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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Psychology & Mental Health

Psychology 100 Test 1 Quiz - Test Your PSYC 100 Skills

Think you can ace this Psych 100 Exam 1? Dive in and prove it!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art brain gears on teal background for PSYC 100 quiz on language acquisition cognitive processes human behavior

Ready to conquer your introductory psychology journey? Welcome to the Psychology 100 Test 1: Ultimate PSYC 100 Quiz Challenge! This dynamic quiz puts your knowledge of language acquisition, cognitive processes, developmental milestones, and human behavior to the test. Perfect for those prepping for their psych 100 exam 1 or anyone looking to sharpen skills with a PSYC 100 practice quiz, you'll get instant insights on strengths and areas to improve before the psychology final exam quiz. Explore detailed feedback in our comprehensive review guide or reinforce concepts with a focused practice set . Let curiosity lead the way - start now and boost your confidence!

What is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes?
Psychology
Biology
Anthropology
Sociology
Psychology is defined as the scientific discipline that studies mental processes and behavior. It includes various perspectives such as cognitive, behavioral, and social. Unlike biology or sociology, it focuses specifically on individuals' minds and actions. For more, see APA - What is Psychology?
Which research method involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another variable?
Experimental method
Case study
Naturalistic observation
Correlational study
The experimental method involves deliberate manipulation of an independent variable and measurement of its effect on a dependent variable. This design allows for causal inferences. Correlational studies can identify relationships but cannot establish causation. See Simply Psychology - Experimental Method
Which early school of psychology focused on the structure of conscious experience?
Behaviorism
Gestalt psychology
Functionalism
Structuralism
Structuralism, founded by Wundt and Titchener, analyzed consciousness into basic elements like sensations and feelings. It sought the structure of the mind through introspection. Functionalism, in contrast, examined how mental processes help adaptation. For more, see Britannica - Structuralism
Who is considered the father of psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud
B.F. Skinner
Carl Jung
William James
Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis, a therapeutic approach focusing on unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences. His work introduced concepts like the id, ego, and superego. Jung was a psychoanalyst but diverged into analytical psychology. See Britannica - Sigmund Freud
What does an operational definition do in research?
It defines variables in measurable terms
It selects participants
It reviews previous literature
It summarizes results
Operational definitions specify how variables are measured or manipulated, ensuring clarity and replicability. Without them, research findings may be ambiguous. Literature reviews and participant selection are separate research steps. See Simply Psychology - Operational Definition
Which term refers to factors that are manipulated by the researcher?
Control variables
Dependent variables
Independent variables
Confounding variables
Independent variables are the conditions or treatments the researcher manipulates to observe effects. Dependent variables reflect outcomes or responses. Control variables are kept constant to prevent confounds. For details, see Verywell Mind - Independent Variable
Which perspective emphasizes environmental influences on behavior versus genetics?
Cognitive
Biological
Nurture
Nature
'Nurture' refers to environmental factors such as upbringing, culture, and experiences. 'Nature' pertains to genetic inheritance. The nature - nurture debate explores how both contribute to behavior and traits. See Britannica - Nature vs Nurture
What type of learning involves forming associations between stimuli and responses?
Operant conditioning
Observational learning
Insight learning
Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning, first studied by Pavlov, pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus elicits a conditioned response. Operant conditioning involves consequences of behavior. Observational learning relies on modeling. More at Simply Psychology - Classical Conditioning
Who first described classical conditioning through experiments with dogs?
Edward Thorndike
Ivan Pavlov
John Watson
B.F. Skinner
Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning while studying salivation in dogs. His research demonstrated how neutral stimuli can become conditioned triggers. Watson later applied these ideas to human behavior. See Britannica - Ivan Pavlov
Which lobe of the brain primarily processes visual information?
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is specialized for visual processing. The temporal lobe handles auditory information, the frontal lobe manages executive functions, and the parietal lobe processes somatosensory data. See Britannica - Occipital Lobe
Which part of a neuron receives incoming signals?
Dendrites
Myelin sheath
Axon
Soma
Dendrites are tree-like extensions of the neuron that receive chemical signals from other neurons. The soma integrates these signals. The axon transmits impulses, and the myelin sheath speeds conduction. More at Khan Academy - Neuron Overview
What term describes the body's maintenance of a stable internal environment?
Adaptation
Homeostasis
Metabolism
Equilibrium
Homeostasis refers to physiological processes that keep internal conditions within narrow limits, such as temperature and pH. Metabolism is the sum of chemical reactions, while equilibrium is a broader term not specific to biology. For details, see Britannica - Homeostasis
Which principle suggests we perceive whole objects rather than a collection of parts?
Gestalt principle
Behaviorist principle
Psychoanalytic principle
Cognitive principle
Gestalt psychology posits that the mind organizes sensory input into meaningful wholes rather than isolated elements. Famous laws include proximity and similarity. This contrasts with structuralist breakdown of experiences. See Simply Psychology - Gestalt Theory
What is the smallest unit of sound in a language?
Phoneme
Syntax
Semantics
Morpheme
A phoneme is the smallest distinct sound unit in a language. Morphemes are smallest meaningful units. Syntax governs sentence structure, and semantics relates to meaning. More at Britannica - Phoneme
Which memory store holds information for only a few seconds before it decays or is transferred?
Sensory memory
Working memory
Short-term memory
Long-term memory
Short-term memory retains information for about 20 - 30 seconds. Sensory memory holds an even briefer trace, and long-term memory stores information indefinitely. Working memory is a more active form but similarly limited in duration. See Simply Psychology - Short-Term Memory
Which process describes using prior knowledge and expectations to interpret sensory information?
Top-down processing
Vertical processing
Lateral processing
Bottom-up processing
Top-down processing uses context, prior knowledge, and expectations to interpret incoming data. Bottom-up processing builds perception from raw sensory input. The other terms are not standard in perceptual theory. For more, see Verywell Mind - Top-Down Processing
Which memory model proposes separate stores for sensory register, short-term, and long-term memory?
Levels-of-processing model
Working memory model
Multi-store model
Connectionist model
The multi-store model by Atkinson and Shiffrin describes sensory, short-term, and long-term memory as distinct stores. The levels-of-processing model focuses on depth of encoding, and Baddeley's working memory model refines short-term memory. See Britannica - Multi-Store Model
What strategy involves grouping items into meaningful units to improve retention?
Elaboration
Chunking
Mnemonics
Rehearsal
Chunking clusters individual bits of information into larger, meaningful units, increasing short-term memory capacity. Rehearsal repeats information, elaboration adds details, and mnemonics create associations. More at Simply Psychology - Chunking
Which type of long-term memory stores factual information and personal experiences?
Implicit memory
Explicit memory
Sensory memory
Procedural memory
Explicit (declarative) memory includes semantic (facts) and episodic (events) memory. Implicit memory involves skills and conditioned responses. Procedural memory is a subtype of implicit memory. See Simply Psychology - Explicit vs Implicit Memory
Which reinforcement schedule typically produces the highest and most resistant response rate?
Variable-ratio schedule
Variable-interval schedule
Fixed-ratio schedule
Fixed-interval schedule
Variable-ratio schedules reinforce a response after an unpredictable number of responses, creating a high and steady rate resistant to extinction. Fixed-ratio yields high rates but pauses after reinforcement. See Simply Psychology - Reinforcement Schedules
In language development, what is the time frame during which language acquisition occurs most easily?
Puberty
Critical period
Adulthood
Latency period
The critical period hypothesis suggests there is an optimal early life window for language acquisition, typically ending around puberty. After this period, language learning becomes more difficult. See Simply Psychology - Critical Period
Who first discovered mirror neurons, thought to underlie observational learning?
Albert Bandura
Giacomo Rizzolatti
B.F. Skinner
Wolfgang Köhler
Rizzolatti and colleagues discovered mirror neurons in the premotor cortex of macaque monkeys, which fire during both action execution and observation. Bandura later applied observational learning but did not discover the neurons themselves. See Britannica - Mirror Neuron
Which type of conditioning involves learning through consequences such as rewards and punishments?
Classical conditioning
Latent learning
Observational learning
Operant conditioning
Operant conditioning, studied by B.F. Skinner, uses reinforcements and punishments to shape behavior. Classical conditioning pairs stimuli, while observational learning models behavior. Latent learning occurs without immediate reinforcement. See Simply Psychology - Operant Conditioning
The Stroop effect demonstrates interference between which two types of processing?
Automatic and controlled processing
Serial and parallel processing
Top-down and bottom-up processing
Explicit and implicit processing
The Stroop effect shows that automatic processing of word meaning interferes with controlled processing of ink color naming, causing slower responses. This illustrates competition between automatic and controlled attention. See Simply Psychology - Stroop Effect
Who proposed the idea of an innate language acquisition device?
B.F. Skinner
Lev Vygotsky
Jean Piaget
Noam Chomsky
Chomsky argued that children are born with an innate language acquisition device (LAD) that facilitates grammar learning. Skinner had proposed behaviorist reinforcement accounts, and Piaget and Vygotsky focused on cognitive and sociocultural development. See Britannica - Noam Chomsky
Which psychologist outlined stages of cognitive development from infancy to adolescence?
Jean Piaget
Lev Vygotsky
Lawrence Kohlberg
Erik Erikson
Piaget described sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages of cognitive development. Vygotsky emphasized social context, Erikson psychosocial stages, and Kohlberg moral development. See Simply Psychology - Piaget's Stages
What term describes focusing on one stimulus while ignoring others?
Alternating attention
Divided attention
Sustained attention
Selective attention
Selective attention involves concentrating on a single stimulus and filtering out distractions, as in the cocktail party effect. Divided attention multitasks, while sustained attention maintains focus over time. See Britannica - Selective Attention
Which theory suggests memory traces fade over time without rehearsal?
Decay theory
Encoding failure theory
Interference theory
Retrieval failure theory
Decay theory posits that the neural memory trace degrades over time when not activated. Interference theory attributes forgetting to competition between memories. Retrieval failure and encoding failure focus on access and initial storage issues. More at Psychologist World - Decay Theory
In classical conditioning, what is a previously neutral stimulus called after it elicits a conditioned response?
Reinforced stimulus
Conditioned stimulus
Unconditioned stimulus
Neutral stimulus
After pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus, eliciting the response on its own. The unconditioned stimulus naturally produces the unconditioned response without prior learning. See Simply Psychology - Classical Conditioning
Which hormone is most closely linked to the body's stress response?
Serotonin
Dopamine
Oxytocin
Cortisol
Cortisol is released by the adrenal cortex during stress and helps mobilize energy. Oxytocin is related to bonding, serotonin to mood regulation, and dopamine to reward pathways. More at Healthline - Cortisol
Which cognitive bias leads individuals to seek information that confirms their existing beliefs?
Availability heuristic
Hindsight bias
Representative bias
Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that aligns with current beliefs or hypotheses. It can lead to ignoring disconfirming evidence. Availability heuristic is based on ease of recall, not belief confirmation. See Psychology Today - Confirmation Bias
What heuristic involves estimating the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind?
Availability heuristic
Representativeness heuristic
Anchoring heuristic
Simulation heuristic
The availability heuristic relies on the ease of recalling examples to judge frequency or probability. Anchoring involves relying on initial information, and representativeness involves similarity to prototypes. See Simply Psychology - Availability Heuristic
According to Miller, what is the average capacity of short-term memory?
7±2 items
4±2 items
5±1 items
9±3 items
George Miller proposed that short-term memory capacity is about seven plus or minus two chunks of information. Chunking can expand effective capacity. Other estimates differ, but Miller's rule remains influential. See Britannica - George A. Miller
Which brain structure is essential for forming new long-term memories?
Thalamus
Amygdala
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is critical for consolidating new declarative memories. The amygdala modulates emotional memories, and the thalamus relays sensory signals. See Britannica - Hippocampus
Which type of motivation is driven by internal rewards such as satisfaction or interest?
Extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation
Social motivation
Optimal motivation
Intrinsic motivation arises from within, driven by personal interest or enjoyment. Extrinsic motivation depends on external rewards or pressures. Internal drives are more stable over time. See Verywell Mind - Intrinsic Motivation
In transformational grammar, what term refers to the underlying meaning of a sentence?
Deep structure
Phonemic structure
Surface structure
Semantic frame
Chomsky's theory distinguishes deep structure as the abstract semantic meaning and surface structure as the actual spoken form. Transformations map deep to surface structures. See Britannica - Transformational Grammar
What effect describes improved retrieval when learning and testing occur in the same environment?
Serial position effect
Context-dependent memory
Mood-congruent memory
State-dependent memory
Context-dependent memory shows that recall is better when the physical environment at encoding matches retrieval. State-dependent involves internal states, and mood-congruent relates to emotional state. See Simply Psychology - Context-dependent Memory
Who identified the phenomenon of 'groupthink' in decision-making groups?
Solomon Asch
Leon Festinger
Kurt Lewin
Irving Janis
Irving Janis coined 'groupthink' to describe flawed group decisions stemming from the desire for conformity and cohesiveness. Asch studied conformity, Lewin group dynamics broadly, and Festinger cognitive dissonance. See Britannica - Groupthink
What cognitive barrier prevents seeing alternative uses for an object?
Mental set
Confirmation bias
Functional fixedness
Perseveration
Functional fixedness is the tendency to view objects in their customary functions, hindering creative problem solving. Mental set is using familiar strategies, and confirmation bias is seeking matching information. See Simply Psychology - Functional Fixedness
Which area of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for speech production?
Angular gyrus
Primary motor cortex
Broca's area
Wernicke's area
Broca's area, located in the left frontal lobe, controls articulation and speech production. Wernicke's area manages language comprehension. Damage to Broca's area results in nonfluent aphasia. See Britannica - Broca's Area
Which projective test uses ambiguous inkblot images to assess personality?
MMPI
Beck Depression Inventory
Thematic Apperception Test
Rorschach inkblot test
The Rorschach test presents ambiguous inkblots and interprets responses to reveal unconscious motives and conflicts. The TAT uses pictures, MMPI is a self-report inventory. See Britannica - Rorschach Test
What law describes the relationship between arousal level and performance quality?
Gestalt law
Yerkes-Dodson law
Weber's law
Fechner's law
The Yerkes - Dodson law posits performance improves with arousal up to an optimal level, after which it declines. Weber's and Fechner's laws relate to sensation, and Gestalt laws to perception. See Britannica - Yerkes-Dodson Law
Which bias involves attributing successes to personal factors and failures to external causes?
Fundamental attribution error
Stereotyping
Self-serving bias
Actor-observer bias
Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute positive outcomes to oneself and negative outcomes to outside factors. The fundamental attribution error judges others' behaviors over-situational factors. See Verywell Mind - Self-Serving Bias
What mental structures help individuals organize and interpret information?
Frames
Matrices
Scripts
Schemas
Schemas are cognitive frameworks that organize knowledge and guide information processing. Scripts are event sequences. Frames and matrices are not standard cognitive constructs. See Britannica - Schema
In perception, what is the distal stimulus?
The actual object in the environment
The image on the retina
The neural signal
The perceptual experience
The distal stimulus is the real-world object that provides sensory input. The proximal stimulus is the retinal image or sensory pattern. Neural signals and perceptions occur later in processing. See Britannica - Distal Stimulus
What phenomenon occurs when people exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone?
Group polarization
Deindividuation
Social loafing
Groupthink
Social loafing describes reduced individual effort in group tasks. Group polarization and groupthink relate to decision dynamics, while deindividuation involves loss of self-awareness. See Britannica - Social Loafing
Which statistical method is used to identify underlying factors in intelligence tests?
Factor analysis
Regression analysis
ANOVA
Chi-square test
Factor analysis reduces observed variables into latent factors, widely used in test development and intelligence research. It identifies patterns among correlations. Other methods serve different analytic purposes. See Wikipedia - Factor Analysis
In signal detection theory, what is a 'hit'?
No response to absence of stimulus
Failing to detect a present stimulus
Reporting a stimulus when none is present
Correctly detecting a present stimulus
A hit occurs when the observer correctly reports the presence of a signal. A false alarm is reporting a signal that isn't there. Miss and correct rejection are the other outcomes. See Britannica - Signal Detection Theory
In split-brain patients, information presented to the left visual field is processed primarily by which hemisphere?
Left hemisphere
Both hemispheres equally
Right hemisphere
Occipital lobe only
Visual input from the left visual field projects to the right hemisphere. In split-brain patients, the hemispheres cannot share information, revealing lateralization. See Britannica - Split Brain
Dual-process theories of cognition distinguish between which two systems?
Explicit and implicit attitudes
Fast and slow reflexes
Conscious and unconscious memory
Analytical and intuitive systems
Dual-process models propose System 1 (fast, automatic, intuitive) and System 2 (slow, effortful, analytical). This framework explains decision making, biases, and reasoning. See Simply Psychology - Dual-Process Theories
Which evolutionary concept explains altruistic behavior toward genetic relatives?
Kin selection
Inclusive fitness fallacy
Reciprocal altruism
Group selection
Kin selection theory posits that individuals are more likely to help relatives to ensure the propagation of shared genes. Reciprocal altruism explains non-kin cooperation, and group selection is less supported. See Britannica - Kin Selection
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Major Language Acquisition Theories -

    After completing the quiz, you will be able to identify and summarize key theories of language acquisition, including behaviorist, nativist, and interactionist models.

  2. Differentiate Core Cognitive Processes -

    You will distinguish between fundamental cognitive functions such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving to strengthen your understanding of mental processes.

  3. Analyze Human Behavior Fundamentals -

    You will examine real-world scenarios to analyze behavioral principles and understand how theories of motivation, learning, and social influence shape human actions.

  4. Apply Psychological Concepts to Quiz Questions -

    You will practice applying theoretical knowledge to PSYC 100 test items, improving your skills in selecting evidence-based answers under exam conditions.

  5. Evaluate Your PSYC 100 Exam Readiness -

    Leveraging instant feedback and detailed explanations, you will assess your strengths and identify areas for improvement before tackling PSYC 100 Exam 1.

  6. Reinforce Core PSYC 100 Knowledge -

    Through targeted practice, you will consolidate foundational concepts in language acquisition, cognition, and behavior to boost retention and confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Language Acquisition Theories -

    Behaviorist (Skinner) and nativist (Chomsky) theories explain language acquisition with environmental reinforcement versus an inborn grammar module. Chomsky's Language Acquisition Device (LAD) proposes we're born with universal grammar, challenging Skinner's stimulus-response model (APA, 2010). Mnemonic: 'LAD' helps you remember the nativist approach on your Psychology 100 Test 1.

  2. Memory Models & Chunking -

    Atkinson-Shiffrin's multi-store model distinguishes sensory, short-term, and long-term memory stores (University of Florida, 2021). Baddeley's working memory model further splits short-term memory into phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive, crucial for effective chunking (Miller's 7±2). Tip: Use '7 Wonders' to recall Miller's magic number when studying for your Psych 100 Exam 1.

  3. Classical vs. Operant Conditioning -

    Classical conditioning (Pavlov) pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response, while operant conditioning (Skinner) uses reinforcements or punishments to shape voluntary actions (Stanford Psychology Department resources). For example, ringing a bell before feeding dogs versus rewarding a rat for lever presses. Mnemonic: 'CC vs. OA' (Cue-Condition vs. Operant Actions) keeps the difference clear for your PSYC 100 practice quiz.

  4. Piaget's Cognitive Development Stages -

    Piaget's four stages outline child cognition: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational (University of Cambridge, 2019). Each stage marks qualitative shifts, like mastering object permanence then abstract logic. Mnemonic: 'Some People Can Fly' to recall stages for Psychology 100 Test 1.

  5. Research Methods & Ethics -

    Experimental designs manipulate an independent variable and measure a dependent outcome with control groups to establish causality (APA, 2017). Correlational studies reveal relationships but remember: correlation ≠ causation. Always apply APA's ethical standards - like informed consent and debriefing - to ace your psychology final exam quiz.

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