Fall Semester 2025 – WGU PSYCH D094:
Educational Psychology | Western Governors
University (WGU) | Updated 2025/2026 Complete
Study Pack | 240+ Verified Practice and
Application Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Cognitive Development,
Learning Theories, and Classroom Behavior Exam
Prep Guide
Question 1
What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?
A) The study of personality traits
B) The study of mental disorders
C) The changes in behavior and mental processes over a lifespan
D) The study of societal influences on behavior
Rationale: Developmental psychology primarily focuses on how individuals change
over time in terms of behavior and mental processes.
Question 2
Which psychologist is known for the theory of cognitive development?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Jean Piaget
C) Erik Erikson
D) B.F. Skinner
Rationale: Jean Piaget is renowned for his theory of cognitive development, which
outlines how children's thinking evolves.
Question 3
What is the primary function of the amygdala?
A) Memory formation
B) Emotion regulation and response
C) Coordination of movement
D) Language processing
Rationale: The amygdala is primarily involved in emotion regulation and response,
particularly fear and pleasure.
,Question 4
What does the term "nature vs. nurture" refer to in psychology?
A) The effects of medication on behavior
B) The debate over genetic vs. environmental influences on behavior
C) The relationship between mental and physical health
D) The importance of therapy in mental health
Rationale: "Nature vs. nurture" refers to the debate regarding the relative contributions
of genetics and environment in shaping behavior.
Question 5
Which of the following is a key component of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
A) Self-actualization
B) Cognitive dissonance
C) Classical conditioning
D) Observational learning
Rationale: Self-actualization is the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs,
representing the fulfillment of personal potential.
Question 6
What is operant conditioning?
A) Learning through observation
B) Learning through consequences
C) Associative learning through pairing
D) Learning through insight
Rationale: Operant conditioning involves learning through rewards and punishments as
consequences of behavior.
Question 7
What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
A) To explore unconscious desires
B) To change negative thought patterns
C) To improve interpersonal relationships
D) To reinforce learned behaviors
Rationale: The primary goal of CBT is to change negative thought patterns that
contribute to emotional distress.
,Question 8
Which structure of the brain is primarily responsible for higher-level thinking and
decision-making?
A) Brainstem
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Cerebellum
D) Amygdala
Rationale: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher-level thinking, decision-
making, and complex cognitive behavior.
Question 9
What type of research method involves observing subjects in their natural environment?
A) Laboratory experiment
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Structured interview
D) Case study
Rationale: Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural
environment without interference.
Question 10
What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
A) To manipulate variables
B) To serve as a comparison for the experimental group
C) To increase sample size
D) To ensure random assignment
Rationale: The control group serves as a baseline for comparison against the
experimental group in an experiment.
Question 11
What does the term "cognitive dissonance" refer to?
A) The inability to process information
B) The mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs
C) A state of emotional instability
D) A type of memory loss
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort experienced when a person
holds contradictory beliefs or attitudes.
, Question 12
What is the main concept behind classical conditioning?
A) Learning through rewards
B) Learning through association
C) Learning through imitation
D) Learning through reasoning
Rationale: Classical conditioning involves learning by associating a neutral stimulus
with a significant stimulus to elicit a response.
Question 13
Which of the following is a key characteristic of the psychodynamic approach?
A) Focus on observable behavior
B) Emphasis on unconscious processes
C) Reliance on behavioral reinforcement
D) Use of statistical analysis
Rationale: The psychodynamic approach emphasizes unconscious processes and the
influence of childhood experiences on adult behavior.
Question 14
What is the primary focus of humanistic psychology?
A) Personal growth and self-actualization
B) The study of mental illness
C) Behavioral conditioning
D) Cognitive processes
Rationale: Humanistic psychology focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and
the individual's potential.
Question 15
Which psychologist is associated with the concept of "the zone of proximal
development"?
A) B.F. Skinner
B) Lev Vygotsky
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Erik Erikson
Educational Psychology | Western Governors
University (WGU) | Updated 2025/2026 Complete
Study Pack | 240+ Verified Practice and
Application Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Cognitive Development,
Learning Theories, and Classroom Behavior Exam
Prep Guide
Question 1
What is the primary focus of developmental psychology?
A) The study of personality traits
B) The study of mental disorders
C) The changes in behavior and mental processes over a lifespan
D) The study of societal influences on behavior
Rationale: Developmental psychology primarily focuses on how individuals change
over time in terms of behavior and mental processes.
Question 2
Which psychologist is known for the theory of cognitive development?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Jean Piaget
C) Erik Erikson
D) B.F. Skinner
Rationale: Jean Piaget is renowned for his theory of cognitive development, which
outlines how children's thinking evolves.
Question 3
What is the primary function of the amygdala?
A) Memory formation
B) Emotion regulation and response
C) Coordination of movement
D) Language processing
Rationale: The amygdala is primarily involved in emotion regulation and response,
particularly fear and pleasure.
,Question 4
What does the term "nature vs. nurture" refer to in psychology?
A) The effects of medication on behavior
B) The debate over genetic vs. environmental influences on behavior
C) The relationship between mental and physical health
D) The importance of therapy in mental health
Rationale: "Nature vs. nurture" refers to the debate regarding the relative contributions
of genetics and environment in shaping behavior.
Question 5
Which of the following is a key component of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
A) Self-actualization
B) Cognitive dissonance
C) Classical conditioning
D) Observational learning
Rationale: Self-actualization is the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs,
representing the fulfillment of personal potential.
Question 6
What is operant conditioning?
A) Learning through observation
B) Learning through consequences
C) Associative learning through pairing
D) Learning through insight
Rationale: Operant conditioning involves learning through rewards and punishments as
consequences of behavior.
Question 7
What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
A) To explore unconscious desires
B) To change negative thought patterns
C) To improve interpersonal relationships
D) To reinforce learned behaviors
Rationale: The primary goal of CBT is to change negative thought patterns that
contribute to emotional distress.
,Question 8
Which structure of the brain is primarily responsible for higher-level thinking and
decision-making?
A) Brainstem
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Cerebellum
D) Amygdala
Rationale: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher-level thinking, decision-
making, and complex cognitive behavior.
Question 9
What type of research method involves observing subjects in their natural environment?
A) Laboratory experiment
B) Naturalistic observation
C) Structured interview
D) Case study
Rationale: Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural
environment without interference.
Question 10
What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
A) To manipulate variables
B) To serve as a comparison for the experimental group
C) To increase sample size
D) To ensure random assignment
Rationale: The control group serves as a baseline for comparison against the
experimental group in an experiment.
Question 11
What does the term "cognitive dissonance" refer to?
A) The inability to process information
B) The mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs
C) A state of emotional instability
D) A type of memory loss
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort experienced when a person
holds contradictory beliefs or attitudes.
, Question 12
What is the main concept behind classical conditioning?
A) Learning through rewards
B) Learning through association
C) Learning through imitation
D) Learning through reasoning
Rationale: Classical conditioning involves learning by associating a neutral stimulus
with a significant stimulus to elicit a response.
Question 13
Which of the following is a key characteristic of the psychodynamic approach?
A) Focus on observable behavior
B) Emphasis on unconscious processes
C) Reliance on behavioral reinforcement
D) Use of statistical analysis
Rationale: The psychodynamic approach emphasizes unconscious processes and the
influence of childhood experiences on adult behavior.
Question 14
What is the primary focus of humanistic psychology?
A) Personal growth and self-actualization
B) The study of mental illness
C) Behavioral conditioning
D) Cognitive processes
Rationale: Humanistic psychology focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and
the individual's potential.
Question 15
Which psychologist is associated with the concept of "the zone of proximal
development"?
A) B.F. Skinner
B) Lev Vygotsky
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Erik Erikson
