PSY 102 Exam 1 V2 | PSY 102 General Psychology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (PSY102 Exam 1) | Grand Canyon University
1. Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of:
A. Abnormal behavior and mental illness
B. Behavior and mental processes
C. The physiological functions of the brain
D. The soul and conscious experience
Answer: B
Rationale: Psychology encompasses both observable actions and internal experiences.
This definition allows researchers to study physical reactions as well as thoughts and
feelings. By using the scientific method, psychologists ensure their findings are objective
and empirical.
2. Which historical figure is credited with establishing the first psychological laboratory in
Leipzig, Germany?
A. Wilhelm Wundt
B. Sigmund Freud
C. William James
D. John Watson
Answer: A
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt founded the first formal lab for psychological research in 1879.
He is often referred to as the father of experimental psychology. His work focused on
introspection and the structure of conscious experience.
3. The school of thought known as Functionalism was heavily influenced by the work of:
A. Edward Titchener
B. B.F. Skinner
C. Abraham Maslow
D. Charles Darwin
Answer: D
Rationale: Functionalists like William James were interested in how mental processes help
individuals adapt to their environments. This perspective was deeply rooted in Darwin’s
,theory of evolution and natural selection. It shifted focus from the ‘what’ of the mind to the
‘why’ of behavior.
4. Which perspective emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood
experiences in shaping behavior?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Humanism
C. Cognitive Psychology
D. Behaviorism
Answer: A
Rationale: Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud to explore hidden drives and
conflicts. He believed that many adult problems stem from unresolved childhood issues.
This approach relies heavily on clinical case studies and the interpretation of dreams.
5. Behaviorism rejected the study of mental processes primarily because:
A. They were considered too complex to understand
B. They were thought to be irrelevant to human survival
C. They could not be objectively observed or measured
D. They were already being studied by biology
Answer: C
Rationale: Early behaviorists like Watson believed that psychology should only focus on
observable stimulus-response patterns. They argued that internal thoughts are a ‘black
box’ that science cannot verify. This led to a focus on learning and environmental
conditioning.
6. Humanistic psychology is often referred to as the ‘third force’ because it reacted against:
A. Biology and Philosophy
B. Structuralism and Functionalism
C. Social and Cultural psychology
D. Behaviorism and Psychoanalysis
Answer: D
Rationale: Humanists like Rogers and Maslow felt that existing theories were too
deterministic or pessimistic. They emphasized free will, personal growth, and the inherent
goodness of people. This movement helped establish the foundation for modern positive
psychology.
, 7. Which subfield of psychology focuses on how people perceive, remember, and think about
information?
A. Developmental Psychology
B. Cognitive Psychology
C. Biological Psychology
D. Evolutionary Psychology
Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive psychology views the human mind as an information processor
similar to a computer. It studies internal mental states such as problem-solving and
language acquisition. This field became dominant during the ‘Cognitive Revolution’ of the
1960s.
8. A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables is called a(n):
A. Theory
B. Operational definition
C. Hypothesis
D. Correlation
Answer: C
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, narrow claim that can be verified through
experimentation. It is often phrased as an ‘If-Then’ statement. Once tested, the results are
used to support or refine a broader psychological theory.
9. In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Control variable
D. Independent variable
Answer: D
Rationale: The independent variable is the cause being studied in the experimental design.
Researchers change this variable to see if it produces an effect on the outcome. For
example, in a drug study, the dosage is the independent variable.
10. Which research method involves an in-depth investigation of a single individual or small
group?
A. Naturalistic observation
Rationale (PSY102 Exam 1) | Grand Canyon University
1. Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of:
A. Abnormal behavior and mental illness
B. Behavior and mental processes
C. The physiological functions of the brain
D. The soul and conscious experience
Answer: B
Rationale: Psychology encompasses both observable actions and internal experiences.
This definition allows researchers to study physical reactions as well as thoughts and
feelings. By using the scientific method, psychologists ensure their findings are objective
and empirical.
2. Which historical figure is credited with establishing the first psychological laboratory in
Leipzig, Germany?
A. Wilhelm Wundt
B. Sigmund Freud
C. William James
D. John Watson
Answer: A
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt founded the first formal lab for psychological research in 1879.
He is often referred to as the father of experimental psychology. His work focused on
introspection and the structure of conscious experience.
3. The school of thought known as Functionalism was heavily influenced by the work of:
A. Edward Titchener
B. B.F. Skinner
C. Abraham Maslow
D. Charles Darwin
Answer: D
Rationale: Functionalists like William James were interested in how mental processes help
individuals adapt to their environments. This perspective was deeply rooted in Darwin’s
,theory of evolution and natural selection. It shifted focus from the ‘what’ of the mind to the
‘why’ of behavior.
4. Which perspective emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood
experiences in shaping behavior?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Humanism
C. Cognitive Psychology
D. Behaviorism
Answer: A
Rationale: Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud to explore hidden drives and
conflicts. He believed that many adult problems stem from unresolved childhood issues.
This approach relies heavily on clinical case studies and the interpretation of dreams.
5. Behaviorism rejected the study of mental processes primarily because:
A. They were considered too complex to understand
B. They were thought to be irrelevant to human survival
C. They could not be objectively observed or measured
D. They were already being studied by biology
Answer: C
Rationale: Early behaviorists like Watson believed that psychology should only focus on
observable stimulus-response patterns. They argued that internal thoughts are a ‘black
box’ that science cannot verify. This led to a focus on learning and environmental
conditioning.
6. Humanistic psychology is often referred to as the ‘third force’ because it reacted against:
A. Biology and Philosophy
B. Structuralism and Functionalism
C. Social and Cultural psychology
D. Behaviorism and Psychoanalysis
Answer: D
Rationale: Humanists like Rogers and Maslow felt that existing theories were too
deterministic or pessimistic. They emphasized free will, personal growth, and the inherent
goodness of people. This movement helped establish the foundation for modern positive
psychology.
, 7. Which subfield of psychology focuses on how people perceive, remember, and think about
information?
A. Developmental Psychology
B. Cognitive Psychology
C. Biological Psychology
D. Evolutionary Psychology
Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive psychology views the human mind as an information processor
similar to a computer. It studies internal mental states such as problem-solving and
language acquisition. This field became dominant during the ‘Cognitive Revolution’ of the
1960s.
8. A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables is called a(n):
A. Theory
B. Operational definition
C. Hypothesis
D. Correlation
Answer: C
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, narrow claim that can be verified through
experimentation. It is often phrased as an ‘If-Then’ statement. Once tested, the results are
used to support or refine a broader psychological theory.
9. In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Control variable
D. Independent variable
Answer: D
Rationale: The independent variable is the cause being studied in the experimental design.
Researchers change this variable to see if it produces an effect on the outcome. For
example, in a drug study, the dosage is the independent variable.
10. Which research method involves an in-depth investigation of a single individual or small
group?
A. Naturalistic observation
