Psychology High-Yield Exam Questions
Psychology High-Yield Exam
Practice Questions
This high-yield exam pack includes 30 practice questions targeting key psychology top-
ics: research methods, biological foundations, cognitive processes, developmental stages,
social influences, and abnormal psychology. Designed for university-level exam prepa-
ration, it features 20 multiple-choice, 6 true/false, and 4 short-answer questions with
concise explanations to reinforce critical concepts and optimize study efficiency.
1 Research Methods in Psychology
This section focuses on experimental design, ethics, and statistical principles.
1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What reduces bias in a double-blind study?
a) Random sampling
b) Blinding participants and researchers
c) Increasing sample size
d) Using a control variable
Answer: b
Explanation: Blinding prevents participants and researchers from knowing group
assignments, minimizing expectancy and experimenter bias, as seen in clinical drug
trials.
2. The dependent variable in an experiment is:
a) Manipulated by the researcher
b) Measured to assess outcomes
c) Held constant
d) Unrelated to the hypothesis
Answer: b
Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome measured (e.g., test scores)
to evaluate the effect of the independent variable (e.g., study method).
3. Which method cannot establish causation?
a) Randomized controlled trial
b) Correlational study
c) Longitudinal study
d) Single-blind experiment
Answer: b
Explanation: Correlational studies identify relationships (e.g., smoking and lung
cancer) but cannot prove causation due to uncontrolled variables.
4. A p-value of 0.03 indicates:
a) A 3% chance of a true effect
b) Statistical significance
c) A 97% chance of error
d) No relationship between variables
1
, Psychology High-Yield Exam Questions
Answer: b
Explanation: A p-value below 0.05 suggests results are statistically significant,
with less than a 5% chance of occurring randomly.
1.2 True/False Questions
1. Random assignment balances participant characteristics across groups.
Answer: True
Explanation: Random assignment minimizes selection bias by evenly distributing
traits (e.g., age, IQ) across experimental and control groups.
2. Case studies generalize findings to large populations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Case studies provide in-depth insights (e.g., Phineas Gage) but lack
generalizability due to small, non-representative samples.
1.3 Short-Answer Question
1. Explain the importance of debriefing in psychological research.
Answer: Debriefing informs participants about the studys purpose and addresses
any deception, ensuring ethical treatment and trust.
Explanation: For example, in a study using deception to assess conformity, de-
briefing clarifies the true intent, reducing potential distress.
2 Biological Psychology
This section targets biological bases of behavior and mental processes.
2.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which brain structure processes fear responses?
a) Hippocampus
b) Amygdala
c) Cerebellum
d) Hypothalamus
Answer: b
Explanation: The amygdala triggers fear responses, as seen in PTSD patients
with heightened amygdala activity during trauma cues.
2. The neurotransmitter implicated in depression is:
a) Dopamine
b) Serotonin
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
Answer: b
Explanation: Low serotonin levels are linked to depression, targeted by SSRIs like
fluoxetine to improve mood regulation.
2
Psychology High-Yield Exam
Practice Questions
This high-yield exam pack includes 30 practice questions targeting key psychology top-
ics: research methods, biological foundations, cognitive processes, developmental stages,
social influences, and abnormal psychology. Designed for university-level exam prepa-
ration, it features 20 multiple-choice, 6 true/false, and 4 short-answer questions with
concise explanations to reinforce critical concepts and optimize study efficiency.
1 Research Methods in Psychology
This section focuses on experimental design, ethics, and statistical principles.
1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What reduces bias in a double-blind study?
a) Random sampling
b) Blinding participants and researchers
c) Increasing sample size
d) Using a control variable
Answer: b
Explanation: Blinding prevents participants and researchers from knowing group
assignments, minimizing expectancy and experimenter bias, as seen in clinical drug
trials.
2. The dependent variable in an experiment is:
a) Manipulated by the researcher
b) Measured to assess outcomes
c) Held constant
d) Unrelated to the hypothesis
Answer: b
Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome measured (e.g., test scores)
to evaluate the effect of the independent variable (e.g., study method).
3. Which method cannot establish causation?
a) Randomized controlled trial
b) Correlational study
c) Longitudinal study
d) Single-blind experiment
Answer: b
Explanation: Correlational studies identify relationships (e.g., smoking and lung
cancer) but cannot prove causation due to uncontrolled variables.
4. A p-value of 0.03 indicates:
a) A 3% chance of a true effect
b) Statistical significance
c) A 97% chance of error
d) No relationship between variables
1
, Psychology High-Yield Exam Questions
Answer: b
Explanation: A p-value below 0.05 suggests results are statistically significant,
with less than a 5% chance of occurring randomly.
1.2 True/False Questions
1. Random assignment balances participant characteristics across groups.
Answer: True
Explanation: Random assignment minimizes selection bias by evenly distributing
traits (e.g., age, IQ) across experimental and control groups.
2. Case studies generalize findings to large populations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Case studies provide in-depth insights (e.g., Phineas Gage) but lack
generalizability due to small, non-representative samples.
1.3 Short-Answer Question
1. Explain the importance of debriefing in psychological research.
Answer: Debriefing informs participants about the studys purpose and addresses
any deception, ensuring ethical treatment and trust.
Explanation: For example, in a study using deception to assess conformity, de-
briefing clarifies the true intent, reducing potential distress.
2 Biological Psychology
This section targets biological bases of behavior and mental processes.
2.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which brain structure processes fear responses?
a) Hippocampus
b) Amygdala
c) Cerebellum
d) Hypothalamus
Answer: b
Explanation: The amygdala triggers fear responses, as seen in PTSD patients
with heightened amygdala activity during trauma cues.
2. The neurotransmitter implicated in depression is:
a) Dopamine
b) Serotonin
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
Answer: b
Explanation: Low serotonin levels are linked to depression, targeted by SSRIs like
fluoxetine to improve mood regulation.
2
