Psychology 101
2 MAXE · 101 YSP
Ψ Department of Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY
EST. 2026
UNDERSTANDING MIND · BEHAVIOR · SCIENCE
Psych 101 Exam 2
L E A R N I N G · M E M O RY · M OT I VAT I O N · E M OT I O N · CO N D I T I O N I N G
COURSE CODE PSY 101 PROGRAM Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of
Science — Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE Psych 101 Exam 2
TOTAL QUESTIONS 84 Questions COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover classical and operant conditioning, memory processes, motivation theories, emotion,
and social psychology.
▸ Understanding definitions, key theorists, and experimental paradigms is emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for self-assessment.
▸ All content reflects PSY 101 Exam 2 learning objectives.
, SECTION I — LEARNING, MEMORY, MOTIVATION &
Questions 1 – 84
EMOTION
1. A primary reinforcer is best described as:
A. A learned reward such as money or praise
B. A biologically-based reward such as food or water
C. A negative consequence that reduces behavior
D. A stimulus that predicts punishment
CORRECT ANSWER B
RATIONALE Primary reinforcers are innately satisfying — they satisfy biological needs without
learning (food, water, sex, warmth). Secondary reinforcers (A) acquire value
through association with primary reinforcers.
2. The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response is called:
A. Acquisition
B. Generalization
C. Spontaneous recovery
D. Extinction
CORRECT ANSWER C
RATIONALE Spontaneous recovery demonstrates that extinction does not erase the
conditioned association — after a rest period, the CR can reappear, though
typically weaker. Acquisition (A) is the initial learning. Extinction (D) is the
decrease in CR.
,3. Which substance, circulating in the blood from food, induces hunger when its levels are
low?
A. Leptin
B. Ghrelin
C. Insulin
D. Glucose
CORRECT ANSWER D
RATIONALE Glucose is the primary energy source for the body; low blood glucose triggers
hunger signals from the hypothalamus. Ghrelin (B) is a stomach hormone that
also induces hunger. Leptin (A) suppresses hunger. Insulin (C) helps regulate
glucose.
4. Retrieving information from the memory system is called:
A. Encoding
B. Storage
C. Retrieval
D. Consolidation
CORRECT ANSWER C
RATIONALE Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information and bringing it into
conscious awareness. Encoding (A) is entering information into memory. Storage
(B) is maintaining it. Consolidation (D) is the process of stabilizing memories.
, 5. According to the James-Lange theory of emotion, which sequence is correct?
A. Emotion-arousing stimuli → emotion → physiological response
B. Emotion-arousing stimuli → physiological response → emotion
C. Emotion-arousing stimuli → physiological response + emotion simultaneously
D. Physiological response → emotion-arousing stimuli → emotion
CORRECT ANSWER B
RATIONALE James-Lange theory proposes that physiological arousal precedes and causes
emotional experience: "We feel afraid because we tremble." Cannon-Bard (C)
argues for simultaneous occurrence. Schachter-Singer adds cognitive
interpretation.
6. An unconditioned response (UR) is a response triggered:
A. Only after extensive conditioning
B. Without prior conditioning — it is automatic and natural
C. By a conditioned stimulus after pairing
D. Only in operant conditioning paradigms
CORRECT ANSWER B
RATIONALE The UR is the natural, unlearned response to the unconditioned stimulus — like
salivation to food. It occurs without any prior learning. The conditioned response
(C) is learned through association.
2 MAXE · 101 YSP
Ψ Department of Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY
EST. 2026
UNDERSTANDING MIND · BEHAVIOR · SCIENCE
Psych 101 Exam 2
L E A R N I N G · M E M O RY · M OT I VAT I O N · E M OT I O N · CO N D I T I O N I N G
COURSE CODE PSY 101 PROGRAM Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of
Science — Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE Psych 101 Exam 2
TOTAL QUESTIONS 84 Questions COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover classical and operant conditioning, memory processes, motivation theories, emotion,
and social psychology.
▸ Understanding definitions, key theorists, and experimental paradigms is emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for self-assessment.
▸ All content reflects PSY 101 Exam 2 learning objectives.
, SECTION I — LEARNING, MEMORY, MOTIVATION &
Questions 1 – 84
EMOTION
1. A primary reinforcer is best described as:
A. A learned reward such as money or praise
B. A biologically-based reward such as food or water
C. A negative consequence that reduces behavior
D. A stimulus that predicts punishment
CORRECT ANSWER B
RATIONALE Primary reinforcers are innately satisfying — they satisfy biological needs without
learning (food, water, sex, warmth). Secondary reinforcers (A) acquire value
through association with primary reinforcers.
2. The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response is called:
A. Acquisition
B. Generalization
C. Spontaneous recovery
D. Extinction
CORRECT ANSWER C
RATIONALE Spontaneous recovery demonstrates that extinction does not erase the
conditioned association — after a rest period, the CR can reappear, though
typically weaker. Acquisition (A) is the initial learning. Extinction (D) is the
decrease in CR.
,3. Which substance, circulating in the blood from food, induces hunger when its levels are
low?
A. Leptin
B. Ghrelin
C. Insulin
D. Glucose
CORRECT ANSWER D
RATIONALE Glucose is the primary energy source for the body; low blood glucose triggers
hunger signals from the hypothalamus. Ghrelin (B) is a stomach hormone that
also induces hunger. Leptin (A) suppresses hunger. Insulin (C) helps regulate
glucose.
4. Retrieving information from the memory system is called:
A. Encoding
B. Storage
C. Retrieval
D. Consolidation
CORRECT ANSWER C
RATIONALE Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information and bringing it into
conscious awareness. Encoding (A) is entering information into memory. Storage
(B) is maintaining it. Consolidation (D) is the process of stabilizing memories.
, 5. According to the James-Lange theory of emotion, which sequence is correct?
A. Emotion-arousing stimuli → emotion → physiological response
B. Emotion-arousing stimuli → physiological response → emotion
C. Emotion-arousing stimuli → physiological response + emotion simultaneously
D. Physiological response → emotion-arousing stimuli → emotion
CORRECT ANSWER B
RATIONALE James-Lange theory proposes that physiological arousal precedes and causes
emotional experience: "We feel afraid because we tremble." Cannon-Bard (C)
argues for simultaneous occurrence. Schachter-Singer adds cognitive
interpretation.
6. An unconditioned response (UR) is a response triggered:
A. Only after extensive conditioning
B. Without prior conditioning — it is automatic and natural
C. By a conditioned stimulus after pairing
D. Only in operant conditioning paradigms
CORRECT ANSWER B
RATIONALE The UR is the natural, unlearned response to the unconditioned stimulus — like
salivation to food. It occurs without any prior learning. The conditioned response
(C) is learned through association.
