INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 101 FINAL EXAM PREP: 800
QUESTIONS COVERING ALL MAJOR THEORIES & EXPERIMENTS
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES FOR EXAM
SUCCESS| PASS ON YOUR FIRST TRY
A psychologist who emphasizes the role of unconscious drives and early childhood
experiences is practicing which school of thought?
A. Behaviorism
B. Humanism
C. Psychoanalysis
D. Cognitive psychology
Answer: C
Rationale: Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, focuses on unconscious drives,
conflicts, and early childhood experiences. Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior.
Humanism emphasizes free will and self-actualization. Cognitive psychology studies
mental processes.
In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus after
it is repeatedly paired with which stimulus?
A. Conditioned response
B. Unconditioned stimulus
C. Neutral response
D. Conditioned reinforcer
Answer: B
Rationale: The neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus when paired with an
unconditioned stimulus (which naturally elicits a response). The conditioned response is
the learned reaction.
Which researcher is famous for the "Little Albert" experiment demonstrating fear
conditioning in a human infant?
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Ivan Pavlov
C. John B. Watson
D. Edward Thorndike
Answer: C
Rationale: John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner conditioned Little Albert to fear a white
rat by pairing it with a loud noise. Skinner studied operant conditioning. Pavlov studied
classical conditioning with dogs.
A patient who cannot form new memories after a brain injury most likely has damage
to which structure?
A. Amygdala
,B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: C
Rationale: The hippocampus is critical for forming new declarative memories
(anterograde amnesia). The amygdala processes emotion. The cerebellum is involved in
procedural memory. The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis.
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which need must be satisfied first?
A. Esteem
B. Love and belonging
C. Safety
D. Physiological
Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological needs (food, water, shelter, sleep) are the most basic and must
be met before higher-level needs like safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Which perspective in psychology emphasizes that behavior is shaped by
environmental reinforcement and punishment?
A. Psychoanalytic
B. Behaviorist
C. Humanistic
D. Biological
Answer: B
Rationale: Behaviorism (Skinner, Watson) focuses on how consequences (reinforcement
and punishment) shape observable behavior. Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious
drives. Humanism focuses on growth potential.
The Stanford prison experiment, which showed how roles can influence behavior, was
conducted by which psychologist?
A. Stanley Milgram
B. Philip Zimbardo
C. Solomon Asch
D. Muzafer Sherif
Answer: B
Rationale: Philip Zimbardo conducted the Stanford prison experiment, where college
students assigned to be guards or prisoners quickly adopted abusive and submissive
behaviors respectively.
In Piaget’s theory, the stage where children develop object permanence is the:
A. Sensorimotor stage
B. Preoperational stage
C. Concrete operational stage
D. Formal operational stage
Answer: A
,Rationale: Object permanence (understanding that objects continue to exist even when
out of sight) develops during the sensorimotor stage (birth to about 2 years).
Which of the following is an unconditioned response?
A. Salivating to a bell
B. Feeling afraid of a loud noise
C. Sweating when you see a picture of hot sun
D. Blinking when a puff of air hits your eye
Answer: D
Rationale: An unconditioned response is a natural, unlearned reaction. Blinking to a
puff of air is innate. Salivating to a bell is conditioned. Fear of a loud noise may be
unlearned but the loud noise is the US; the response is natural. Sweating to a picture is
learned.
The "bystander effect" refers to the tendency for:
A. People to help more when alone than in a crowd
B. People to conform to group norms
C. People to obey authority figures
D. Individuals to exert less effort in a group
Answer: A
Rationale: The bystander effect is the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to
offer help in an emergency when other people are present (diffusion of responsibility).
Which brain lobe is primarily responsible for processing auditory information and
language comprehension?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Temporal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: The temporal lobe contains the primary auditory cortex and Wernicke’s area
(language comprehension). The frontal lobe is for executive function and motor.
Parietal for touch and spatial. Occipital for vision.
Who proposed the theory of psychosocial development across the lifespan, with
eight stages each involving a crisis?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Lawrence Kohlberg
C. Erik Erikson
D. Sigmund Freud
Answer: C
Rationale: Erik Erikson developed eight psychosocial stages (e.g., trust vs. mistrust,
identity vs. role confusion). Piaget focused on cognitive development. Kohlberg on
moral development. Freud on psychosexual stages.
, In operant conditioning, removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior is
called:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Negative punishment
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative reinforcement increases a behavior by removing an aversive
stimulus (e.g., taking aspirin to remove a headache). Positive reinforcement adds a
reward. Punishment decreases behavior.
The Milgram obedience experiments found that approximately what percentage of
participants administered the maximum shock (450 volts) to a learner?
A. 10%
B. 35%
C. 65%
D. 90%
Answer: C
*Rationale: Milgram’s original study found that about 65% of participants continued
to the maximum 450-volt shock, demonstrating strong obedience to authority even
when it caused apparent harm.*
Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or
feelings to someone else?
A. Projection
B. Displacement
C. Rationalization
D. Sublimation
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection is attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts to another person.
Displacement redirects emotions to a safer target. Rationalization creates logical
excuses. Sublimation channels into acceptable behavior.
The "fight or flight" response is primarily controlled by which branch of the
autonomic nervous system?
A. Somatic
B. Parasympathetic
C. Sympathetic
D. Enteric
Answer: C
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stress, increasing
heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline release. The parasympathetic system
promotes rest and digestion.
Who is known for the concept of "flow," a state of complete immersion and
enjoyment in an activity?
QUESTIONS COVERING ALL MAJOR THEORIES & EXPERIMENTS
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES FOR EXAM
SUCCESS| PASS ON YOUR FIRST TRY
A psychologist who emphasizes the role of unconscious drives and early childhood
experiences is practicing which school of thought?
A. Behaviorism
B. Humanism
C. Psychoanalysis
D. Cognitive psychology
Answer: C
Rationale: Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, focuses on unconscious drives,
conflicts, and early childhood experiences. Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior.
Humanism emphasizes free will and self-actualization. Cognitive psychology studies
mental processes.
In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus after
it is repeatedly paired with which stimulus?
A. Conditioned response
B. Unconditioned stimulus
C. Neutral response
D. Conditioned reinforcer
Answer: B
Rationale: The neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus when paired with an
unconditioned stimulus (which naturally elicits a response). The conditioned response is
the learned reaction.
Which researcher is famous for the "Little Albert" experiment demonstrating fear
conditioning in a human infant?
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Ivan Pavlov
C. John B. Watson
D. Edward Thorndike
Answer: C
Rationale: John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner conditioned Little Albert to fear a white
rat by pairing it with a loud noise. Skinner studied operant conditioning. Pavlov studied
classical conditioning with dogs.
A patient who cannot form new memories after a brain injury most likely has damage
to which structure?
A. Amygdala
,B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: C
Rationale: The hippocampus is critical for forming new declarative memories
(anterograde amnesia). The amygdala processes emotion. The cerebellum is involved in
procedural memory. The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis.
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which need must be satisfied first?
A. Esteem
B. Love and belonging
C. Safety
D. Physiological
Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological needs (food, water, shelter, sleep) are the most basic and must
be met before higher-level needs like safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Which perspective in psychology emphasizes that behavior is shaped by
environmental reinforcement and punishment?
A. Psychoanalytic
B. Behaviorist
C. Humanistic
D. Biological
Answer: B
Rationale: Behaviorism (Skinner, Watson) focuses on how consequences (reinforcement
and punishment) shape observable behavior. Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious
drives. Humanism focuses on growth potential.
The Stanford prison experiment, which showed how roles can influence behavior, was
conducted by which psychologist?
A. Stanley Milgram
B. Philip Zimbardo
C. Solomon Asch
D. Muzafer Sherif
Answer: B
Rationale: Philip Zimbardo conducted the Stanford prison experiment, where college
students assigned to be guards or prisoners quickly adopted abusive and submissive
behaviors respectively.
In Piaget’s theory, the stage where children develop object permanence is the:
A. Sensorimotor stage
B. Preoperational stage
C. Concrete operational stage
D. Formal operational stage
Answer: A
,Rationale: Object permanence (understanding that objects continue to exist even when
out of sight) develops during the sensorimotor stage (birth to about 2 years).
Which of the following is an unconditioned response?
A. Salivating to a bell
B. Feeling afraid of a loud noise
C. Sweating when you see a picture of hot sun
D. Blinking when a puff of air hits your eye
Answer: D
Rationale: An unconditioned response is a natural, unlearned reaction. Blinking to a
puff of air is innate. Salivating to a bell is conditioned. Fear of a loud noise may be
unlearned but the loud noise is the US; the response is natural. Sweating to a picture is
learned.
The "bystander effect" refers to the tendency for:
A. People to help more when alone than in a crowd
B. People to conform to group norms
C. People to obey authority figures
D. Individuals to exert less effort in a group
Answer: A
Rationale: The bystander effect is the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to
offer help in an emergency when other people are present (diffusion of responsibility).
Which brain lobe is primarily responsible for processing auditory information and
language comprehension?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Temporal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: The temporal lobe contains the primary auditory cortex and Wernicke’s area
(language comprehension). The frontal lobe is for executive function and motor.
Parietal for touch and spatial. Occipital for vision.
Who proposed the theory of psychosocial development across the lifespan, with
eight stages each involving a crisis?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Lawrence Kohlberg
C. Erik Erikson
D. Sigmund Freud
Answer: C
Rationale: Erik Erikson developed eight psychosocial stages (e.g., trust vs. mistrust,
identity vs. role confusion). Piaget focused on cognitive development. Kohlberg on
moral development. Freud on psychosexual stages.
, In operant conditioning, removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior is
called:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Negative punishment
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative reinforcement increases a behavior by removing an aversive
stimulus (e.g., taking aspirin to remove a headache). Positive reinforcement adds a
reward. Punishment decreases behavior.
The Milgram obedience experiments found that approximately what percentage of
participants administered the maximum shock (450 volts) to a learner?
A. 10%
B. 35%
C. 65%
D. 90%
Answer: C
*Rationale: Milgram’s original study found that about 65% of participants continued
to the maximum 450-volt shock, demonstrating strong obedience to authority even
when it caused apparent harm.*
Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or
feelings to someone else?
A. Projection
B. Displacement
C. Rationalization
D. Sublimation
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection is attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts to another person.
Displacement redirects emotions to a safer target. Rationalization creates logical
excuses. Sublimation channels into acceptable behavior.
The "fight or flight" response is primarily controlled by which branch of the
autonomic nervous system?
A. Somatic
B. Parasympathetic
C. Sympathetic
D. Enteric
Answer: C
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stress, increasing
heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline release. The parasympathetic system
promotes rest and digestion.
Who is known for the concept of "flow," a state of complete immersion and
enjoyment in an activity?
