PSY102 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026
1. Which of the following is the best definition of psychology?
A. The study of abnormal behaviors and mental illnesses
B. The use of therapy to change personality
C. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
D. The study of social interactions and group dynamics
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Psychology is formally defined as the scientific study of both
observable behavior and internal mental processes.
2. A researcher predicts that caffeine will improve memory test scores. This specific
prediction is known as:
A. An operational definition
B. A theory
C. A hypothesis
D. An observation
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A hypothesis is a testable, specific prediction often derived from
a broader theory.
3. Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving incoming signals from other
neurons?
A. Dendrites
B. Axon
C. Myelin sheath
D. Terminal buttons
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dendrites are the branching extensions that receive chemical
messages (neurotransmitters) from other neurons.
4. Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual
information?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Occipital lobe
D. Temporal lobe
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, contains the
primary visual cortex.
5. Excessive levels of which neurotransmitter are most commonly associated with
schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The dopamine hypothesis suggests that overactivity of
dopamine in certain brain regions contributes to schizophrenia symptoms.
6. The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life is
known as:
A. Long-term potentiation
B. Hemispheric specialization
C. Plasticity
D. Neurogenesis
Answer: C
ANSWERS 2026
1. Which of the following is the best definition of psychology?
A. The study of abnormal behaviors and mental illnesses
B. The use of therapy to change personality
C. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
D. The study of social interactions and group dynamics
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Psychology is formally defined as the scientific study of both
observable behavior and internal mental processes.
2. A researcher predicts that caffeine will improve memory test scores. This specific
prediction is known as:
A. An operational definition
B. A theory
C. A hypothesis
D. An observation
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A hypothesis is a testable, specific prediction often derived from
a broader theory.
3. Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving incoming signals from other
neurons?
A. Dendrites
B. Axon
C. Myelin sheath
D. Terminal buttons
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dendrites are the branching extensions that receive chemical
messages (neurotransmitters) from other neurons.
4. Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual
information?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Occipital lobe
D. Temporal lobe
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, contains the
primary visual cortex.
5. Excessive levels of which neurotransmitter are most commonly associated with
schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The dopamine hypothesis suggests that overactivity of
dopamine in certain brain regions contributes to schizophrenia symptoms.
6. The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life is
known as:
A. Long-term potentiation
B. Hemispheric specialization
C. Plasticity
D. Neurogenesis
Answer: C
