Psychology 101
2 MAXE · 101 CYSP
Ψ
PSY Introduction to Psychology — Examination 2
PSYCH 101
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR THROUGH SCIENCE
PSYC 101 exam 2
CO M P R E H E N S I V E ST U DY G U I D E — CO N S C I O US N E SS , S E N S AT I O N , L E A R N I N G ,
M E M O RY & D E V E LO P M E N T
INSTITUTION College-Level Psychology 101 PROGRAM Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of
Science — Psychology
COURSE CODE PSYC 101 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE PSYC 101 exam 2
TOTAL QUESTIONS 85 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This comprehensive study guide covers Consciousness & Sleep, Sensation & Perception, Learning,
Memory, and Development for PSYC 101 Exam 2.
▸ Each question tests one discrete concept, definition, theory, or key figure from the course material.
▸ Select the single best answer. Correct answers and detailed rationales are provided for self-assessment.
▸ Pay careful attention to NREM vs. REM sleep, classical vs. operant conditioning, and the various memory
systems.
▸ All content reflects standard introductory psychology textbook material.
, PSYC 101 — CONSCIOUSNESS, SENSATION, LEARNING,
Questions 1 – 85
MEMORY & DEVELOPMENT
1. Consciousness is defined as:
A. The state of being asleep and unaware
B. Our awareness of ourselves and our environment
C. Only the unconscious processing of information
D. The physical state of the brain during sleep
CORRECT ANSWER B — Our awareness of ourselves and our environment
RATIONALE Consciousness = awareness of both internal states (thoughts, feelings) and
external surroundings. It includes wakefulness, attention, and the continuous
flow of subjective experience. It varies along a continuum from full wakefulness
through various stages of sleep.
2. Wakefulness is characterized by:
A. Low levels of sensory awareness and minimal thought
B. High levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
C. Complete absence of any mental activity
D. Only dreaming and vivid mental imagery
CORRECT ANSWER B — High levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
RATIONALE Wakefulness = alert, responsive state with active sensory processing, cognitive
engagement, and voluntary motor activity. Characterized by beta brain waves —
fast, desynchronized patterns reflecting active mental processing.
,3. A biological rhythm is:
A. A learned pattern of behavior
B. An internal cycle of biological activity
C. A type of operant conditioning schedule
D. A psychological disorder
CORRECT ANSWER B — An internal cycle of biological activity
RATIONALE Biological rhythms are endogenous (internally generated) cycles — circadian (24-
hour), ultradian (shorter), infradian (longer). They are biologically programmed
but can be entrained by external cues like light.
4. The circadian rhythm is:
A. A 90-minute sleep cycle
B. A physiological cycle of about 24 hours present in all eukaryotic organisms that persists
even without external cues
C. A monthly hormonal cycle
D. A learned daily routine
CORRECT ANSWER B — A physiological cycle of about 24 hours present in all eukaryotic
organisms that persists even without external cues
RATIONALE Circadian = "about a day." The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and hormone
secretion follow circadian patterns controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus
(SCN).
, 5. NREM sleep is characterized by:
A. Rapid eye movements and vivid dreams
B. Light sleep progressing to deep sleep, basic dreams, and the majority of sleep time
C. Complete muscle paralysis and intense brain activity
D. Only stage 1 sleep
CORRECT ANSWER B — Light sleep progressing to deep sleep, basic dreams, and the majority
of sleep time
RATIONALE NREM = stages 1–3. Stage 1 = light transitional. Stage 2 = sleep spindles and K-
complexes. Stage 3 = deep slow-wave delta sleep. NREM occupies about 75–80%
of total sleep time.
6. REM sleep is characterized by:
A. Deep, slow-wave brain activity
B. Eyes moving behind eyelids, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis — very little body
movement
C. The lightest stage of sleep with easy awakening
D. Complete absence of any brain activity
CORRECT ANSWER B — Eyes moving behind eyelids, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis — very
little body movement
RATIONALE REM = paradoxical sleep — brain highly active but body paralyzed (atonia). Most
vivid dreams occur during REM. REM cycles lengthen through the night and are
crucial for memory consolidation.
2 MAXE · 101 CYSP
Ψ
PSY Introduction to Psychology — Examination 2
PSYCH 101
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR THROUGH SCIENCE
PSYC 101 exam 2
CO M P R E H E N S I V E ST U DY G U I D E — CO N S C I O US N E SS , S E N S AT I O N , L E A R N I N G ,
M E M O RY & D E V E LO P M E N T
INSTITUTION College-Level Psychology 101 PROGRAM Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of
Science — Psychology
COURSE CODE PSYC 101 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Psychology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE PSYC 101 exam 2
TOTAL QUESTIONS 85 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This comprehensive study guide covers Consciousness & Sleep, Sensation & Perception, Learning,
Memory, and Development for PSYC 101 Exam 2.
▸ Each question tests one discrete concept, definition, theory, or key figure from the course material.
▸ Select the single best answer. Correct answers and detailed rationales are provided for self-assessment.
▸ Pay careful attention to NREM vs. REM sleep, classical vs. operant conditioning, and the various memory
systems.
▸ All content reflects standard introductory psychology textbook material.
, PSYC 101 — CONSCIOUSNESS, SENSATION, LEARNING,
Questions 1 – 85
MEMORY & DEVELOPMENT
1. Consciousness is defined as:
A. The state of being asleep and unaware
B. Our awareness of ourselves and our environment
C. Only the unconscious processing of information
D. The physical state of the brain during sleep
CORRECT ANSWER B — Our awareness of ourselves and our environment
RATIONALE Consciousness = awareness of both internal states (thoughts, feelings) and
external surroundings. It includes wakefulness, attention, and the continuous
flow of subjective experience. It varies along a continuum from full wakefulness
through various stages of sleep.
2. Wakefulness is characterized by:
A. Low levels of sensory awareness and minimal thought
B. High levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
C. Complete absence of any mental activity
D. Only dreaming and vivid mental imagery
CORRECT ANSWER B — High levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
RATIONALE Wakefulness = alert, responsive state with active sensory processing, cognitive
engagement, and voluntary motor activity. Characterized by beta brain waves —
fast, desynchronized patterns reflecting active mental processing.
,3. A biological rhythm is:
A. A learned pattern of behavior
B. An internal cycle of biological activity
C. A type of operant conditioning schedule
D. A psychological disorder
CORRECT ANSWER B — An internal cycle of biological activity
RATIONALE Biological rhythms are endogenous (internally generated) cycles — circadian (24-
hour), ultradian (shorter), infradian (longer). They are biologically programmed
but can be entrained by external cues like light.
4. The circadian rhythm is:
A. A 90-minute sleep cycle
B. A physiological cycle of about 24 hours present in all eukaryotic organisms that persists
even without external cues
C. A monthly hormonal cycle
D. A learned daily routine
CORRECT ANSWER B — A physiological cycle of about 24 hours present in all eukaryotic
organisms that persists even without external cues
RATIONALE Circadian = "about a day." The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and hormone
secretion follow circadian patterns controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus
(SCN).
, 5. NREM sleep is characterized by:
A. Rapid eye movements and vivid dreams
B. Light sleep progressing to deep sleep, basic dreams, and the majority of sleep time
C. Complete muscle paralysis and intense brain activity
D. Only stage 1 sleep
CORRECT ANSWER B — Light sleep progressing to deep sleep, basic dreams, and the majority
of sleep time
RATIONALE NREM = stages 1–3. Stage 1 = light transitional. Stage 2 = sleep spindles and K-
complexes. Stage 3 = deep slow-wave delta sleep. NREM occupies about 75–80%
of total sleep time.
6. REM sleep is characterized by:
A. Deep, slow-wave brain activity
B. Eyes moving behind eyelids, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis — very little body
movement
C. The lightest stage of sleep with easy awakening
D. Complete absence of any brain activity
CORRECT ANSWER B — Eyes moving behind eyelids, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis — very
little body movement
RATIONALE REM = paradoxical sleep — brain highly active but body paralyzed (atonia). Most
vivid dreams occur during REM. REM cycles lengthen through the night and are
crucial for memory consolidation.
