PSYC 101 General Psychology | Portage Learning |
Academic Year 2026/2027 | Comprehensive
Examination – 50 Verified Questions
Section 1: Introduction to Psychology & Research Methods
1. What is the primary focus of the school of thought known as structuralism?
A. The function of consciousness
B. The basic elements of conscious experience
C. Observable behavior
D. Unconscious motivations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Structuralism, pioneered by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener,
aimed to identify the fundamental components or "structures" of the mind by
using introspection to analyze sensations, feelings, and images.
2. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Independent variable
D. Control variable
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable (IV) is the factor that is intentionally
changed or manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effect on the
dependent variable (DV).
3. Which perspective in psychology emphasizes the potential for good that is
innate to all humans?
A. Behavioral
B. Psychodynamic
C. Humanistic
D. Cognitive
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The humanistic perspective, associated with Carl Rogers and
Abraham Maslow, focuses on human potential, free will, and the inherent drive
for self-actualization and personal growth.
4. A researcher wants to study the relationship between hours of sleep and
academic performance. Which research method is most appropriate?
A. Experimental
B. Correlational
C. Case study
D. Naturalistic observation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A correlational study is used to measure the relationship between
two or more variables without manipulating them. It can determine if a
relationship exists (e.g., positive or negative) but cannot prove causation.
5. The belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others is known as:
A. Cultural relativism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Individualism
D. Collectivism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as the
standard by which all other cultures are judged, often leading to a biased
perspective.
Section 2: Biological Bases of Behavior
6. Which part of the neuron receives messages from other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Dendrite
C. Myelin sheath
D. Terminal button
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dendrites are the branch-like structures of a neuron that are
specialized to receive chemical signals (neurotransmitters) from the axon
terminals of other neurons.
7. The "fight-or-flight" response is primarily governed by the:
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic
nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations,
triggering the fight-or-flight response.
8. Which brain structure is most important for the formation of new long-term
memories?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Cerebellum
D. Medulla
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The hippocampus is a limbic system structure critical for
consolidating new declarative memories (facts and events) into long-term storage.
Damage to this area results in an inability to form new memories.
9. A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and motor control is:
A. Serotonin
B. Acetylcholine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in many functions,
including movement, motivation, and reward. Its pathways are central to
understanding addiction and disorders like Parkinson's disease.
10. The electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron is called the:
A. Resting potential
B. Action potential
C. Refractory period
D. Synaptic gap
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An action potential is a brief electrical charge that travels down an
axon. It is generated by the movement of positively charged ions into and out of
channels in the axon's membrane.
Section 3: Sensation & Perception
11. The process of converting physical energy from the environment into neural
signals is called:
A. Perception
B. Transduction
C. Adaptation
D. Sensation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transduction is the conversion of one form of energy into another.
In sensation, it is the process by which physical stimuli (like light or sound waves)
are converted into neural impulses that the brain can interpret.
12. The tendency to perceive objects that are close together as part of the same
group is the Gestalt principle of:
A. Proximity
B. Similarity
Academic Year 2026/2027 | Comprehensive
Examination – 50 Verified Questions
Section 1: Introduction to Psychology & Research Methods
1. What is the primary focus of the school of thought known as structuralism?
A. The function of consciousness
B. The basic elements of conscious experience
C. Observable behavior
D. Unconscious motivations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Structuralism, pioneered by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener,
aimed to identify the fundamental components or "structures" of the mind by
using introspection to analyze sensations, feelings, and images.
2. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Independent variable
D. Control variable
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable (IV) is the factor that is intentionally
changed or manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effect on the
dependent variable (DV).
3. Which perspective in psychology emphasizes the potential for good that is
innate to all humans?
A. Behavioral
B. Psychodynamic
C. Humanistic
D. Cognitive
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The humanistic perspective, associated with Carl Rogers and
Abraham Maslow, focuses on human potential, free will, and the inherent drive
for self-actualization and personal growth.
4. A researcher wants to study the relationship between hours of sleep and
academic performance. Which research method is most appropriate?
A. Experimental
B. Correlational
C. Case study
D. Naturalistic observation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A correlational study is used to measure the relationship between
two or more variables without manipulating them. It can determine if a
relationship exists (e.g., positive or negative) but cannot prove causation.
5. The belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others is known as:
A. Cultural relativism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Individualism
D. Collectivism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as the
standard by which all other cultures are judged, often leading to a biased
perspective.
Section 2: Biological Bases of Behavior
6. Which part of the neuron receives messages from other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Dendrite
C. Myelin sheath
D. Terminal button
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dendrites are the branch-like structures of a neuron that are
specialized to receive chemical signals (neurotransmitters) from the axon
terminals of other neurons.
7. The "fight-or-flight" response is primarily governed by the:
A. Somatic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system
D. Central nervous system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic
nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations,
triggering the fight-or-flight response.
8. Which brain structure is most important for the formation of new long-term
memories?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Cerebellum
D. Medulla
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The hippocampus is a limbic system structure critical for
consolidating new declarative memories (facts and events) into long-term storage.
Damage to this area results in an inability to form new memories.
9. A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and motor control is:
A. Serotonin
B. Acetylcholine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in many functions,
including movement, motivation, and reward. Its pathways are central to
understanding addiction and disorders like Parkinson's disease.
10. The electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron is called the:
A. Resting potential
B. Action potential
C. Refractory period
D. Synaptic gap
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An action potential is a brief electrical charge that travels down an
axon. It is generated by the movement of positively charged ions into and out of
channels in the axon's membrane.
Section 3: Sensation & Perception
11. The process of converting physical energy from the environment into neural
signals is called:
A. Perception
B. Transduction
C. Adaptation
D. Sensation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transduction is the conversion of one form of energy into another.
In sensation, it is the process by which physical stimuli (like light or sound waves)
are converted into neural impulses that the brain can interpret.
12. The tendency to perceive objects that are close together as part of the same
group is the Gestalt principle of:
A. Proximity
B. Similarity
