WGU C180 INTRODUCTION TO
PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following best defines the independent variable in a controlled psychological
experiment?
A. The outcome factor that is measured
B. The factor that is manipulated by the researcher
C. The variable that is kept constant across all groups
D. The statistical significance of the results
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the experimental factor that is
manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
2. To minimize the effects of participant expectations and researcher bias, which
experimental procedure is typically employed?
A. Naturalistic observation
B. Case study analysis
,C. Double-blind procedure
D. Correlation coefficient calculation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In a double-blind procedure, neither the participants nor the
research assistants who administer the drug and collect the data know which group is
receiving the treatment.
3. Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving incoming signals from other
neurons?
A. Axon terminals
B. Myelin sheath
C. Synaptic cleft
D. Dendrites
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dendrites are the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that
receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
4. What is the primary physiological function of the myelin sheath that covers many axons?
A. To facilitate the reuptake of neurotransmitters
B. To trigger the release of hormones
C. To increase the speed of neural impulse transmission
, D. To generate action potentials
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The myelin sheath is a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing
the axons of some neurons; it enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses
hop from one node to the next.
5. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’
response during a stressful event?
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system arouses the body, mobilizing
its energy in stressful situations.
6. Damage to the cerebellum would most likely result in difficulties with which of the
following?
A. Expressive language production
B. Long-term memory storage
C. Emotional regulation
PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following best defines the independent variable in a controlled psychological
experiment?
A. The outcome factor that is measured
B. The factor that is manipulated by the researcher
C. The variable that is kept constant across all groups
D. The statistical significance of the results
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the experimental factor that is
manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
2. To minimize the effects of participant expectations and researcher bias, which
experimental procedure is typically employed?
A. Naturalistic observation
B. Case study analysis
,C. Double-blind procedure
D. Correlation coefficient calculation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In a double-blind procedure, neither the participants nor the
research assistants who administer the drug and collect the data know which group is
receiving the treatment.
3. Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving incoming signals from other
neurons?
A. Axon terminals
B. Myelin sheath
C. Synaptic cleft
D. Dendrites
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dendrites are the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that
receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
4. What is the primary physiological function of the myelin sheath that covers many axons?
A. To facilitate the reuptake of neurotransmitters
B. To trigger the release of hormones
C. To increase the speed of neural impulse transmission
, D. To generate action potentials
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The myelin sheath is a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing
the axons of some neurons; it enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses
hop from one node to the next.
5. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’
response during a stressful event?
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system arouses the body, mobilizing
its energy in stressful situations.
6. Damage to the cerebellum would most likely result in difficulties with which of the
following?
A. Expressive language production
B. Long-term memory storage
C. Emotional regulation
