VirtualSC Psychology Practice Exam

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• What cognitive distortion involves viewing situations in black-and-white terms?
• What is the process of grouping small pieces of information into larger clusters called?
• Which term refers to the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to?
• Who is renowned as the father of psychoanalysis?
• What do we call psychological tests that measure individual differences in personality traits?
• Which term describes the tendency for individuals in a group to go along with the consensus?
• Identical twins develop from which of the following?
• What is the primary definition of language as described in psychological terms?
• Who is the theorist behind the stages of moral development?
• What hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands during stressful situations?
• What is the name of momentary sensory memory specifically for auditory stimuli?
• What does correlation measure?
• What characterizes maladaptive behavior in psychological terms?
• What does the term "cognitive dissonance" refer to?
• What type of memory is primarily responsible for recalling facts and general knowledge?
• In the context of learning theories, what does reinforcement refer to?
• Which of the following is NOT a typical method used in psychological research?
• What are the major types of psychological research methods?
• What does the term "self-efficacy" refer to?
• What did the Stanford prison experiment emphasize regarding human behavior?
• What is the principle behind operant conditioning?
• Define the concept of “flow” in psychology.
• What is the primary role of a clinical psychologist?
• How is social psychology best defined?
• Which schedule of reinforcement is characterized by providing rewards at consistent intervals?
• What does a dependent variable indicate in a psychological study?
• What does negative reinforcement achieve in behavioral psychology?
• What is cocaine derived from?
• Individuals scared of seeking medical care might have which kind of phobia?
• What does "social loafing" refer to?
• What type of rewards are derived from personal satisfaction when performing well?
• What is the term for the tendency to perceive the shape of an object as constant, even when its shape appears to change on the retina?
• What is the primary focus of psychology?
• What is the characteristic of delta waves during sleep?
• What is systematic desensitization?
• Which psychological defense mechanism involves pretending to forget unpleasant events?
• How do reliability and validity differ in testing?
• Which of the following is a component of Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences?
• What type of conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior?
• Who is associated with the concept of the "collective unconscious"?
• What are misperceptions of visual stimuli commonly referred to as?
• Which reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement at unpredictable time intervals?
• What is the term for the reinforcement of a response by the addition of a pleasurable stimulus?
• What type of learning involves linking two or more stimuli to anticipate events?
• Which psychologist is known for the hierarchy of needs?
• What role does the thalamus play in the brain?
• What is the focus of systematic searching in cognitive psychology?
• Which of the following phobias is not related to the fear of animals?
• What do amphetamines primarily do to bodily functions?
• What term describes awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes?
• In psychological research, what is the main goal of using a random sample?
• What principle does the id operate on, according to Freud?
• What term describes the part of personality that represents internalized ideals according to Freud?
• Which type of phobia might lead someone to avoid petting or being near cats?
• A severe fear of heights is known as what?
• What is fixation in Freudian psychology?
• Who would primarily study reinforcement schedules and their effects on behavior?
• Which type of thinking is characterized by generating new solutions to problems?
• What is an educated guess called in research?
• What is the primary psychoactive ingredient found in tobacco products?
• What role does the prefrontal cortex play in human behavior?
• What type of waves occur when a person is alert and concentrating?
• Which cognitive process is essential for improving memory retention when organizing information?
• What term describes an individual's belief in their capacity to perform a specific task?
• Who is known for his theory of cognitive development in children?
• What psychological effect explains improved performance due to the presence of others?
• Which type of memory is characterized as being relatively permanent and limitless?
• Which term describes memories we do not consciously reflect on?
• What theory suggests that social behavior is learned through observation and imitation?
• Who is well-known for their research on cognitive biases and heuristics?
• What term describes anything that prevents a person from adapting to everyday stresses?
• What type of phobia is characterized by an overwhelming fear of situations that may induce panic attacks?
• What refers to the network of facts and concepts that form our general knowledge of the world?
• Which phobia specifically relates to the fear of flying?
• What differentiates intrinsic motivation from extrinsic motivation?
• What type of therapy focuses on changing maladaptive thought patterns?
• Which theory of personality includes traits such as openness and conscientiousness?
• What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?
• What is the identified range of consciousness in psychology?
• What is cognitive dissonance?
• What is Attachment Theory used to describe?
• What type of disorders often involves patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships?
• What was the significance of the Stanford prison experiment?
• What term describes the processes that combine sensory information to create a coherent visual scene?
• Which research design emphasizes the relationship between variables without implying causation?
• What is the primary difference between acute and chronic stress?
• Which memory type involves the retention of skills and experiences?
• Which of the following describes a person who has a chronic fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult?
• What is one potential drawback of surveys and questionnaires?
• What’s the term for a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people?
• What is the placebo effect?
• People with which phobia often experience anxiety when faced with the prospect of flights?
• What is the purpose of psychological assessments?
• Which type of psychologist emphasizes the learning of associations through conditioning?
• What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) primarily focused on?
• What is the second level of Kohlberg's stages of moral development called?
• Which reinforcement schedule delivers reinforcement only after a specified number of responses?
• Which drug is a narcotic derived from morphine?
• Which of the following is a common treatment strategy for phobias?
• Define the term “self-actualization” according to Maslow.
• Which stages of sleep include both theta waves and sleep spindles?
• What term describes the measurable effect or outcome that a researcher is interested in?
• What is meant by positive reinforcement?
• What term describes an irrational fear of open spaces or public places?
• What is the primary focus of psychodynamic theory?
• Which concept relates to the idea that behavior is influenced by social context?
• Which components make up the central nervous system?
• Which phenomenon involves interpreting an object as having the same actual size, regardless of distance?
• Which concept refers to the mental framework through which we interpret the world?
• Who was one of the first to use hypnosis as a therapeutic practice?
• What characterizes a strong internal locus of control?
• Who is credited with introducing the concept of behavior therapies?
• What type of critical thinking involves evaluating existing solutions to choose the best one?
• What does developmental psychology primarily study?
• Who is considered the founder of functionalism in psychology?
• Which psychologist is known for his work in behaviorism and the Little Albert study?
• In intelligence testing, what does the numerical score usually represent?
• What is the term for thinking that focuses on producing multiple, unique solutions to a problem?
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs is best described as what type of model?
• What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
• Which of the following defines a complex behavior that is unlearned and patterned throughout a species?
• What is the primary goal of humanistic psychology?
• What type of psychological disorders are characterized by inflexible behavior patterns that impair social functioning?
• Which psychological approach emphasizes changes throughout the entire lifespan?
• What does emotional intelligence refer to?
• The belief that increased environmental factors can alter genetic traits is associated with which concept?
• Which aspect of cognitive psychology might involve the study of how memories are structured and retrieved?
• What reinforcement schedule involves reinforcing a response after an unpredictable number of responses?
• What is the purpose of intelligence testing?
• What term describes a temporary gathering of people who share a common focus of attention?
• What is the source of distress for individuals suffering from agoraphobia?
• How does sleep affect memory consolidation?
• What is the Gestalt principle that involves filling in missing information to perceive an entire image?
• What is the primary focus of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
• What mood disorder is characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania?
• Which binocular cue for perceiving depth involves the extent to which the eyes converge when looking at an object?
• Which of the following best defines an independent variable?
• Which of the following is a primary characteristic of abnormal psychology?
• What is a written set of questions answered by a research participant called?
• Which aspect of memory involves the duration information is retained in short-term storage?
• What is referred to as a mental image or best example of a category?
• Which term describes the process of scanning one's memory for information?
• Which phenomenon demonstrates that individuals are less likely to assist a victim when other bystanders are present?
• What is an example of a heuristic in problem-solving?
• What cognitive process enhances the ability to think about and understand one’s own thinking?
• What field of psychology focuses on how individuals think, remember, and organize information?
• What is the role of the amygdala in the brain?
• Which psychological perspective focuses on observable behavior?
• What is the primary focus of cognitive psychology?
• What is the function of the corpus callosum?
• Who developed the theory of cognitive development?
• What is primarily responsible for balancing the desires of the id and the demands of reality?
• Which system connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body?
• Which factors are included in the biopsychosocial model?
• What is the primary purpose of the DSM-5?
• Which Gestalt principle states that parts of a visual stimulus that are close together are perceived as belonging together?
• Which stage in Freud's model is characterized by the focus on pleasure derived from the mouth?
• The debate on whether genes or environmental factors contribute more to a person's development is known as what?
• What research technique involves questioning a large sample to assess behaviors and mental processes, but may face honesty issues?
• What does the superego represent within Freud's structure of personality?
• What does "projection" as a defense mechanism entail?
• Who devised the theory of multiple intelligences?
• What type of sample allows each member of a population an equal chance of inclusion?
• What aspect of personality does the "id" represent in psychodynamic theory?
• What is the term used for the fear of crowds or open spaces resulting in feelings of loss of control and panic?
• Which of the following stages focuses on conformity to societal norms?
• In cognitive-behavioral therapy, what role do automatic thoughts play?
• What type of memory involves recalling personal past experiences?
• Which of the following traits is considered part of the Five Factor Model?
• In Freud's psychosexual development theory, which stage comes after the anal stage?
• Which type of learning is characterized by observing others and modeling their behavior?
• What is a small, exclusive group called that is held together by shared interests?
• What contains a reservoir of unconscious psychic energy striving to satisfy basic drives, according to Freud?
• What does “groupthink” refer to?
• Which of the following best describes cognitive dissonance?
• What is the primary focus of cognitive psychology?
• How is a psychological disorder defined?
• What is neuroplasticity?
• Fraternal twins develop from which of the following?
• What is the difference between a "fixed mindset" and a "growth mindset"?
• What concept in psychology refers to the process of learning through rewards and penalties?
• Which problem-solving strategy is typically faster but can lead to more errors?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the main branches of psychology?
• What is the term for the tendency of sensory receptor cells to become less responsive to a constant stimulus?
• What is the medical term for the fear of cats?
• Which psychological approach emphasizes the importance of observable behavior and the environment?
• The main function of the cerebrum is to?
• What type of reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement only after a specified time has elapsed?
• Which cognitive bias refers to the tendency to remember information that supports one's existing beliefs?
• A person who refuses to fly due to severe anxiety may be diagnosed with which phobia?
• What is the hypothalamus primarily responsible for?
• What is typically a symptomatic feature of mania?
• What do peripheral nerves primarily facilitate?
• What branch of psychology focuses on physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout a person's life span?
• What is the term for a fear of blood?
• What distinguishes classical conditioning from operant conditioning?
• Which type of memory involves brief retention of visual stimuli?
• According to Freud, what part of personality mediates among the id, superego, and reality?
• Which personality trait reflects a tendency to be organized and dependable?
• What does Milgram's obedience study demonstrate?
• What research method involves manipulating one or more factors to observe effects on behavior or mental processes?
• Which structure in the brain is crucial for communication between the left and right hemispheres?
• Which principle suggests that parts of a visual stimulus that are similar are perceived as belonging together?
• Which brain wave pattern indicates a person is awake but relaxing?
• In which level of Kohlberg's moral development are behaviors governed by individual moral principles?
• Which condition is marked by an excessively optimistic state?
• What problem-solving method involves trying out different solutions until a successful one is found?
• Which type of variable is manipulated in an experiment?
• What psychological term refers to the observable behavior of an organism in response to stimuli?
• What does the term “resilience” refer to in psychology?
• Which of the following refers to the ego's protective methods of reducing anxiety by distorting reality?
• What is the first level of Kohlberg's stages of moral development called?
• What is the "intelligence quotient" (IQ) primarily used to measure?
• What does behaviorism primarily focus on?
• What do the adrenal glands secrete in response to stress?
• What type of research method involves observing subjects in their natural environment?
• Who is known for founding psychoanalysis and focusing on the unconscious causes of behavior?
• What psychological concept explains the enhanced performance of individuals in a group?
• Phobias are typically classified as which type of disorders?
• What is the goal of cognitive restructuring in therapy?
• Who is known for their experiments on classical conditioning with dogs?
• Which of the following best describes test reliability?
• What is the Gestalt principle that suggests lines or patterns that follow a smooth contour are perceived as part of a whole?
• What therapeutic technique uses gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing stimuli paired with relaxation?
• Which area of the brain is responsible for all voluntary activities of the body?
• The term “nature vs. nurture” discusses which of the following?