All Free Psychology MCQs with Answers

• A. a total loss of appetite
• B. eating based on recognized need, not internal feelings of hunger
• C. some changes in eating, but hunger still occurs
• D. the need for patients to be "trained" to eat; otherwise they would inadvertently starve to deathGet Study Guides

Explanation: Removing the stomach or severing its sensory nerves does not eliminate hunger because hunger is regulated by multiple bodily and brain…

• A. needs that are learned, such as the needs for power for achievement
• B. innate but no necessary for survival
• C. not innate but necessary for survival
• D. innate and necessary for survival

Explanation: Secondary motives are acquired through learning and experience rather than being biologically programmed.

• A. plain water
• B. a slightly salty liquid
• C. a beverage containing some alcohol
• D. milk

Explanation: Prolonged vigorous exercise causes loss of water and electrolytes, especially sodium through sweating.

• A. arousal theory
• B. drive reduction theory
• C. Yerkes-Dodson Law
• D. inverted-U function

Explanation: The Yerkes-Dodson law links arousal with task difficulty and performance, predicting that moderate arousal is often best.

• A. Thematic Apperception Test
• B. Sentence Completion
• C. Rorschach
• D. MMPI

Explanation: McClelland measured achievement motivation using the Thematic Apperception Test, interpreting recurring themes in ambiguous stories.

• A. extrinsic
• B. secondary
• C. learned
• D. primary

Explanation: Thirst is a primary drive because it arises from a basic physiological need and motivates restoration of the body’s fluid balance.

• A. lower the body's set point
• B. reduce tension and anxiety
• C. decrease blood glucose levels
• D. prevent bulimia nervosa

Explanation: Carbohydrate consumption can increase brain serotonin activity, which is associated with reduced tension and anxiety in this motivational…

• A. sexual disorders
• B. boredom
• C. hunger
• D. refractory periods

Explanation: Arousal theory proposes that people seek an optimal level of stimulation, so boredom is aversive because arousal is too low.

• A. incentive
• B. set point
• C. instinct
• D. need

Explanation: An instinct is an unlearned, genetically programmed behavior pattern shared by members of a species.

• A. A rigidly patterned behavioral urge characteristic of all people
• B. anything that is perceived as having positive or negative value in motivating behavior
• C. an aroused or activated state that is often triggered by a psychological need
• D. a physiological state that usually triggers motivational arousal

Explanation: A need is a physiological deficiency or state, such as hunger or thirst, that activates motivation.

• A. Instinct
• B. evolutionary
• C. arousal
• D. need

Explanation: The arousal theory says people seek an optimal level of stimulation. After an exciting, highly stimulating day, Jared reduces arousal by…

• A. incentive; set point
• B. instinct; need
• C. need; incentive
• D. need; drive

Explanation: A need creates an internal push toward action, whereas an incentive is an external pull that attracts behavior.

• A. Bees communicating the location of food
• B. Salmon travelling upstream to spawn
• C. Spiders spinning complex webs
• D. Humans breastfeeding their babies

Explanation: Instincts are innate, species-typical behavior patterns that are especially evident in nonhuman animals; human behavior is generally more…

• A. Predict violent behavior
• B. Relate biology to behavior
• C. Infer private states from public acts
• D. Account for behavioural variability

Explanation: Motivation is used to connect biological processes with behaviour, infer internal states from observable actions, and explain behavioural…

• A. External
• B. Biological
• C. Internal
• D. Interactional

Explanation: Motivation is commonly described as arising from internal factors, external incentives, or an interaction between the person and the…

• A. Punishers
• B. Reinforces
• C. Shaping
• D. Incentives

Explanation: Incentives are external objects, events, or rewards that attract or discourage behaviour.

• A. Expectancy
• B. Relatedness
• C. Existence
• D. Growth

Explanation: Alderfer’s ERG theory contains Existence, Relatedness, and Growth needs.

• A. The approach cannot consistently predict motivation
• B. The approach makes too many assumptions of behavior
• C. The approach as little or no role for any cognitive activity
• D. The approach is not applicable in today's workplace

Explanation: Contingent reinforcement explains behavior through its consequences, so it gives little or no role to cognitive activity such as…

• A. Behaviorist approach
• B. Instrumental approach
• C. Nature approach
• D. Environmental approach

Explanation: The behaviorist approach places the main cause and direction of behavior in environmental stimuli and reinforcement consequences.

• A. Instinct theory
• B. Maslow's need theory
• C. Field theory
• D. Metaphor theory

Explanation: Lewin’s field theory views behavior as a function of the person and the psychological environment.