University of Wyoming PSYC 1000 Introduction
to Psychology Practice Exam Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which branch of psychology focuses on the study of observable
behavior?
a) Cognitive psychology
b) Behavioral psychology
c) Humanistic psychology
d) Psychoanalytic psychology
Behavioral psychology emphasizes observable behaviors and the
processes by which they are learned, rather than internal mental
states.
2. The process by which we interpret sensory information is called:
a) Sensation
b) Perception
c) Transduction
d) Cognition
, Perception involves organizing and interpreting sensory input to
give it meaning, while sensation is the raw data received from
sensory organs.
3. Sigmund Freud is most closely associated with which perspective?
a) Cognitive
b) Behavioral
c) Humanistic
d) Psychoanalytic
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory emphasizes unconscious motives
and early childhood experiences as determinants of behavior.
4. The scientific study of how people think about, influence, and
relate to one another is:
a) Social psychology
b) Developmental psychology
c) Cognitive psychology
d) Behavioral neuroscience
Social psychology examines how individuals are affected by the
real or imagined presence of others, focusing on social interaction
and influence.
5. Which research method allows researchers to infer cause-and-
effect relationships?
, a) Survey
b) Case study
c) Experiment
d) Naturalistic observation
Experiments manipulate an independent variable and measure its
effect on a dependent variable, allowing causal conclusions.
6. The principle that we perceive objects as unchanging even when
retinal images change is called:
a) Depth perception
b) Figure-ground perception
c) Perceptual constancy
d) Selective attention
Perceptual constancy allows us to recognize objects as stable in
size, shape, and color despite changes in perspective or lighting.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in mood regulation,
sleep, and appetite?
a) Dopamine
b) Serotonin
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
, Serotonin affects mood, emotion, and physiological processes;
imbalances are linked to depression and sleep disorders.
8. The part of the neuron that receives messages from other neurons
is called the:
a) Axon
b) Myelin sheath
c) Dendrite
d) Soma
Dendrites are branching structures that receive signals from other
neurons and transmit them toward the cell body.
9. Which division of the nervous system controls voluntary
movements of skeletal muscles?
a) Autonomic nervous system
b) Somatic nervous system
c) Sympathetic nervous system
d) Parasympathetic nervous system
The somatic nervous system regulates voluntary muscle
movements and conveys sensory information to the CNS.
10. Classical conditioning was first described by:
a) Skinner
b) Pavlov
to Psychology Practice Exam Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which branch of psychology focuses on the study of observable
behavior?
a) Cognitive psychology
b) Behavioral psychology
c) Humanistic psychology
d) Psychoanalytic psychology
Behavioral psychology emphasizes observable behaviors and the
processes by which they are learned, rather than internal mental
states.
2. The process by which we interpret sensory information is called:
a) Sensation
b) Perception
c) Transduction
d) Cognition
, Perception involves organizing and interpreting sensory input to
give it meaning, while sensation is the raw data received from
sensory organs.
3. Sigmund Freud is most closely associated with which perspective?
a) Cognitive
b) Behavioral
c) Humanistic
d) Psychoanalytic
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory emphasizes unconscious motives
and early childhood experiences as determinants of behavior.
4. The scientific study of how people think about, influence, and
relate to one another is:
a) Social psychology
b) Developmental psychology
c) Cognitive psychology
d) Behavioral neuroscience
Social psychology examines how individuals are affected by the
real or imagined presence of others, focusing on social interaction
and influence.
5. Which research method allows researchers to infer cause-and-
effect relationships?
, a) Survey
b) Case study
c) Experiment
d) Naturalistic observation
Experiments manipulate an independent variable and measure its
effect on a dependent variable, allowing causal conclusions.
6. The principle that we perceive objects as unchanging even when
retinal images change is called:
a) Depth perception
b) Figure-ground perception
c) Perceptual constancy
d) Selective attention
Perceptual constancy allows us to recognize objects as stable in
size, shape, and color despite changes in perspective or lighting.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in mood regulation,
sleep, and appetite?
a) Dopamine
b) Serotonin
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
, Serotonin affects mood, emotion, and physiological processes;
imbalances are linked to depression and sleep disorders.
8. The part of the neuron that receives messages from other neurons
is called the:
a) Axon
b) Myelin sheath
c) Dendrite
d) Soma
Dendrites are branching structures that receive signals from other
neurons and transmit them toward the cell body.
9. Which division of the nervous system controls voluntary
movements of skeletal muscles?
a) Autonomic nervous system
b) Somatic nervous system
c) Sympathetic nervous system
d) Parasympathetic nervous system
The somatic nervous system regulates voluntary muscle
movements and conveys sensory information to the CNS.
10. Classical conditioning was first described by:
a) Skinner
b) Pavlov
