1
EPPP Psychology Licensing Exam 2025 | 170
Actual Questions with Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | A+
Graded Version
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge)?
A) Assess clinical skills in real-world scenarios
B) Evaluate foundational knowledge in psychology
C) Test ethical decision-making in supervision
D) Measure competence in organizational psychology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge) assesses foundational psychological knowledge
across eight domains, such as biological bases of behavior and ethical issues, as outlined by the
ASPPB. It is designed to ensure candidates have the theoretical understanding required for
licensure.
Question 2
According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, at which stage do children develop the
ability to understand conservation?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Conservation, the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in
appearance, emerges during the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11). Children in the
preoperational stage lack this ability due to centration and irreversibility.
Question 3
In ethical decision-making, what is the first step according to the APA Ethical Principles?
A) Consult with colleagues
B) Identify the problem
C) Apply sanctions
D) Evaluate outcomes
, 2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The APA’s ethical decision-making model begins with identifying the problem to
clarify the ethical issue, followed by steps like consulting guidelines and evaluating options. This
ensures a systematic approach to resolving dilemmas.
Question 4
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and is targeted by SSRIs?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels by inhibiting its reuptake, making it a primary target
for treating depression and anxiety.
Question 5
What is the primary goal of motivational interviewing?
A) Direct clients to specific behaviors
B) Resolve unconscious conflicts
C) Enhance intrinsic motivation for change
D) Teach coping skills
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Motivational interviewing, developed by Miller and Rollnick, aims to enhance a
client’s intrinsic motivation to change by exploring ambivalence and fostering self-efficacy,
often used in substance abuse treatment.
Question 6
In a quasi-experimental design, what is a key limitation?
A) Random assignment of participants
B) Lack of a control group
C) Non-random assignment of participants
D) Use of multiple dependent variables
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quasi-experimental designs lack random assignment, which reduces internal validity
by introducing potential confounding variables. This distinguishes them from true experimental
designs.
, 3
Question 7
Which of the following is a hallmark of borderline personality disorder?
A) Grandiose sense of self
B) Intense fear of abandonment
C) Social withdrawal
D) Flat affect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by intense fear of
abandonment, unstable relationships, and emotional dysregulation, as per DSM-5 criteria.
Question 8
What is the recommended passing score for the EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge)?
A) 400
B) 450
C) 500
D) 600
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ASPPB recommends a scaled score of 500 for passing the EPPP (Part 1–
Knowledge) for independent practice, ensuring candidates meet baseline knowledge standards.
Question 9
In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A) A response elicited by a neutral stimulus
B) A stimulus that naturally triggers a response
C) A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
D) A stimulus paired with a conditioned response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The UCS naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UCR) without prior learning,
such as food causing salivation in Pavlov’s experiments.
Question 10
Which statistical test is used to compare means between two independent groups?
A) ANOVA
B) Chi-square
C) Independent t-test
D) Paired t-test
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The independent t-test compares means between two independent groups (e.g.,
treatment vs. control). A paired t-test is used for dependent samples, ANOVA for multiple
groups, and chi-square for categorical data.
Question 11
According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, what is the primary conflict during adolescence?
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Identity vs. role confusion
C) Initiative vs. guilt
D) Intimacy vs. isolation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During adolescence (ages 12–18), Erikson’s stage of identity vs. role confusion
focuses on developing a coherent sense of self. Failure leads to confusion about one’s role in
society.
Question 12
What is the primary ethical concern when conducting research with human participants?
A) Ensuring statistical significance
B) Obtaining informed consent
C) Maximizing sample size
D) Using deception
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research, ensuring participants
understand the study’s purpose, risks, and their rights, as per APA guidelines.
Question 13
Which brain structure is primarily responsible for memory consolidation?
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Cerebellum
D) Prefrontal cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The hippocampus plays a critical role in consolidating short-term memories into
long-term storage, as evidenced by studies on amnesia patients.
Question 14
EPPP Psychology Licensing Exam 2025 | 170
Actual Questions with Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | A+
Graded Version
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge)?
A) Assess clinical skills in real-world scenarios
B) Evaluate foundational knowledge in psychology
C) Test ethical decision-making in supervision
D) Measure competence in organizational psychology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge) assesses foundational psychological knowledge
across eight domains, such as biological bases of behavior and ethical issues, as outlined by the
ASPPB. It is designed to ensure candidates have the theoretical understanding required for
licensure.
Question 2
According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, at which stage do children develop the
ability to understand conservation?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Conservation, the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in
appearance, emerges during the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11). Children in the
preoperational stage lack this ability due to centration and irreversibility.
Question 3
In ethical decision-making, what is the first step according to the APA Ethical Principles?
A) Consult with colleagues
B) Identify the problem
C) Apply sanctions
D) Evaluate outcomes
, 2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The APA’s ethical decision-making model begins with identifying the problem to
clarify the ethical issue, followed by steps like consulting guidelines and evaluating options. This
ensures a systematic approach to resolving dilemmas.
Question 4
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and is targeted by SSRIs?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels by inhibiting its reuptake, making it a primary target
for treating depression and anxiety.
Question 5
What is the primary goal of motivational interviewing?
A) Direct clients to specific behaviors
B) Resolve unconscious conflicts
C) Enhance intrinsic motivation for change
D) Teach coping skills
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Motivational interviewing, developed by Miller and Rollnick, aims to enhance a
client’s intrinsic motivation to change by exploring ambivalence and fostering self-efficacy,
often used in substance abuse treatment.
Question 6
In a quasi-experimental design, what is a key limitation?
A) Random assignment of participants
B) Lack of a control group
C) Non-random assignment of participants
D) Use of multiple dependent variables
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quasi-experimental designs lack random assignment, which reduces internal validity
by introducing potential confounding variables. This distinguishes them from true experimental
designs.
, 3
Question 7
Which of the following is a hallmark of borderline personality disorder?
A) Grandiose sense of self
B) Intense fear of abandonment
C) Social withdrawal
D) Flat affect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by intense fear of
abandonment, unstable relationships, and emotional dysregulation, as per DSM-5 criteria.
Question 8
What is the recommended passing score for the EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge)?
A) 400
B) 450
C) 500
D) 600
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ASPPB recommends a scaled score of 500 for passing the EPPP (Part 1–
Knowledge) for independent practice, ensuring candidates meet baseline knowledge standards.
Question 9
In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A) A response elicited by a neutral stimulus
B) A stimulus that naturally triggers a response
C) A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
D) A stimulus paired with a conditioned response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The UCS naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UCR) without prior learning,
such as food causing salivation in Pavlov’s experiments.
Question 10
Which statistical test is used to compare means between two independent groups?
A) ANOVA
B) Chi-square
C) Independent t-test
D) Paired t-test
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The independent t-test compares means between two independent groups (e.g.,
treatment vs. control). A paired t-test is used for dependent samples, ANOVA for multiple
groups, and chi-square for categorical data.
Question 11
According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, what is the primary conflict during adolescence?
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Identity vs. role confusion
C) Initiative vs. guilt
D) Intimacy vs. isolation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During adolescence (ages 12–18), Erikson’s stage of identity vs. role confusion
focuses on developing a coherent sense of self. Failure leads to confusion about one’s role in
society.
Question 12
What is the primary ethical concern when conducting research with human participants?
A) Ensuring statistical significance
B) Obtaining informed consent
C) Maximizing sample size
D) Using deception
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research, ensuring participants
understand the study’s purpose, risks, and their rights, as per APA guidelines.
Question 13
Which brain structure is primarily responsible for memory consolidation?
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Cerebellum
D) Prefrontal cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The hippocampus plays a critical role in consolidating short-term memories into
long-term storage, as evidenced by studies on amnesia patients.
Question 14
