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WGU C180
Intro to Psychology
Comprehensive Practice Questions — Key Concepts & Theories
Course: Introduction to Psychology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
WGU C180 · Western Governors University Page 1
,WGU C180 INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 60 practice questions covering key concepts from WGU
C180 Introduction to Psychology. Each question includes four answer choices, a clearly marked
correct answer, and a detailed rationale explaining the psychological concept.
Category: Psychology — Key Concepts & Theories
1 Empirical research is best defined as:
A Results of verifiable evidence from a systematic collection and analysis of data that
has been objectively observed, measured, and undergone experimentation
B Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior
C Research that investigates issues with implications for everyday life
D Research that expands knowledge without promoting change
Why A is correct: Empirical research is based on verifiable evidence from systematic
collection and analysis of data that has been objectively observed, measured, and
undergone experimentation.
B — This describes basic research.
C — This describes applied research.
D — This describes basic research.
,2 Basic research is best defined as:
A Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior
B Research that investigates issues with implications for everyday life
C Research that applies findings towards well-being
D Research that promotes change in behavior or mental state
Why A is correct: Basic research answers fundamental questions about behavior and
expands knowledge on an area of research interest without seeking to promote change in
behavior or mental state.
B — This describes applied research.
C — This describes applied research.
D — This describes applied research.
3 Applied research is best defined as:
A Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior
B Research that investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and
provides solutions to everyday problems
C Research that expands knowledge for knowledge's sake
D Research that is conducted in a laboratory setting
Why B is correct: Applied research investigates issues that have implications for everyday
life and provides solutions to everyday problems, applying research findings towards well-
being.
A — This describes basic research.
C — This describes basic research.
D — Research setting does not define applied research.
, 4 Consciousness is best defined as:
A Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment
B A therapeutic technique to facilitate increased suggestibility
C A type of performing art involving mind reading
D The belief that the mind and body are separate entities
Why A is correct: Consciousness is our subjective awareness of ourselves and our
environment.
B — This describes hypnosis.
C — This describes mentalism.
D — This describes dualism.
5 Dualism is the belief that:
A The mind and body are separate entities
B Consciousness and the mind are biologically based and exist within the brain
C Mental phenomena can be explained by physical processes
D Behavior is determined by environmental factors
Why A is correct: Dualism is the belief that the mind (or soul) and the body are separate
entities.
B — This describes monism.
C — This describes monism.
D — This describes behaviorism.
WGU C180
Intro to Psychology
Comprehensive Practice Questions — Key Concepts & Theories
Course: Introduction to Psychology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
WGU C180 · Western Governors University Page 1
,WGU C180 INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 60 practice questions covering key concepts from WGU
C180 Introduction to Psychology. Each question includes four answer choices, a clearly marked
correct answer, and a detailed rationale explaining the psychological concept.
Category: Psychology — Key Concepts & Theories
1 Empirical research is best defined as:
A Results of verifiable evidence from a systematic collection and analysis of data that
has been objectively observed, measured, and undergone experimentation
B Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior
C Research that investigates issues with implications for everyday life
D Research that expands knowledge without promoting change
Why A is correct: Empirical research is based on verifiable evidence from systematic
collection and analysis of data that has been objectively observed, measured, and
undergone experimentation.
B — This describes basic research.
C — This describes applied research.
D — This describes basic research.
,2 Basic research is best defined as:
A Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior
B Research that investigates issues with implications for everyday life
C Research that applies findings towards well-being
D Research that promotes change in behavior or mental state
Why A is correct: Basic research answers fundamental questions about behavior and
expands knowledge on an area of research interest without seeking to promote change in
behavior or mental state.
B — This describes applied research.
C — This describes applied research.
D — This describes applied research.
3 Applied research is best defined as:
A Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior
B Research that investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and
provides solutions to everyday problems
C Research that expands knowledge for knowledge's sake
D Research that is conducted in a laboratory setting
Why B is correct: Applied research investigates issues that have implications for everyday
life and provides solutions to everyday problems, applying research findings towards well-
being.
A — This describes basic research.
C — This describes basic research.
D — Research setting does not define applied research.
, 4 Consciousness is best defined as:
A Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment
B A therapeutic technique to facilitate increased suggestibility
C A type of performing art involving mind reading
D The belief that the mind and body are separate entities
Why A is correct: Consciousness is our subjective awareness of ourselves and our
environment.
B — This describes hypnosis.
C — This describes mentalism.
D — This describes dualism.
5 Dualism is the belief that:
A The mind and body are separate entities
B Consciousness and the mind are biologically based and exist within the brain
C Mental phenomena can be explained by physical processes
D Behavior is determined by environmental factors
Why A is correct: Dualism is the belief that the mind (or soul) and the body are separate
entities.
B — This describes monism.
C — This describes monism.
D — This describes behaviorism.
