Strayer University PSY 115 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Psychology of
Success Q&A | Psychology
1. Psychology is BEST defined as the:
A) Empirical study of the mind and consciousness
B) Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
C) Study of individual differences in human behavior
D) Investigation of the unconscious mind
Correct Answer: Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes. This definition encompasses both observable actions (behavior)
and internal experiences (mental processes) such as thoughts, feelings, and
perceptions. The other options represent narrower or alternative definitions.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the four primary goals of psychology?
A) To describe behavior
B) To explain behavior
C) To predict behavior
D) To prescribe treatment
Correct Answer: To prescribe treatment
Rationale: The four primary goals of psychology are to describe, understand
(explain), predict, and influence (control) behavior. Describing involves
observing and documenting behavior, explaining involves understanding the
causes, predicting involves forecasting future behavior, and controlling
involves influencing behavior. "Prescribing treatment" is not a goal of
psychology as a whole.
,3. A psychologist who studies how natural selection and genetics influence
behavior is most likely working from which perspective?
A) Behavioral
B) Cognitive
C) Evolutionary
D) Humanistic
Correct Answer: Evolutionary
Rationale: Evolutionary psychology examines behavior and mental processes
through the lens of natural selection and adaptation. This perspective
assumes that many psychological traits and behaviors evolved because they
helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.
4. Which early school of psychology focused on breaking down conscious
experience into its basic elements?
A) Functionalism
B) Structuralism
C) Behaviorism
D) Gestalt psychology
Correct Answer: Structuralism
Rationale: Structuralism, founded by Edward Titchener, aimed to identify the
basic elements or "structures" of conscious experience through introspection.
Participants were trained to report their sensations, feelings, and images in
response to stimuli, attempting to map the structure of the mind.
5. William James and John Dewey were key figures in which school of
psychology?
,A) Structuralism
B) Behaviorism
C) Functionalism
D) Psychoanalysis
Correct Answer: Functionalism
Rationale: Functionalism, influenced by William James, focused on how
mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment. This
perspective was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution and emphasized
the purpose (function) of consciousness and behavior.
6. Which perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early
childhood experiences in shaping behavior?
A) Behavioral
B) Humanistic
C) Psychodynamic
D) Cognitive
Correct Answer: Psychodynamic
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Sigmund Freud,
emphasizes unconscious motives, conflicts, and early childhood experiences.
It suggests that behavior is driven by unconscious forces and that childhood
experiences shape adult personality.
7. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner are most associated with which school of
psychology?
A) Psychoanalysis
, B) Behaviorism
C) Humanism
D) Gestalt
Correct Answer: Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by
B.F. Skinner, focused on observable behavior rather than unobservable
mental processes. Behaviorists argued that psychology should be the
science of behavior and that all behavior is learned through environmental
conditioning.
8. Which perspective emphasizes the potential for personal growth and self-
actualization?
A) Behaviorism
B) Humanistic
C) Psychodynamic
D) Cognitive
Correct Answer: Humanistic
Rationale: Humanistic psychology, associated with Abraham Maslow and Carl
Rogers, emphasizes the potential for personal growth, self-actualization, and
the inherent goodness of people. It arose in part as a reaction to both
behaviorism and psychoanalysis.
9. Gestalt psychology is best summarized by which of the following
statements?
A) The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
B) The mind is a blank slate shaped by experience
Success Q&A | Psychology
1. Psychology is BEST defined as the:
A) Empirical study of the mind and consciousness
B) Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
C) Study of individual differences in human behavior
D) Investigation of the unconscious mind
Correct Answer: Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes. This definition encompasses both observable actions (behavior)
and internal experiences (mental processes) such as thoughts, feelings, and
perceptions. The other options represent narrower or alternative definitions.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the four primary goals of psychology?
A) To describe behavior
B) To explain behavior
C) To predict behavior
D) To prescribe treatment
Correct Answer: To prescribe treatment
Rationale: The four primary goals of psychology are to describe, understand
(explain), predict, and influence (control) behavior. Describing involves
observing and documenting behavior, explaining involves understanding the
causes, predicting involves forecasting future behavior, and controlling
involves influencing behavior. "Prescribing treatment" is not a goal of
psychology as a whole.
,3. A psychologist who studies how natural selection and genetics influence
behavior is most likely working from which perspective?
A) Behavioral
B) Cognitive
C) Evolutionary
D) Humanistic
Correct Answer: Evolutionary
Rationale: Evolutionary psychology examines behavior and mental processes
through the lens of natural selection and adaptation. This perspective
assumes that many psychological traits and behaviors evolved because they
helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.
4. Which early school of psychology focused on breaking down conscious
experience into its basic elements?
A) Functionalism
B) Structuralism
C) Behaviorism
D) Gestalt psychology
Correct Answer: Structuralism
Rationale: Structuralism, founded by Edward Titchener, aimed to identify the
basic elements or "structures" of conscious experience through introspection.
Participants were trained to report their sensations, feelings, and images in
response to stimuli, attempting to map the structure of the mind.
5. William James and John Dewey were key figures in which school of
psychology?
,A) Structuralism
B) Behaviorism
C) Functionalism
D) Psychoanalysis
Correct Answer: Functionalism
Rationale: Functionalism, influenced by William James, focused on how
mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment. This
perspective was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution and emphasized
the purpose (function) of consciousness and behavior.
6. Which perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early
childhood experiences in shaping behavior?
A) Behavioral
B) Humanistic
C) Psychodynamic
D) Cognitive
Correct Answer: Psychodynamic
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Sigmund Freud,
emphasizes unconscious motives, conflicts, and early childhood experiences.
It suggests that behavior is driven by unconscious forces and that childhood
experiences shape adult personality.
7. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner are most associated with which school of
psychology?
A) Psychoanalysis
, B) Behaviorism
C) Humanism
D) Gestalt
Correct Answer: Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by
B.F. Skinner, focused on observable behavior rather than unobservable
mental processes. Behaviorists argued that psychology should be the
science of behavior and that all behavior is learned through environmental
conditioning.
8. Which perspective emphasizes the potential for personal growth and self-
actualization?
A) Behaviorism
B) Humanistic
C) Psychodynamic
D) Cognitive
Correct Answer: Humanistic
Rationale: Humanistic psychology, associated with Abraham Maslow and Carl
Rogers, emphasizes the potential for personal growth, self-actualization, and
the inherent goodness of people. It arose in part as a reaction to both
behaviorism and psychoanalysis.
9. Gestalt psychology is best summarized by which of the following
statements?
A) The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
B) The mind is a blank slate shaped by experience
