,PSYC101/PSYC 101 Module Exam 6 | General
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
(PDF)
1. The process by which we explain the causes of our own and others' behavior is called:
A) Social cognition
B) Attribution
C) Attitude formation
D) Social influence
Correct Answer: Attribution
Rationale: Attribution theory examines how we explain the causes of behavior, whether we attribute
them to internal dispositions (personality, traits) or external situations.
2. According to the fundamental attribution error, we tend to:
A) Overestimate the role of situational factors in others' behavior
B) Overestimate the role of dispositional factors in others' behavior
C) Underestimate the role of dispositional factors in our own behavior
D) Overestimate the role of situational factors in our own behavior
Correct Answer: Overestimate the role of dispositional factors in others' behavior
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overestimate the influence of personal
traits and underestimate the influence of situations when judging others' behavior.
3. The tendency to believe that the circumstances of one's life are largely controlled by outside sources
is called:
A) Internal locus of control
B) External locus of control
,C) Self-actualization
D) Intrinsic motivation
Correct Answer: External locus of control
Rationale: External locus of control is the belief that one's life outcomes are determined by external
forces such as luck, fate, or other people.
4. The Yerkes-Dodson law describes the relationship between:
A) Stress and performance
B) Arousal and performance
C) Motivation and emotion
D) Conformity and obedience
Correct Answer: Arousal and performance
Rationale: The Yerkes-Dodson law states that performance increases with arousal up to an optimal
point, after which further arousal impairs performance. This is often described as an "inverted U"
relationship.
5. According to the drive-reduction theory of motivation, drives are:
A) Aroused states caused by biological needs
B) Learned behaviors motivated by rewards
C) Psychological states triggered by external stimuli
D) Innate behaviors present from birth
Correct Answer: Aroused states caused by biological needs
Rationale: Drive-reduction theory proposes that physiological needs (e.g., hunger, thirst) create internal
drive states that motivate behavior to reduce those drives and restore homeostasis.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?
A) Studying hard to earn a scholarship
B) Working overtime to receive a bonus
C) Reading a book for personal enjoyment
D) Completing a task to avoid punishment
Correct Answer: Reading a book for personal enjoyment
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in a behavior for its own sake, driven by internal
rewards such as interest or enjoyment. Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or pressures.
7. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the most basic level of needs is:
A) Safety and security
B) Love and belonging
C) Physiological needs
D) Self-actualization
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy organizes human needs into a pyramid, with physiological needs (e.g.,
food, water, shelter) at the base. These must be met before higher-level needs can be pursued.
8. The "facial feedback hypothesis" suggests that:
A) Our facial expressions influence our emotional experiences
B) Our emotions are primarily determined by physiological arousal
C) We interpret our emotions by observing others' facial expressions
D) Emotional experiences are universally expressed through the same facial expressions
Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
(PDF)
1. The process by which we explain the causes of our own and others' behavior is called:
A) Social cognition
B) Attribution
C) Attitude formation
D) Social influence
Correct Answer: Attribution
Rationale: Attribution theory examines how we explain the causes of behavior, whether we attribute
them to internal dispositions (personality, traits) or external situations.
2. According to the fundamental attribution error, we tend to:
A) Overestimate the role of situational factors in others' behavior
B) Overestimate the role of dispositional factors in others' behavior
C) Underestimate the role of dispositional factors in our own behavior
D) Overestimate the role of situational factors in our own behavior
Correct Answer: Overestimate the role of dispositional factors in others' behavior
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overestimate the influence of personal
traits and underestimate the influence of situations when judging others' behavior.
3. The tendency to believe that the circumstances of one's life are largely controlled by outside sources
is called:
A) Internal locus of control
B) External locus of control
,C) Self-actualization
D) Intrinsic motivation
Correct Answer: External locus of control
Rationale: External locus of control is the belief that one's life outcomes are determined by external
forces such as luck, fate, or other people.
4. The Yerkes-Dodson law describes the relationship between:
A) Stress and performance
B) Arousal and performance
C) Motivation and emotion
D) Conformity and obedience
Correct Answer: Arousal and performance
Rationale: The Yerkes-Dodson law states that performance increases with arousal up to an optimal
point, after which further arousal impairs performance. This is often described as an "inverted U"
relationship.
5. According to the drive-reduction theory of motivation, drives are:
A) Aroused states caused by biological needs
B) Learned behaviors motivated by rewards
C) Psychological states triggered by external stimuli
D) Innate behaviors present from birth
Correct Answer: Aroused states caused by biological needs
Rationale: Drive-reduction theory proposes that physiological needs (e.g., hunger, thirst) create internal
drive states that motivate behavior to reduce those drives and restore homeostasis.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?
A) Studying hard to earn a scholarship
B) Working overtime to receive a bonus
C) Reading a book for personal enjoyment
D) Completing a task to avoid punishment
Correct Answer: Reading a book for personal enjoyment
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in a behavior for its own sake, driven by internal
rewards such as interest or enjoyment. Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or pressures.
7. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the most basic level of needs is:
A) Safety and security
B) Love and belonging
C) Physiological needs
D) Self-actualization
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy organizes human needs into a pyramid, with physiological needs (e.g.,
food, water, shelter) at the base. These must be met before higher-level needs can be pursued.
8. The "facial feedback hypothesis" suggests that:
A) Our facial expressions influence our emotional experiences
B) Our emotions are primarily determined by physiological arousal
C) We interpret our emotions by observing others' facial expressions
D) Emotional experiences are universally expressed through the same facial expressions
