PSY 102 Exam 2 V1 | PSY 102 General
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSY102 Exam 2) | Grand Canyon
University
1. According to Jean Piaget, during which developmental stage do children begin to
understand the concept of conservation, such as realizing that the volume of liquid remains
the same even when poured into a differently shaped container?
A. Sensorimotor Stage
B. Concrete Operational Stage
C. Preoperational Stage
D. Formal Operational Stage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Concrete Operational stage, typically occurring between ages 7 and 11, is
characterized by the development of logical thought. During this period, children overcome
the tendency toward centration and begin to understand conservation of mass, volume,
and number. This shift marks a significant transition from the intuitive reasoning of the
preoperational phase to more systematic, albeit concrete, cognitive processing.
2. Which of the following psychological concepts or defense mechanisms are associated with
Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory? (Select all that apply)
A. Repression
,B. A, B, C, and D
C. Projection
D. Reaction Formation
E. A, B, and C only
F. Regression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sigmund Freud proposed that the ego employs various defense mechanisms to
manage anxiety arising from conflicts between the id and superego. Repression involves
pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious, while regression is a retreat to an
earlier developmental stage. Projection and reaction formation further illustrate the ego’s
attempts to distort reality to protect the individual’s self-concept from internal threats.
3. In Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, which conflict must adolescents (ages 12
to 18) resolve to develop a sense of self and personal direction?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion is the central task of adolescence,
where individuals explore their values, beliefs, and goals. Success in this stage leads to a
strong sense of self and the virtue of fidelity. Failure to navigate this transition can result in
a fragmented identity and uncertainty about one’s future place in society.
4. Which social psychology phenomenon describes the tendency for people to exert less
effort when working in a group toward a common goal than when they are individually
accountable?
A. Social Loafing
B. Social Facilitation
C. Groupthink
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social loafing occurs because individuals feel less personally responsible for the
outcome when performance is pooled. This reduction in motivation is often seen in tasks
where individual contributions cannot be easily identified. To mitigate this effect, group
leaders should ensure that each member’s efforts are visible and evaluated independently.
5. When an individual attributes their own successes to internal factors while blaming their
failures on external environmental factors, which bias are they demonstrating?
A. Fundamental Attribution Error
B. Actor-Observer Bias
, C. Self-Serving Bias
D. Confirmation Bias
E. Hindsight Bias
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The self-serving bias is a common cognitive distortion used to protect and
enhance self-esteem. By taking credit for positive outcomes (internal attribution) and
deflecting blame for negative ones (external attribution), individuals maintain a positive
self-image. This differs from the fundamental attribution error, which focuses on how we
judge the behavior of others rather than ourselves.
6. Which of the following researchers conducted a controversial study on obedience to
authority, finding that a high percentage of participants were willing to administer what they
believed were lethal electric shocks to a learner?
A. Solomon Asch
B. Philip Zimbardo
C. Stanley Milgram
D. Albert Bandura
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stanley Milgram’s experiments at Yale University revealed the powerful
influence of perceived authority on individual behavior. Despite the apparent distress of
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSY102 Exam 2) | Grand Canyon
University
1. According to Jean Piaget, during which developmental stage do children begin to
understand the concept of conservation, such as realizing that the volume of liquid remains
the same even when poured into a differently shaped container?
A. Sensorimotor Stage
B. Concrete Operational Stage
C. Preoperational Stage
D. Formal Operational Stage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Concrete Operational stage, typically occurring between ages 7 and 11, is
characterized by the development of logical thought. During this period, children overcome
the tendency toward centration and begin to understand conservation of mass, volume,
and number. This shift marks a significant transition from the intuitive reasoning of the
preoperational phase to more systematic, albeit concrete, cognitive processing.
2. Which of the following psychological concepts or defense mechanisms are associated with
Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory? (Select all that apply)
A. Repression
,B. A, B, C, and D
C. Projection
D. Reaction Formation
E. A, B, and C only
F. Regression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sigmund Freud proposed that the ego employs various defense mechanisms to
manage anxiety arising from conflicts between the id and superego. Repression involves
pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious, while regression is a retreat to an
earlier developmental stage. Projection and reaction formation further illustrate the ego’s
attempts to distort reality to protect the individual’s self-concept from internal threats.
3. In Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, which conflict must adolescents (ages 12
to 18) resolve to develop a sense of self and personal direction?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion is the central task of adolescence,
where individuals explore their values, beliefs, and goals. Success in this stage leads to a
strong sense of self and the virtue of fidelity. Failure to navigate this transition can result in
a fragmented identity and uncertainty about one’s future place in society.
4. Which social psychology phenomenon describes the tendency for people to exert less
effort when working in a group toward a common goal than when they are individually
accountable?
A. Social Loafing
B. Social Facilitation
C. Groupthink
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social loafing occurs because individuals feel less personally responsible for the
outcome when performance is pooled. This reduction in motivation is often seen in tasks
where individual contributions cannot be easily identified. To mitigate this effect, group
leaders should ensure that each member’s efforts are visible and evaluated independently.
5. When an individual attributes their own successes to internal factors while blaming their
failures on external environmental factors, which bias are they demonstrating?
A. Fundamental Attribution Error
B. Actor-Observer Bias
, C. Self-Serving Bias
D. Confirmation Bias
E. Hindsight Bias
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The self-serving bias is a common cognitive distortion used to protect and
enhance self-esteem. By taking credit for positive outcomes (internal attribution) and
deflecting blame for negative ones (external attribution), individuals maintain a positive
self-image. This differs from the fundamental attribution error, which focuses on how we
judge the behavior of others rather than ourselves.
6. Which of the following researchers conducted a controversial study on obedience to
authority, finding that a high percentage of participants were willing to administer what they
believed were lethal electric shocks to a learner?
A. Solomon Asch
B. Philip Zimbardo
C. Stanley Milgram
D. Albert Bandura
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stanley Milgram’s experiments at Yale University revealed the powerful
influence of perceived authority on individual behavior. Despite the apparent distress of
