20 MCQs on Psychology: Introduction, Definition, and Concept

Test your knowledge of the basics of psychology with these 20 MCQs. These questions cover a range of topics, including the definition of psychology, the major branches of psychology, and key psychological concepts. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just curious about psychology, these MCQs are a great way to learn more about this fascinating field.

Question 1: What is the study of the mind and behavior called?

(A) Neuroscience (B) Sociology (C) Psychology (D) Anthropology

Answer: (C)

Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a major branch of psychology?

(A) Clinical psychology (B) Developmental psychology (C) Social psychology (D) Physics

Answer: (D)

Question 3: The term "psychology" comes from the Greek words "psyche" and "logos," which mean what?

(A) Soul and study (B) Mind and study (C) Behavior and study (D) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a goal of psychology?

(A) To understand human behavior (B) To predict human behavior (C) To change human behavior (D) To control human behavior

Answer: (D)

Question 5: The scientific study of human behavior is based on the assumption that behavior is:

(A) Random and unpredictable (B) Caused by internal factors such as thoughts and feelings (C) Caused by external factors such as the environment (D) All of the above

Answer: (B)

Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a method used by psychologists to study human behavior?

(A) Observation (B) Self-report (C) Case studies (D) Experiments

Answer: (B)

Question 7: The belief that the mind is fundamentally different from the body is known as:

(A) Dualism (B) Monism (C) Materialism (D) Idealism

Answer: (A)

Question 8: Which of the following is NOT a major school of thought in psychology?

(A) Psychoanalysis (B) Behaviorism (C) Cognitive psychology (D) Evolutionary psychology

Answer: (D)

Question 9: The term "tabula rasa" means what?

(A) Blank slate (B) Clean slate (C) New page (D) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Question 10: Which of the following is NOT a key concept in psychology?

(A) Nature vs. nurture (B) Consciousness (D) Learning (C) Telepathy

Answer: (C)

Question 11: Which of the following is NOT a subfield of psychology?

(A) Forensic psychology (B) Sports psychology (C) Industrial psychology (D) Veterinary psychology

Answer: (D)

Question 12: The scientific study of the mind and behavior began in the late 19th century with the work of:

(A) Wilhelm Wundt (B) Sigmund Freud (B) B.F. Skinner (C) David Myers

Answer: (A)

Question 13: Which of the following is NOT a type of psychological research?

(A) Correlational research (B) Experimental research (C) Case study research (D) Historical research

Answer: (D)

Question 14: The process of acquiring new knowledge and skills is known as:

(A) Learning (B) Memory (C) Thinking (D) Motivation

Answer: (A)

Question 15: The ability to experience the world around us and ourselves is known as:

(A) Consciousness (B) Perception (C) Attention (D) Emotion

Answer: (A)

Question 16: The study of how people think, solve problems, and make decisions is known as:

(A) Cognitive psychology (B) Developmental psychology (C) Social psychology (D) Clinical psychology

Answer: (A)

Question 17: The study of how people interact with each other and with their environment is known as:

(A) Social psychology (B) Developmental psychology (C) Clinical psychology (D) Industrial psychology

Answer: (A)

Question 18: The study of how people change and grow throughout their lives is known as:

(A) Developmental psychology (B) Clinical psychology (C) Industrial psychology (D) Forensic psychology

Answer: (A)

Question 19: The study of mental disorders and their treatment is known as:

(A) Clinical psychology (B) Industrial psychology (C) Forensic psychology (D) Sports psychology

Answer: (A)

Question 20: The study of how psychology can be applied to the workplace is known as:

(A) Industrial psychology (B) Forensic psychology (C) Sports psychology (D) Veterinary psychology

Answer: (A)