WGU D574 HLTH 4360 Neuropsychology – BS
Psychology Study Guide, Original Practice
Questions & Answers, Assessment Preparation,
Comprehensive Neuropsychology Review, Brain and
Behavior, Cognitive Processes, Nervous System,
Psychological Functioning & WGU Exam Prep
Question 1: According to the biopsychosocial model of health, which of the
following represents the most comprehensive interaction of factors influencing
a patient's health?
A. Biological and physiological factors only
B. Psychological and emotional factors only
C. Social and environmental factors only
D. Biological, psychological, and social factors
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Biological, psychological, and social factors
Rationale: The biopsychosocial model, proposed by George Engel in 1977, posits that
health and illness are products of the dynamic interaction between biological factors
(e.g., genetics, physiology), psychological factors (e.g., thoughts, emotions, behaviors),
and social factors (e.g., support networks, socioeconomic status, culture). This holistic
approach contrasts with the reductionist biomedical model, which only focuses on
biological factors .
Question 2: Which brain structure is primarily responsible for processing
emotions, particularly fear and aggression, and is a key component of the
limbic system?
A. Hippocampus
B. Thalamus
C. Amygdala
D. Cerebellum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Amygdala
Rationale: The amygdala is an almond-shaped set of neurons located deep within the
brain's medial temporal lobe. It is a crucial part of the limbic system and plays a primary
role in the processing and regulation of emotional responses, especially fear, anxiety,
and aggression .
Question 3: A public health campaign encourages people to get a flu shot by
emphasizing the dangers of the flu and the effectiveness of the vaccine. This
approach best aligns with which component of the Health Belief Model?
A. Cues to action
B. Perceived susceptibility
C. Perceived severity
D. Perceived barriers
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. Perceived severity
Rationale: The Health Belief Model (HBM) suggests that a person's likelihood of taking a
health action is influenced by their perception of the severity of a health threat. By
emphasizing the dangers of the flu, the campaign is attempting to increase the target
audience's perception of the illness's severity, thereby making them more likely to adopt
the recommended behavior .
Question 4: In the context of the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change), a
person who is planning to take action within the next 30 days and is aware of
the benefits of changing is in which stage?
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation
D. Action
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preparation
Rationale: In the Transtheoretical Model, the Preparation stage is characterized by the
intention to take action soon, typically within the next month. Individuals in this stage
have often taken some small steps toward the behavior change and are planning specific
strategies for action, distinguishing them from the Contemplation stage, where change is
still being considered without firm intent or a specific plan.
Question 5: The neuron's cell body, which contains the nucleus and is
responsible for the metabolic support of the cell, is known as the:
A. Axon
B. Soma
C. Dendrite
D. Synapse
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Soma
Rationale: The soma, or cell body, is the central and largest part of a neuron. It contains
the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, and other organelles, providing the metabolic and
genetic control necessary for the neuron's survival and function. Dendrites receive
signals, the axon transmits them, and the synapse is the junction between neurons .
Question 6: The belief that an individual can successfully execute the behavior
required to produce a desired outcome is known as:
A. Self-esteem
B. Self-efficacy
C. Locus of control
D. Self-actualization
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Self-efficacy
,Rationale: Self-efficacy is a core concept in Social Cognitive Theory and the Health
Belief Model. It refers to an individual's confidence in their ability to perform a specific
behavior. Higher self-efficacy is strongly correlated with a greater likelihood of initiating
and maintaining health behavior changes, as people who believe they can succeed are
more likely to try and persist .
Question 7: Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing
visual information?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Temporal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Occipital lobe
Rationale: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is the visual processing
center. It contains the primary visual cortex, which receives and interprets visual
information from the eyes via the optic nerve. Damage to this area can result in various
forms of visual impairment or blindness, known as cortical blindness .
Question 8: A patient is prescribed a new medication but fears the side effects
more than the benefits. According to the Health Belief Model, this patient is
perceiving high:
A. Susceptibility
B. Severity
C. Benefits
D. Barriers
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Barriers
Rationale: In the Health Belief Model, perceived barriers are an individual's assessment
of the obstacles or negative aspects of a recommended health action. This can include
side effects, cost, inconvenience, and fear. High perceived barriers can act as a
significant deterrent to behavior change, often outweighing perceived benefits in the
decision-making process .
Question 9: The Theory of Planned Behavior suggests that behavioral intention
is determined by three components. Which of the following is NOT one of
them?
A. Attitude toward the behavior
B. Perceived behavioral control
C. Perceived severity
D. Subjective norms
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Perceived severity
, Rationale: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) posits that an individual's intention to
perform a behavior is influenced by their attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms
(perceived social pressure), and perceived behavioral control (perceived ease or
difficulty). Perceived severity is a key component of the Health Belief Model, not the
Theory of Planned Behavior .
Question 10: Glial cells that are part of the immune system and remove
viruses and fungi from the brain are called:
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Schwann cells
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Microglia
Rationale: Microglia are a type of glial cell that function as the primary immune defense
cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They are responsible for detecting and
removing pathogens, cellular debris, and damaged neurons through a process called
phagocytosis, thus maintaining brain health and responding to injury or infection .
Question 11: The WHO (1946) definition of health is considered revolutionary
because it expands the concept of health beyond the absence of disease to
include:
A. Physical and financial well-being
B. Physical, mental, and social well-being
C. Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
D. Physical well-being and a healthy environment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Physical, mental, and social well-being
Rationale: The World Health Organization's 1946 constitution defined health as "a state
of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity." This was a paradigm shift from the biomedical model's focus on
just physical health, explicitly incorporating mental and social dimensions as integral to
overall health .
Question 12: The concept of "neuroplasticity" refers to the brain's ability to:
A. Remain static after early development
B. Recover from injury only through medication
C. Reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life
D. Only learn new information during critical periods in childhood
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reorganize and form new neural connections
throughout life
Rationale: Neuroplasticity is the fundamental property of the brain that allows it to
change and adapt in response to experience, learning, and injury. This includes the
Psychology Study Guide, Original Practice
Questions & Answers, Assessment Preparation,
Comprehensive Neuropsychology Review, Brain and
Behavior, Cognitive Processes, Nervous System,
Psychological Functioning & WGU Exam Prep
Question 1: According to the biopsychosocial model of health, which of the
following represents the most comprehensive interaction of factors influencing
a patient's health?
A. Biological and physiological factors only
B. Psychological and emotional factors only
C. Social and environmental factors only
D. Biological, psychological, and social factors
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Biological, psychological, and social factors
Rationale: The biopsychosocial model, proposed by George Engel in 1977, posits that
health and illness are products of the dynamic interaction between biological factors
(e.g., genetics, physiology), psychological factors (e.g., thoughts, emotions, behaviors),
and social factors (e.g., support networks, socioeconomic status, culture). This holistic
approach contrasts with the reductionist biomedical model, which only focuses on
biological factors .
Question 2: Which brain structure is primarily responsible for processing
emotions, particularly fear and aggression, and is a key component of the
limbic system?
A. Hippocampus
B. Thalamus
C. Amygdala
D. Cerebellum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Amygdala
Rationale: The amygdala is an almond-shaped set of neurons located deep within the
brain's medial temporal lobe. It is a crucial part of the limbic system and plays a primary
role in the processing and regulation of emotional responses, especially fear, anxiety,
and aggression .
Question 3: A public health campaign encourages people to get a flu shot by
emphasizing the dangers of the flu and the effectiveness of the vaccine. This
approach best aligns with which component of the Health Belief Model?
A. Cues to action
B. Perceived susceptibility
C. Perceived severity
D. Perceived barriers
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. Perceived severity
Rationale: The Health Belief Model (HBM) suggests that a person's likelihood of taking a
health action is influenced by their perception of the severity of a health threat. By
emphasizing the dangers of the flu, the campaign is attempting to increase the target
audience's perception of the illness's severity, thereby making them more likely to adopt
the recommended behavior .
Question 4: In the context of the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change), a
person who is planning to take action within the next 30 days and is aware of
the benefits of changing is in which stage?
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation
D. Action
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preparation
Rationale: In the Transtheoretical Model, the Preparation stage is characterized by the
intention to take action soon, typically within the next month. Individuals in this stage
have often taken some small steps toward the behavior change and are planning specific
strategies for action, distinguishing them from the Contemplation stage, where change is
still being considered without firm intent or a specific plan.
Question 5: The neuron's cell body, which contains the nucleus and is
responsible for the metabolic support of the cell, is known as the:
A. Axon
B. Soma
C. Dendrite
D. Synapse
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Soma
Rationale: The soma, or cell body, is the central and largest part of a neuron. It contains
the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, and other organelles, providing the metabolic and
genetic control necessary for the neuron's survival and function. Dendrites receive
signals, the axon transmits them, and the synapse is the junction between neurons .
Question 6: The belief that an individual can successfully execute the behavior
required to produce a desired outcome is known as:
A. Self-esteem
B. Self-efficacy
C. Locus of control
D. Self-actualization
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Self-efficacy
,Rationale: Self-efficacy is a core concept in Social Cognitive Theory and the Health
Belief Model. It refers to an individual's confidence in their ability to perform a specific
behavior. Higher self-efficacy is strongly correlated with a greater likelihood of initiating
and maintaining health behavior changes, as people who believe they can succeed are
more likely to try and persist .
Question 7: Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing
visual information?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Temporal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Occipital lobe
Rationale: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is the visual processing
center. It contains the primary visual cortex, which receives and interprets visual
information from the eyes via the optic nerve. Damage to this area can result in various
forms of visual impairment or blindness, known as cortical blindness .
Question 8: A patient is prescribed a new medication but fears the side effects
more than the benefits. According to the Health Belief Model, this patient is
perceiving high:
A. Susceptibility
B. Severity
C. Benefits
D. Barriers
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Barriers
Rationale: In the Health Belief Model, perceived barriers are an individual's assessment
of the obstacles or negative aspects of a recommended health action. This can include
side effects, cost, inconvenience, and fear. High perceived barriers can act as a
significant deterrent to behavior change, often outweighing perceived benefits in the
decision-making process .
Question 9: The Theory of Planned Behavior suggests that behavioral intention
is determined by three components. Which of the following is NOT one of
them?
A. Attitude toward the behavior
B. Perceived behavioral control
C. Perceived severity
D. Subjective norms
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Perceived severity
, Rationale: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) posits that an individual's intention to
perform a behavior is influenced by their attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms
(perceived social pressure), and perceived behavioral control (perceived ease or
difficulty). Perceived severity is a key component of the Health Belief Model, not the
Theory of Planned Behavior .
Question 10: Glial cells that are part of the immune system and remove
viruses and fungi from the brain are called:
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Schwann cells
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Microglia
Rationale: Microglia are a type of glial cell that function as the primary immune defense
cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They are responsible for detecting and
removing pathogens, cellular debris, and damaged neurons through a process called
phagocytosis, thus maintaining brain health and responding to injury or infection .
Question 11: The WHO (1946) definition of health is considered revolutionary
because it expands the concept of health beyond the absence of disease to
include:
A. Physical and financial well-being
B. Physical, mental, and social well-being
C. Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
D. Physical well-being and a healthy environment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Physical, mental, and social well-being
Rationale: The World Health Organization's 1946 constitution defined health as "a state
of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity." This was a paradigm shift from the biomedical model's focus on
just physical health, explicitly incorporating mental and social dimensions as integral to
overall health .
Question 12: The concept of "neuroplasticity" refers to the brain's ability to:
A. Remain static after early development
B. Recover from injury only through medication
C. Reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life
D. Only learn new information during critical periods in childhood
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reorganize and form new neural connections
throughout life
Rationale: Neuroplasticity is the fundamental property of the brain that allows it to
change and adapt in response to experience, learning, and injury. This includes the
