Explore Psychology Fundamentals Quiz

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 8157 | Total Attempts: 9,569,759
| Attempts: 43 | Questions: 10 | Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Please wait...
Question 1 / 11
🏆 Rank #--
Score 0/100
1. What is psychology primarily concerned with?

Explanation

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It examines how people think, feel, and act, both individually and in groups. This includes emotions, perception, learning, memory, motivation, and personality. Psychology is broader than brain anatomy or social interaction alone and integrates biological, cognitive, and social factors to understand human experience.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
General Psychology Quizzes & Trivia

Discover the basics of human mind and behavior through this psychology fundamentals quiz. This intro psychology quiz covers essential topics including mental processes, sensation, perception, learning theories, memory, motivation, emotion, personality, and social influences with engaging behavior science MCQs.

Perfect for beginners, students reviewing core concepts, or anyone interested in psychological... see moreprinciples, it offers mental processes practice through thought-provoking questions and detailed explanations. Strengthen your understanding of classic and contemporary theories in this comprehensive psych concepts review. see less

2.
You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.
2. What does cognition refer to?

Explanation

Cognition refers to mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding. This includes thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, memory, attention, and decision-making. Cognitive psychology focuses on how information is processed, stored, and retrieved by the mind rather than emotional or purely behavioral responses.

Submit
3. Which school of thought focuses on unconscious conflicts?

Explanation

Psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes the role of unconscious thoughts, desires, and conflicts in shaping behavior. This perspective suggests that unresolved childhood experiences and hidden motives influence personality and mental health. It differs from behaviorism, which focuses only on observable behavior.

Submit
4. Which perspective emphasizes observable behavior?

Explanation

The behavioral perspective focuses on observable behavior rather than internal mental states. It emphasizes how behaviors are learned through conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment. Psychologists like B.F. Skinner believed behavior could be scientifically studied by examining responses to environmental stimuli.

Submit
5. What is reinforcement in psychology?

Explanation

Reinforcement is any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again. Positive reinforcement adds a desirable stimulus, while negative reinforcement removes an unpleasant one. Reinforcement strengthens behavior, whereas punishment aims to reduce it.

Submit
6. Which research method studies one individual in depth?

Explanation

A case study involves an in-depth examination of one individual or a small group. This method is useful for studying rare conditions or complex psychological phenomena. While it provides detailed information, results may not be generalizable to larger populations.

Submit
7. Which psychologist is associated with classical conditioning?

Explanation

Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning through experiments with dogs. He showed that learning can occur by associating a neutral stimulus with a naturally occurring stimulus. Pavlov’s work demonstrated how behaviors can be learned through repeated associations, forming the foundation for behaviorist theories in psychology.

Submit
8. What is the basic unit of the nervous system?

Explanation

Neurons are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. They transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons consist of dendrites, a cell body, and an axon, allowing communication throughout the brain and body. All nervous system activity depends on neuron function.

Submit
9. What is the purpose of a hypothesis?

Explanation

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables. It guides research by providing a clear statement that can be supported or rejected through experimentation. Hypotheses are based on theory, observation, or prior research and are essential to the scientific method.

Submit
10. What part of the brain regulates breathing and heart rate?

Explanation

The brainstem controls vital automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It connects the brain to the spinal cord and is essential for survival. Damage to the brainstem can be life-threatening because it regulates basic physiological processes.

Submit
×
Saved
Thank you for your feedback!
View My Results
Cancel
  • All
    All (10)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
What is psychology primarily concerned with?
What does cognition refer to?
Which school of thought focuses on unconscious conflicts?
Which perspective emphasizes observable behavior?
What is reinforcement in psychology?
Which research method studies one individual in depth?
Which psychologist is associated with classical conditioning?
What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
What is the purpose of a hypothesis?
What part of the brain regulates breathing and heart rate?
play-Mute sad happy unanswered_answer up-hover down-hover success oval cancel Check box square blue
Alert!