Free General Psychology MCQs with Answers

874 General Psychology MCQs from Psychology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

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  • A. axon
  • B. myelin
  • C. axon terminal
  • D. dendrite

Explanation: Dendrites are the branching parts of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons and carry them toward the cell body.

Correct answer: dendrite
  • A. Sign stimulus
  • B. Innate releasing mechanism
  • C. Inherited complex
  • D. All of the above

Explanation: An innate releasing mechanism is the inherited neural mechanism that detects a sign stimulus and initiates a specific instinctive…

Correct answer: Innate releasing mechanism
  • A. Innate behaviour
  • B. learned behaviour
  • C. Conditioned reflex type I
  • D. None of these

Explanation: Innate behaviour consists of responses programmed by heredity and does not require prior learning.

Correct answer: Innate behaviour
  • A. Ach
  • B. GABA
  • C. interneurons
  • D. serotonin

Explanation: GABA is the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter, so too little of it reduces neural inhibition and can contribute to seizures.

Correct answer: GABA
  • A. cerebellum
  • B. corpus callosum
  • C. hypothalamus
  • D. medulla

Explanation: The medulla, part of the brainstem, regulates vital involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood circulation.

Correct answer: medulla
  • A. MRI
  • B. EEG
  • C. synapse
  • D. lesionGet Study Guides

Explanation: A lesion is a region of damaged or deliberately destroyed brain tissue, whether caused by injury, disease, or surgery.

Correct answer: lesionGet Study Guides
  • A. instinct
  • B. refractory period
  • C. homeostasis
  • D. metabolism

Explanation: Homeostasis is the body's self-regulating process for keeping internal conditions, such as temperature, fluid balance, and blood sugar…

Correct answer: homeostasis
  • A. social psychology
  • B. developmental psychology
  • C. industrial - organizational psychology
  • D. personality psychologyTake Psychology Courses

Explanation: Industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological principles to workplace issues such as employee selection, training…

Correct answer: industrial - organizational psychology
  • A. somatic nervous system
  • B. limbic system
  • C. parasympathetic division
  • D. sympathetic divisionGet Study Guides

Explanation: The parasympathetic division supports “rest and digest” functions, slowing the heart and conserving energy after activation.

Correct answer: parasympathetic division
  • A. adrenaline
  • B. amine
  • C. cortisone
  • D. endorphins

Explanation: Fear or intense excitement activates the sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline and produces a rapid heartbeat and dry…

Correct answer: adrenaline
  • A. epinephrine
  • B. glycogen
  • C. testosterone
  • D. insulin

Explanation: Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, rapidly raises heart rate, blood pressure, and available blood glucose during emergencies.

Correct answer: epinephrine
  • A. Death of a spouse
  • B. Divorce
  • C. Losing a job
  • D. Major move

Explanation: In the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the death of a spouse receives the highest stress score among major life events.

Correct answer: Death of a spouse
  • A. attribution
  • B. emotional expression
  • C. physiological arousal
  • D. vocal modulation

Explanation: A polygraph records physiological arousal, such as changes in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and skin conductance.

Correct answer: physiological arousal
  • A. Thalamus
  • B. Hypothalamus
  • C. Hippocampus
  • D. Amygdala

Explanation: The amygdala is a key gateway for rapidly evaluating emotionally significant stimuli, especially threats, and initiating fear responses.

Correct answer: Amygdala
  • A. Parasympathetic
  • B. Central
  • C. Peripheral
  • D. Sympathetic

Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system becomes active during unpleasant or threatening stimulation, increasing arousal and preparing the body for…

Correct answer: Sympathetic
  • A. attribution
  • B. james - Lange
  • C. Canon - Bard
  • D. Cognitive

Explanation: James-Lange theory proposes that an event first produces bodily changes, and awareness of those changes is experienced as emotion, so we…

Correct answer: james - Lange
  • A. adaptation- level principle
  • B. relative deprivation principle
  • C. Cannon- Bard theory
  • D. James- Lange theory

Explanation: The James-Lange view links emotion to bodily feedback, including feedback from facial muscles, so intensifying an expression can intensify…

Correct answer: James- Lange theory
  • A. discipline
  • B. pressure
  • C. conflict
  • D. stress

Explanation: Pressure refers to demands or expectations that a person behave in a particular way, such as meeting a deadline or satisfying others.

Correct answer: pressure
  • A. the midbrain
  • B. the left hemisphere
  • C. the right hemisphere
  • D. the amygdala

Explanation: The amygdala is a key limbic-system structure for detecting threat and generating fear responses.

Correct answer: the amygdala
  • A. are unrelated to
  • B. follow
  • C. occur simultaneously with
  • D. precede come before

Explanation: According to James-Lange theory, physiological arousal and expressive behavior occur first, and the conscious emotion follows from…

Correct answer: precede come before

General Psychology MCQs: common questions

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