Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Most Tested Coverage Areas
1. Biopsychology as a Neuroscience: definitions, divisions, and research methods
including experiments versus quasi-experiments.
2. Evolution, Genetics, and Experience: natural selection, heritability, epigenetics, and
inherited versus learned behavior.
3. Anatomy of the Nervous System: CNS/PNS divisions, meninges, ventricles, and
major brain structures.
4. Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission: resting potential, action potentials,
ion channels, and neurotransmitter release.
5. Research Methods of Biopsychology: lesions, stimulation, recording, imaging, and
neuropsychological testing.
, 6. The Visual System: retinal processing, visual pathways, and cortical mechanisms of
vision.
7. Sensorimotor Systems: somatosensory organization, motor cortex, and descending
motor pathways.
8. Lateralization and Language: hemispheric specialization, split-brain research, and
language areas.
9. Learning, Memory, and Plasticity: hippocampal function, LTP, and experience-
dependent changes.
10. Drug Effects and Hormones: pharmacokinetics, tolerance, withdrawal, and hormone-
behavior interactions.
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
200 Multiple Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. In a biopsychology experiment, the variable that is systematically manipulated by
the researcher to observe its effect on behavior is best described as which of the
following?
,A. Confounded variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Independent variable
D. Quasi-independent variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable is the condition manipulated by the experimenter,
while the dependent variable is the behavior measured.
2. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the principle of
evolutionary continuity as it applies to biopsychological research using nonhuman
subjects?
A. All animal nervous systems are identical and therefore interchangeable for any
research question.
B. The brains of related species share fundamental organizational features that allow
comparative insights into human brain function.
C. Nonhuman animals are used primarily because they are cheaper to maintain than
human participants in laboratory settings.
D. Only primates are appropriate models because they possess language capabilities
similar to those of humans.
, Answer: B
Rationale: Evolutionary continuity means related species share brain organization,
making animal models informative about human neural mechanisms.
3. Which of the following best characterizes the difference between physiological
psychology and psychophysiology as subdisciplines of biopsychology?
A. Physiological psychology studies human patients while psychophysiology studies
animal models exclusively.
B. Physiological psychology manipulates the nervous system directly in animals,
whereas psychophysiology measures autonomic activity in humans.
C. Physiological psychology focuses on brain imaging while psychophysiology focuses
on lesion studies.
D. Physiological psychology is applied research while psychophysiology is purely
theoretical.
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological psychology typically involves direct brain manipulation in
animals, while psychophysiology records physiological measures like heart rate in
humans.
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
Most Tested Coverage Areas
1. Biopsychology as a Neuroscience: definitions, divisions, and research methods
including experiments versus quasi-experiments.
2. Evolution, Genetics, and Experience: natural selection, heritability, epigenetics, and
inherited versus learned behavior.
3. Anatomy of the Nervous System: CNS/PNS divisions, meninges, ventricles, and
major brain structures.
4. Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission: resting potential, action potentials,
ion channels, and neurotransmitter release.
5. Research Methods of Biopsychology: lesions, stimulation, recording, imaging, and
neuropsychological testing.
, 6. The Visual System: retinal processing, visual pathways, and cortical mechanisms of
vision.
7. Sensorimotor Systems: somatosensory organization, motor cortex, and descending
motor pathways.
8. Lateralization and Language: hemispheric specialization, split-brain research, and
language areas.
9. Learning, Memory, and Plasticity: hippocampal function, LTP, and experience-
dependent changes.
10. Drug Effects and Hormones: pharmacokinetics, tolerance, withdrawal, and hormone-
behavior interactions.
Queen’s University PSYC 271 Psychology Final Exam
200 Multiple Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. In a biopsychology experiment, the variable that is systematically manipulated by
the researcher to observe its effect on behavior is best described as which of the
following?
,A. Confounded variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Independent variable
D. Quasi-independent variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable is the condition manipulated by the experimenter,
while the dependent variable is the behavior measured.
2. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the principle of
evolutionary continuity as it applies to biopsychological research using nonhuman
subjects?
A. All animal nervous systems are identical and therefore interchangeable for any
research question.
B. The brains of related species share fundamental organizational features that allow
comparative insights into human brain function.
C. Nonhuman animals are used primarily because they are cheaper to maintain than
human participants in laboratory settings.
D. Only primates are appropriate models because they possess language capabilities
similar to those of humans.
, Answer: B
Rationale: Evolutionary continuity means related species share brain organization,
making animal models informative about human neural mechanisms.
3. Which of the following best characterizes the difference between physiological
psychology and psychophysiology as subdisciplines of biopsychology?
A. Physiological psychology studies human patients while psychophysiology studies
animal models exclusively.
B. Physiological psychology manipulates the nervous system directly in animals,
whereas psychophysiology measures autonomic activity in humans.
C. Physiological psychology focuses on brain imaging while psychophysiology focuses
on lesion studies.
D. Physiological psychology is applied research while psychophysiology is purely
theoretical.
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological psychology typically involves direct brain manipulation in
animals, while psychophysiology records physiological measures like heart rate in
humans.
