WGU C180 Introduction to Psychology with verified
answers 2026/2027 with rationales
1. Which perspective in psychology focuses on how thoughts, beliefs, and
perceptions influence behavior?
A. Behavioral
B. Cognitive
C. Psychodynamic
D. Humanistic
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive
Rationale: The cognitive perspective examines mental processes such as thinking, memory,
problem-solving, and perception and how they influence behavior.
2. Which psychologist is most closely associated with classical conditioning?
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Ivan Pavlov
C. Jean Piaget
D. Carl Rogers
Correct Answer: B. Ivan Pavlov
Rationale: Pavlov demonstrated that a neutral stimulus could become associated with an
automatic response through repeated pairings.
3. What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?
A. To receive the experimental treatment
B. To eliminate all variables
C. To provide a comparison against the experimental group
D. To increase the sample size
,Correct Answer: C. To provide a comparison against the experimental group
Rationale: A control group allows researchers to compare outcomes and determine whether the
independent variable produced an effect.
4. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals from other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Myelin sheath
C. Dendrites
D. Synapse
Correct Answer: C. Dendrites
Rationale: Dendrites receive incoming messages and transmit them toward the cell body.
5. Which division of the nervous system prepares the body for "fight-or-flight"
responses?
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Correct Answer: C. Sympathetic nervous system
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's response to stress or
emergencies.
6. What is the primary function of the hippocampus?
A. Balance
B. Language production
, C. Formation of new memories
D. Vision
Correct Answer: C. Formation of new memories
Rationale: The hippocampus plays a key role in forming and organizing new long-term
memories.
7. Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with movement and reward
pathways?
A. Dopamine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Histamine
D. GABA
Correct Answer: A. Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine contributes to movement control, motivation, and reward processing.
8. Which research method is best for identifying relationships between two
variables without determining cause and effect?
A. Experimental research
B. Correlational research
C. Case study
D. Naturalistic observation
Correct Answer: B. Correlational research
Rationale: Correlation measures the strength and direction of a relationship but cannot establish
causation.
answers 2026/2027 with rationales
1. Which perspective in psychology focuses on how thoughts, beliefs, and
perceptions influence behavior?
A. Behavioral
B. Cognitive
C. Psychodynamic
D. Humanistic
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive
Rationale: The cognitive perspective examines mental processes such as thinking, memory,
problem-solving, and perception and how they influence behavior.
2. Which psychologist is most closely associated with classical conditioning?
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Ivan Pavlov
C. Jean Piaget
D. Carl Rogers
Correct Answer: B. Ivan Pavlov
Rationale: Pavlov demonstrated that a neutral stimulus could become associated with an
automatic response through repeated pairings.
3. What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?
A. To receive the experimental treatment
B. To eliminate all variables
C. To provide a comparison against the experimental group
D. To increase the sample size
,Correct Answer: C. To provide a comparison against the experimental group
Rationale: A control group allows researchers to compare outcomes and determine whether the
independent variable produced an effect.
4. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals from other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Myelin sheath
C. Dendrites
D. Synapse
Correct Answer: C. Dendrites
Rationale: Dendrites receive incoming messages and transmit them toward the cell body.
5. Which division of the nervous system prepares the body for "fight-or-flight"
responses?
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Correct Answer: C. Sympathetic nervous system
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's response to stress or
emergencies.
6. What is the primary function of the hippocampus?
A. Balance
B. Language production
, C. Formation of new memories
D. Vision
Correct Answer: C. Formation of new memories
Rationale: The hippocampus plays a key role in forming and organizing new long-term
memories.
7. Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with movement and reward
pathways?
A. Dopamine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Histamine
D. GABA
Correct Answer: A. Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine contributes to movement control, motivation, and reward processing.
8. Which research method is best for identifying relationships between two
variables without determining cause and effect?
A. Experimental research
B. Correlational research
C. Case study
D. Naturalistic observation
Correct Answer: B. Correlational research
Rationale: Correlation measures the strength and direction of a relationship but cannot establish
causation.
