Strayer University PSY 115 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Psychology of Success Q&A | Psychology
1. Which of the following best defines psychology?
A) The study of the mind and consciousness through introspection
B) The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
C) The study of individual differences in personality
D) The investigation of the unconscious mind
Correct Answer: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes. This definition encompasses both observable actions and internal
experiences such as thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. The scientific
approach distinguishes psychology from philosophy and other fields.
2. The four primary goals of psychology are:
A) Observation, description, prediction, and control
B) Description, explanation, prediction, and control
C) Analysis, explanation, prediction, and application
D) Description, analysis, prediction, and application
Correct Answer: Description, explanation, prediction, and control
Rationale: The four primary goals of psychology are to describe (what is
happening), explain (why it is happening), predict (when it will happen), and
control (how to influence behavior). These goals guide research and practice
in all areas of psychology.
,3. Which perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early
childhood experiences in shaping behavior?
A) Behavioral
B) Humanistic
C) Psychodynamic
D) Cognitive
Correct Answer: Psychodynamic
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Sigmund Freud,
emphasizes unconscious motives, conflicts, and early childhood experiences.
It suggests that behavior is driven by unconscious forces and that childhood
experiences shape adult personality.
4. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner are most associated with which school of
psychology?
A) Psychoanalysis
B) Behaviorism
C) Humanism
D) Gestalt
Correct Answer: Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by
B.F. Skinner, focused on observable behavior rather than unobservable
mental processes. Behaviorists argued that psychology should be the
science of behavior and that all behavior is learned through environmental
conditioning.
5. The "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is a central tenet of:
,A) Structuralism
B) Functionalism
C) Gestalt psychology
D) Behaviorism
Correct Answer: Gestalt psychology
Rationale: Gestalt psychology emphasized that perception is more than the
sum of individual sensory elements. The Gestalt psychologists argued that
we perceive whole patterns and configurations rather than isolated
sensations, encapsulated in the idea that "the whole is greater than the sum
of its parts."
6. The scientific method in psychology involves all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Formulating a hypothesis
B) Drawing conclusions based on intuition
C) Conducting systematic observations
D) Replicating findings
Correct Answer: Drawing conclusions based on intuition
Rationale: The scientific method involves systematic observation, hypothesis
testing, and replication. Intuition and personal beliefs are not part of the
scientific method. Scientists rely on empirical evidence and objective data
rather than intuition or subjective opinion.
7. A hypothesis is best defined as:
A) A proven fact about behavior
B) A testable prediction derived from a theory
, C) A broad explanation for a wide range of phenomena
D) A set of beliefs about human nature
Correct Answer: A testable prediction derived from a theory
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction that is derived from
a theory. It provides a clear statement of the expected relationship between
variables that can be empirically tested through research.
8. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called
the:
A) Dependent variable
B) Confounding variable
C) Independent variable
D) Control variable
Correct Answer: Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that the researcher
manipulates or changes in an experiment. It is the presumed cause that is
expected to produce an effect on the dependent variable.
9. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher measures to see the
effect of the manipulation is called the:
A) Independent variable
B) Dependent variable
C) Control variable
D) Confounding variable
Psychology of Success Q&A | Psychology
1. Which of the following best defines psychology?
A) The study of the mind and consciousness through introspection
B) The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
C) The study of individual differences in personality
D) The investigation of the unconscious mind
Correct Answer: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes. This definition encompasses both observable actions and internal
experiences such as thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. The scientific
approach distinguishes psychology from philosophy and other fields.
2. The four primary goals of psychology are:
A) Observation, description, prediction, and control
B) Description, explanation, prediction, and control
C) Analysis, explanation, prediction, and application
D) Description, analysis, prediction, and application
Correct Answer: Description, explanation, prediction, and control
Rationale: The four primary goals of psychology are to describe (what is
happening), explain (why it is happening), predict (when it will happen), and
control (how to influence behavior). These goals guide research and practice
in all areas of psychology.
,3. Which perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early
childhood experiences in shaping behavior?
A) Behavioral
B) Humanistic
C) Psychodynamic
D) Cognitive
Correct Answer: Psychodynamic
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Sigmund Freud,
emphasizes unconscious motives, conflicts, and early childhood experiences.
It suggests that behavior is driven by unconscious forces and that childhood
experiences shape adult personality.
4. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner are most associated with which school of
psychology?
A) Psychoanalysis
B) Behaviorism
C) Humanism
D) Gestalt
Correct Answer: Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by
B.F. Skinner, focused on observable behavior rather than unobservable
mental processes. Behaviorists argued that psychology should be the
science of behavior and that all behavior is learned through environmental
conditioning.
5. The "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is a central tenet of:
,A) Structuralism
B) Functionalism
C) Gestalt psychology
D) Behaviorism
Correct Answer: Gestalt psychology
Rationale: Gestalt psychology emphasized that perception is more than the
sum of individual sensory elements. The Gestalt psychologists argued that
we perceive whole patterns and configurations rather than isolated
sensations, encapsulated in the idea that "the whole is greater than the sum
of its parts."
6. The scientific method in psychology involves all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Formulating a hypothesis
B) Drawing conclusions based on intuition
C) Conducting systematic observations
D) Replicating findings
Correct Answer: Drawing conclusions based on intuition
Rationale: The scientific method involves systematic observation, hypothesis
testing, and replication. Intuition and personal beliefs are not part of the
scientific method. Scientists rely on empirical evidence and objective data
rather than intuition or subjective opinion.
7. A hypothesis is best defined as:
A) A proven fact about behavior
B) A testable prediction derived from a theory
, C) A broad explanation for a wide range of phenomena
D) A set of beliefs about human nature
Correct Answer: A testable prediction derived from a theory
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction that is derived from
a theory. It provides a clear statement of the expected relationship between
variables that can be empirically tested through research.
8. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called
the:
A) Dependent variable
B) Confounding variable
C) Independent variable
D) Control variable
Correct Answer: Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that the researcher
manipulates or changes in an experiment. It is the presumed cause that is
expected to produce an effect on the dependent variable.
9. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher measures to see the
effect of the manipulation is called the:
A) Independent variable
B) Dependent variable
C) Control variable
D) Confounding variable
