Free Praxis Psychology (5391) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Praxis Psychology (5391) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Which psychologist established the Leipzig laboratory in 1879 that helped establish psychology as an experimental science?

   1. A.William James
   2. B.Wilhelm WundtCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Sigmund Freud
   4. D.John B. Watson

   Explanation: APA identifies Wundt with the first psychology "research laboratory" at Leipzig in 1879. James established a teaching laboratory at Harvard; Freud developed psychoanalysis, and Watson advanced behaviorism.

   Reference: Perspectives in Psychological Science — Lesson 1, III.B.2, p. 8

2. 2Which neuronal structures usually receive incoming signals from other neurons?

   1. A.Axon terminals
   2. B.Myelin sheaths
   3. C.DendritesCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Nodes of Ranvier

   Explanation: APA describes dendrites as the neuron’s "receiving/input branches". Axon terminals release signals, myelin insulates axons, and nodes are gaps between myelin segments.

   Reference: Biological Bases of Behavior — Lesson 2, I.A.2, p. 7

3. 3A developmental account emphasizes gradual accumulation of skills rather than abrupt transitions into qualitatively different stages. Which theme does the account emphasize?

   1. A.Critical periods
   2. B.Stability of individual differences
   3. C.Continuity of developmentCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Stage discontinuity

   Explanation: APA describes development in a "continuous" fashion throughout life. Gradual accumulation illustrates continuity; critical periods concern timing of experience, stability concerns persistence of differences, and stage discontinuity emphasizes qualitative transitions.

   Reference: Life Span Development — Lesson 1, II.A, p. 6

4. 4An initially neutral light is repeatedly followed by a puff of air that produces blinking. Eventually, the light alone produces blinking. What is the light after this learning?

   1. A.An unconditioned stimulus
   2. B.An unconditioned response
   3. C.A conditioned stimulusCorrect answer: C
   4. D.A conditioned response

   Explanation: APA explains that an initially neutral stimulus can acquire a "conditioned response". The light becomes the conditioned stimulus; the puff is the unconditioned stimulus, and blinking is a response rather than a stimulus.

   Reference: Learning — Lesson 1, II.B.1–3, pp. 5–6

5. 5Which personality assessment asks a person to describe what they see in inkblots?

   1. A.Thematic Apperception Test
   2. B.Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
   3. C.Rorschach testCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Narcissistic Personality Inventory

   Explanation: APA describes the Rorschach task using "ink blots". It uses interpretations of ambiguous inkblots; the TAT uses pictured scenes, and the two inventories use structured responses.

   Reference: Personality — Lesson 2, I.C.1, p. 15

6. 6Which anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, difficult-to-control worry across multiple everyday concerns?

   1. A.Specific phobia
   2. B.Generalized anxiety disorderCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Social anxiety disorder
   4. D.Panic disorder

   Explanation: NIMH describes people who "Worry excessively about everyday things" and have difficulty controlling worry. The breadth and persistence distinguish generalized anxiety from a specific feared object, scrutiny by others, or recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

   Reference: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know — What are the signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?

7. 7William James's functionalism focused on which question about consciousness?

   1. A.Which elementary sensations constitute conscious experience?
   2. B.Which unconscious conflicts produce conscious distress?
   3. C.How does consciousness help people adapt to their environments?Correct answer: C
   4. D.How do rewards establish observable response patterns?

   Explanation: The APA account associates functionalism with "adaptive functions": consciousness and behavior help individuals adjust to changing environments. Structural elements, unconscious conflict, and reinforcement reflect different theoretical emphases.

   Reference: Perspectives in Psychological Science — Lesson 1, III.B.3.a, p. 9

8. 8Which pattern best describes the autonomic response to an immediate threat?

   1. A.Sympathetic activation increases heart rate and dilates the pupils.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Parasympathetic activation increases heart rate and dilates the pupils.
   3. C.Sympathetic activation slows heart rate while dilating the pupils.
   4. D.Sympathetic activation increases heart rate while constricting the pupils.

   Explanation: APA links sympathetic stimulation to "stressful events", including cardiac acceleration and pupil dilation. Parasympathetic activation does not produce this paired threat response; slowing the heart or constricting the pupils misstates one sympathetic effect.

   Reference: Biological Bases of Behavior — Lesson 3, autonomic nervous system, sympathetic stimulation, pp. 10–11

9. 9A child understands that flattening a ball of clay changes its shape but does not change the amount of clay. Which Piagetian concept does this understanding demonstrate?

   1. A.ConservationCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Egocentrism
   3. C.Object permanence
   4. D.Animism

   Explanation: APA describes conservation as preserving quantity "despite changes" in an object’s form. The child reasons about unchanged amount, rather than another person’s perspective, continued existence out of sight, or attributing life to objects.

   Reference: Life Span Development — Lesson 2, Piaget, preoperational-stage discussion, p. 10

10. 10Fastening a seat belt stops an unpleasant warning tone. As a result, a driver fastens the belt more promptly on later trips. Which process has strengthened fastening?

    1. A.Negative reinforcementCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Positive punishment
    3. C.Negative punishment
    4. D.Extinction

    Explanation: APA defines negative reinforcement through removal of an "aversive (undesired)" stimulus that increases behavior. Stopping the tone strengthens fastening. Punishment reduces behavior; extinction removes the reinforcing contingency.

    Reference: Learning — Lesson 3, II.B.2, p. 14