WGU C180 EXAM / INTRODUCTION TO
PSYCHOLOGY / WGU C180
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT (OA) ACTUAL
2026/2027 COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM
APPROVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS (DETAILED
ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATED VERSION
2026
What do psychologists study? - answer-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - answer-
The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to
conduct research. In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method
demands that procedures are free of personal bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - answer-A specific and falsifiable prediction
about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - answer-An operational
definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that
form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable
( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words
used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - answer-These are
needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to
the participants.
,What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - answer-Descriptive
Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? - answer-research designed to provide a snapshot of the
current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - answer-research designed to discover relationships
among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - answer-research in which there is a random
assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation
of a given experience for one group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the
experimental group that receives the manipulation. The other group is the control group
that does not. The two groups are then compared to determine the influence of the
manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - answer-The people
chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative
of all the people that the researcher wishes to know about, called the population.
"Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from the population under
study. The target population is the total group of individuals from which the sample
might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The
people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable - answer-The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or
compared
Dependent Variable - answer-The variable in an experiment that is measured; the
outcome of an experiment
Control Group - answer-The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive
the independent variable
Experimental Group - answer-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - answer-
research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction
of future events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - answer-Correlational-To
assess the relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
, Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the
variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other
variable decreases. For example, there is a negative correlation between self-esteem
and depression. Positive correlation is when there is an increase in one variable it is
associated with an increase in another variable. For example: with height and weight,
taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? -
answer-In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally
occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a
change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect
on the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous
variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation
identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - answer-Cell
Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - answer-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites - answer-a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells
and sends the information to the soma
Axon - answer-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell
body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - answer-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural
impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - answer-Neurochemical
messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers
them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid),
Glutamate, Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - answer-Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle
contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply
associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - answer-Used as brains reward system. Involved in
movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under
supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - answer-Released in response to behaviors such as
exercise, orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
PSYCHOLOGY / WGU C180
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT (OA) ACTUAL
2026/2027 COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM
APPROVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS (DETAILED
ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATED VERSION
2026
What do psychologists study? - answer-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - answer-
The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to
conduct research. In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method
demands that procedures are free of personal bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - answer-A specific and falsifiable prediction
about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - answer-An operational
definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that
form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable
( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words
used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - answer-These are
needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to
the participants.
,What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - answer-Descriptive
Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? - answer-research designed to provide a snapshot of the
current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - answer-research designed to discover relationships
among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - answer-research in which there is a random
assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation
of a given experience for one group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the
experimental group that receives the manipulation. The other group is the control group
that does not. The two groups are then compared to determine the influence of the
manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - answer-The people
chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative
of all the people that the researcher wishes to know about, called the population.
"Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from the population under
study. The target population is the total group of individuals from which the sample
might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The
people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable - answer-The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or
compared
Dependent Variable - answer-The variable in an experiment that is measured; the
outcome of an experiment
Control Group - answer-The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive
the independent variable
Experimental Group - answer-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - answer-
research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction
of future events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - answer-Correlational-To
assess the relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
, Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the
variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other
variable decreases. For example, there is a negative correlation between self-esteem
and depression. Positive correlation is when there is an increase in one variable it is
associated with an increase in another variable. For example: with height and weight,
taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? -
answer-In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally
occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a
change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect
on the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous
variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation
identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - answer-Cell
Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - answer-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites - answer-a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells
and sends the information to the soma
Axon - answer-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell
body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - answer-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural
impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - answer-Neurochemical
messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers
them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid),
Glutamate, Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - answer-Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle
contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply
associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - answer-Used as brains reward system. Involved in
movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under
supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - answer-Released in response to behaviors such as
exercise, orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
