20 Psychology MCQs for Beginners

Test your knowledge of psychology with these 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for beginners. These MCQs cover a variety of topics, including developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. The questions are designed to be challenging but fair, and they are accompanied by answers and explanations. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply curious about psychology, these MCQs are a great way to learn and test your knowledge.

Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a branch of psychology?

A. Developmental psychology B. Cognitive psychology C. Social psychology D. Clinical psychology

Answer: D

Question 2: What is the term for the study of how people think, perceive, and learn?

A. Developmental psychology B. Cognitive psychology C. Social psychology D. Clinical psychology

Answer: B

Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a type of memory?

A. Short-term memory B. Long-term memory C. Working memory D. Sensory memory

Answer: D

Question 4: What is the term for the tendency to group people into "us" and "them"?

A. In-group bias B. Out-group bias C. Attribution bias D. Confirmation bias

Answer: A

Question 5: What is the term for the tendency to overestimate the role of our own personal characteristics in explaining events?

A. In-group bias B. Out-group bias C. Attribution bias D. Confirmation bias

Answer: C

Question 6: What is the term for the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them?

A. In-group bias B. Out-group bias C. Attribution bias D. Confirmation bias

Answer: D

Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a type of personality disorder?

A. Antisocial personality disorder B. Borderline personality disorder C. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder D. Dependent personality disorder

Answer: D

Question 8: What is the term for the study of mental disorders?

A. Developmental psychology B. Cognitive psychology C. Social psychology D. Clinical psychology

Answer: D

Question 9: What is the term for a type of therapy that focuses on helping people to identify and change their negative thoughts and behaviors?

A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) B. Psychodynamic therapy C. Humanistic therapy D. Family therapy

Answer: A

Question 10: What is the term for the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and to recognize and respond to the emotions of others?

A. Emotional intelligence B. Social intelligence C. Intellectual intelligence D. Practical intelligence

Answer: A

Question 11: Which of the following is NOT a stage of Erikson's psychosocial development theory?

A. Trust vs. mistrust B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt C. Initiative vs. guilt D. Industry vs. inferiority

Answer: C

Question 12: What is the term for the tendency to learn from our mistakes?

A. Operant conditioning B. Classical conditioning C. Observational learning D. Cognitive learning

Answer: A

Question 13: What is the term for the type of therapy that focuses on helping people to develop their full potential and to live a fulfilling life?

A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) B. Psychodynamic therapy C. Humanistic therapy D. Family therapy

Answer: C

Question 14: What is the term for the study of how people think about and make decisions?

A. Developmental psychology B. Cognitive psychology C. Social psychology D. Clinical psychology

Answer: B

Question 15: Which of the following is NOT a type of anxiety disorder?

A. Generalized anxiety disorder B. Social anxiety disorder C. Panic disorder D. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer: D

Question 16: What is the term for the study of how people interact with each other?

A. Developmental psychology B. Cognitive psychology C. Social psychology D. Clinical psychology

Answer: C

Question 17: What is the term for the tendency to conform to the beliefs and behaviors of others?

A. In-group bias B. Out-group bias C. Conformity D. Obedience

Answer: C

Question 18: What is the term for the tendency to obey the commands of an authority figure, even if those commands are wrong?

A. In-group bias B. Out-group bias C. Conformity D. Obedience

Answer: D

Question 19: What is the term for the study of how our genes and environment interact to influence our behavior?

A. Developmental psychology B. Cognitive psychology C. Social psychology D. Behavioral genetics

Answer: D

Question 20: What is the term for the study of how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by our culture?

A. Cultural psychology B. Social psychology C. Clinical psychology D. Cross-cultural psychology

Answer: D