Psychology – Exam Q&A for Psychology
Majors
Date: June 13, 2025
Instructions
This comprehensive Q&A bank consolidates 30 advanced multiple-choice questions for 2025
psychology exam preparation, tailored for psychology majors preparing for university exams,
GRE Subject Test, or professional licensure. Covering biological, cognitive, developmental, so-
cial, abnormal, clinical, personality, and research methods topics, each question includes four
answer choices and a detailed step-by-step solution. Read questions carefully, select the best
answer, and review solutions to deepen understanding and excel in rigorous academic assess-
ments.
1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which neural mechanism underlies synaptic plasticity in 2025 memory research?
A. Long-term potentiation
B. Axonal pruning
C. Myelin degradation
D. Neurotransmitter reuptake
Correct Answer: A. Long-term potentiation
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define synaptic plasticity: Changes in synaptic strength supporting learning and mem-
ory.
2. Identify mechanism: Long-term potentiation (LTP) strengthens synapses through re-
peated stimulation.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Pruning (B) reduces connections, myelin (C) insulates axons,
reuptake (D) clears neurotransmitters.
4. Confirm: 2025 research links LTP to memory consolidation.
Exam Tip: Study neural mechanisms for memory questions.
2. A person overestimates disease prevalence after a health campaign. This reflects:
A. Confirmation bias
B. Availability heuristic
C. Representativeness heuristic
D. Anchoring bias
Correct Answer: B. Availability heuristic
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Overestimation due to recent exposure suggests a cognitive bias.
2. Identify bias: Availability heuristic relies on easily recalled information.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Confirmation (A) seeks confirming evidence, representative-
ness (C) uses prototypes, anchoring (D) relies on initial data.
4. Confirm: Campaign increases perceived prevalence.
Exam Tip: Link biases to salient triggers.
3. In Vygotsky’s theory, what mediates cognitive development in children?
1
, A. Sensorimotor exploration
B. Zone of proximal development
C. Conservation tasks
D. Egocentric speech
Correct Answer: B. Zone of proximal development
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define theory: Vygotsky emphasizes social and cultural influences on learning.
2. Identify concept: Zone of proximal development (ZPD) involves learning with guid-
ance.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Sensorimotor (A) and conservation (C) are Piaget’s, egocentric
speech (D) is a developmental phase.
4. Confirm: ZPD drives cognitive growth.
Exam Tip: Contrast Vygotsky with Piaget.
4. A team suppresses dissent to rush a project. This exemplifies:
A. Bystander effect
B. Groupthink
C. Social loafing
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: B. Groupthink
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Suppressing dissent for harmony indicates group dynamics.
2. Identify phenomenon: Groupthink (Janis) prioritizes consensus over critical thinking.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Bystander (A) involves inaction, loafing (C) reduces effort,
deindividuation (D) loses identity.
4. Confirm: Groupthink fits rushed decisions.
Exam Tip: Study Janis’s groupthink model.
5. Which 2025 DSM-5 criterion is central to autism spectrum disorder?
A. Persistent low mood
B. Social communication deficits
C. Intrusive memories
D. Excessive worry
Correct Answer: B. Social communication deficits
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define disorder: ASD involves challenges in social interaction and behavior.
2. Identify criterion: Social communication deficits are core, per DSM-5 (2025).
3. Eliminate alternatives: Low mood (A) depression, memories (C) PTSD, worry (D)
anxiety.
4. Confirm: Deficits define ASD diagnosis.
Exam Tip: Memorize DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
6. In a study on therapy and mood, what is the dependent variable?
A. Therapy type
B. Mood scores
C. Participant demographics
D. Session frequency
Correct Answer: B. Mood scores
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define variables: Independent variable is manipulated, dependent is measured.
2
Majors
Date: June 13, 2025
Instructions
This comprehensive Q&A bank consolidates 30 advanced multiple-choice questions for 2025
psychology exam preparation, tailored for psychology majors preparing for university exams,
GRE Subject Test, or professional licensure. Covering biological, cognitive, developmental, so-
cial, abnormal, clinical, personality, and research methods topics, each question includes four
answer choices and a detailed step-by-step solution. Read questions carefully, select the best
answer, and review solutions to deepen understanding and excel in rigorous academic assess-
ments.
1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which neural mechanism underlies synaptic plasticity in 2025 memory research?
A. Long-term potentiation
B. Axonal pruning
C. Myelin degradation
D. Neurotransmitter reuptake
Correct Answer: A. Long-term potentiation
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define synaptic plasticity: Changes in synaptic strength supporting learning and mem-
ory.
2. Identify mechanism: Long-term potentiation (LTP) strengthens synapses through re-
peated stimulation.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Pruning (B) reduces connections, myelin (C) insulates axons,
reuptake (D) clears neurotransmitters.
4. Confirm: 2025 research links LTP to memory consolidation.
Exam Tip: Study neural mechanisms for memory questions.
2. A person overestimates disease prevalence after a health campaign. This reflects:
A. Confirmation bias
B. Availability heuristic
C. Representativeness heuristic
D. Anchoring bias
Correct Answer: B. Availability heuristic
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Overestimation due to recent exposure suggests a cognitive bias.
2. Identify bias: Availability heuristic relies on easily recalled information.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Confirmation (A) seeks confirming evidence, representative-
ness (C) uses prototypes, anchoring (D) relies on initial data.
4. Confirm: Campaign increases perceived prevalence.
Exam Tip: Link biases to salient triggers.
3. In Vygotsky’s theory, what mediates cognitive development in children?
1
, A. Sensorimotor exploration
B. Zone of proximal development
C. Conservation tasks
D. Egocentric speech
Correct Answer: B. Zone of proximal development
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define theory: Vygotsky emphasizes social and cultural influences on learning.
2. Identify concept: Zone of proximal development (ZPD) involves learning with guid-
ance.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Sensorimotor (A) and conservation (C) are Piaget’s, egocentric
speech (D) is a developmental phase.
4. Confirm: ZPD drives cognitive growth.
Exam Tip: Contrast Vygotsky with Piaget.
4. A team suppresses dissent to rush a project. This exemplifies:
A. Bystander effect
B. Groupthink
C. Social loafing
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: B. Groupthink
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Suppressing dissent for harmony indicates group dynamics.
2. Identify phenomenon: Groupthink (Janis) prioritizes consensus over critical thinking.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Bystander (A) involves inaction, loafing (C) reduces effort,
deindividuation (D) loses identity.
4. Confirm: Groupthink fits rushed decisions.
Exam Tip: Study Janis’s groupthink model.
5. Which 2025 DSM-5 criterion is central to autism spectrum disorder?
A. Persistent low mood
B. Social communication deficits
C. Intrusive memories
D. Excessive worry
Correct Answer: B. Social communication deficits
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define disorder: ASD involves challenges in social interaction and behavior.
2. Identify criterion: Social communication deficits are core, per DSM-5 (2025).
3. Eliminate alternatives: Low mood (A) depression, memories (C) PTSD, worry (D)
anxiety.
4. Confirm: Deficits define ASD diagnosis.
Exam Tip: Memorize DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
6. In a study on therapy and mood, what is the dependent variable?
A. Therapy type
B. Mood scores
C. Participant demographics
D. Session frequency
Correct Answer: B. Mood scores
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define variables: Independent variable is manipulated, dependent is measured.
2
