Question 1

A psychologist wants to determine if a new teaching method causes improved test scores. Which research method should she use, and what is the key feature that allows her to infer causation?

Accepted Answer

Experiment; manipulation of the independent variable with random assignment

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Accepted Answer

A teenager is allowed to skip chores after getting good grades

Question 3

A patient suffers a stroke and can no longer recognize faces, but can still see and hear normally. Which brain lobe is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Question 4

According to Piaget, which cognitive milestone is achieved during the sensorimotor stage?

Accepted Answer

Object permanence

Question 5

A researcher finds that as hours spent watching TV increase, grades decrease among high school students. What type of correlation is this, and what is the correct formula for the correlation coefficient?

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation; $$ r \u003c 0 $$

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Believing a coworker missed a deadline due to laziness, ignoring possible external factors

Question 7

A person is able to recall facts and events but struggles to remember how to ride a bicycle. Which type of memory is most likely impaired?

Accepted Answer

Implicit memory

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Accepted Answer

Physiological arousal occurs first, then emotion is experienced

Question 9

A therapist helps a client identify and change distorted thought patterns that lead to depression. Which type of therapy is being used?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Question 10

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates observational learning as described by Bandura?

Accepted Answer

A child learns to tie their shoes after watching their older sibling do it

Question 11

A person is experiencing rapid heartbeat, sweating, and intense fear without any real danger. Which psychological disorder is most likely being described?

Accepted Answer

Panic Disorder

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences?

Accepted Answer

Emotional

Question 13

A person who is outgoing, sociable, and enjoys being around others would score high on which Big Five personality trait?

Accepted Answer

Extraversion

Question 14

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for regulating hunger, thirst, and hormone release?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Question 15

A researcher wants to minimize the placebo effect in a drug study. Which procedure should she use?

Accepted Answer

Double-blind study

Question 16

According to Maslow's hierarchy, which need must be satisfied before a person can focus on esteem needs?

Accepted Answer

Love/Belonging

Question 17

A person who blames their own poor performance on a test on the teacher's unfair questions, but attributes a classmate's poor performance to laziness, is demonstrating which concept?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Attribution Error

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Prepares the body for fight or flight

Question 19

A person is able to remember a phone number just long enough to dial it, but forgets it immediately after. Which type of memory is being used?

Accepted Answer

Short-term (working) memory

Question 20

Which of the following best illustrates the Gestalt principle of figure-ground?

Accepted Answer

Seeing a vase or two faces in an ambiguous image

Comprehensive Study Notes: Foundations of Psychology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards