Psychology Exam Questions Pack
Psychology Exam Questions &
Correct Answers Pack
This exam pack provides 30 questions across core psychology topics: research methods,
biological foundations, cognitive processes, developmental stages, social influences, and
abnormal psychology. Designed for university-level preparation, it includes 20 multiple-
choice, 6 true/false, and 4 short-answer questions with detailed explanations to enhance
understanding and exam readiness.
1 Research Methods in Psychology
This section tests knowledge of experimental methods, ethics, and statistical analysis.
1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is the primary goal of a double-blind study?
a) To increase participant diversity
b) To minimize bias from participants and researchers
c) To simplify statistical analysis
d) To ensure external validity
Answer: b
Explanation: A double-blind study prevents both participants and researchers
from knowing group assignments, reducing expectancy effects and experimenter
bias, ensuring objective results.
2. The variable manipulated in an experiment is the:
a) Dependent variable
b) Independent variable
c) Extraneous variable
d) Control variable
Answer: b
Explanation: The independent variable is deliberately altered by the researcher to
observe its effect on the dependent variable, which is measured to assess outcomes.
3. Which method best examines relationships between variables without
manipulation?
a) Experimental study
b) Case study
c) Correlational study
d) Naturalistic observation
Answer: c
Explanation: Correlational studies measure the strength and direction of rela-
tionships between variables (e.g., stress and sleep) but cannot establish causation
due to lack of manipulation.
4. A statistically significant result typically has a p-value less than:
a) 0.01
b) 0.05
1
, Psychology Exam Questions Pack
c) 0.10
d) 0.50
Answer: b
Explanation: A p-value less than 0.05 indicates a low probability (less than 5%)
that results occurred by chance, suggesting statistical significance in psychology
research.
1.2 True/False Questions
1. Random assignment reduces selection bias in experiments.
Answer: True
Explanation: Random assignment evenly distributes participant characteristics
across groups, minimizing bias and ensuring group comparability.
2. Surveys can accurately measure causation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Surveys collect self-reported data to identify trends or correlations
but cannot control variables to establish causation, unlike experiments.
1.3 Short-Answer Question
1. Explain why informed consent is critical in psychological research.
Answer: Informed consent ensures participants understand the studys purpose,
procedures, risks, and rights, allowing voluntary participation.
Explanation: It upholds ethical principles by respecting autonomy and protecting
participants, as seen in studies requiring disclosure of potential discomfort (e.g.,
stress-inducing tasks).
2 Biological Psychology
This section explores the biological underpinnings of behavior.
2.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which brain structure regulates basic survival functions like heart rate?
a) Amygdala
b) Medulla oblongata
c) Thalamus
d) Cerebellum
Answer: b
Explanation: The medulla oblongata, located in the brainstem, controls vital
autonomic functions like heart rate and breathing, essential for survival.
2. The neurotransmitter most associated with pleasure and addiction is:
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) GABA
d) Norepinephrine
Answer: b
2
, Psychology Exam Questions Pack
Explanation: Dopamine drives reward-seeking behavior and is implicated in ad-
diction, as seen in studies of substance abuse affecting the brains reward pathways.
3. The autonomic nervous system is divided into:
a) Central and peripheral systems
b) Somatic and visceral systems
c) Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
d) Motor and sensory systems
Answer: c
Explanation: The autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic (fight-
or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches, regulating involuntary
functions.
4. Epigenetic changes primarily affect:
a) DNA sequence
b) Gene expression
c) Protein synthesis
d) Neural transmission
Answer: b
Explanation: Epigenetics involves modifications (e.g., methylation) that alter
gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, influencing traits like stress
response.
2.2 True/False Questions
1. The occipital lobe processes visual information.
Answer: True
Explanation: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is the primary
visual cortex, responsible for processing visual stimuli.
2. All psychological disorders are caused by genetic mutations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Disorders arise from a mix of genetic, environmental, and psycho-
logical factors, as explained by the biopsychosocial model.
2.3 Short-Answer Question
1. Describe the role of the hypothalamus in behavior regulation.
Answer: The hypothalamus regulates behaviors like hunger, thirst, and stress by
controlling hormonal and neural responses to maintain homeostasis.
Explanation: For example, it triggers hunger by detecting low blood sugar and
activates the stress response via the HPA axis, influencing eating or anxiety behav-
iors.
3 Cognitive Psychology
This section examines memory, perception, and problem-solving.
3
Psychology Exam Questions &
Correct Answers Pack
This exam pack provides 30 questions across core psychology topics: research methods,
biological foundations, cognitive processes, developmental stages, social influences, and
abnormal psychology. Designed for university-level preparation, it includes 20 multiple-
choice, 6 true/false, and 4 short-answer questions with detailed explanations to enhance
understanding and exam readiness.
1 Research Methods in Psychology
This section tests knowledge of experimental methods, ethics, and statistical analysis.
1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is the primary goal of a double-blind study?
a) To increase participant diversity
b) To minimize bias from participants and researchers
c) To simplify statistical analysis
d) To ensure external validity
Answer: b
Explanation: A double-blind study prevents both participants and researchers
from knowing group assignments, reducing expectancy effects and experimenter
bias, ensuring objective results.
2. The variable manipulated in an experiment is the:
a) Dependent variable
b) Independent variable
c) Extraneous variable
d) Control variable
Answer: b
Explanation: The independent variable is deliberately altered by the researcher to
observe its effect on the dependent variable, which is measured to assess outcomes.
3. Which method best examines relationships between variables without
manipulation?
a) Experimental study
b) Case study
c) Correlational study
d) Naturalistic observation
Answer: c
Explanation: Correlational studies measure the strength and direction of rela-
tionships between variables (e.g., stress and sleep) but cannot establish causation
due to lack of manipulation.
4. A statistically significant result typically has a p-value less than:
a) 0.01
b) 0.05
1
, Psychology Exam Questions Pack
c) 0.10
d) 0.50
Answer: b
Explanation: A p-value less than 0.05 indicates a low probability (less than 5%)
that results occurred by chance, suggesting statistical significance in psychology
research.
1.2 True/False Questions
1. Random assignment reduces selection bias in experiments.
Answer: True
Explanation: Random assignment evenly distributes participant characteristics
across groups, minimizing bias and ensuring group comparability.
2. Surveys can accurately measure causation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Surveys collect self-reported data to identify trends or correlations
but cannot control variables to establish causation, unlike experiments.
1.3 Short-Answer Question
1. Explain why informed consent is critical in psychological research.
Answer: Informed consent ensures participants understand the studys purpose,
procedures, risks, and rights, allowing voluntary participation.
Explanation: It upholds ethical principles by respecting autonomy and protecting
participants, as seen in studies requiring disclosure of potential discomfort (e.g.,
stress-inducing tasks).
2 Biological Psychology
This section explores the biological underpinnings of behavior.
2.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which brain structure regulates basic survival functions like heart rate?
a) Amygdala
b) Medulla oblongata
c) Thalamus
d) Cerebellum
Answer: b
Explanation: The medulla oblongata, located in the brainstem, controls vital
autonomic functions like heart rate and breathing, essential for survival.
2. The neurotransmitter most associated with pleasure and addiction is:
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) GABA
d) Norepinephrine
Answer: b
2
, Psychology Exam Questions Pack
Explanation: Dopamine drives reward-seeking behavior and is implicated in ad-
diction, as seen in studies of substance abuse affecting the brains reward pathways.
3. The autonomic nervous system is divided into:
a) Central and peripheral systems
b) Somatic and visceral systems
c) Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
d) Motor and sensory systems
Answer: c
Explanation: The autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic (fight-
or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches, regulating involuntary
functions.
4. Epigenetic changes primarily affect:
a) DNA sequence
b) Gene expression
c) Protein synthesis
d) Neural transmission
Answer: b
Explanation: Epigenetics involves modifications (e.g., methylation) that alter
gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, influencing traits like stress
response.
2.2 True/False Questions
1. The occipital lobe processes visual information.
Answer: True
Explanation: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is the primary
visual cortex, responsible for processing visual stimuli.
2. All psychological disorders are caused by genetic mutations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Disorders arise from a mix of genetic, environmental, and psycho-
logical factors, as explained by the biopsychosocial model.
2.3 Short-Answer Question
1. Describe the role of the hypothalamus in behavior regulation.
Answer: The hypothalamus regulates behaviors like hunger, thirst, and stress by
controlling hormonal and neural responses to maintain homeostasis.
Explanation: For example, it triggers hunger by detecting low blood sugar and
activates the stress response via the HPA axis, influencing eating or anxiety behav-
iors.
3 Cognitive Psychology
This section examines memory, perception, and problem-solving.
3
