Behavioral Science Practice Questions

  1. Which of the following is not one of the key steps in the grief process?
  1. Denial
  2. Anger
  3. Bargaining
  4. Rejection
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

The Kübler-Ross stages are commonly listed as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Rejection is not one of the key stages.

 

  1. Which of the following matches the definition below?
Covering up a weakness by stressing a desirable or stronger trait
  1. Compensation
  2. Projection
  3. Rationalization
  4. Dysphoria
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Compensation involves emphasizing strengths to offset perceived weaknesses.

 

  1. Which of the following waveforms is most commonly found with light sleepers?
  1. \(\theta\)
  2. \(\alpha\)
  3. \(\beta\)
  4. \(\zeta\)
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Light sleep (N1) is associated with theta activity. Alpha is relaxed wakefulness (eyes closed), beta is alert wakefulness, and zeta is not a standard EEG band.

 

  1. Which of the following months matches with an infant first having the ability to sit up independently?
  1. 4 months
  2. 6 months
  3. 8 months
  4. 10 months
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Many infants begin to sit briefly without support around 6 months, with steadier sitting by ~7–8 months.

 

  1. Stranger anxiety typically begins at what age?
  1. 2–3 months
  2. 6–9 months
  3. 18–24 months
  4. 3–4 years
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Stranger anxiety commonly emerges around 6–9 months as infants develop stronger attachment and differentiate familiar from unfamiliar faces.

 

  1. Which of the following matches the definition below?
Attributing our own unwanted trait to another person
  1. Compensation
  2. Projection
  3. Rationalization
  4. Dysphoria
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Projection is assigning one’s own unacceptable feelings or traits to someone else.

 

  1. Which of the following matches the definition below?
The justification of behaviors using reasons other than the real reason
  1. Compensation
  2. Projection
  3. Rationalization
  4. Dysphoria
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Rationalization provides plausible but inaccurate explanations to justify behaviors or feelings.

 

  1. Which of the following matches the definition below?
Response to severe emotional stress resulting in involuntary disturbance of physical functions
  1. Conversion disorder
  2. Depressive reaction
  3. Bipolar disorder
  4. Alzheimer’s disease
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Conversion disorder presents with neurologic symptoms incompatible with recognized conditions, often linked to psychological stress.

 

  1. Which of the following waveforms is most commonly found when you are awake?
  1. \(\theta\)
  2. \(\alpha\)
  3. \(\beta\)
  4. \(\zeta\)
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Alert, eyes-open wakefulness is characterized by beta activity. Alpha appears during relaxed wakefulness with eyes closed.

 

  1. Approximately how often does the REM sleep cycle occur in adults?
  1. Every 45 minutes
  2. Every 60 minutes
  3. Every 75 minutes
  4. Every 90 minutes
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

In adults, REM periods typically recur about every 90 minutes, lengthening across the night.

 

  1. Which of the following reflexes is not found at birth?
  1. Babinski
  2. Palmar
  3. Moro
  4. Parachute
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Babinski, palmar grasp, and Moro reflexes are present at birth. The parachute reflex appears later (around 8–9 months).

 

  1. Parallel play for toddlers develops in which age range?
  1. 5–10 months
  2. 10–14 months
  3. 12–24 months
  4. 24–48 months
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Parallel play is typical of ages ~2–3 years.

 

  1. Which of the following is not a sign of anxiety?
  1. Dyspnea
  2. Hyperventilation
  3. Moist mouth
  4. GI symptoms
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Anxiety often causes dry mouth, not a moist mouth. Dyspnea, hyperventilation, and gastrointestinal symptoms are common.

 

  1. A person who is almost always tired and regularly experiences suddenly falling asleep during the day is suffering from which of the following?
  1. Cataplexy
  2. Narcolepsy
  3. Transitional sleep
  4. REM absence
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Narcolepsy involves irresistible sleep attacks and excessive daytime sleepiness. Cataplexy is a related sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by emotion.

 

  1. Which of the following best describes a person that is unable to tell you where their hand or foot is?
  1. Autotopagnosia
  2. Cataplexy
  3. Ergophobia
  4. Anosognosia
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Autotopagnosia is difficulty localizing parts of one’s own body. Anosognosia is lack of awareness of a deficit, ergophobia is fear of work, and cataplexy is not sensory.

 

  1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a panic disorder?
  1. Nausea
  2. Excessive perspiration
  3. Urination
  4. Chest pain
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Panic attacks commonly cause chest pain, sweating, palpitations, dyspnea, tremor, dizziness, and nausea. Urinary symptoms are not typical.

 

  1. Which of the following categories would a 70-year-old adult be placed in?
  1. Intimacy vs. isolation
  2. Generativity vs. stagnation
  3. Integrity vs. despair
  4. Longevity vs. guilt
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Erikson’s stage for late adulthood is integrity vs. despair.

 

  1. Which of the following categories would a 60-year-old adult be placed in?
  1. Intimacy vs. isolation
  2. Generativity vs. stagnation
  3. Integrity vs. despair
  4. Longevity vs. guilt
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Middle adulthood (roughly 40–65 years) corresponds to generativity vs. stagnation.

 

  1. Which of the following categories would a 20-year-old adult be placed in?
  1. Intimacy vs. isolation
  2. Generativity vs. stagnation
  3. Integrity vs. despair
  4. Longevity vs. guilt
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Early adulthood corresponds to intimacy vs. isolation.

 

  1. Which of the following describes a person using words that have no known meaning?
  1. Neologisms
  2. Neolithic
  3. Verbalism
  4. Delusional blocking
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Neologisms are newly coined, idiosyncratic words or expressions with no standard meaning, often seen in thought disorders.