EPPP QBank

April 8, 2026

  1. A psychologist is assessing a client who reports persistent intrusive thoughts about contamination, accompanied by repetitive handwashing rituals. The client recognizes the thoughts as irrational but feels unable to resist them. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
    A. Generalized anxiety disorder
    B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
    C. Illness anxiety disorder
    D. Delusional disorder

Answer: B
Explanation: The presence of intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) with preserved insight is characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry without compulsions. Illness anxiety disorder focuses on health concerns without ritualistic behavior. Delusional disorder involves fixed false beliefs without insight.

  1. In classical conditioning, what is the term for the gradual weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus?
    A. Spontaneous recovery
    B. Generalization
    C. Extinction
    D. Discrimination

Answer: C
Explanation: Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus, leading to a decrease in the conditioned response. Spontaneous recovery refers to the return of the response after extinction. Generalization involves responding to similar stimuli. Discrimination is distinguishing between stimuli.

  1. A researcher wants to examine the relationship between stress levels and sleep quality in adults. Which statistical method is most appropriate?
    A. Chi-square test
    B. Correlation coefficient
    C. ANOVA
    D. Factor analysis

Answer: B
Explanation: A correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two continuous variables. Chi-square is used for categorical data. ANOVA compares means across groups. Factor analysis identifies underlying constructs.

  1. A client presents with a history of unstable relationships, impulsivity, and intense fear of abandonment. Which personality disorder is most consistent with this presentation?
    A. Narcissistic personality disorder
    B. Borderline personality disorder
    C. Avoidant personality disorder
    D. Dependent personality disorder

Answer: B
Explanation: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions, along with impulsivity and fear of abandonment. Narcissistic personality disorder involves grandiosity. Avoidant personality disorder involves social inhibition. Dependent personality disorder involves excessive need for care.

  1. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with reward and reinforcement pathways in the brain?
    A. Serotonin
    B. Dopamine
    C. GABA
    D. Acetylcholine

Answer: B
Explanation: Dopamine plays a central role in the brain’s reward system and reinforcement learning. Serotonin is involved in mood regulation. GABA is inhibitory. Acetylcholine is involved in memory and muscle activation.

  1. A psychologist uses a test that yields consistent results across repeated administrations. This characteristic refers to:
    A. Validity
    B. Reliability
    C. Standardization
    D. Norming

Answer: B
Explanation: Reliability refers to consistency of measurement. Validity refers to whether the test measures what it intends to measure. Standardization involves uniform procedures. Norming refers to establishing comparison groups.

  1. In Piaget’s theory, during which stage do children begin to think logically about concrete events but struggle with abstract concepts?
    A. Sensorimotor stage
    B. Preoperational stage
    C. Concrete operational stage
    D. Formal operational stage

Answer: C
Explanation: In the concrete operational stage, children develop logical thinking about concrete situations but have difficulty with abstract reasoning, which develops in the formal operational stage.

  1. A therapist maintains strict boundaries and avoids dual relationships with clients. This is primarily an issue of:
    A. Competence
    B. Confidentiality
    C. Ethics
    D. Assessment

Answer: C
Explanation: Maintaining boundaries and avoiding dual relationships are core ethical principles in psychological practice. Competence refers to skill level. Confidentiality involves privacy. Assessment involves evaluation methods.

  1. Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest rate of responding and is most resistant to extinction?
    A. Fixed ratio
    B. Variable ratio
    C. Fixed interval
    D. Variable interval

Answer: B
Explanation: Variable ratio schedules produce high, steady response rates and are highly resistant to extinction, as reinforcement is unpredictable.

  1. A client is unable to recall important personal information following a traumatic event, without evidence of neurological damage. This is most consistent with:
    A. Dissociative amnesia
    B. Conversion disorder
    C. Somatic symptom disorder
    D. Acute stress disorder

Answer: A
Explanation: Dissociative amnesia involves inability to recall autobiographical information, typically following trauma. Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms without medical cause. Somatic symptom disorder involves excessive concern about physical symptoms. Acute stress disorder includes broader trauma-related symptoms.