1. Biological Bases of Behavior
When a cat’s lateral hypothalamus is electrically stimulated, what response is most likely?
A. Suppression of sexual behavior
B. Initiation of eating
C. Decreased thirst
D. Cessation of eating
E. Heightened aggression
Answer: B. Initiation of eating
General Explanation: The lateral hypothalamus regulates hunger, and stimulation prompts feeding.
- (A) Suppression of sexual behavior → more associated with medial preoptic area.
- (C) Decreased thirst → regulated by hypothalamic osmoreceptors in different nuclei.
- (D) Cessation of eating → linked to stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus.
- (E) Heightened aggression → typically tied to the amygdala.
2. Cognitive–Affective Bases of Behavior
In Baddeley’s model of working memory, which function is carried out by the phonological loop?
A. Storing verbal material briefly
B. Encoding episodic experiences
C. Manipulating visual and spatial information
D. Coordinating task switching
E. Integrating multiple sensory inputs
Answer: A. Storing verbal material briefly
General Explanation: The phonological loop maintains spoken and written language for short periods.
- (B) Encoding episodic experiences → handled by the episodic buffer/long-term storage.
- (C) Manipulating visual and spatial information → role of the visuospatial sketchpad.
- (D) Coordinating task switching → managed by the central executive.
- (E) Integrating multiple sensory inputs → function of the episodic buffer, not the loop.
3. Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior
A student credits their exam success to studying hard but blames their failure on “unfair” questions. This illustrates:
A. Cognitive dissonance
B. Actor–observer bias
C. Self-serving bias
D. False consensus effect
E. Fundamental attribution error
Answer: C. Self-serving bias
General Explanation: Self-serving bias occurs when people attribute successes to themselves and failures to external factors.
- (A) Cognitive dissonance → conflict between beliefs and actions, not attribution.
- (B) Actor–observer bias → our actions blamed on situations, others’ on dispositions.
- (D) False consensus effect → assuming others share your beliefs or behaviors.
- (E) Fundamental attribution error → overemphasizing traits when judging others.
4. Growth and Lifespan Development
A child who can reason hypothetically, think about abstract problems, and understand metaphor is in which Piagetian stage?
A. Preoperational
B. Formal operational
C. Concrete operational
D. Postconventional
E. Sensorimotor
Answer: B. Formal operational
General Explanation: From about age 11 onward, formal operational thought includes abstract reasoning and hypotheticals.
- (A) Preoperational → ages 2–7, marked by symbolic play and egocentrism.
- (C) Concrete operational → ages 7–11, logical but limited to concrete situations.
- (D) Postconventional → stage of moral reasoning in Kohlberg’s theory, not Piaget’s.
- (E) Sensorimotor → birth to age 2, focus on sensory exploration and object permanence.
5. Assessment & Diagnosis
A client experiences recurring shifts between elevated activity and low mood for several years. Neither state meets criteria for a full manic or major depressive episode. The most fitting diagnosis is:
A. Schizoaffective disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Persistent depressive disorder
E. Bipolar I disorder
Answer: C. Cyclothymic disorder
General Explanation: Cyclothymia is a chronic mood disturbance with hypomanic and sub-depressive symptoms, not full episodes.
- (A) Schizoaffective disorder → includes mood symptoms with psychosis.
- (B) Bipolar II disorder → requires hypomania plus major depressive episodes.
- (D) Persistent depressive disorder → long-lasting low mood without hypomania.
- (E) Bipolar I disorder → defined by at least one manic episode.
Simon R. Downes 