PSY 101 SDSU Laumakis Examination 2026/2027 –Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed Explanations | Introductory
Psychology Study Guide University of California
Prepare for the PSY 101 SDSU Laumakis Examination with exam-style
multiple-choice questions covering history and perspectives, research
methods, biological bases, sensation and perception, consciousness,
learning, memory, cognition and intelligence, development, motivation, and
emotion. Each question includes a verified updated answer and a detailed
rationale to support concept mastery, retention, and first-attempt
passing success. This organized digital study guide is ideal for Stuvia and
Docsity buyers seeking a concise, sale-ready introductory psychology
exam resource.
Section 1: History and Perspectives of Psychology (Questions 1–30)
1. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with founding psychology as a formal
science because he:
A. Wrote the first psychology textbook
B. Opened the first psychology research lab in 1879
C. Developed the theory of evolution
D. Founded behaviorism
Answer: B. Opened the first psychology research lab in 1879
**Explanation: Wilhelm Wundt, a German physiologist, founded psychology
,as a formal science by opening the first psychology research lab in 1879.
He used introspection to examine conscious experience. **
2. Which school of thought emphasized that conscious experience
can be broken down into its underlying components or elements?
A. Functionalism
B. Behaviorism
C. Structuralism
D. Humanistic psychology
Answer: C. Structuralism
**Explanation: Structuralism, associated with Wilhelm Wundt and Edward
Titchener, focused on breaking down conscious experience into its basic
elements. **
3. Functionalism, as a school of thought, highlighted:
A. The adaptive purpose or function of mind and behavior
B. The unconscious mind
C. Observable behavior only
D. The role of free will
Answer: A. The adaptive purpose or function of mind and behavior
**Explanation: Functionalism, associated with William James, emphasized
the adaptive purpose of mind and behavior—how mental processes help
organisms adapt to their environment. **
4. The idea that the human mind is created with pre-existing
structure and information is known as:
A. Empiricism
,B. Nativism
C. Behaviorism
D. Dualism
Answer: B. Nativism
**Explanation: Nativism is the philosophical view that certain ideas or
structures are innate—present at birth. It emphasizes nature over
nurture. **
5. The view that the human mind is shaped by the environment is
known as:
A. Nativism
B. Empiricism
C. Structuralism
D. Functionalism
Answer: B. Empiricism
**Explanation: Empiricism holds that all knowledge comes from sensory
experience—that the mind is shaped by the environment. It emphasizes
nurture over nature. **
6. Which perspective explains behavior through the interaction of
biological, psychological, and social factors?
A. Behaviorism
B. Biopsychosocial perspective
C. Structuralism
D. Psychoanalytic perspective
, Answer: B. Biopsychosocial perspective
**Explanation: The biopsychosocial perspective is an integrated approach
that explains behavior through the interaction of biological, psychological,
and social factors. **
7. The idea that the mind and body are two separate entities is
known as:
A. Monism
B. Dualism
C. Empiricism
D. Nativism
Answer: B. Dualism
**Explanation: Dualism, associated with René Descartes, is the
philosophical view that the mind and body are separate entities. **
8. Which Greek philosopher proposed that some ideas are innate?
A. Aristotle
B. Plato
C. Socrates
D. Hippocrates
Answer: B. Plato
**Explanation: Plato proposed that some ideas are innate—that humans
are born with certain kinds of knowledge. This is a nativist view. **
9. Which Greek philosopher supported the empiricist view that all
knowledge comes from sensory experiences?
A. Plato
Questions & Answers with Detailed Explanations | Introductory
Psychology Study Guide University of California
Prepare for the PSY 101 SDSU Laumakis Examination with exam-style
multiple-choice questions covering history and perspectives, research
methods, biological bases, sensation and perception, consciousness,
learning, memory, cognition and intelligence, development, motivation, and
emotion. Each question includes a verified updated answer and a detailed
rationale to support concept mastery, retention, and first-attempt
passing success. This organized digital study guide is ideal for Stuvia and
Docsity buyers seeking a concise, sale-ready introductory psychology
exam resource.
Section 1: History and Perspectives of Psychology (Questions 1–30)
1. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with founding psychology as a formal
science because he:
A. Wrote the first psychology textbook
B. Opened the first psychology research lab in 1879
C. Developed the theory of evolution
D. Founded behaviorism
Answer: B. Opened the first psychology research lab in 1879
**Explanation: Wilhelm Wundt, a German physiologist, founded psychology
,as a formal science by opening the first psychology research lab in 1879.
He used introspection to examine conscious experience. **
2. Which school of thought emphasized that conscious experience
can be broken down into its underlying components or elements?
A. Functionalism
B. Behaviorism
C. Structuralism
D. Humanistic psychology
Answer: C. Structuralism
**Explanation: Structuralism, associated with Wilhelm Wundt and Edward
Titchener, focused on breaking down conscious experience into its basic
elements. **
3. Functionalism, as a school of thought, highlighted:
A. The adaptive purpose or function of mind and behavior
B. The unconscious mind
C. Observable behavior only
D. The role of free will
Answer: A. The adaptive purpose or function of mind and behavior
**Explanation: Functionalism, associated with William James, emphasized
the adaptive purpose of mind and behavior—how mental processes help
organisms adapt to their environment. **
4. The idea that the human mind is created with pre-existing
structure and information is known as:
A. Empiricism
,B. Nativism
C. Behaviorism
D. Dualism
Answer: B. Nativism
**Explanation: Nativism is the philosophical view that certain ideas or
structures are innate—present at birth. It emphasizes nature over
nurture. **
5. The view that the human mind is shaped by the environment is
known as:
A. Nativism
B. Empiricism
C. Structuralism
D. Functionalism
Answer: B. Empiricism
**Explanation: Empiricism holds that all knowledge comes from sensory
experience—that the mind is shaped by the environment. It emphasizes
nurture over nature. **
6. Which perspective explains behavior through the interaction of
biological, psychological, and social factors?
A. Behaviorism
B. Biopsychosocial perspective
C. Structuralism
D. Psychoanalytic perspective
, Answer: B. Biopsychosocial perspective
**Explanation: The biopsychosocial perspective is an integrated approach
that explains behavior through the interaction of biological, psychological,
and social factors. **
7. The idea that the mind and body are two separate entities is
known as:
A. Monism
B. Dualism
C. Empiricism
D. Nativism
Answer: B. Dualism
**Explanation: Dualism, associated with René Descartes, is the
philosophical view that the mind and body are separate entities. **
8. Which Greek philosopher proposed that some ideas are innate?
A. Aristotle
B. Plato
C. Socrates
D. Hippocrates
Answer: B. Plato
**Explanation: Plato proposed that some ideas are innate—that humans
are born with certain kinds of knowledge. This is a nativist view. **
9. Which Greek philosopher supported the empiricist view that all
knowledge comes from sensory experiences?
A. Plato
