PSY 211 Final Exam – Undergraduate Psychology
Curriculum – 2026/2027 Academic Year
Section I: History, Perspectives, and Research Methods
1. A researcher is interested in studying how childhood trauma affects adult
attachment patterns. She follows a group of children from age 5 through age 30,
assessing them at five different time points. This research design is BEST
described as:
A. Cross-sectional study
B. Longitudinal study
C. Sequential study
D. Correlational study
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A longitudinal study follows the same individuals over an extended
period, assessing them at multiple time points. Cross-sectional studies (A)
compare different age groups at one time point. Sequential studies (C) combine
both approaches. Correlational studies (D) examine relationships between
variables without manipulating them.
2. Which of the following represents the correct chronological order in which
these major schools of psychology emerged?
A. Behaviorism → Structuralism → Functionalism → Cognitive Psychology
B. Structuralism → Functionalism → Behaviorism → Cognitive Psychology
C. Functionalism → Structuralism → Cognitive Psychology → Behaviorism
D. Cognitive Psychology → Behaviorism → Functionalism → Structuralism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Structuralism (Wundt/Titchener, 1879) was first, followed by
Functionalism (James, 1890s), then Behaviorism (Watson/Skinner, 1910s-1930s),
and finally Cognitive Psychology (1950s-1960s).
,3. A psychologist believes that behavior is primarily driven by unconscious
conflicts and early childhood experiences. This psychologist MOST likely adheres
to which perspective?
A. Humanistic
B. Behavioral
C. Psychodynamic
D. Biological
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Freud, emphasizes
unconscious drives, internal conflicts, and the influence of early childhood
experiences on behavior. Humanistic (A) focuses on free will and self-
actualization. Behavioral (B) emphasizes observable behavior and environmental
influences. Biological (D) focuses on physiological and genetic factors.
4. A researcher finds a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between hours of sleep
and levels of anxiety. This indicates:
A. A weak positive relationship
B. A strong positive relationship
C. A weak negative relationship
D. A strong negative relationship
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correlation coefficients range from -1.0 to +1.0. The absolute value
indicates strength (0.85 is strong), and the sign indicates direction (negative
means as one variable increases, the other decreases). Thus, -0.85 represents a
strong negative relationship.
5. Which of the following is a disadvantage of the case study research method?
A. It cannot provide detailed information about rare phenomena
B. It has poor external validity and limited generalizability
,C. It cannot generate hypotheses for future research
D. It requires very large sample sizes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Case studies provide rich, detailed information about individuals or
small groups but have poor external validity—findings may not generalize to the
broader population. They are excellent for studying rare phenomena (eliminating
A), can generate hypotheses (eliminating C), and typically use small samples
(eliminating D).
6. Which of the following is a SATA question: A researcher wants to minimize
experimenter bias in a study. Which strategies would be appropriate? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Using a double-blind procedure
B. Standardizing instructions to participants
C. Allowing researchers to interact informally with participants
D. Using automated data collection when possible
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: A double-blind procedure (A) prevents both participants and
researchers from knowing who is in which condition. Standardizing instructions
(B) ensures all participants receive the same information. Automated data
collection (D) reduces human error and bias. Allowing informal interaction (C)
would increase, not decrease, experimenter bias.
7. Wilhelm Wundt is considered the "father of psychology" primarily because
he:
A. Wrote the first psychology textbook
B. Established the first formal laboratory for psychological research
C. Developed the first theory of personality
D. Discovered the principles of classical conditioning
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wundt established the first experimental psychology laboratory at
the University of Leipzig in 1879, marking psychology's emergence as an
independent scientific discipline. William James wrote the first psychology
textbook (A). Freud developed personality theory (C). Pavlov discovered classical
conditioning (D).
8. A researcher uses a survey to measure the relationship between social media
use and self-esteem in college students. This is an example of:
A. Experimental research
B. Correlational research
C. Naturalistic observation
D. Longitudinal research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correlational research examines the relationship between
variables as they naturally occur, without manipulation. Surveys are a common
correlational method. Experimental research (A) requires manipulation of an
independent variable. Naturalistic observation (C) involves observing behavior in
natural settings without intervention.
9. The ethical principle of informed consent requires that researchers:
A. Never deceive participants about any aspect of the study
B. Provide participants with complete information about the study before they
agree to participate
C. Ensure participants can withdraw only before the study begins
D. Pay all participants for their time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires that participants receive sufficient
information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits to make an
Curriculum – 2026/2027 Academic Year
Section I: History, Perspectives, and Research Methods
1. A researcher is interested in studying how childhood trauma affects adult
attachment patterns. She follows a group of children from age 5 through age 30,
assessing them at five different time points. This research design is BEST
described as:
A. Cross-sectional study
B. Longitudinal study
C. Sequential study
D. Correlational study
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A longitudinal study follows the same individuals over an extended
period, assessing them at multiple time points. Cross-sectional studies (A)
compare different age groups at one time point. Sequential studies (C) combine
both approaches. Correlational studies (D) examine relationships between
variables without manipulating them.
2. Which of the following represents the correct chronological order in which
these major schools of psychology emerged?
A. Behaviorism → Structuralism → Functionalism → Cognitive Psychology
B. Structuralism → Functionalism → Behaviorism → Cognitive Psychology
C. Functionalism → Structuralism → Cognitive Psychology → Behaviorism
D. Cognitive Psychology → Behaviorism → Functionalism → Structuralism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Structuralism (Wundt/Titchener, 1879) was first, followed by
Functionalism (James, 1890s), then Behaviorism (Watson/Skinner, 1910s-1930s),
and finally Cognitive Psychology (1950s-1960s).
,3. A psychologist believes that behavior is primarily driven by unconscious
conflicts and early childhood experiences. This psychologist MOST likely adheres
to which perspective?
A. Humanistic
B. Behavioral
C. Psychodynamic
D. Biological
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The psychodynamic perspective, founded by Freud, emphasizes
unconscious drives, internal conflicts, and the influence of early childhood
experiences on behavior. Humanistic (A) focuses on free will and self-
actualization. Behavioral (B) emphasizes observable behavior and environmental
influences. Biological (D) focuses on physiological and genetic factors.
4. A researcher finds a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between hours of sleep
and levels of anxiety. This indicates:
A. A weak positive relationship
B. A strong positive relationship
C. A weak negative relationship
D. A strong negative relationship
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correlation coefficients range from -1.0 to +1.0. The absolute value
indicates strength (0.85 is strong), and the sign indicates direction (negative
means as one variable increases, the other decreases). Thus, -0.85 represents a
strong negative relationship.
5. Which of the following is a disadvantage of the case study research method?
A. It cannot provide detailed information about rare phenomena
B. It has poor external validity and limited generalizability
,C. It cannot generate hypotheses for future research
D. It requires very large sample sizes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Case studies provide rich, detailed information about individuals or
small groups but have poor external validity—findings may not generalize to the
broader population. They are excellent for studying rare phenomena (eliminating
A), can generate hypotheses (eliminating C), and typically use small samples
(eliminating D).
6. Which of the following is a SATA question: A researcher wants to minimize
experimenter bias in a study. Which strategies would be appropriate? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Using a double-blind procedure
B. Standardizing instructions to participants
C. Allowing researchers to interact informally with participants
D. Using automated data collection when possible
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: A double-blind procedure (A) prevents both participants and
researchers from knowing who is in which condition. Standardizing instructions
(B) ensures all participants receive the same information. Automated data
collection (D) reduces human error and bias. Allowing informal interaction (C)
would increase, not decrease, experimenter bias.
7. Wilhelm Wundt is considered the "father of psychology" primarily because
he:
A. Wrote the first psychology textbook
B. Established the first formal laboratory for psychological research
C. Developed the first theory of personality
D. Discovered the principles of classical conditioning
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wundt established the first experimental psychology laboratory at
the University of Leipzig in 1879, marking psychology's emergence as an
independent scientific discipline. William James wrote the first psychology
textbook (A). Freud developed personality theory (C). Pavlov discovered classical
conditioning (D).
8. A researcher uses a survey to measure the relationship between social media
use and self-esteem in college students. This is an example of:
A. Experimental research
B. Correlational research
C. Naturalistic observation
D. Longitudinal research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correlational research examines the relationship between
variables as they naturally occur, without manipulation. Surveys are a common
correlational method. Experimental research (A) requires manipulation of an
independent variable. Naturalistic observation (C) involves observing behavior in
natural settings without intervention.
9. The ethical principle of informed consent requires that researchers:
A. Never deceive participants about any aspect of the study
B. Provide participants with complete information about the study before they
agree to participate
C. Ensure participants can withdraw only before the study begins
D. Pay all participants for their time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires that participants receive sufficient
information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits to make an
