Psychology Exam Practice Questions

Michael and Abigail are curious about what psychology is all about. Can you help them figure it out? Psychology is the study of:

• the mind and behavior

• the human body

• chemical reactions

• mathematics

Answer explanation

Psychology focuses on understanding the mind and behavior of individuals. It explores mental processes, emotions, and actions, making 'the mind and behavior' the correct choice, unlike the other options which pertain to different fields.

Luna and Liam are having a debate in class! Luna says psychology is different from pseudoscience, but Liam isn’t so sure. Can you help them out? How is psychology different from pseudoscience? Provide an example of each.

• Psychology uses scientific methods and evidence, while pseudoscience lacks scientific support. For example, psychology studies behavior through experiments, while astrology is a pseudoscience based on unproven beliefs.

• Psychology and pseudoscience both use scientific methods and have equal evidence for their claims. For example, both use astrology and experiments.

• Psychology is based on personal opinions, while pseudoscience is based on scientific research. For example, psychology uses astrology, while pseudoscience uses experiments.

• Psychology and pseudoscience are the same and both rely on untested beliefs. For example, both use astrology.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that psychology employs scientific methods and evidence, unlike pseudoscience, which lacks scientific support. For instance, psychology uses experiments to study behavior, while astrology is an unproven belief system.

Avery, Ethan, and Kai are curious about the main goals of psychology for their class project. Which of the following lists the four main goals they should focus on?

• Describe, explain, predict, control

• Analyze, synthesize, evaluate, create

• Observe, record, interpret, apply

• Measure, compare, contrast, summarize

Answer explanation

The four main goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes. This choice accurately reflects the foundational objectives of the field, making it the correct answer.

Charlotte, Anika, and Nora are curious about different fields of study. Which of the following is actually a branch of psychology, and what does it focus on?

• Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders.

• Botany focuses on plant life.

• Astrology focuses on celestial bodies' influence on humans.

• Geology focuses on Earth's physical structure.

Answer explanation

Clinical psychology is a recognized field of psychology that specifically focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

Nora and Noah are curious about mental health careers. They read a case study comparing a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Which of the following best describes the main difference between these two professionals?

• A psychologist primarily provides therapy and counseling, while a psychiatrist can prescribe medication and manage medical treatments.

• A psychologist performs surgery, while a psychiatrist only provides talk therapy.

• A psychologist prescribes medication, while a psychiatrist only conducts psychological testing.

• A psychologist and psychiatrist have identical roles in all aspects of mental health care.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that psychologists focus on therapy and counseling, while psychiatrists can prescribe medication and manage medical treatments, reflecting their distinct roles in mental health care.

Noah and Grace are discussing what it means to be a 'psychopath.' Which of the following best describes a psychopath, and how is this trait measured?

• A person with antisocial personality traits, measured by the Hare Psychopathy Checklist

• A person with high intelligence, measured by IQ tests

• A person with anxiety disorders, measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory

• A person with mood swings, measured by the Mood Disorder Questionnaire

Answer explanation

A 'psychopath' is characterized by antisocial personality traits, which are assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, making this the correct choice. The other options relate to different psychological conditions.

Aria and Nora are discussing what makes people behave in certain ways. Which of the following are examples of biological and social factors that can influence criminal behaviour?

• Genetics and peer pressure

• Weather and diet

• Language and fashion

• Technology and transportation

Answer explanation

Genetics can predispose individuals to certain behaviors, while peer pressure can influence decisions and actions. Together, they represent key biological and social factors affecting criminal behavior.

Liam, Arjun, and Noah are studying mental health conditions. They come across Borderline Personality Disorder. Which of the following best describes its key features?

• Emotional instability, impulsive behavior, unstable relationships

• Hallucinations and delusions

• Obsessive thoughts and compulsions

• Memory loss and confusion

Answer explanation

Key features of Borderline Personality Disorder include emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and unstable relationships. The other options, such as hallucinations and compulsions, are not characteristic of this disorder.

Scarlett and Rohan witnessed an exciting event at school. Later, Scarlett remembers details that others mentioned, but she’s not sure if she saw them herself! Which of the following is an example of how memory can be unreliable in eyewitness testimony?

• A witness remembers details that were suggested by others rather than what actually happened.

• A witness recalls every detail of the event accurately.

• A witness is unable to forget the event.

• A witness refuses to testify in court.

Answer explanation

The correct choice illustrates how memory can be influenced by external suggestions, leading a witness to recall details that were not part of the actual event, highlighting the unreliability of eyewitness testimony.

Imagine Arjun is trying to remember where he left his keys. What are retrieval cues that can help him recall this information?

• hints or stimuli

• types of memory loss

• methods of forgetting

• ways to store information

Answer explanation

Retrieval cues are hints or stimuli that trigger the recall of information from memory, making them essential for effective memory retrieval.