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WGU D570 — Cognitive
Psychology
Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank
Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Cognitive Psychology — History, Perception, Memory, Language,
& Problem Solving
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Cognitive Psychology 2
WGU D570 · Western Governors University Page 1
,WGU D570 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Cognitive Psychology — History, Perception, Memory, Language &
Problem Solving
1. Which psychologist studied the quantitative measurement of mental
processes?
A. William James
B. Hermann Ebbinghaus
C. Wilhelm Wundt
D. John Watson
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hermann Ebbinghaus
Rationale:
Ebbinghaus was the psychologist who studied the quantitative measurement of mental
processes, particularly memory, using himself as a subject. He developed the savings method to
measure memory retention.
,2. Which psychologist wrote the first psychology textbook and based his
observations on observation of his own mind?
A. William James
B. Hermann Ebbinghaus
C. Wilhelm Wundt
D. B.F. Skinner
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. William James
Rationale:
William James wrote the first psychology textbook, The Principles of Psychology. He relied heavily
on introspection and observation of his own mind, and many of his observations remain valid
today.
3. Which system creates mental representations of the world and controls
mental functions?
A. Mind
B. Brain
C. Neuron
D. Cortex
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Mind
Rationale:
The mind creates mental representations of the world and controls mental functions such as
perception, attention, memory, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making.
, 4. What term refers to the mental processes involved in perception, attention,
memory, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making?
A. Cognition
B. Consciousness
C. Perception
D. Intelligence
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Cognition
Rationale:
Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in perception, attention, memory, language,
problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. It encompasses all higher-order mental
functions.
5. What is the scientific study of the mind and mental processes called?
A. Cognitive psychology
B. Behavioral psychology
C. Neuropsychology
D. Social psychology
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Cognitive psychology
Rationale:
Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of the mind and mental processes, including how
people perceive, think, remember, and learn.
WGU D570 — Cognitive
Psychology
Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank
Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Cognitive Psychology — History, Perception, Memory, Language,
& Problem Solving
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Cognitive Psychology 2
WGU D570 · Western Governors University Page 1
,WGU D570 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Cognitive Psychology — History, Perception, Memory, Language &
Problem Solving
1. Which psychologist studied the quantitative measurement of mental
processes?
A. William James
B. Hermann Ebbinghaus
C. Wilhelm Wundt
D. John Watson
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hermann Ebbinghaus
Rationale:
Ebbinghaus was the psychologist who studied the quantitative measurement of mental
processes, particularly memory, using himself as a subject. He developed the savings method to
measure memory retention.
,2. Which psychologist wrote the first psychology textbook and based his
observations on observation of his own mind?
A. William James
B. Hermann Ebbinghaus
C. Wilhelm Wundt
D. B.F. Skinner
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. William James
Rationale:
William James wrote the first psychology textbook, The Principles of Psychology. He relied heavily
on introspection and observation of his own mind, and many of his observations remain valid
today.
3. Which system creates mental representations of the world and controls
mental functions?
A. Mind
B. Brain
C. Neuron
D. Cortex
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Mind
Rationale:
The mind creates mental representations of the world and controls mental functions such as
perception, attention, memory, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making.
, 4. What term refers to the mental processes involved in perception, attention,
memory, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making?
A. Cognition
B. Consciousness
C. Perception
D. Intelligence
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Cognition
Rationale:
Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in perception, attention, memory, language,
problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. It encompasses all higher-order mental
functions.
5. What is the scientific study of the mind and mental processes called?
A. Cognitive psychology
B. Behavioral psychology
C. Neuropsychology
D. Social psychology
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Cognitive psychology
Rationale:
Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of the mind and mental processes, including how
people perceive, think, remember, and learn.
