WGU C180 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM –
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains:
Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognition and Consciousness
Learning and Memory
Human Development Across the Lifespan
Social and Cultural Psychology
Personality Theories and Assessment
Psychological Disorders and Therapies
Motivation and Emotion
Research Methods and Statistics
Applied Psychology and Professional Practice
Introduction
This comprehensive objective assessment is designed to evaluate your foundational
understanding of key concepts, theories, and empirical findings within the field of
introductory psychology. The exam assesses your knowledge across core domains,
including biological bases, cognition, development, social influences, personality,
and psychopathology. Through a combination of direct knowledge-based questions
and applied scenario-based items, this assessment measures your ability to recall
critical information, interpret psychological phenomena, and apply psychological
principles to real-world situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, ethical
decision-making, and the practical application of psychological science in
professional and everyday contexts.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. The primary function of the myelin sheath is to:
A. Transmit neurotransmitters across the synaptic cleft
B. Increase the speed of neural transmission
C. Release hormones into the bloodstream
D. Protect the neuron from phagocytosis
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Increase the speed of neural transmission
🔴 Explanation: The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates axons, allowing
electrical impulses (action potentials) to travel more rapidly via saltatory
conduction.
2. Dr. Chen is studying a patient who has difficulty forming new memories after
a bicycle accident. Which brain structure is most likely affected?
A. Amygdala
B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
D. Hypothalamus
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Hippocampus
🔴 Explanation: The hippocampus is critically involved in the consolidation of
explicit (declarative) memories. Damage to this area often results in anterograde
amnesia.
,3. In Pavlov's classical conditioning experiment, the salivation of the dog in
response to the tone is considered the:
A. Unconditioned stimulus
B. Unconditioned response
C. Conditioned stimulus
D. Conditioned response
🟢 Correct Answer: D. Conditioned response
🔴 Explanation: The conditioned response (CR) is a learned response to a
previously neutral stimulus. Salivation to the tone is the CR.
4. A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between hours of sleep and
academic performance. This means that:
A. More sleep causes better academic performance
B. Better academic performance causes more sleep
C. As sleep increases, academic performance tends to increase
D. There is no relationship between sleep and academic performance
🟢 Correct Answer: C. As sleep increases, academic performance tends to
increase
🔴 Explanation: A positive correlation indicates that two variables move in the
same direction. However, correlation does not imply causation.
5. Which of the following is an example of a teratogen?
A. A vitamin supplement
B. A genetic mutation
, C. Fetal alcohol
D. A high-protein diet
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Fetal alcohol
🔴 Explanation: Teratogens are environmental agents that can harm prenatal
development. Alcohol is a known teratogen that can cause fetal alcohol spectrum
disorders.
6. The "fight or flight" response is primarily governed by the:
A. Central nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Somatic nervous system
D. Sympathetic nervous system
🟢 Correct Answer: D. Sympathetic nervous system
🔴 Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's resources
for stress responses, including increasing heart rate and redirecting blood flow to
muscles.
7. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which of the following must be
satisfied first?
A. Esteem needs
B. Safety needs
C. Physiological needs
D. Love and belongingness needs
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Physiological needs
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains:
Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognition and Consciousness
Learning and Memory
Human Development Across the Lifespan
Social and Cultural Psychology
Personality Theories and Assessment
Psychological Disorders and Therapies
Motivation and Emotion
Research Methods and Statistics
Applied Psychology and Professional Practice
Introduction
This comprehensive objective assessment is designed to evaluate your foundational
understanding of key concepts, theories, and empirical findings within the field of
introductory psychology. The exam assesses your knowledge across core domains,
including biological bases, cognition, development, social influences, personality,
and psychopathology. Through a combination of direct knowledge-based questions
and applied scenario-based items, this assessment measures your ability to recall
critical information, interpret psychological phenomena, and apply psychological
principles to real-world situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, ethical
decision-making, and the practical application of psychological science in
professional and everyday contexts.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. The primary function of the myelin sheath is to:
A. Transmit neurotransmitters across the synaptic cleft
B. Increase the speed of neural transmission
C. Release hormones into the bloodstream
D. Protect the neuron from phagocytosis
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Increase the speed of neural transmission
🔴 Explanation: The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates axons, allowing
electrical impulses (action potentials) to travel more rapidly via saltatory
conduction.
2. Dr. Chen is studying a patient who has difficulty forming new memories after
a bicycle accident. Which brain structure is most likely affected?
A. Amygdala
B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
D. Hypothalamus
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Hippocampus
🔴 Explanation: The hippocampus is critically involved in the consolidation of
explicit (declarative) memories. Damage to this area often results in anterograde
amnesia.
,3. In Pavlov's classical conditioning experiment, the salivation of the dog in
response to the tone is considered the:
A. Unconditioned stimulus
B. Unconditioned response
C. Conditioned stimulus
D. Conditioned response
🟢 Correct Answer: D. Conditioned response
🔴 Explanation: The conditioned response (CR) is a learned response to a
previously neutral stimulus. Salivation to the tone is the CR.
4. A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between hours of sleep and
academic performance. This means that:
A. More sleep causes better academic performance
B. Better academic performance causes more sleep
C. As sleep increases, academic performance tends to increase
D. There is no relationship between sleep and academic performance
🟢 Correct Answer: C. As sleep increases, academic performance tends to
increase
🔴 Explanation: A positive correlation indicates that two variables move in the
same direction. However, correlation does not imply causation.
5. Which of the following is an example of a teratogen?
A. A vitamin supplement
B. A genetic mutation
, C. Fetal alcohol
D. A high-protein diet
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Fetal alcohol
🔴 Explanation: Teratogens are environmental agents that can harm prenatal
development. Alcohol is a known teratogen that can cause fetal alcohol spectrum
disorders.
6. The "fight or flight" response is primarily governed by the:
A. Central nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Somatic nervous system
D. Sympathetic nervous system
🟢 Correct Answer: D. Sympathetic nervous system
🔴 Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's resources
for stress responses, including increasing heart rate and redirecting blood flow to
muscles.
7. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which of the following must be
satisfied first?
A. Esteem needs
B. Safety needs
C. Physiological needs
D. Love and belongingness needs
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Physiological needs
