Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is one primary goal of health psychology research?

To study the brain's structure
To improve healthcare systems and policies (Correct answer)
To understand the genetic basis of diseases
To develop new medications

Correct answer: To improve healthcare systems and policies

One primary goal of health psychology research is to apply psychological knowledge to improve healthcare systems and policies. This involves developing evidence-based interventions to enhance patient adherence, designing effective public health campaigns, and advocating for policies that promote health and well-being across populations. The research aims to translate findings into practical applications that benefit public health initiatives.

Question 2: Which disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life?

Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Generalized anxiety disorder (Correct answer)
Major depressive disorder

Correct answer: Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive, and often uncontrollable worry about a variety of everyday events or activities. Individuals with GAD find it difficult to manage their anxiety and may experience physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, and muscle tension. This pervasive and long-lasting worry distinguishes GAD from more specific anxiety disorders.

Question 3: What type of stress management technique might a health psychologist recommend?

Smoking
Excessive screen time
Isolation
Aerobic exercise (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise is a highly recommended and evidence-based stress management technique that health psychologists frequently suggest. Physical activity helps reduce stress hormones, improves mood through the release of endorphins, and enhances overall mental and physical well-being. Engaging in regular aerobic exercise is a healthy and effective way to cope with stress, unlike the other listed options which are detrimental to health.

Question 4: The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to:

Overestimate situational factors and underestimate dispositional factors when explaining others' behavior
Underestimate situational factors and overestimate dispositional factors when explaining others' behavior (Correct answer)
Attribute one's own failures to external causes
Assume others share our attitudes

Correct answer: Underestimate situational factors and overestimate dispositional factors when explaining others' behavior

The fundamental attribution error is the bias of overweighting personal traits and underweighting situational influences when explaining other people's behavior.

Question 5: During Piaget's preoperational stage, egocentrism is best demonstrated by:

Inability to solve hypothetical problems
Failure to pass conservation tasks
Assuming others see the world from their own perspective (Correct answer)
Lack of object permanence

Correct answer: Assuming others see the world from their own perspective

Preoperational egocentrism is the child's difficulty recognizing that others may have different perspectives, as shown in the classic three-mountain task.

Question 6: Which research design allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables?

True experiment (Correct answer)
Case study
Naturalistic observation
Correlational study

Correct answer: True experiment

True experiments use random assignment and manipulation of an independent variable, which is the only design that allows causal conclusions.

Question 7: Which term describes the gradual replacement of external scaffolding with internal cognitive processes?

Internalization (Correct answer)
Equilibration
Habituation
Accommodation

Correct answer: Internalization

Internalization (Vygotsky) is the process by which socially-guided actions and thinking become part of the individual's own internal cognitive toolkit.

Question 8: What is 'functional fixedness' in problem solving?

A mental set that prevents seeing objects as having uses beyond their typical function (Correct answer)
The inability to solve ill-defined problems
Bias toward solutions that worked in the past
Difficulty switching attention between tasks

Correct answer: A mental set that prevents seeing objects as having uses beyond their typical function

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person to using objects only in the way they are traditionally used, blocking creative problem-solving.

Question 9: What does 'criterion validity' mean in the context of I-O psychology selection tools?

Scores on a predictor correlate with scores on a measure of job performance (Correct answer)
The test is consistent across administrations
The test has a logical relationship to the job domain
The test measures the same content as the job duties

Correct answer: Scores on a predictor correlate with scores on a measure of job performance

Criterion validity (predictive or concurrent) is demonstrated when predictor scores (e.g., a test) significantly correlate with a criterion of job performance or success.

Question 10: What is 'elaborative rehearsal' and why is it more effective than maintenance rehearsal?

Repetition of information at intervals; effective because of spacing
Repeating information aloud; effective because of auditory processing
Visualizing information; effective because of dual coding
Connecting new information to existing knowledge; effective because it creates deeper encoding (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Connecting new information to existing knowledge; effective because it creates deeper encoding

Elaborative rehearsal involves linking new material to existing memories and giving it meaning, creating a deeper level of processing that enhances long-term retention.

Question 11: Which brain structure is most critically associated with the consolidation of explicit long-term memories?

Amygdala
Cerebellum
Hippocampus (Correct answer)
Prefrontal cortex

Correct answer: Hippocampus

The hippocampus is essential for consolidating new explicit (declarative) memories; damage to it (as in patient H.M.) causes profound anterograde amnesia.

Question 12: What is 'conservation' in Piaget's theory?

The ability to reverse mental operations
Classifying objects into hierarchical categories
Understanding that objects persist when hidden
Recognizing that quantity stays the same despite changes in appearance (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Recognizing that quantity stays the same despite changes in appearance

Conservation is the understanding that properties like volume, number, and mass remain constant even when the physical appearance of an object changes.

Question 13: What is the capacity of short-term (working) memory according to Miller's classic research?

3 ± 1 chunks
12 ± 2 chunks
7 ± 2 chunks (Correct answer)
5 ± 1 chunks

Correct answer: 7 ± 2 chunks

Miller (1956) famously reported that short-term memory holds approximately 7 ± 2 chunks of information at one time.

Question 14: In Erikson's framework, the primary developmental challenge of adolescence is:

Identity vs. Role Confusion (Correct answer)
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Industry vs. Inferiority
Intimacy vs. Isolation

Correct answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's fifth stage, Identity vs. Role Confusion, occurs during adolescence, when individuals explore and commit to a coherent sense of self.

Question 15: Herzberg's two-factor theory distinguishes between 'hygiene factors' and 'motivators.' Which of the following is a motivator?

Company policy
Achievement and recognition (Correct answer)
Salary
Working conditions

Correct answer: Achievement and recognition

Herzberg classified achievement, recognition, advancement, and the work itself as motivators that produce job satisfaction and increased performance.

Question 16: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the first-line behavioral treatment for which disorder?

Major Depressive Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Correct answer)
Schizophrenia

Correct answer: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

ERP — exposing patients to feared stimuli while preventing compulsive responses — is the gold-standard behavioral treatment for OCD, supported by extensive evidence.

Question 17: According to Aaron Beck, depression is maintained by a 'cognitive triad' of negative views about:

The self, the world, and the future (Correct answer)
Childhood, relationships, and work
The past, present, and body image
Emotions, cognitions, and behaviors

Correct answer: The self, the world, and the future

Beck's cognitive triad describes negative automatic thoughts about oneself (worthless), the world (unfair/hostile), and the future (hopeless) as core features of depression.

Question 18: Which of the following is a key concept in health psychology related to understanding patient behaviors?

Classical conditioning
Psychodynamic theory
Health belief model (Correct answer)
Operant conditioning

Correct answer: Health belief model

The Health Belief Model is a prominent theoretical framework in health psychology used to understand and predict individuals' health-related behaviors. It posits that a person's likelihood of engaging in a health behavior depends on their perceptions of susceptibility to an illness, its severity, the benefits of taking action, and the barriers to action. This model guides the development of interventions aimed at promoting healthy choices and preventing disease.

Question 19: Which of the following is a common intervention used by health psychologists?

Pharmacotherapy
Surgery
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (Correct answer)
Electroconvulsive therapy

Correct answer: Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective and frequently used intervention by health psychologists. CBT helps individuals identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to various health problems, such as chronic pain, stress, or unhealthy lifestyle choices. By teaching coping strategies and promoting adaptive behaviors, CBT empowers patients to better manage their health and improve their quality of life.

Question 20: The cerebellum is primarily responsible for:

Controlling the circadian sleep-wake cycle
Processing emotional memories and fear responses
Coordinating voluntary movement, balance, and fine motor control (Correct answer)
Regulating hunger, thirst, and body temperature

Correct answer: Coordinating voluntary movement, balance, and fine motor control

The cerebellum integrates sensory feedback with motor commands to coordinate smooth, precise voluntary movements and maintain balance.

Question 21: What is the term for the therapeutic relationship between a psychologist and a client?

Therapeutic alliance (Correct answer)
Behavioral contract
Diagnostic collaboration
Clinical partnership

Correct answer: Therapeutic alliance

The therapeutic alliance refers to the collaborative and trusting relationship that develops between a psychologist and their client. This partnership is considered a critical factor in the success of therapy, as a strong alliance fosters open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to achieving therapeutic goals. A positive therapeutic alliance empowers clients to engage more fully in the treatment process.

Question 22: According to Piaget, during which stage do children first develop object permanence?

Sensorimotor (Correct answer)
Preoperational
Formal operational
Concrete operational

Correct answer: Sensorimotor

Object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight — develops during the sensorimotor stage (birth–2 years).

Question 23: The process by which a neurotransmitter is transported back into the presynaptic neuron after release is called:

Diffusion clearance
Autoreception
Enzymatic degradation
Reuptake (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reuptake

Reuptake is the primary mechanism by which neurotransmitters are removed from the synapse, with transporter proteins returning them to the presynaptic terminal for recycling.

Question 24: What is 'informed consent' as required by APA ethical standards?

Consent obtained after debriefing
Written approval from an IRB
Voluntary agreement to participate after being told about the study's nature and risks (Correct answer)
Parental permission for adult participants

Correct answer: Voluntary agreement to participate after being told about the study's nature and risks

Informed consent requires that participants voluntarily agree to participate after being provided adequate information about the study's purpose, procedures, and risks.

Question 25: What is 'organizational citizenship behavior' (OCB)?

Counterproductive work behaviors committed by dissatisfied employees
Voluntary behaviors that go beyond formal job requirements and support organizational effectiveness (Correct answer)
Performance evaluations conducted by peers
Formally required job duties that are part of the employment contract

Correct answer: Voluntary behaviors that go beyond formal job requirements and support organizational effectiveness

OCBs are discretionary, extra-role behaviors (e.g., helping colleagues, civic virtue) that are not formally rewarded but contribute to organizational functioning.

Question 26: Which therapeutic approach emphasizes the role of unconscious processes and childhood experiences in behavior?

Humanistic therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Psychodynamic therapy (Correct answer)
Behavioral therapy

Correct answer: Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy, stemming from Freudian psychoanalysis, places significant emphasis on the role of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences in shaping an individual's personality and behavior. This therapeutic approach aims to help clients gain insight into these hidden dynamics and unresolved conflicts. By exploring past experiences and their impact, individuals can better understand and address current psychological difficulties.

Question 27: Endogenous opioid neuropeptides (endorphins) are released primarily in response to:

Hunger and low blood glucose
Social rejection and exclusion
Memory encoding and consolidation
Stress and pain (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stress and pain

Endorphins are released in response to pain and physical stress, producing analgesia and feelings of euphoria by binding to opioid receptors—the same receptors targeted by morphine and heroin.

Question 28: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is most effective for treating which type of disorder?

Genetic disorders
Anxiety disorders (Correct answer)
Infectious diseases
Cardiovascular diseases

Correct answer: Anxiety disorders

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely recognized as one of the most effective and evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders. CBT helps individuals identify and challenge maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their anxiety symptoms. By learning new coping skills and modifying unhelpful responses, clients can significantly reduce their anxiety and improve their daily functioning.

Question 29: What diagnostic category in the DSM-5 includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder?

Mood Disorders
Somatic Symptom Disorders
Feeding and Eating Disorders (Correct answer)
Impulse-Control Disorders

Correct answer: Feeding and Eating Disorders

DSM-5 groups anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and related conditions under the 'Feeding and Eating Disorders' chapter.

Question 30: What does internal validity refer to in psychological research?

Whether findings generalize to the real world
Consistency of results across studies
Whether a test measures what it claims to measure
The degree to which changes in the DV are caused by the IV (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The degree to which changes in the DV are caused by the IV

Internal validity concerns whether observed changes in the dependent variable are genuinely caused by manipulation of the independent variable, ruling out confounds.

Question 31: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is primarily characterized by:

Persistent grandiosity and lack of empathy
Pervasive instability in relationships, self-image, affect, and marked impulsivity (Correct answer)
Dramatic emotional expression and attention-seeking behavior
Social detachment and restricted emotional expression

Correct answer: Pervasive instability in relationships, self-image, affect, and marked impulsivity

BPD is defined by intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity, and affective instability.

Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)

The EPPP is the standardized licensure exam for psychologists in the U.S. and Canada, assessing knowledge across eight core domains required for safe and competent professional practice. It is administered by ASPPB on behalf of 66 jurisdictional licensing boards.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

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