WGU C180 Introduction to Psychology — OA Practice Exam with correct
answers and rationales 2026/2027 pdf
1. Which perspective in psychology focuses on observable behavior and how it is learned?
A. Psychodynamic
B. Behavioral
C. Humanistic
D. Biological
Correct answer: B. Behavioral
Rationale: The behavioral perspective focuses on observable actions and how environmental
factors, conditioning, and reinforcement influence behavior.
2. Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of:
A. The brain only
B. Mental disorders only
C. Behavior and mental processes
D. Human anatomy
Correct answer: C. Behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology scientifically studies observable behavior and internal mental processes
such as thinking, memory, emotion, and motivation.
3. Which psychologist is associated with psychoanalysis?
A. Sigmund Freud
B. B. F. Skinner
C. Abraham Maslow
D. John Watson
Correct answer: A. Sigmund Freud
Rationale: Freud developed psychoanalysis and emphasized unconscious processes and early
childhood experiences.
4. The scientific method begins with:
A. Drawing a conclusion
B. Formulating a hypothesis
C. Collecting results
D. Publishing the study
,Correct answer: B. Formulating a hypothesis
Rationale: Researchers develop a testable hypothesis based on observations or a research
question.
5. A hypothesis is:
A. A proven fact
B. A testable prediction
C. A personal opinion that cannot be tested
D. The final result of a study
Correct answer: B. A testable prediction
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between
variables.
6. Which research method involves an in-depth investigation of one individual or a small
group?
A. Case study
B. Survey
C. Correlational study
D. Naturalistic observation
Correct answer: A. Case study
Rationale: Case studies provide detailed information about a specific person, group, or situation.
7. A correlation of +0.90 indicates:
A. A strong positive relationship
B. A strong negative relationship
C. No relationship
D. A weak relationship
Correct answer: A. A strong positive relationship
Rationale: Correlations range from −1.00 to +1.00. A value close to +1 indicates a strong
positive relationship.
8. Correlation does not necessarily demonstrate:
A. Association
B. A relationship between variables
, C. Causation
D. Statistical connection
Correct answer: C. Causation
Rationale: Two variables may be related without one causing the other.
9. In an experiment, the variable manipulated by the researcher is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable
C. Control variable
D. Confounding variable
Correct answer: B. Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is deliberately changed to determine its effect on the
dependent variable.
10. The variable measured in an experiment is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Control group
Correct answer: B. Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome measured by the researcher.
11. The purpose of random assignment is to:
A. Ensure every participant receives treatment
B. Reduce preexisting differences between groups
C. Increase researcher bias
D. Eliminate the need for a control group
Correct answer: B. Reduce preexisting differences between groups
Rationale: Random assignment helps distribute participant characteristics evenly across
experimental groups.
12. The placebo effect occurs when:
A. Participants improve because of their expectations
B. The independent variable is eliminated
answers and rationales 2026/2027 pdf
1. Which perspective in psychology focuses on observable behavior and how it is learned?
A. Psychodynamic
B. Behavioral
C. Humanistic
D. Biological
Correct answer: B. Behavioral
Rationale: The behavioral perspective focuses on observable actions and how environmental
factors, conditioning, and reinforcement influence behavior.
2. Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of:
A. The brain only
B. Mental disorders only
C. Behavior and mental processes
D. Human anatomy
Correct answer: C. Behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology scientifically studies observable behavior and internal mental processes
such as thinking, memory, emotion, and motivation.
3. Which psychologist is associated with psychoanalysis?
A. Sigmund Freud
B. B. F. Skinner
C. Abraham Maslow
D. John Watson
Correct answer: A. Sigmund Freud
Rationale: Freud developed psychoanalysis and emphasized unconscious processes and early
childhood experiences.
4. The scientific method begins with:
A. Drawing a conclusion
B. Formulating a hypothesis
C. Collecting results
D. Publishing the study
,Correct answer: B. Formulating a hypothesis
Rationale: Researchers develop a testable hypothesis based on observations or a research
question.
5. A hypothesis is:
A. A proven fact
B. A testable prediction
C. A personal opinion that cannot be tested
D. The final result of a study
Correct answer: B. A testable prediction
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between
variables.
6. Which research method involves an in-depth investigation of one individual or a small
group?
A. Case study
B. Survey
C. Correlational study
D. Naturalistic observation
Correct answer: A. Case study
Rationale: Case studies provide detailed information about a specific person, group, or situation.
7. A correlation of +0.90 indicates:
A. A strong positive relationship
B. A strong negative relationship
C. No relationship
D. A weak relationship
Correct answer: A. A strong positive relationship
Rationale: Correlations range from −1.00 to +1.00. A value close to +1 indicates a strong
positive relationship.
8. Correlation does not necessarily demonstrate:
A. Association
B. A relationship between variables
, C. Causation
D. Statistical connection
Correct answer: C. Causation
Rationale: Two variables may be related without one causing the other.
9. In an experiment, the variable manipulated by the researcher is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable
C. Control variable
D. Confounding variable
Correct answer: B. Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is deliberately changed to determine its effect on the
dependent variable.
10. The variable measured in an experiment is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Control group
Correct answer: B. Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome measured by the researcher.
11. The purpose of random assignment is to:
A. Ensure every participant receives treatment
B. Reduce preexisting differences between groups
C. Increase researcher bias
D. Eliminate the need for a control group
Correct answer: B. Reduce preexisting differences between groups
Rationale: Random assignment helps distribute participant characteristics evenly across
experimental groups.
12. The placebo effect occurs when:
A. Participants improve because of their expectations
B. The independent variable is eliminated
