WGU C180 Study Guide Exam Questions with actual
ANSWERS 2026 latest Updates
What do psychologists study? - ANSWERS💫✔️-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - ANSWERS💫✔️-The
scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research.
In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are
free of personal bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - ANSWERS💫✔️-A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - ANSWERS💫✔️-An operational definition
refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the basis of
research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that
represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words used in a
creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - ANSWERS💫✔️-These are needed
with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - ANSWERS💫✔️-Descriptive
Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
,What is descriptive research? - ANSWERS💫✔️-research designed to provide a snapshot of the current
state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - ANSWERS💫✔️-research designed to discover relationships among
variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - ANSWERS💫✔️-research in which there is a random assignment of
research participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation of a given experience for one
group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the
manipulation. The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then compared
to determine the influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - ANSWERS💫✔️-The people chosen to
participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the people that
the researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a
representative group from the population under study. The target population is the total group of
individuals from which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in
the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable - ANSWERS💫✔️-The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or
compared
Dependent Variable - ANSWERS💫✔️-The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of
an experiment
Control Group - ANSWERS💫✔️-The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the
independent variable
Experimental Group - ANSWERS💫✔️-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent
variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - ANSWERS💫✔️-research
designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
,Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - ANSWERS💫✔️-Correlational-To assess
the relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the variables
move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other variable decreases. For
example, there is a negative correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is
when there is an increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another variable. For
example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? -
ANSWERS💫✔️-In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring
variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its
effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on the
dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables may be
eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation identifies variables and looks for a
relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - ANSWERS💫✔️-Cell Body
(Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - ANSWERS💫✔️-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites - ANSWERS💫✔️-a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and
sends the information to the soma
Axon - ANSWERS💫✔️-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body
toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - ANSWERS💫✔️-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
, What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - ANSWERS💫✔️-Neurochemical messengers
that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid), Glutamate,
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - ANSWERS💫✔️-Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle
contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply associated with
Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - ANSWERS💫✔️-Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement,
motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - ANSWERS💫✔️-Released in response to behaviors such as exercise,
orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) - ANSWERS💫✔️-Major inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead
to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate - ANSWERS💫✔️-cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most
common neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitter: Serotonin - ANSWERS💫✔️-Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low
levels associated with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? - ANSWERS💫✔️-
They are stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in the very tip of the finger-like
branches. The very end is called the terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the cells,
known as synapses."
ANSWERS 2026 latest Updates
What do psychologists study? - ANSWERS💫✔️-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - ANSWERS💫✔️-The
scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research.
In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are
free of personal bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - ANSWERS💫✔️-A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - ANSWERS💫✔️-An operational definition
refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the basis of
research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that
represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words used in a
creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - ANSWERS💫✔️-These are needed
with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - ANSWERS💫✔️-Descriptive
Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
,What is descriptive research? - ANSWERS💫✔️-research designed to provide a snapshot of the current
state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - ANSWERS💫✔️-research designed to discover relationships among
variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - ANSWERS💫✔️-research in which there is a random assignment of
research participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation of a given experience for one
group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the
manipulation. The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then compared
to determine the influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - ANSWERS💫✔️-The people chosen to
participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the people that
the researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a
representative group from the population under study. The target population is the total group of
individuals from which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in
the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable - ANSWERS💫✔️-The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or
compared
Dependent Variable - ANSWERS💫✔️-The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of
an experiment
Control Group - ANSWERS💫✔️-The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the
independent variable
Experimental Group - ANSWERS💫✔️-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent
variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - ANSWERS💫✔️-research
designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
,Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - ANSWERS💫✔️-Correlational-To assess
the relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the variables
move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other variable decreases. For
example, there is a negative correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is
when there is an increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another variable. For
example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? -
ANSWERS💫✔️-In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring
variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its
effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on the
dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables may be
eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation identifies variables and looks for a
relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - ANSWERS💫✔️-Cell Body
(Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - ANSWERS💫✔️-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites - ANSWERS💫✔️-a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and
sends the information to the soma
Axon - ANSWERS💫✔️-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body
toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - ANSWERS💫✔️-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
, What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - ANSWERS💫✔️-Neurochemical messengers
that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid), Glutamate,
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - ANSWERS💫✔️-Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle
contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply associated with
Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - ANSWERS💫✔️-Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement,
motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - ANSWERS💫✔️-Released in response to behaviors such as exercise,
orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) - ANSWERS💫✔️-Major inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead
to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate - ANSWERS💫✔️-cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most
common neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitter: Serotonin - ANSWERS💫✔️-Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low
levels associated with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? - ANSWERS💫✔️-
They are stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in the very tip of the finger-like
branches. The very end is called the terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the cells,
known as synapses."
