WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY · COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
WGU C180
Study Guide Practice
Questions
Comprehensive Review — Research, Neuroscience, Development,
Personality, Social Psychology & More
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 STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 100 practice questions covering key concepts from the
WGU C180 Study Guide. Each question includes four answer choices, a clearly marked correct
answer, and a detailed rationale explaining the psychological concept.
Category: Psychology — Comprehensive Study Guide Review
1 What do psychologists study?
A Only mental illness and treatment
B Only the brain and nervous system
C Biological foundations, mental life, change, self and others, potential and
dysfunction
D Only observable behavior
Why C is correct: Psychologists study biological foundations, mental life, change, self and
others, potential and dysfunction—covering the full scope of human experience and
behavior.
A — This is a narrow view of clinical psychology only.
B — This is the focus of neuroscience.
D — Behaviorism is one approach, not the entire field.
,2 What is the scientific method in psychological research?
A A set of assumptions, rules, and procedures used to conduct research
B A method that requires only personal observation
C A technique used only in natural sciences
D A method that allows bias in research
Why A is correct: The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures
scientists use to conduct research, and it requires that procedures are free of personal bias
and verifiable.
B — The scientific method is systematic, not just personal observation.
C — It is used in all sciences, including psychology.
D — The scientific method minimizes bias.
3 What is the definition of a hypothesis?
A A specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more
variables
B A confirmed fact
C The result of an experiment
D A research question
Why A is correct: A hypothesis is a specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship
between two or more variables that can be tested through research.
B — A hypothesis is not a confirmed fact.
C — Results are findings, not hypotheses.
D — A research question is broader than a hypothesis.
, 4 An operational definition is:
A A precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measured variable
B A dictionary definition of a concept
C The outcome of an experiment
D A research question
Why A is correct: An operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a
conceptual variable (abstract idea) is turned into a measured variable (numbers
representing the concept).
B — A dictionary definition is not operationalized.
C — This is not the definition.
D — A research question is not an operational definition.
5 Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research?
A To prevent physical and/or emotional harm to participants
B To ensure researchers get the results they want
C To save money on research costs
D To make research easier to conduct
Why A is correct: Ethical guidelines are needed in psychological research to prevent
physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
B — Ethics are about protecting participants, not getting desired results.
C — Ethics are not about cost savings.
D — Ethics may make research more complex.
WGU C180
Study Guide Practice
Questions
Comprehensive Review — Research, Neuroscience, Development,
Personality, Social Psychology & More
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 STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 100 practice questions covering key concepts from the
WGU C180 Study Guide. Each question includes four answer choices, a clearly marked correct
answer, and a detailed rationale explaining the psychological concept.
Category: Psychology — Comprehensive Study Guide Review
1 What do psychologists study?
A Only mental illness and treatment
B Only the brain and nervous system
C Biological foundations, mental life, change, self and others, potential and
dysfunction
D Only observable behavior
Why C is correct: Psychologists study biological foundations, mental life, change, self and
others, potential and dysfunction—covering the full scope of human experience and
behavior.
A — This is a narrow view of clinical psychology only.
B — This is the focus of neuroscience.
D — Behaviorism is one approach, not the entire field.
,2 What is the scientific method in psychological research?
A A set of assumptions, rules, and procedures used to conduct research
B A method that requires only personal observation
C A technique used only in natural sciences
D A method that allows bias in research
Why A is correct: The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures
scientists use to conduct research, and it requires that procedures are free of personal bias
and verifiable.
B — The scientific method is systematic, not just personal observation.
C — It is used in all sciences, including psychology.
D — The scientific method minimizes bias.
3 What is the definition of a hypothesis?
A A specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more
variables
B A confirmed fact
C The result of an experiment
D A research question
Why A is correct: A hypothesis is a specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship
between two or more variables that can be tested through research.
B — A hypothesis is not a confirmed fact.
C — Results are findings, not hypotheses.
D — A research question is broader than a hypothesis.
, 4 An operational definition is:
A A precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measured variable
B A dictionary definition of a concept
C The outcome of an experiment
D A research question
Why A is correct: An operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a
conceptual variable (abstract idea) is turned into a measured variable (numbers
representing the concept).
B — A dictionary definition is not operationalized.
C — This is not the definition.
D — A research question is not an operational definition.
5 Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research?
A To prevent physical and/or emotional harm to participants
B To ensure researchers get the results they want
C To save money on research costs
D To make research easier to conduct
Why A is correct: Ethical guidelines are needed in psychological research to prevent
physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
B — Ethics are about protecting participants, not getting desired results.
C — Ethics are not about cost savings.
D — Ethics may make research more complex.
