WGU C180
WGU C180 Study Guide Exam Questions with
Verified Answers Guaranteed Pass 2025-2026
What do psychologists study? -Correct Answers ✔-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? -
Correct Answers ✔-The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and
procedures scientists use to conduct research. In addition to requiring that science
is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal
bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? -Correct Answers ✔-A specific and
falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. -Correct Answers ✔-An
operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable (
abstract idea that form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a
measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual
variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative
words used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a
psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? -Correct
Answers ✔-These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical
and/or emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? -Correct
Answers ✔-Descriptive Research
WGU C180
,WGU C180
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? -Correct Answers ✔-research designed to provide a
snapshot of the current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research -Correct Answers ✔-research designed to discover
relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research -Correct Answers ✔-research in which there is a
random assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a
manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not
manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the manipulation.
The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? -Correct Answers ✔-
The people chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be
representative of all the people that the researcher wishes to know about, called the
population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from the
population under study. The target population is the total group of individuals from
which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part
in the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable -Correct Answers ✔-The variable in an experiment that is
manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable -Correct Answers ✔-The variable in an experiment that is
measured; the outcome of an experiment
Control Group -Correct Answers ✔-The group of subjects in an experiment that
does not receive the independent variable
WGU C180
,WGU C180
Experimental Group -Correct Answers ✔-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group
receiving the independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. -Correct
Answers ✔-research designed to discover relationships among variables and to
allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. -Correct Answers ✔-
Correlational-To assess the relationships between and among two or more
variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative
correlation, the variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable
increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there is a negative correlation
between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when there is an
increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another variable. For
example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental
designs? -Correct Answers ✔-In correlational studies a researcher looks for
associations among naturally occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies
the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its
effect on the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that
extraneous variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A
correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? -Correct
Answers ✔-Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) -Correct Answers ✔-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps
the cell alive
WGU C180
, WGU C180
Dendrites -Correct Answers ✔-a branching, treelike fiber which collects
information from other cells and sends the information to the soma
Axon -Correct Answers ✔-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information
away from the cell body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath -Correct Answers ✔-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps
speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? -Correct Answers ✔-
Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action
potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric
Acid), Glutamate, Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) -Correct Answers ✔-Used in spinal cord to
simulate muscle contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and
dreaming. Undersupply associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine -Correct Answers ✔-Used as brains reward system.
Involved in movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase =
Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins -Correct Answers ✔-Released in response to
behaviors such as exercise, orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a
runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) -Correct Answers ✔-
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety,
keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate -Correct Answers ✔-cause overstimulation,
migraines, and seizures. Most common neurotransmitter.
WGU C180
WGU C180 Study Guide Exam Questions with
Verified Answers Guaranteed Pass 2025-2026
What do psychologists study? -Correct Answers ✔-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? -
Correct Answers ✔-The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and
procedures scientists use to conduct research. In addition to requiring that science
is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal
bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? -Correct Answers ✔-A specific and
falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. -Correct Answers ✔-An
operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable (
abstract idea that form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a
measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual
variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative
words used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a
psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? -Correct
Answers ✔-These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical
and/or emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? -Correct
Answers ✔-Descriptive Research
WGU C180
,WGU C180
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? -Correct Answers ✔-research designed to provide a
snapshot of the current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research -Correct Answers ✔-research designed to discover
relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research -Correct Answers ✔-research in which there is a
random assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a
manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not
manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the manipulation.
The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? -Correct Answers ✔-
The people chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be
representative of all the people that the researcher wishes to know about, called the
population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from the
population under study. The target population is the total group of individuals from
which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part
in the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable -Correct Answers ✔-The variable in an experiment that is
manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable -Correct Answers ✔-The variable in an experiment that is
measured; the outcome of an experiment
Control Group -Correct Answers ✔-The group of subjects in an experiment that
does not receive the independent variable
WGU C180
,WGU C180
Experimental Group -Correct Answers ✔-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group
receiving the independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. -Correct
Answers ✔-research designed to discover relationships among variables and to
allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. -Correct Answers ✔-
Correlational-To assess the relationships between and among two or more
variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative
correlation, the variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable
increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there is a negative correlation
between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when there is an
increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another variable. For
example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental
designs? -Correct Answers ✔-In correlational studies a researcher looks for
associations among naturally occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies
the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its
effect on the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that
extraneous variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A
correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? -Correct
Answers ✔-Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) -Correct Answers ✔-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps
the cell alive
WGU C180
, WGU C180
Dendrites -Correct Answers ✔-a branching, treelike fiber which collects
information from other cells and sends the information to the soma
Axon -Correct Answers ✔-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information
away from the cell body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath -Correct Answers ✔-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps
speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? -Correct Answers ✔-
Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action
potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric
Acid), Glutamate, Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) -Correct Answers ✔-Used in spinal cord to
simulate muscle contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and
dreaming. Undersupply associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine -Correct Answers ✔-Used as brains reward system.
Involved in movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase =
Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins -Correct Answers ✔-Released in response to
behaviors such as exercise, orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a
runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) -Correct Answers ✔-
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety,
keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate -Correct Answers ✔-cause overstimulation,
migraines, and seizures. Most common neurotransmitter.
WGU C180
