Introduction to Psychology: practice problems and exam questions

Cognitive, developmental, social and clinical psychology: the key theories, classic studies and concepts of a first-year psychology course.

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Cram pack (PDF)Formula sheets, method steps and practice problems with full solutions, ready to print.

Topics in this course

  1. Cognitive psychologykey terms and facts · applying the concepts · cases and analysismultiple choice
  2. Developmental psychologykey terms and facts · applying the concepts · cases and analysismultiple choice
  3. Social psychologykey terms and facts · applying the concepts · cases and analysismultiple choice
  4. Clinical psychologykey terms and facts · applying the concepts · cases and analysismultiple choice

Exam tips for Introduction to Psychology

  • Link every theory to the classic study that supports it.
  • Know the difference between closely related concepts, for example negative reinforcement and punishment.
  • Watch for absolute words such as always and never in the options.

Example questions

Cognitive psychologyEasy

Continuing to invest in a failing project because of the money already spent is called the:

  1. AGambler's fallacy
  2. BAvailability heuristic
  3. CFraming effect
  4. DSunk cost fallacy
Show hints
  1. Past costs cannot be recovered, yet they still steer the choice.
  2. Two wrong answers are now crossed out. One of the remaining two is right.
Show the answer and explanation

Why this is the answer

The sunk cost fallacy is letting unrecoverable past investments influence current decisions, which should depend only on future costs and benefits.

Answer

D · Sunk cost fallacy
Developmental psychologyMedium

Baumrind's authoritative parenting style combines:

  1. ALow warmth with strict rules and very little explanation
  2. BLow warmth and low involvement
  3. CHigh warmth with high, clearly explained expectations
  4. DHigh warmth with few rules or demands
Show hints
  1. It is often contrasted with the authoritarian style.
  2. Two wrong answers are now crossed out. One of the remaining two is right.
Show the answer and explanation

Why this is the answer

Authoritative parents are responsive and set firm, reasoned limits; this style is associated with good social and academic outcomes in many studies.

Answer

C · High warmth with high, clearly explained expectations

How practising works

  • “Practise this course” mixes problems from all its topics, like a real exam.
  • Every problem has new values, so you learn the method instead of an answer.
  • Stuck? Open a small hint first, and the full explanation only when you need it.
  • Mock exams are timed and have no hints, and you get your score and a full review at the end.

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