Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Science

AP Psychology Chapters 1-3 Quiz: Research, Brain, and Behavior

Quick, free AP Psych Units 1-3 practice to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Olivia Boys-EddyUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art collage of brain neuron icons, books and notes on coral background for free AP Psychology Chapters 1-3 quiz

This AP Psychology Chapters 1-3 quiz helps you check core ideas like research methods, the brain, and behavior. See what you know and what to review before test day. After you finish, try a free AP Psychology practice test, take an AP psychology unit 1 quiz, or do a quick psychology unit 1 review.

Which psychologist is considered the founder of structuralism?
William James
Edward Titchener
Sigmund Freud
John Watson
Edward Titchener established structuralism by using introspection to explore the structure of the mind. His approach focused on breaking down mental processes into their most basic components. Structuralism was one of the first major schools of thought in psychology but was eventually supplanted by functionalism and behaviorism.
Who is known for developing functionalism in psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt
Sigmund Freud
B. F. Skinner
William James
William James is credited with founding functionalism, which emphasizes the purpose of mental processes in enabling adaptation to the environment. Functionalism emerged as a reaction to structuralism's introspective methods, focusing instead on how mental processes operate. James's work laid the groundwork for applied psychology and influenced educational and industrial practices.
What is the primary focus of behaviorism?
The study of introspective mental processes
The study of unconscious drives
The study of observable behaviors only
The study of neural mechanisms
Behaviorism, pioneered by John Watson and B.F. Skinner, focuses strictly on observable behaviors rather than on internal mental states. Behaviorists argue that psychology should be an objective science based on measurable behaviors. They use principles of learning, such as conditioning, to explain and predict behavior.
What does an operational definition do in psychological research?
Ensures participant consent
Establishes research ethics guidelines
Identifies the cause of phenomena
Defines variables in measurable terms
An operational definition specifies how variables are measured and manipulated in a study, ensuring clarity and replicability. By defining terms in concrete, measurable ways, researchers can communicate their methods and verify findings. Without operational definitions, studies would lack precision and reproducibility.
Which research method involves an in-depth analysis of a single individual or group?
Survey
Case study
Naturalistic observation
Experiment
A case study is a detailed examination of one person or group, providing rich qualitative data. It allows in-depth investigation of rare or unusual phenomena but may not generalize to broader populations. Case studies often generate hypotheses for further research.
Which correlation coefficient indicates a strong positive relationship?
+.20
-.85
0
+.85
Correlation coefficients range from -1.0 to +1.0, with values closer to +1.0 indicating strong positive relationships. A coefficient of +.85 shows that as one variable increases, the other tends to increase strongly as well. Negative coefficients indicate inverse relationships.
In an experiment, the independent variable is the one that is:
Held constant
Measured for change
Randomly assigned
Manipulated by the researcher
The independent variable is the factor that researchers systematically manipulate to observe its effect on another variable. It is contrasted with the dependent variable, which is measured for changes resulting from that manipulation. Proper control of the independent variable is crucial for establishing causation.
Which sampling method gives every member of the population an equal chance of inclusion?
Convenience sampling
Cluster sampling
Stratified sampling
Random sampling
Random sampling ensures that each member of the population has an equal probability of being selected, reducing sampling bias. This method enhances the generalizability of results to the broader population. Other sampling methods may introduce bias by over- or under-representing subgroups.
Which example best illustrates an operational definition of stress?
Self-report of feeling stressed
Number of hours spent studying
Participants' score on a standardized anxiety inventory
Observation of nail-biting behavior
An operational definition translates concepts into specific, measurable terms. Using a standardized anxiety inventory provides a clear, quantifiable measure of stress. Self-reports and observations can be interesting but may lack standardization and reliability.
What is the primary purpose of random assignment in experiments?
To define variables operationally
To control for confounding variables
To ensure a representative sample
To measure individual differences
Random assignment reduces the influence of extraneous variables by equally distributing participant characteristics across conditions. This process strengthens internal validity and supports causal inferences. Without it, group differences might reflect preexisting characteristics.
Who pioneered the humanistic perspective in psychology?
Ivan Pavlov
John Watson
Abraham Maslow
Carl Rogers
Carl Rogers, along with Abraham Maslow, developed humanistic psychology, emphasizing personal growth and self-actualization. Rogers introduced client-centered therapy focusing on empathy and unconditional positive regard. This perspective countered psychoanalysis and behaviorism with a focus on conscious experience.
Which neurotransmitter is most directly involved in muscle movement and memory?
GABA
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine plays a key role in motor movement by transmitting signals between motor neurons and muscles. It is also involved in learning and memory processes in the hippocampus. Deficiencies are linked to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Acetylcholine Functions
What role do glial cells play in the nervous system?
Transmit electrical impulses
Store neurotransmitters
Provide support and insulation for neurons
Produce hormones
Glial cells outnumber neurons and provide structural support, insulation (myelin), and nutrient supply. They also help maintain homeostasis and form the blood - brain barrier. Glia play roles in repair and modulate neurotransmission.
The myelin sheath serves to:
Absorb excess ions
Anchor neurons together
Speed up neural transmission
Produce neurotransmitters
The myelin sheath, formed by glial cells, insulates axons and increases the speed of electrical impulses. This insulation allows signals to jump between nodes of Ranvier in a process called saltatory conduction. Demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis slow down or block neural signals.
In a frequency distribution, the value that occurs most often is the:
Range
Mode
Median
Mean
The mode is the most frequently occurring value in a data set. It is distinct from the mean (arithmetic average) and median (middle value). Mode is useful for categorical data or distributions with clear peaks.
A stratified sample is designed to:
Ensure subgroups are proportionally represented
Assign participants randomly to conditions
Divide the population into clusters
Select participants based on convenience
Stratified sampling divides a population into subgroups (strata) and randomly selects from each stratum proportionally. This method improves representativeness when specific subgroups are important. It combines random sampling benefits with subgroup representation.
Which neuroimaging technique measures blood flow changes by detecting oxygen levels in the brain?
CT scan
fMRI
EEG
PET scan
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity. It provides high spatial resolution images of brain function. PET scans measure metabolic activity via radioactive tracers, while EEG records electrical activity.
What term describes the brain's ability to reorganize itself after damage?
Homeostasis
Plasticity
Habituation
Fixation
Neural plasticity refers to the brain's capacity to change and adapt in response to experience or injury. It involves the formation of new neural connections and reorganization of existing pathways. Plasticity underlies learning, memory, and recovery from brain damage.
The synaptic gap between neurons is also known as the:
Myelin sheath
Node of Ranvier
Axon hillock
Synaptic cleft
The synaptic cleft is the microscopic space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another. Neurotransmitters cross this gap to relay signals. Proper function of the synaptic cleft is essential for neural communication.
Which principle states that a neuron fires with full strength or not at all when it reaches threshold?
Gate control theory
All-or-none principle
Opponent-process theory
James-Lange theory
The all-or-none principle holds that a neuron either fires completely when its membrane potential reaches threshold or does not fire at all. The strength of an action potential is not reduced by distance along the axon. This principle is fundamental to neural communication.
Which brain structure regulates heartbeat and breathing?
Medulla
Amygdala
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls vital autonomic functions such as heart rate and respiration. Damage to the medulla can be life-threatening due to its regulatory roles. Other structures like the hypothalamus regulate different bodily processes such as hormones and temperature.
Mirror neurons, implicated in empathy and imitation, were first discovered in which species?
Chimpanzees
Macaque monkeys
Rats
Humans
Mirror neurons were first identified in the premotor cortex of macaque monkeys. These neurons fire when the monkey performs an action and when it observes another performing the same action. They have been linked to understanding others' actions and empathy.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory and helps regulate anxiety?
Glutamate
GABA
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reducing neural excitability. It plays a key role in regulating anxiety and muscle tone. Many anti-anxiety medications enhance GABA activity. GABA Functions
The nature - nurture issue refers to:
The debate between mind and body dualism
The comparison of functionalism and structuralism
The difference between clinical and counseling psychology
The relative contributions of heredity and environment to behavior
The nature - nurture issue explores how genetic inheritance (nature) and experiences (nurture) influence psychological traits. Modern research acknowledges interactions between both factors. This debate underlies many studies in developmental and behavioral genetics.
Which process involves the sodium-potassium pump restoring the resting potential after an action potential?
Depolarization
Threshold activation
Hyperpolarization
Repolarization
Repolarization occurs when potassium ions flow out of the neuron, and the sodium-potassium pump restores the original ion distribution, reestablishing the resting potential. Depolarization is the initial rise in membrane potential, while hyperpolarization makes it more negative than the resting state. The pump's active transport is crucial for repeated firing.
0
{"name":"Which psychologist is considered the founder of structuralism?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which psychologist is considered the founder of structuralism?, Who is known for developing functionalism in psychology?, What is the primary focus of behaviorism?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Foundational Theories -

    Gain clarity on the major schools of thought in psychology, including behaviorism, cognitive psychology, and psychoanalysis, and how each framework shaped the field.

  2. Differentiate Research Methods -

    Distinguish between experimental, correlational, and observational research designs and recognize their respective strengths and limitations.

  3. Analyze Statistical Concepts -

    Interpret basic statistical measures such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation, and apply them to evaluate study results.

  4. Identify Neural Structures and Functions -

    Locate key components of the neuron, central nervous system, and peripheral nervous system, and describe their roles in behavior and cognition.

  5. Explain Neurotransmitter and Hormonal Influences -

    Explain how major neurotransmitters and endocrine hormones affect mood, arousal, and various psychological processes.

  6. Apply Concepts to Case Studies -

    Use your knowledge of theories, methods, and biology to analyze real-world case studies and pinpoint areas for further review.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Research Methods -

    Master experimental versus correlational designs by focusing on variables, controls, and random assignment to boost both internal and external validity. Remember the correlation coefficient (r) formula, r = cov(X,Y)/(σX·σY), and use practice items from an AP Psych review quiz to solidify understanding for the AP Psychology Chapters 1-3 quiz.

  2. Ethical Principles -

    Familiarize yourself with the APA's five general principles (Beneficence, Fidelity, Integrity, Justice, Respect for persons) through the acronym "BFIJR," and apply these in hypothetical case studies. Ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and debriefing is key when tackling the AP Psych chapter 2 quiz or a free AP Psych practice test.

  3. Neuron Structure & Action Potential -

    Diagram dendrites, soma, axon hillock, and the myelin sheath to visualize how an action potential fires via the all-or-none principle when the threshold (~ - 55 mV) is reached. Use the mnemonic "DASH" (Dendrites, Axon, Soma, Hillock) and consider tracing voltage changes in a sample AP to ace the AP Psychology Chapters 1-3 quiz.

  4. Key Neurotransmitters -

    Recall major transmitters: dopamine (reward/movement), serotonin (mood/sleep), acetylcholine (muscle action/memory), GABA (inhibition), and glutamate (excitation) using "DAGS&G." Linking each to a behavior or disorder helps solidify these in your memory before an AP Psych chapter 3 quiz or any AP Psych review quiz.

  5. Brain Regions & Functions -

    Break down the hindbrain (medulla, pons, cerebellum), midbrain (tectum, tegmentum), and forebrain (limbic system, cerebral cortex) with the guide "HMF," and pair each with its primary role - basic life functions, sensory relay, or higher cognition. Mapping these on a brain diagram from an AP Psych chapter 1 quiz prep sheet ensures you can quickly identify structures under time pressure.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Psychology & Mental Health Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker