20 Important MCQs on Experimental Psychology with Answers & Explanations

Test your knowledge with 20 essential multiple-choice questions on Experimental Psychology. Each question includes answers and detailed explanations, perfect for students and competitive exam aspirants.

Overview of Experimental Psychology

Experimental psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on using scientific methods to study behavior, cognition, and emotions. Researchers in this field design controlled experiments to explore psychological phenomena such as perception, learning, memory, motivation, and emotions. The primary goal is to establish cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables and measuring their effects on participants. This approach has significantly contributed to various subfields of psychology, including cognitive psychology, behavioral psychology, and neuropsychology.

20 Multiple-Choice Questions on Experimental Psychology

1. Who is considered the father of Experimental Psychology?

A. Sigmund Freud
B. Wilhelm Wundt
C. John B. Watson
D. B.F. Skinner
✅ Answer: B. Wilhelm Wundt
📖 Explanation: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany, marking the beginning of experimental psychology.

2. What is the main goal of experimental psychology?

A. To understand individual differences
B. To establish cause-and-effect relationships
C. To analyze case studies
D. To study cultural influences
✅ Answer: B. To establish cause-and-effect relationships
📖 Explanation: Experimental psychology primarily focuses on using controlled experiments to determine causal relationships between variables.

3. Which of the following is a key characteristic of experimental research?

A. Random assignment of participants
B. Reliance on subjective interpretation
C. Use of qualitative methods
D. Lack of control over variables
✅ Answer: A. Random assignment of participants
📖 Explanation: Random assignment ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any condition, reducing biases.

4. What is an independent variable in an experiment?

A. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher
B. A variable that remains constant
C. A variable that is measured as an outcome
D. A variable that has no impact on the experiment
✅ Answer: A. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher
📖 Explanation: The independent variable is the one that the researcher changes to observe its effects on the dependent variable.

5. Which type of experiment takes place in a controlled environment?

A. Field experiment
B. Natural experiment
C. Laboratory experiment
D. Case study
✅ Answer: C. Laboratory experiment
📖 Explanation: Laboratory experiments occur in controlled settings where researchers can manipulate variables precisely.

6. What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

A. The manipulated factor
B. The factor that remains constant
C. The measured outcome
D. The confounding variable
✅ Answer: C. The measured outcome
📖 Explanation: The dependent variable is what the researcher measures to determine the effect of the independent variable.

7. What is a placebo effect?

A. An effect caused by an actual treatment
B. A psychological response to an inert substance
C. A deliberate error in research
D. A technique used for random sampling
✅ Answer: B. A psychological response to an inert substance
📖 Explanation: The placebo effect occurs when participants experience changes due to their expectations rather than the treatment itself.

8. Which experimental design compares the same group of participants over time?

A. Cross-sectional study
B. Longitudinal study
C. Case study
D. Correlational study
✅ Answer: B. Longitudinal study
📖 Explanation: Longitudinal studies follow the same participants over an extended period to observe changes.

9. What is a confounding variable?

A. A variable that strengthens the experiment
B. A variable that interferes with the results
C. A control variable
D. A variable that remains unchanged
✅ Answer: B. A variable that interferes with the results
📖 Explanation: Confounding variables can distort the effect of the independent variable, making results less reliable.

10. What does random sampling help achieve in an experiment?

A. More significant results
B. Unbiased representation of the population
C. Faster data collection
D. Increased subjectivity
✅ Answer: B. Unbiased representation of the population
📖 Explanation: Random sampling ensures that every member of a population has an equal chance of being included, reducing selection bias.

11. Which statistical test is commonly used to analyze experimental data?

A. Correlation coefficient
B. T-test
C. Median test
D. Pie chart analysis
✅ Answer: B. T-test
📖 Explanation: A t-test is used to compare the means of two groups to determine if there is a significant difference.

12. Which method ensures neither participants nor experimenters know the treatment conditions?

A. Single-blind study
B. Double-blind study
C. Open-label study
D. Correlational study
✅ Answer: B. Double-blind study
📖 Explanation: A double-blind study prevents bias by ensuring neither the participants nor the experimenters know who receives the treatment.

13. What is an operational definition in experimental research?

A. A broad concept of a variable
B. A precise way to measure a variable
C. A subjective interpretation of data
D. A type of hypothesis
✅ Answer: B. A precise way to measure a variable
📖 Explanation: An operational definition specifies how a concept will be measured or manipulated in an experiment.

14. What is external validity?

A. The extent to which results can be generalized
B. The accuracy of internal consistency
C. The control of extraneous variables
D. The significance of a hypothesis
✅ Answer: A. The extent to which results can be generalized
📖 Explanation: External validity determines whether findings apply beyond the experimental setting.

15. In an experiment, what is a control group?

A. The group that receives the independent variable
B. The group exposed to all variables
C. The group not exposed to the independent variable
D. The group that always receives a placebo
✅ Answer: C. The group not exposed to the independent variable
📖 Explanation: The control group serves as a baseline to compare the effects of the independent variable.

16. Which of the following research methods is most commonly used in experimental psychology?

A. Case study
B. Survey method
C. Experimental method
D. Observational study
✅ Answer: C. Experimental method
📖 Explanation: The experimental method is the foundation of experimental psychology, involving controlled testing to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

17. In an experiment, which of the following is a way to reduce bias and ensure equal distribution of participants?

A. Non-random sampling
B. Random assignment
C. Convenience sampling
D. Quota sampling
✅ Answer: B. Random assignment
📖 Explanation: Random assignment ensures that participants are placed in experimental or control groups without bias, making results more reliable.

18. Which ethical principle ensures that participants are fully informed about an experiment before taking part?

A. Debriefing
B. Confidentiality
C. Informed consent
D. Anonymity
✅ Answer: C. Informed consent
📖 Explanation: Informed consent means participants must be given all relevant information about an experiment and voluntarily agree to participate.

19. What is the primary advantage of using a laboratory experiment over a field experiment?

A. It is more naturalistic
B. It has higher external validity
C. It allows for greater control over variables
D. It is more time-efficient
✅ Answer: C. It allows for greater control over variables
📖 Explanation: Laboratory experiments provide a controlled setting where researchers can manipulate variables precisely, leading to more reliable results.

20. What type of bias occurs when participants alter their behavior because they know they are being observed?

A. Selection bias
B. Demand characteristics
C. Observer bias
D. Social desirability bias
✅ Answer: B. Demand characteristics
📖 Explanation: Demand characteristics occur when participants change their behavior based on their perceptions of the experiment’s purpose, potentially affecting results.