Psychology – Comprehensive Exam Q&A
Bank
Date: June 12, 2025
Instructions
This comprehensive Q&A bank includes 30 multiple-choice questions for 2025 psychology
exam preparation, covering biological, cognitive, developmental, social, abnormal, clinical,
personality, and research methods topics, suitable for AP Psychology, GRE Subject Test, or
university courses. Each question includes four answer choices and a step-by-step solution to
support learners at all levels. Read questions carefully, select the best answer, and review solu-
tions to master key concepts for exam success.
1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which brain structure regulates circadian rhythms in 2025 neuroscience studies?
A. Amygdala
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebellum
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: B. Hypothalamus
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify function: Circadian rhythms control sleep-wake cycles.
2. Match structure: Hypothalamus, via the suprachiasmatic nucleus, regulates these cy-
cles.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Amygdala (A) emotions, cerebellum (C) movement, thalamus
(D) sensory relay.
4. Confirm: 2025 studies confirm hypothalamus’s role.
Exam Tip: Link brain structures to physiological roles.
2. A person overestimates shark attack risks after a movie. This reflects:
A. Confirmation bias
B. Availability heuristic
C. Anchoring bias
D. Framing effect
Correct Answer: B. Availability heuristic
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Overestimating due to vivid media suggests a bias.
2. Identify bias: Availability heuristic relies on easily recalled events.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Confirmation bias (A) evidence seeking, anchoring (C) initial
data, framing (D) presentation.
4. Confirm: Movie drives perceived risk.
Exam Tip: Associate biases with memorable triggers.
3. In Piaget’s theory, when do children develop conservation?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
1
, C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: C. Concrete operational
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define conservation: Quantity remains constant despite appearance changes.
2. Identify stage: Concrete operational (7–11 years) develops conservation.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Sensorimotor (A) sensory, preoperational (B) lacks conserva-
tion, formal (D) abstract.
4. Confirm: Conservation is a concrete milestone.
Exam Tip: Memorize Piaget’s stages by skills.
4. A crowd’s inaction during an emergency is explained by:
A. Groupthink
B. Bystander effect
C. Social loafing
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: B. Bystander effect
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Inaction in a crowd suggests a social phenomenon.
2. Identify effect: Bystander effect involves diffusion of responsibility.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Groupthink (A) conformity, loafing (C) effort reduction, dein-
dividuation (D) identity loss.
4. Confirm: Crowds dilute responsibility.
Exam Tip: Link to Darley and Latané’s studies.
5. Which disorder involves intrusive thoughts and compulsions in 2025 diagnostics?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Panic disorder
D. Social anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define symptoms: Obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (behaviors).
2. Match disorder: OCD is defined by these, per DSM-5 (2025).
3. Eliminate alternatives: GAD (A) worry, panic (C) attacks, social anxiety (D) social
fears.
4. Confirm: OCD matches symptoms.
Exam Tip: Use DSM-5 criteria.
6. In a study on meditation and focus, what is the independent variable?
A. Focus levels
B. Meditation practice
C. Participant stress
D. Study duration
Correct Answer: B. Meditation practice
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define variables: Independent is manipulated, dependent is measured.
2. Identify roles: Meditation (B) is manipulated; focus (A) is measured.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Stress (C) and duration (D) are controls.
4. Confirm: Meditation drives the outcome.
2
Bank
Date: June 12, 2025
Instructions
This comprehensive Q&A bank includes 30 multiple-choice questions for 2025 psychology
exam preparation, covering biological, cognitive, developmental, social, abnormal, clinical,
personality, and research methods topics, suitable for AP Psychology, GRE Subject Test, or
university courses. Each question includes four answer choices and a step-by-step solution to
support learners at all levels. Read questions carefully, select the best answer, and review solu-
tions to master key concepts for exam success.
1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which brain structure regulates circadian rhythms in 2025 neuroscience studies?
A. Amygdala
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebellum
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: B. Hypothalamus
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify function: Circadian rhythms control sleep-wake cycles.
2. Match structure: Hypothalamus, via the suprachiasmatic nucleus, regulates these cy-
cles.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Amygdala (A) emotions, cerebellum (C) movement, thalamus
(D) sensory relay.
4. Confirm: 2025 studies confirm hypothalamus’s role.
Exam Tip: Link brain structures to physiological roles.
2. A person overestimates shark attack risks after a movie. This reflects:
A. Confirmation bias
B. Availability heuristic
C. Anchoring bias
D. Framing effect
Correct Answer: B. Availability heuristic
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Overestimating due to vivid media suggests a bias.
2. Identify bias: Availability heuristic relies on easily recalled events.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Confirmation bias (A) evidence seeking, anchoring (C) initial
data, framing (D) presentation.
4. Confirm: Movie drives perceived risk.
Exam Tip: Associate biases with memorable triggers.
3. In Piaget’s theory, when do children develop conservation?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
1
, C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: C. Concrete operational
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define conservation: Quantity remains constant despite appearance changes.
2. Identify stage: Concrete operational (7–11 years) develops conservation.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Sensorimotor (A) sensory, preoperational (B) lacks conserva-
tion, formal (D) abstract.
4. Confirm: Conservation is a concrete milestone.
Exam Tip: Memorize Piaget’s stages by skills.
4. A crowd’s inaction during an emergency is explained by:
A. Groupthink
B. Bystander effect
C. Social loafing
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: B. Bystander effect
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Analyze: Inaction in a crowd suggests a social phenomenon.
2. Identify effect: Bystander effect involves diffusion of responsibility.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Groupthink (A) conformity, loafing (C) effort reduction, dein-
dividuation (D) identity loss.
4. Confirm: Crowds dilute responsibility.
Exam Tip: Link to Darley and Latané’s studies.
5. Which disorder involves intrusive thoughts and compulsions in 2025 diagnostics?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Panic disorder
D. Social anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define symptoms: Obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (behaviors).
2. Match disorder: OCD is defined by these, per DSM-5 (2025).
3. Eliminate alternatives: GAD (A) worry, panic (C) attacks, social anxiety (D) social
fears.
4. Confirm: OCD matches symptoms.
Exam Tip: Use DSM-5 criteria.
6. In a study on meditation and focus, what is the independent variable?
A. Focus levels
B. Meditation practice
C. Participant stress
D. Study duration
Correct Answer: B. Meditation practice
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Define variables: Independent is manipulated, dependent is measured.
2. Identify roles: Meditation (B) is manipulated; focus (A) is measured.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Stress (C) and duration (D) are controls.
4. Confirm: Meditation drives the outcome.
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