WGU C180 Foundations of Psychology
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SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY (Questions 1-30)
1. What is the formal definition of psychology?
• A) The study of human evolution and cultural development
• B) The scientific study of the mind and behavior
• C) The analysis of social structures and group dynamics
• D) The examination of brain structure and function only
Answer: B – The scientific study of the mind and behavior
Rationale: Psychology is formally defined as the scientific discipline that
studies mental processes (thoughts, emotions, perceptions) and
observable behaviors. The key elements are that it is "scientific" (based
on empirical evidence) and covers both internal mental life and external
actions.
2. Which of the following are the four primary goals of psychology?
, • A) Observe, describe, predict, and treat
• B) Describe, explain, predict, and control/influence
• C) Analyze, diagnose, treat, and prevent
• D) Describe, analyze, predict, and change
Answer: B – Describe, explain, predict, and control/influence
Rationale: The four primary goals of psychology are to describe what
occurs, explain why it occurs, predict when it will occur, and control or
influence behavior and mental processes. These goals guide
psychological research and practice.
3. Who is considered the "father of psychology"?
• A) Sigmund Freud
• B) William James
• C) Wilhelm Wundt
• D) B.F. Skinner
Answer: C – Wilhelm Wundt
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in
1879 at the University of Leipzig, Germany, marking the beginning of
modern psychology as an independent scientific discipline.
4. Which school of psychology focused on the structure of the mind
using introspection?
, • A) Functionalism
• B) Behaviorism
• C) Structuralism
• D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: C – Structuralism
Rationale: Structuralism, led by Edward Titchener, aimed to break down
mental processes into basic components using introspection. It was
influenced by Wundt's work and sought to identify the fundamental
elements of conscious experience.
5. Which psychologist emphasized the adaptive functions of behavior
(functionalism)?
• A) Wilhelm Wundt
• B) William James
• C) John B. Watson
• D) Sigmund Freud
Answer: B – William James
Rationale: William James was the leading figure in functionalism, a
school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral
processes function—how they enable organisms to adapt, survive, and
flourish. He was influenced by Darwin's theory of natural selection.
, 6. Which perspective in psychology emphasizes observable behavior
and environmental influences?
• A) Humanistic psychology
• B) Cognitive psychology
• C) Behaviorism
• D) Psychodynamic psychology
Answer: C – Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, pioneered by John B. Watson and later B.F.
Skinner, argues that psychology should study only observable,
measurable behavior and that behavior is primarily shaped by
environmental influences and learning.
7. What is the main idea of humanistic psychology?
• A) Behavior is determined by unconscious drives
• B) Psychology should study only observable behavior
• C) Emphasizes free will, personal growth, and self-actualization
• D) Mental processes should be broken down into basic elements
Answer: C – Emphasizes free will, personal growth, and self-
actualization
Rationale: Humanism emerged as a reaction to both psychoanalysis and
behaviorism. It emphasizes inherent human goodness, free will, and the
natural drive toward fulfilling one's potential (self-actualization).
Maslow's hierarchy of needs reflects this perspective.
Test Bank All Latest Versions Exam
Questions and Answers Study Guide
100% Distinctions Guaranteed Grade A+
Updated 2025/2026
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY (Questions 1-30)
1. What is the formal definition of psychology?
• A) The study of human evolution and cultural development
• B) The scientific study of the mind and behavior
• C) The analysis of social structures and group dynamics
• D) The examination of brain structure and function only
Answer: B – The scientific study of the mind and behavior
Rationale: Psychology is formally defined as the scientific discipline that
studies mental processes (thoughts, emotions, perceptions) and
observable behaviors. The key elements are that it is "scientific" (based
on empirical evidence) and covers both internal mental life and external
actions.
2. Which of the following are the four primary goals of psychology?
, • A) Observe, describe, predict, and treat
• B) Describe, explain, predict, and control/influence
• C) Analyze, diagnose, treat, and prevent
• D) Describe, analyze, predict, and change
Answer: B – Describe, explain, predict, and control/influence
Rationale: The four primary goals of psychology are to describe what
occurs, explain why it occurs, predict when it will occur, and control or
influence behavior and mental processes. These goals guide
psychological research and practice.
3. Who is considered the "father of psychology"?
• A) Sigmund Freud
• B) William James
• C) Wilhelm Wundt
• D) B.F. Skinner
Answer: C – Wilhelm Wundt
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in
1879 at the University of Leipzig, Germany, marking the beginning of
modern psychology as an independent scientific discipline.
4. Which school of psychology focused on the structure of the mind
using introspection?
, • A) Functionalism
• B) Behaviorism
• C) Structuralism
• D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: C – Structuralism
Rationale: Structuralism, led by Edward Titchener, aimed to break down
mental processes into basic components using introspection. It was
influenced by Wundt's work and sought to identify the fundamental
elements of conscious experience.
5. Which psychologist emphasized the adaptive functions of behavior
(functionalism)?
• A) Wilhelm Wundt
• B) William James
• C) John B. Watson
• D) Sigmund Freud
Answer: B – William James
Rationale: William James was the leading figure in functionalism, a
school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral
processes function—how they enable organisms to adapt, survive, and
flourish. He was influenced by Darwin's theory of natural selection.
, 6. Which perspective in psychology emphasizes observable behavior
and environmental influences?
• A) Humanistic psychology
• B) Cognitive psychology
• C) Behaviorism
• D) Psychodynamic psychology
Answer: C – Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, pioneered by John B. Watson and later B.F.
Skinner, argues that psychology should study only observable,
measurable behavior and that behavior is primarily shaped by
environmental influences and learning.
7. What is the main idea of humanistic psychology?
• A) Behavior is determined by unconscious drives
• B) Psychology should study only observable behavior
• C) Emphasizes free will, personal growth, and self-actualization
• D) Mental processes should be broken down into basic elements
Answer: C – Emphasizes free will, personal growth, and self-
actualization
Rationale: Humanism emerged as a reaction to both psychoanalysis and
behaviorism. It emphasizes inherent human goodness, free will, and the
natural drive toward fulfilling one's potential (self-actualization).
Maslow's hierarchy of needs reflects this perspective.
