PSY 100 - Unit 1 Exam

📘 PSY100 Exam #1 – Complete Study Guide with Practice Questions

1. Origins of Psychology

  • Psychology originated in philosophy (questions about the mind, behavior, and knowledge).

  • Early philosophers like Plato & Aristotle asked about learning, memory, and perception.

  • Psychology evolved into a science of behavior and mental processes.

True/False

  1. Psychology originated from biology, not philosophy.

Multiple Choice

2. Psychology is best defined today as:

a) The study of the soul

b) The study of human behavior and mental processes

c) The study of the nervous system only

d) The study of supernatural experiences

Free Response

3. Explain how psychology’s origins in philosophy shaped its development into a modern science.

2. Goals & Scientific Method

  • Four goals of psychology: Describe, Explain, Predict, Control.

  • The scientific method:

    1. Ask a question / identify a problem

    2. Form a hypothesis

    3. Test with research

    4. Analyze results

    5. Share findings

True/False

4. One of the main goals of psychology is to prove theories true.

Multiple Choice

5. Which step comes first in the scientific method?

a) Analyzing results

b) Asking a research question

c) Reporting findings

d) Testing a hypothesis

Free Response

6. Why is it important for psychologists to use the scientific method instead of relying on intuition or opinion?

3. Research Methods

  • Experimental research: shows causal relationships (cause and effect).

  • Correlational research: shows relationships but not causation.

  • Variables:

    • Independent Variable (IV): manipulated by researcher.

    • Dependent Variable (DV): measured outcome.

  • Control group: baseline for comparison.

True/False

7. A correlational study can prove cause and effect.

Multiple Choice

8. A researcher tests if caffeine affects memory. Caffeine levels are the:

a) Dependent variable

b) Independent variable

c) Control variable

d) Placebo

Free Response

9. Give an example of a correlational study in psychology. Why can’t this type of study prove causation?

4. Neurons & Neural Communication

  • Neuron parts: dendrites, cell body, axon, myelin sheath, nodes of Ranvier, axon terminals.

  • Myelin sheath: fatty covering, speeds up neural impulses.

  • Nodes of Ranvier: gaps in myelin where impulses jump.

  • Resting potential: neuron polarized (negative inside).

  • Action potential: brief electrical impulse, neuron fires.

  • Refractory period: neuron cannot fire again immediately.

True/False

10. The myelin sheath slows down neural communication.

Multiple Choice

11. At resting potential, the inside of a neuron is:

a) More positive than outside

b) More negative than outside

c) Equal to outside

d) Constantly changing

Free Response

12. Explain what happens to a neuron during an action potential and why the refractory period is important.

5. Brain & Nervous System

  • White matter = axons (with myelin).

  • Gray matter = cell bodies + dendrites.

  • Key brain structures & functions:

    • Thalamus → sensory relay station.

    • Amygdala → fear, emotion.

    • Hippocampus → memory formation.

    • Frontal lobe → decision-making, motor control, reasoning.

    • Occipital lobe → vision.

    • Parietal lobe → touch, spatial awareness.

    • Temporal lobe → hearing, language.

True/False

13. The hippocampus is responsible for motor coordination.

Multiple Choice

14. Which brain structure is most responsible for processing emotions like fear?

a) Hippocampus

b) Amygdala

c) Thalamus

d) Occipital lobe

📑 PSY100 Exam #1 – Study Guide Answer Key

Section 1: Origins of Psychology

T/F

  1. False

MCQ

2. b) The study of human behavior and mental processes

FRQ

3. Example: Psychology’s origins in philosophy (Plato, Aristotle) raised early questions about memory, knowledge, and behavior. This philosophical groundwork pushed psychology toward systematic observation and later the scientific method.

Section 2: Goals & Scientific Method

T/F

4. False

MCQ

5. b) Asking a research question

FRQ

6. Example: The scientific method prevents bias and ensures replicable results, making psychology a reliable science rather than guesswork or opinion.

Section 3: Research Methods

T/F

7. False

MCQ

8. b) Independent variable

FRQ

9. Example: A correlational study might measure the relationship between screen time and sleep quality. It can show they are related but not prove that screen time causes poor sleep (other factors could explain it).

Section 4: Neurons & Neural Communication

T/F

10. False

MCQ

11. b) More negative than outside

FRQ

12. Example: During an action potential, sodium ions rush into the neuron, causing depolarization and a positive charge inside. The impulse travels down the axon. The refractory period resets the neuron so it won’t fire again too quickly, ensuring signals move in one direction.

Section 5: Brain & Nervous System

T/F

13. False

MCQ

14. b) Amygdala

FRQ

15. Example: The frontal lobe helps in decision-making and planning (e.g., choosing how to solve a math problem). The occipital lobe processes vision (e.g., recognizing words on a page).