that activate, direct, and sustain behavior
toward achieving a goal.
2. True or False: Intrinsic motivation comes from external rewards such as money or praise.
Answer: False
Explanation: Intrinsic motivation arises from within (e.g., personal satisfaction, enjoyment). Extrinsic
motivation is driven by external rewards or punishments.
3. According to drive reduction theory, a drive is:
A) An external incentive
B) A state of physiological tension caused by a biological need
C) A learned preference
D) A cognitive expectation
Answer: B
,Explanation: Drive reduction theory (Clark Hull) posits that biological needs create drives (e.g., hunger,
thirst) that motivate behavior to restore homeostasis.
4. True or False: Homeostasis is the tendency of the body to maintain a stable internal environment.
Answer: True
Explanation: Homeostasis is a key concept in drive reduction theory; behaviors aim to reduce drives and
return the body to equilibrium.
5. Which of the following is a primary drive?
A) Need for achievement
B) Need for power
C) Hunger
D) Need for belonging
Answer: C
Explanation: Primary drives are innate (unlearned) biological needs such as hunger, thirst, and sex.
Secondary drives are learned (e.g., achievement, money).
6. True or False: Incentive theory emphasizes that behavior is pulled by external rewards or goals.
Answer: True
Explanation: Incentive theory focuses on the role of external stimuli (incentives) that attract or repel
behavior, contrasting with drive theory’s push from internal needs.
7. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which need must be satisfied first?
A) Esteem
B) Safety
C) Physiological (hunger, thirst)
D) Self‑actualization
Answer: C
,Explanation: Maslow’s hierarchy is often depicted as a pyramid with physiological needs at the base;
they must be met before higher needs become motivating.
8. True or False: Self‑actualization is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy and involves realizing one’s
full potential.
Answer: True
Explanation: Self‑actualization is the top of the hierarchy, representing personal growth, creativity, and
fulfillment of potential.
9. The Yerkes‑Dodson law states that performance is best when arousal is:
A) Very low
B) Very high
C) Moderate
D) Absent
Answer: C
Explanation: The Yerkes‑Dodson law describes an inverted‑U relationship: moderate arousal leads to
optimal performance; too little or too much impairs performance.
10. True or False: Overjustification effect occurs when extrinsic rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for
an already enjoyable activity.
Answer: True
Explanation: When an activity that is intrinsically rewarding is rewarded externally, intrinsic motivation
may decrease (e.g., paying a child to read books they already enjoy).
11. Which brain structure is primarily involved in hunger regulation?
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Hypothalamus
D) Cerebellum
, Answer: C
Explanation: The hypothalamus contains the hunger center (lateral hypothalamus) and satiety center
(ventromedial hypothalamus).
12. True or False: The lateral hypothalamus is sometimes called the “hunger center” because stimulating
it increases eating.
Answer: True
Explanation: Electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus triggers eating; damage leads to reduced
food intake (aphagia).
13. Which hormone, released by fat cells, signals satiety and reduces appetite?
A) Ghrelin
B) Leptin
C) Insulin
D) Glucagon
Answer: B
Explanation: Leptin is produced by adipose tissue and acts on the hypothalamus to inhibit hunger.
Ghrelin (stomach) stimulates appetite.
14. True or False: Ghrelin is often called the “hunger hormone” because it increases before meals and
decreases after eating.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ghrelin levels rise before anticipated meals and fall after eating, promoting hunger.
15. Set point theory suggests that:
A) Weight is determined entirely by willpower
B) Body weight is regulated around a genetically predetermined level
C) Only external cues affect eating
D) Metabolism is constant
with Answers & Explanations | General Psychology Study
Guide
Section 1: Foundations of Motivation (Questions 1–25)
1. Motivation is defined as:
A) A physiological state of tension
B) The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal‑oriented behaviors
C) The ability to delay gratification
D) An unconscious drive
Answer: B
Explanation: Motivation refers to the internal processes that activate, direct, and sustain behavior
toward achieving a goal.
2. True or False: Intrinsic motivation comes from external rewards such as money or praise.
Answer: False
Explanation: Intrinsic motivation arises from within (e.g., personal satisfaction, enjoyment). Extrinsic
motivation is driven by external rewards or punishments.
3. According to drive reduction theory, a drive is:
A) An external incentive
B) A state of physiological tension caused by a biological need
C) A learned preference
D) A cognitive expectation
Answer: B
,Explanation: Drive reduction theory (Clark Hull) posits that biological needs create drives (e.g., hunger,
thirst) that motivate behavior to restore homeostasis.
4. True or False: Homeostasis is the tendency of the body to maintain a stable internal environment.
Answer: True
Explanation: Homeostasis is a key concept in drive reduction theory; behaviors aim to reduce drives and
return the body to equilibrium.
5. Which of the following is a primary drive?
A) Need for achievement
B) Need for power
C) Hunger
D) Need for belonging
Answer: C
Explanation: Primary drives are innate (unlearned) biological needs such as hunger, thirst, and sex.
Secondary drives are learned (e.g., achievement, money).
6. True or False: Incentive theory emphasizes that behavior is pulled by external rewards or goals.
Answer: True
Explanation: Incentive theory focuses on the role of external stimuli (incentives) that attract or repel
behavior, contrasting with drive theory’s push from internal needs.
7. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which need must be satisfied first?
A) Esteem
B) Safety
C) Physiological (hunger, thirst)
D) Self‑actualization
Answer: C
,Explanation: Maslow’s hierarchy is often depicted as a pyramid with physiological needs at the base;
they must be met before higher needs become motivating.
8. True or False: Self‑actualization is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy and involves realizing one’s
full potential.
Answer: True
Explanation: Self‑actualization is the top of the hierarchy, representing personal growth, creativity, and
fulfillment of potential.
9. The Yerkes‑Dodson law states that performance is best when arousal is:
A) Very low
B) Very high
C) Moderate
D) Absent
Answer: C
Explanation: The Yerkes‑Dodson law describes an inverted‑U relationship: moderate arousal leads to
optimal performance; too little or too much impairs performance.
10. True or False: Overjustification effect occurs when extrinsic rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for
an already enjoyable activity.
Answer: True
Explanation: When an activity that is intrinsically rewarding is rewarded externally, intrinsic motivation
may decrease (e.g., paying a child to read books they already enjoy).
11. Which brain structure is primarily involved in hunger regulation?
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Hypothalamus
D) Cerebellum
, Answer: C
Explanation: The hypothalamus contains the hunger center (lateral hypothalamus) and satiety center
(ventromedial hypothalamus).
12. True or False: The lateral hypothalamus is sometimes called the “hunger center” because stimulating
it increases eating.
Answer: True
Explanation: Electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus triggers eating; damage leads to reduced
food intake (aphagia).
13. Which hormone, released by fat cells, signals satiety and reduces appetite?
A) Ghrelin
B) Leptin
C) Insulin
D) Glucagon
Answer: B
Explanation: Leptin is produced by adipose tissue and acts on the hypothalamus to inhibit hunger.
Ghrelin (stomach) stimulates appetite.
14. True or False: Ghrelin is often called the “hunger hormone” because it increases before meals and
decreases after eating.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ghrelin levels rise before anticipated meals and fall after eating, promoting hunger.
15. Set point theory suggests that:
A) Weight is determined entirely by willpower
B) Body weight is regulated around a genetically predetermined level
C) Only external cues affect eating
D) Metabolism is constant
