AICE Psychology Exam 2026/2027 | Complete Practice
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
1. Which statement best describes the biological approach to
psychology?
A. Behaviour is primarily learned through reinforcement
B. Behaviour is explained through biological processes such as genes,
hormones and brain activity
C. Behaviour is determined mainly by unconscious conflicts
D. Behaviour is understood primarily through individual interpretation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The biological approach explains behaviour using
physiological and genetic mechanisms. It commonly investigates the
brain, nervous system, hormones and genetic influences.
2. What is the role of a neurotransmitter?
A. To transport oxygen through the blood
B. To transmit chemical signals between neurons
C. To produce antibodies
D. To control skeletal growth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released by
neurons. They cross the synaptic gap and influence the activity of
another neuron.
,3. Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with reward and
motivation?
A. Dopamine
B. Insulin
C. Melatonin
D. Adrenaline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation and movement.
The dopamine system is particularly important in explanations of
several psychological disorders.
4. What is meant by synaptic transmission?
A. The movement of blood through the brain
B. The transmission of information across a synapse
C. The growth of new neurons
D. The destruction of brain cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Synaptic transmission occurs when neurotransmitters carry
signals from one neuron to another across the synaptic cleft.
5. Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
A. Amygdala
B. Corpus callosum
C. Hypothalamus
D. Hippocampus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The corpus callosum is a large bundle of nerve fibres
,connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres. It allows
information to be communicated between them.
6. What is neuroplasticity?
A. The inability of neurons to change
B. The brain's ability to reorganise and form new connections
C. The destruction of synapses
D. The production of hormones
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroplasticity refers to changes in the brain's structure or
functioning in response to experience, learning or injury.
7. Which method can be used to investigate brain activity?
A. fMRI
B. Questionnaire only
C. Interview only
D. Observation checklist only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Functional magnetic resonance imaging measures changes
associated with brain activity. It can therefore help researchers identify
active brain regions.
8. What is a genotype?
A. An individual's observable characteristics
B. An individual's genetic makeup
C. A person's learned behaviour
D. A person's cultural identity
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Genotype refers to the genetic information an individual
possesses. Phenotype refers to observable characteristics resulting from
genes and environmental influences.
9. What is meant by phenotype?
A. Genetic information only
B. Observable characteristics produced through genetic and
environmental influences
C. A sequence of neurotransmitters
D. A type of neuron
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenotype represents observable characteristics. These may
reflect an interaction between genetic predispositions and
environmental factors.
10. What does heritability estimate?
A. The percentage of a person's behaviour caused by one gene
B. The proportion of variation in a characteristic within a population
attributable to genetic differences
C. The probability that a person will develop a disorder
D. The number of genes in an individual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heritability concerns variation within a population, not the
percentage of an individual's trait that is genetic. It should not be
interpreted as genetic determinism.
11. What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
1. Which statement best describes the biological approach to
psychology?
A. Behaviour is primarily learned through reinforcement
B. Behaviour is explained through biological processes such as genes,
hormones and brain activity
C. Behaviour is determined mainly by unconscious conflicts
D. Behaviour is understood primarily through individual interpretation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The biological approach explains behaviour using
physiological and genetic mechanisms. It commonly investigates the
brain, nervous system, hormones and genetic influences.
2. What is the role of a neurotransmitter?
A. To transport oxygen through the blood
B. To transmit chemical signals between neurons
C. To produce antibodies
D. To control skeletal growth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released by
neurons. They cross the synaptic gap and influence the activity of
another neuron.
,3. Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with reward and
motivation?
A. Dopamine
B. Insulin
C. Melatonin
D. Adrenaline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation and movement.
The dopamine system is particularly important in explanations of
several psychological disorders.
4. What is meant by synaptic transmission?
A. The movement of blood through the brain
B. The transmission of information across a synapse
C. The growth of new neurons
D. The destruction of brain cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Synaptic transmission occurs when neurotransmitters carry
signals from one neuron to another across the synaptic cleft.
5. Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
A. Amygdala
B. Corpus callosum
C. Hypothalamus
D. Hippocampus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The corpus callosum is a large bundle of nerve fibres
,connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres. It allows
information to be communicated between them.
6. What is neuroplasticity?
A. The inability of neurons to change
B. The brain's ability to reorganise and form new connections
C. The destruction of synapses
D. The production of hormones
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroplasticity refers to changes in the brain's structure or
functioning in response to experience, learning or injury.
7. Which method can be used to investigate brain activity?
A. fMRI
B. Questionnaire only
C. Interview only
D. Observation checklist only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Functional magnetic resonance imaging measures changes
associated with brain activity. It can therefore help researchers identify
active brain regions.
8. What is a genotype?
A. An individual's observable characteristics
B. An individual's genetic makeup
C. A person's learned behaviour
D. A person's cultural identity
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Genotype refers to the genetic information an individual
possesses. Phenotype refers to observable characteristics resulting from
genes and environmental influences.
9. What is meant by phenotype?
A. Genetic information only
B. Observable characteristics produced through genetic and
environmental influences
C. A sequence of neurotransmitters
D. A type of neuron
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenotype represents observable characteristics. These may
reflect an interaction between genetic predispositions and
environmental factors.
10. What does heritability estimate?
A. The percentage of a person's behaviour caused by one gene
B. The proportion of variation in a characteristic within a population
attributable to genetic differences
C. The probability that a person will develop a disorder
D. The number of genes in an individual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heritability concerns variation within a population, not the
percentage of an individual's trait that is genetic. It should not be
interpreted as genetic determinism.
11. What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
