PSYC 101 Final Exam V3 | PSYC 101 General
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale (PSYC101
Final Exam) | Portage Learning
1. Which of the following describes the psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of
the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in shaping behavior?
A. Behaviorism
B. Psychodynamic Perspective
C. Humanistic Psychology
D. Cognitive Psychology
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The psychodynamic perspective, originated by Sigmund Freud, focuses on
internal, unconscious conflicts and the impact of early life experiences. It suggests that
much of human behavior is driven by forces outside of conscious awareness. This differs
from behaviorism, which focuses only on observable actions and environmental stimuli.
2. A researcher is studying the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. What is
the independent variable in this study?
A. The age of the participants
B. The amount of sleep allowed
C. The scores on the cognitive tests
,D. The time of day the tests are administered
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In an experiment, the independent variable is the factor that the researcher
manipulates to see its effect. Here, the researcher changes the amount of sleep to observe
how it impacts performance. The cognitive test scores would be considered the dependent
variable because they depend on the sleep levels.
3. Select all of the following that are considered ethical requirements for conducting
psychological research with human participants (SATA):
A. Informed Consent
B. Minimal Deception (if necessary and debriefed)
C. Confidentiality
D. Right to Withdraw
E. Voluntary Participation
F. Mandatory financial compensation for all participants
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: Ethical guidelines established by the APA require that participants are fully
informed and participate voluntarily. Confidentiality must be maintained, and participants
must have the right to leave the study at any time without penalty. While compensation
may occur, it is not an ethical requirement for all studies and must not be coercive.
, 4. Which structure of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving incoming signals from
other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Myelin Sheath
C. Dendrites
D. Terminal Buttons
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Dendrites are branch-like extensions that act as the primary intake zone for
chemical messages from neighboring cells. Once received, these signals are passed to the
cell body (soma). The axon, by contrast, is responsible for carrying the electrical impulse
away from the cell body.
5. The ‘all-or-none’ law of neural firing states that:
A. A neuron fires at different intensities based on the stimulus strength.
B. None of the neurotransmitters are recycled after a fire.
C. All neurons in a specific cluster must fire simultaneously for a signal to be sent.
D. A neuron either fires completely at a consistent magnitude or it does not fire at all.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The all-or-none principle implies that once the threshold of excitation is
reached, the action potential occurs at full strength every time. Increasing the stimulus
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale (PSYC101
Final Exam) | Portage Learning
1. Which of the following describes the psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of
the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in shaping behavior?
A. Behaviorism
B. Psychodynamic Perspective
C. Humanistic Psychology
D. Cognitive Psychology
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The psychodynamic perspective, originated by Sigmund Freud, focuses on
internal, unconscious conflicts and the impact of early life experiences. It suggests that
much of human behavior is driven by forces outside of conscious awareness. This differs
from behaviorism, which focuses only on observable actions and environmental stimuli.
2. A researcher is studying the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. What is
the independent variable in this study?
A. The age of the participants
B. The amount of sleep allowed
C. The scores on the cognitive tests
,D. The time of day the tests are administered
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In an experiment, the independent variable is the factor that the researcher
manipulates to see its effect. Here, the researcher changes the amount of sleep to observe
how it impacts performance. The cognitive test scores would be considered the dependent
variable because they depend on the sleep levels.
3. Select all of the following that are considered ethical requirements for conducting
psychological research with human participants (SATA):
A. Informed Consent
B. Minimal Deception (if necessary and debriefed)
C. Confidentiality
D. Right to Withdraw
E. Voluntary Participation
F. Mandatory financial compensation for all participants
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: Ethical guidelines established by the APA require that participants are fully
informed and participate voluntarily. Confidentiality must be maintained, and participants
must have the right to leave the study at any time without penalty. While compensation
may occur, it is not an ethical requirement for all studies and must not be coercive.
, 4. Which structure of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving incoming signals from
other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Myelin Sheath
C. Dendrites
D. Terminal Buttons
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Dendrites are branch-like extensions that act as the primary intake zone for
chemical messages from neighboring cells. Once received, these signals are passed to the
cell body (soma). The axon, by contrast, is responsible for carrying the electrical impulse
away from the cell body.
5. The ‘all-or-none’ law of neural firing states that:
A. A neuron fires at different intensities based on the stimulus strength.
B. None of the neurotransmitters are recycled after a fire.
C. All neurons in a specific cluster must fire simultaneously for a signal to be sent.
D. A neuron either fires completely at a consistent magnitude or it does not fire at all.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The all-or-none principle implies that once the threshold of excitation is
reached, the action potential occurs at full strength every time. Increasing the stimulus
