Psychology Practice Exam Questions & Model Answers
Psychology Practice Exam
Questions & Model Answers
This practice exam bank provides 30 carefully crafted questions across all major psychol-
ogy domains: research methods, biological foundations, cognitive processes, developmen-
tal stages, social influences, and abnormal psychology. Designed for psychology students
at all levels, from introductory to advanced, it includes 20 multiple-choice, 6 true/false,
and 4 short-answer questions, each with model answers that demonstrate clear reason-
ing, structured arguments, and integration of psychological theory. Model answers are
accompanied by step-by-step rationales that clarify concepts, eliminate incorrect options,
and connect to contexts like research projects, academic stress, and clinical scenarios.
Grounded in seminal and contemporary research, rationales offer evidence-based insights,
exam strategies (e.g., structuring answers, using key terms), and level-specific guidance
to ensure exam success. This bank is tailored to help students master exam techniques,
deepen understanding, and apply knowledge confidently in diverse exam formats.
1 Research Methods in Psychology
Research methods form the backbone of psychological inquiry, enabling students to de-
sign studies, analyze data, and uphold ethical standards. This section tests experimental
design, statistical interpretation, and research ethics through scenarios relevant to aca-
demic and research settings, with questions for all levels. Model answers provide clear,
concise responses, while rationales clarify methodologies and offer exam strategies like
structuring answers with technical terms or practicing data interpretation to excel in
exams.
1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A student tests whether group study improves exam scores. What is the
independent variable?
a) Exam scores
b) Group study
c) Study motivation
d) Exam difficulty
Model Answer: b) Group study
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Define the independent variable (IV): the factor manipulated to observe its
effect (Campbell Stanley, 1963).
1
, Psychology Practice Exam Questions & Model Answers
(b) Option a: Exam scores are measured, making them the dependent variable
(DV).
(c) Option b: Group study is manipulated (group vs. individual study), fitting
the IV definition.
(d) Option c: Motivation is a potential confound, not manipulated.
(e) Option d: Exam difficulty is not specified as manipulated.
(f) Conclusion: Group study is the IV.
Exam Strategy: Use precise terms like independent variable in answers. For
short-answer formats, define the IV and justify with an example. Advanced students
should practice identifying variables in complex study designs.
2. A study finds a relationship between study hours and academic perfor-
mance. Can it claim causation?
a) Yes, with a large sample
b) No, correlation does not imply causation
c) Yes, if longitudinal
d) No, unless experimental
Model Answer: b) No, correlation does not imply causation
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Identify the study type: a relationship suggests correlation (Rosenbaum, 2002).
(b) Correlation cannot prove causation due to confounds (e.g., motivation affect-
ing both hours and performance).
(c) Option a: Sample size does not address confounds.
(d) Option b: Correctly states the limitation of correlational research.
(e) Option c: Longitudinal studies are correlational without manipulation.
(f) Option d: Experiments are needed, but the question implies correlation.
(g) Conclusion: The study cannot claim causation.
Exam Strategy: Structure answers by defining correlation and causation, then
explain limitations. Advanced students should critique correlational studies, sug-
gesting experimental alternatives in essays.
3. What ensures ethical participation in a study on student stress?
a) Anonymity
b) Informed consent
c) Random sampling
2
, Psychology Practice Exam Questions & Model Answers
d) Debriefing
Model Answer: b) Informed consent
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Recall APA (2017) ethical guidelines: participant rights are paramount.
(b) Option a: Anonymity protects privacy but is secondary to consent.
(c) Option b: Informed consent ensures participants understand the studys pur-
pose, risks, and rights (Belmont Report, 1979).
(d) Option c: Random sampling enhances generalizability, not ethics.
(e) Option d: Debriefing occurs post-study, not ensuring participation ethics.
(f) Conclusion: Informed consent is essential.
Exam Strategy: Use APA guidelines as a framework for ethics questions. Ad-
vanced students should discuss ethical principles in sensitive research contexts for
essay questions.
4. A study on study apps with a p-value of 0.03 indicates:
a) A 3% chance of a true effect
b) Statistical significance
c) A 97% chance of error
d) No effect
Model Answer: b) Statistical significance
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Understand p-value: probability of results occurring by chance (Fisher, 1925).
(b) P < 0.05 indicates significance, rejecting the null hypothesis.
(c) Option a: Misinterprets p-value as effect probability.
(d) Option b: Correctly identifies statistical significance.
(e) Option c: Inverts the p-values meaning.
(f) Option d: Contradicts the low p-value.
(g) Conclusion: The result is statistically significant.
Exam Strategy: Define p-value and significance threshold in answers. Advanced
students should interpret p-values in the context of study outcomes for data analysis
questions.
5. Which method best studies a rare case of academic phobia?
a) Experiment
3
Psychology Practice Exam
Questions & Model Answers
This practice exam bank provides 30 carefully crafted questions across all major psychol-
ogy domains: research methods, biological foundations, cognitive processes, developmen-
tal stages, social influences, and abnormal psychology. Designed for psychology students
at all levels, from introductory to advanced, it includes 20 multiple-choice, 6 true/false,
and 4 short-answer questions, each with model answers that demonstrate clear reason-
ing, structured arguments, and integration of psychological theory. Model answers are
accompanied by step-by-step rationales that clarify concepts, eliminate incorrect options,
and connect to contexts like research projects, academic stress, and clinical scenarios.
Grounded in seminal and contemporary research, rationales offer evidence-based insights,
exam strategies (e.g., structuring answers, using key terms), and level-specific guidance
to ensure exam success. This bank is tailored to help students master exam techniques,
deepen understanding, and apply knowledge confidently in diverse exam formats.
1 Research Methods in Psychology
Research methods form the backbone of psychological inquiry, enabling students to de-
sign studies, analyze data, and uphold ethical standards. This section tests experimental
design, statistical interpretation, and research ethics through scenarios relevant to aca-
demic and research settings, with questions for all levels. Model answers provide clear,
concise responses, while rationales clarify methodologies and offer exam strategies like
structuring answers with technical terms or practicing data interpretation to excel in
exams.
1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A student tests whether group study improves exam scores. What is the
independent variable?
a) Exam scores
b) Group study
c) Study motivation
d) Exam difficulty
Model Answer: b) Group study
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Define the independent variable (IV): the factor manipulated to observe its
effect (Campbell Stanley, 1963).
1
, Psychology Practice Exam Questions & Model Answers
(b) Option a: Exam scores are measured, making them the dependent variable
(DV).
(c) Option b: Group study is manipulated (group vs. individual study), fitting
the IV definition.
(d) Option c: Motivation is a potential confound, not manipulated.
(e) Option d: Exam difficulty is not specified as manipulated.
(f) Conclusion: Group study is the IV.
Exam Strategy: Use precise terms like independent variable in answers. For
short-answer formats, define the IV and justify with an example. Advanced students
should practice identifying variables in complex study designs.
2. A study finds a relationship between study hours and academic perfor-
mance. Can it claim causation?
a) Yes, with a large sample
b) No, correlation does not imply causation
c) Yes, if longitudinal
d) No, unless experimental
Model Answer: b) No, correlation does not imply causation
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Identify the study type: a relationship suggests correlation (Rosenbaum, 2002).
(b) Correlation cannot prove causation due to confounds (e.g., motivation affect-
ing both hours and performance).
(c) Option a: Sample size does not address confounds.
(d) Option b: Correctly states the limitation of correlational research.
(e) Option c: Longitudinal studies are correlational without manipulation.
(f) Option d: Experiments are needed, but the question implies correlation.
(g) Conclusion: The study cannot claim causation.
Exam Strategy: Structure answers by defining correlation and causation, then
explain limitations. Advanced students should critique correlational studies, sug-
gesting experimental alternatives in essays.
3. What ensures ethical participation in a study on student stress?
a) Anonymity
b) Informed consent
c) Random sampling
2
, Psychology Practice Exam Questions & Model Answers
d) Debriefing
Model Answer: b) Informed consent
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Recall APA (2017) ethical guidelines: participant rights are paramount.
(b) Option a: Anonymity protects privacy but is secondary to consent.
(c) Option b: Informed consent ensures participants understand the studys pur-
pose, risks, and rights (Belmont Report, 1979).
(d) Option c: Random sampling enhances generalizability, not ethics.
(e) Option d: Debriefing occurs post-study, not ensuring participation ethics.
(f) Conclusion: Informed consent is essential.
Exam Strategy: Use APA guidelines as a framework for ethics questions. Ad-
vanced students should discuss ethical principles in sensitive research contexts for
essay questions.
4. A study on study apps with a p-value of 0.03 indicates:
a) A 3% chance of a true effect
b) Statistical significance
c) A 97% chance of error
d) No effect
Model Answer: b) Statistical significance
Step-by-Step Rationale:
(a) Understand p-value: probability of results occurring by chance (Fisher, 1925).
(b) P < 0.05 indicates significance, rejecting the null hypothesis.
(c) Option a: Misinterprets p-value as effect probability.
(d) Option b: Correctly identifies statistical significance.
(e) Option c: Inverts the p-values meaning.
(f) Option d: Contradicts the low p-value.
(g) Conclusion: The result is statistically significant.
Exam Strategy: Define p-value and significance threshold in answers. Advanced
students should interpret p-values in the context of study outcomes for data analysis
questions.
5. Which method best studies a rare case of academic phobia?
a) Experiment
3
