University Psychology
1 MAXE · 101 HCYSP
ψ
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
UNIVERSITY
LUX ET VERITAS
Psychology 101 Exam 1
I N T R O D U CT I O N TO PSYC H O LO G Y — FO U N DAT I O N S , M E T H O D S & P E RS P E CT I V E S
INSTITUTION [UNVERIFIED] University PROGRAM Undergraduate — Introduction to
Psychology Department Psychology
COURSE CODE PSYCH 101 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE Psychology 101 Exam 1
TOTAL QUESTIONS 179 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Scientific method, psychological perspectives, research methods, and critical thinking are all testable
content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for study purposes.
▸ All content is derived from Psychology 101 course materials.
, SECTION I — FOUNDATIONS, METHODS, PERSPECTIVES
Questions 1 – 179
& CRITICAL THINKING
1. What is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes?
A. Sociology
B. Psychology
C. Anthropology
D. Philosophy
CORRECT ANSWER B — Psychology
RATIONALE Psychology is formally defined as the scientific study of behavior (observable
actions) and mental processes (thoughts, feelings, perceptions). It uses empirical
methods rather than relying on common sense or intuition.
2. What is the cognitive perspective in psychology?
A. Focus on observable behavior only
B. Focus on perception, thinking, memory — how people interpret events matters
C. Focus on unconscious conflicts
D. Focus on biological brain structures
CORRECT ANSWER B — Focus on perception, thinking, memory — how people interpret events
matters
RATIONALE The cognitive perspective emphasizes mental processes — perception, attention,
memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. It examines how people process,
store, and retrieve information, and how interpretations of events influence
behavior.
,3. What is the independent variable in an experiment?
A. The variable that is measured as the outcome
B. The variable that is manipulated and controlled by the researcher
C. The variable that confounds the results
D. The group that receives no treatment
CORRECT ANSWER B — The variable that is manipulated and controlled by the researcher
RATIONALE The independent variable (IV) is the factor the experimenter systematically
manipulates to observe its effect. The dependent variable (A) is the measured
outcome. The control group (D) receives no treatment.
4. What is an experiment?
A. A survey of participants' opinions
B. A research method enabling determination of causality by manipulating independent
variables and observing effects on outcomes
C. Observing behavior in natural settings
D. An in-depth study of one individual
CORRECT ANSWER B — Method enabling causality determination by manipulating IVs and
observing DV effects
RATIONALE Experiments are the only research method that can establish cause-and-effect
relationships. By manipulating the independent variable while controlling
confounding variables, researchers can determine if changes in the IV cause
changes in the DV.
, 5. What is structuralism and who is associated with it?
A. A school studying the function of behavior, associated with William James
B. A school studying individual elements of consciousness using introspection, associated
with Wilhelm Wundt
C. A school studying unconscious drives, associated with Sigmund Freud
D. A school studying observable behavior, associated with B.F. Skinner
CORRECT ANSWER B — Studied elements of consciousness via introspection; associated with
Wilhelm Wundt
RATIONALE Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt (father of psychology), aimed to
identify the basic elements or "structures" of conscious experience through
systematic introspection. Functionalism (A) was founded by William James.
Psychoanalysis (C) by Freud. Behaviorism (D) by Watson/Skinner.
6. What is confirmation bias?
A. The tendency to perceive outcomes as obvious after they occur
B. The tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one's
preconceptions
C. The tendency to think others agree with us more than they do
D. The belief that we see the world as it actually is
CORRECT ANSWER B — Tendency to search for/interpret information confirming
preconceptions
RATIONALE Confirmation bias leads people to seek evidence supporting their existing beliefs
while ignoring or discounting contradictory evidence. Hindsight bias (A) is the "I
knew it all along" effect. False consensus (C) is overestimating agreement.
1 MAXE · 101 HCYSP
ψ
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
UNIVERSITY
LUX ET VERITAS
Psychology 101 Exam 1
I N T R O D U CT I O N TO PSYC H O LO G Y — FO U N DAT I O N S , M E T H O D S & P E RS P E CT I V E S
INSTITUTION [UNVERIFIED] University PROGRAM Undergraduate — Introduction to
Psychology Department Psychology
COURSE CODE PSYCH 101 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE Psychology 101 Exam 1
TOTAL QUESTIONS 179 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Scientific method, psychological perspectives, research methods, and critical thinking are all testable
content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for study purposes.
▸ All content is derived from Psychology 101 course materials.
, SECTION I — FOUNDATIONS, METHODS, PERSPECTIVES
Questions 1 – 179
& CRITICAL THINKING
1. What is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes?
A. Sociology
B. Psychology
C. Anthropology
D. Philosophy
CORRECT ANSWER B — Psychology
RATIONALE Psychology is formally defined as the scientific study of behavior (observable
actions) and mental processes (thoughts, feelings, perceptions). It uses empirical
methods rather than relying on common sense or intuition.
2. What is the cognitive perspective in psychology?
A. Focus on observable behavior only
B. Focus on perception, thinking, memory — how people interpret events matters
C. Focus on unconscious conflicts
D. Focus on biological brain structures
CORRECT ANSWER B — Focus on perception, thinking, memory — how people interpret events
matters
RATIONALE The cognitive perspective emphasizes mental processes — perception, attention,
memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. It examines how people process,
store, and retrieve information, and how interpretations of events influence
behavior.
,3. What is the independent variable in an experiment?
A. The variable that is measured as the outcome
B. The variable that is manipulated and controlled by the researcher
C. The variable that confounds the results
D. The group that receives no treatment
CORRECT ANSWER B — The variable that is manipulated and controlled by the researcher
RATIONALE The independent variable (IV) is the factor the experimenter systematically
manipulates to observe its effect. The dependent variable (A) is the measured
outcome. The control group (D) receives no treatment.
4. What is an experiment?
A. A survey of participants' opinions
B. A research method enabling determination of causality by manipulating independent
variables and observing effects on outcomes
C. Observing behavior in natural settings
D. An in-depth study of one individual
CORRECT ANSWER B — Method enabling causality determination by manipulating IVs and
observing DV effects
RATIONALE Experiments are the only research method that can establish cause-and-effect
relationships. By manipulating the independent variable while controlling
confounding variables, researchers can determine if changes in the IV cause
changes in the DV.
, 5. What is structuralism and who is associated with it?
A. A school studying the function of behavior, associated with William James
B. A school studying individual elements of consciousness using introspection, associated
with Wilhelm Wundt
C. A school studying unconscious drives, associated with Sigmund Freud
D. A school studying observable behavior, associated with B.F. Skinner
CORRECT ANSWER B — Studied elements of consciousness via introspection; associated with
Wilhelm Wundt
RATIONALE Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt (father of psychology), aimed to
identify the basic elements or "structures" of conscious experience through
systematic introspection. Functionalism (A) was founded by William James.
Psychoanalysis (C) by Freud. Behaviorism (D) by Watson/Skinner.
6. What is confirmation bias?
A. The tendency to perceive outcomes as obvious after they occur
B. The tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one's
preconceptions
C. The tendency to think others agree with us more than they do
D. The belief that we see the world as it actually is
CORRECT ANSWER B — Tendency to search for/interpret information confirming
preconceptions
RATIONALE Confirmation bias leads people to seek evidence supporting their existing beliefs
while ignoring or discounting contradictory evidence. Hindsight bias (A) is the "I
knew it all along" effect. False consensus (C) is overestimating agreement.
