PSY 102 Final Exam V1 | PSY 102 General Psychology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (PSY102 Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which individual is widely considered the founder of scientific psychology for establishing
the first experimental laboratory?
A. Wilhelm Wundt
B. William James
C. Sigmund Freud
D. John B. Watson
Answer: A
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first formal psychology laboratory at the
University of Leipzig in 1879. This event is historically recognized as the transition of
psychology from a branch of philosophy to a scientific discipline. He focused on
introspection and structuralism to study the conscious experience.
2. Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response during
stressful situations?
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Answer: C
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system activates physiological changes such as
increased heart rate and dilated pupils when a threat is perceived. It prepares the body to
either confront the danger or flee to safety. This is a crucial component of the autonomic
nervous system’s response to stress.
3. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments, what was the bell originally classified as
before conditioning took place?
A. Neutral stimulus
B. Conditioned stimulus
C. Unconditioned stimulus
D. Unconditioned response
Answer: A
,Rationale: Initially, the bell did not elicit the response of salivation from the dogs, making
it a neutral stimulus. Once paired repeatedly with the presentation of food, the bell became
a conditioned stimulus. This process demonstrates how organisms learn to associate
environmental cues with reflexive responses.
4. Which stage of Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory involves the acquisition of
object permanence?
A. Concrete operational
B. Preoperational
C. Sensorimotor
D. Formal operational
Answer: C
Rationale: The sensorimotor stage lasts from birth to approximately two years of age.
During this period, infants learn that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be
seen, which is known as object permanence. This realization marks a significant milestone
in a child’s cognitive growth and understanding of the world.
5. A researcher wants to study the relationship between sleep and academic performance.
Which method would allow them to determine cause and effect?
A. Correlational study
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Experimental method
D. Case study
Answer: C
Rationale: The experimental method is the only research design that can establish a causal
relationship between variables. It involves manipulating an independent variable to
observe its effect on a dependent variable while controlling for confounding factors. Other
methods like correlation only describe the strength of a relationship without proving
causation.
6. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with mood regulation, appetite, and
sleep, and is often targeted by SSRIs?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
, Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin plays a vital role in regulating emotional states and biological
rhythms like sleep and hunger. Low levels of serotonin are frequently linked to clinical
depression and anxiety disorders. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) work by
increasing the availability of this neurotransmitter in the brain’s synaptic gaps.
7. According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, which part of the personality acts as the moral
compass?
A. Id
B. Ego
C. Libido
D. Superego
Answer: D
Rationale: The superego represents the internalized ideals and provides standards for
judgment and future aspirations. It operates on the morality principle and often conflicts
with the impulsive desires of the id. The ego must navigate the demands of both the id and
the superego to maintain psychological balance.
8. What is the term for the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural
connections throughout life?
A. Neurogenesis
B. Plasticity
C. Synaptic pruning
D. Action potential
Answer: B
Rationale: Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, allows the nervous system to adapt to new
experiences or recover from injuries. This process occurs through the strengthening or
weakening of synapses and the creation of new pathways. It demonstrates that the brain is
a dynamic organ rather than a static one.
9. Which memory system has an almost limitless capacity and can store information for
decades?
A. Long-term memory
B. Sensory memory
C. Working memory
D. Short-term memory
with Rationale (PSY102 Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which individual is widely considered the founder of scientific psychology for establishing
the first experimental laboratory?
A. Wilhelm Wundt
B. William James
C. Sigmund Freud
D. John B. Watson
Answer: A
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first formal psychology laboratory at the
University of Leipzig in 1879. This event is historically recognized as the transition of
psychology from a branch of philosophy to a scientific discipline. He focused on
introspection and structuralism to study the conscious experience.
2. Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response during
stressful situations?
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Answer: C
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system activates physiological changes such as
increased heart rate and dilated pupils when a threat is perceived. It prepares the body to
either confront the danger or flee to safety. This is a crucial component of the autonomic
nervous system’s response to stress.
3. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments, what was the bell originally classified as
before conditioning took place?
A. Neutral stimulus
B. Conditioned stimulus
C. Unconditioned stimulus
D. Unconditioned response
Answer: A
,Rationale: Initially, the bell did not elicit the response of salivation from the dogs, making
it a neutral stimulus. Once paired repeatedly with the presentation of food, the bell became
a conditioned stimulus. This process demonstrates how organisms learn to associate
environmental cues with reflexive responses.
4. Which stage of Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory involves the acquisition of
object permanence?
A. Concrete operational
B. Preoperational
C. Sensorimotor
D. Formal operational
Answer: C
Rationale: The sensorimotor stage lasts from birth to approximately two years of age.
During this period, infants learn that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be
seen, which is known as object permanence. This realization marks a significant milestone
in a child’s cognitive growth and understanding of the world.
5. A researcher wants to study the relationship between sleep and academic performance.
Which method would allow them to determine cause and effect?
A. Correlational study
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Experimental method
D. Case study
Answer: C
Rationale: The experimental method is the only research design that can establish a causal
relationship between variables. It involves manipulating an independent variable to
observe its effect on a dependent variable while controlling for confounding factors. Other
methods like correlation only describe the strength of a relationship without proving
causation.
6. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with mood regulation, appetite, and
sleep, and is often targeted by SSRIs?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
, Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin plays a vital role in regulating emotional states and biological
rhythms like sleep and hunger. Low levels of serotonin are frequently linked to clinical
depression and anxiety disorders. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) work by
increasing the availability of this neurotransmitter in the brain’s synaptic gaps.
7. According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, which part of the personality acts as the moral
compass?
A. Id
B. Ego
C. Libido
D. Superego
Answer: D
Rationale: The superego represents the internalized ideals and provides standards for
judgment and future aspirations. It operates on the morality principle and often conflicts
with the impulsive desires of the id. The ego must navigate the demands of both the id and
the superego to maintain psychological balance.
8. What is the term for the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural
connections throughout life?
A. Neurogenesis
B. Plasticity
C. Synaptic pruning
D. Action potential
Answer: B
Rationale: Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, allows the nervous system to adapt to new
experiences or recover from injuries. This process occurs through the strengthening or
weakening of synapses and the creation of new pathways. It demonstrates that the brain is
a dynamic organ rather than a static one.
9. Which memory system has an almost limitless capacity and can store information for
decades?
A. Long-term memory
B. Sensory memory
C. Working memory
D. Short-term memory
