AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Ap Psychology

Joe consistently has negative interactions with his parents. He is most likely to engage in which of the following activities? 

Possible Answers:

Develop a substance abuse problem

Become androgynous 

Develop high self-esteem

Work hard at school so he can get into a good college and move out

Correct answer:

Develop a substance abuse problem

Explanation:

Joe is most likely to develop a substance abuse issue, as research has shown that increased negative interactions with parents lead to increased drinking and smoking. He wouldn't develop high self-esteem; in fact, he would probably develop low self-esteem as a result of these negative interactions. He might do poorly at school as a result of being distracted or lacking self-esteem. 

Example Question #102 : Ap Psychology

What's the difference between a savant and a prodigy?

Possible Answers:

Prodigies are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of low intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Prodigies are people of high intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of low intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Prodigies are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of high intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Prodigies are people of low intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Prodigies are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Correct answer:

Prodigies are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of low intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Explanation:

This question is purely definitional-- prodigies are people of normal intelligence who have an extraordinary talent and savants are people of low intelligence who have an extraordinary talent.

Example Question #103 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is not a method of persuasion?

Possible Answers:

Foot in the door technique

Cognitive dissonance

Door in the face technique

Norm of reciprocity

Heuristic persuasion

Correct answer:

Cognitive dissonance

Explanation:

Cognitive dissonance is not a persuasion technique; it describes the discomfort people face when they realize their own inconsistent beliefs. 

The norm of reciprocity, the door in the face technique, the foot in the door technique, and heuristic persuasion are all methods of persuasion—or are clearly related to methods of persuasion. The norm of reciprocity is the idea that someone will tend to reciprocate favors with favors or hostility with hostility; in terms of persuasion, reminding someone that they owe you a favor can persuade them to do something for you. The door in the face technique is the idea that if you ask for something bigger than what you want and they refuse, you can ask for (and get) the smaller thing that you really want. The foot in the door technique is the idea that if you ask for something smaller than what you want and they agree, you can then ask for (and get) the bigger thing that you really want. Last, heuristic persuasion is persuasion based on habit or emotion.

Example Question #104 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following concepts explains why Emily was more willing to say yes to Sue's smaller request after Emily already denied Sue's larger request?

Possible Answers:

Norm of reciprocity

Cognitive dissonance

Door in the face technique

Heuristic persuasion

Foot in the door technique

Correct answer:

Door in the face technique

Explanation:

The norm of reciprocity, the door in the face technique, the foot in the door technique, and heuristic persuasion are all methods of persuasion—or are clearly related to methods of persuasion. 

The foot in the door technique is the idea that if you ask for something smaller than what you want and they agree, you can then ask for (and get) the bigger thing that you really want.

The norm of reciprocity is the idea that someone will tend to reciprocate favors with favors or hostility with hostility; in terms of persuasion, reminding someone that they owe you a favor can persuade them to do something for you. Heuristic persuasion is persuasion based on habit or emotion. Last, cognitive dissonance is not a persuasion technique; it describes the discomfort people face when they realize their own inconsistent beliefs. 

Example Question #105 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following explains why Sue is more likely to do a favor for Emily if Emily recently did a favor for Sue?

Possible Answers:

Door in the face technique

Heuristic persuasion

Foot in the door technique

Norm of reciprocity

Cognitive dissonance

Correct answer:

Norm of reciprocity

Explanation:

The norm of reciprocity, the door in the face technique, the foot in the door technique, and heuristic persuasion are all methods of persuasion—or are clearly related to methods of persuasion. 

The norm of reciprocity is the idea that someone will tend to reciprocate favors with favors or hostility with hostility (e.g. reminding someone that they owe you a favor can persuade them to do something for you).

The door in the face technique is the idea that if you ask for something bigger than what you want and they refuse, you can ask for (and get) the smaller thing that you really want. The foot in the door technique is the idea that if you ask for something smaller than what you want and they agree, you can then ask for (and get) the bigger thing that you really want. Heuristic persuasion is persuasion based on habit or emotion. Last, cognitive dissonance is not a persuasion technique; it describes the discomfort people face when they realize their own inconsistent beliefs. 

Example Question #106 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following explains why Emily is more likely to say yes to Sue's big request after Emily has already agreed to Sue's smaller request?

Possible Answers:

Door in the face technique

Heuristic persuasion

Cognitive dissonance

Norm of reciprocity

Foot in the door technique

Correct answer:

Foot in the door technique

Explanation:

The norm of reciprocity, the door in the face technique, the foot in the door technique, and heuristic persuasion are all methods of persuasion—or are clearly related to methods of persuasion. 

The foot in the door technique is the idea that if you ask for something smaller than what you want and they agree, you can then ask for (and get) the bigger thing that you really want.

The door in the face technique is the idea that if you ask for something bigger than what you want and they refuse, you can ask for (and get) the smaller thing that you really want. The norm of reciprocity is the idea that someone will tend to reciprocate favors with favors or hostility with hostility; in terms of persuasion, reminding someone that they owe you a favor can persuade them to do something for you. Heuristic persuasion is persuasion based on habit or emotion. Last, cognitive dissonance is not a persuasion technique; it describes the discomfort people face when they realize their own inconsistent beliefs. 

Example Question #1 : Psychological Abnormalities

The traumatic experience associated with the end of the use of an addictive drug is known as __________.

Possible Answers:

addiction

dependence

tolerance

withdrawal

Correct answer:

withdrawal

Explanation:

Withdrawal is the term used to describe the symptoms that occur when a person ends the use of an addictive substance. Withdrawl can result following either a mental or physical addiction. Withdrawl symptoms can vary, but frequently include shaking, vomiting, nausea, and anxiety.

Tolerance is the phenomena wherein a subject's reaction to a drug decreases, causing a need for a more concentrated dose to achieve the same reaction Addiction is when a subject ingests a substance or engages in an activity that can be pleasureable in the short-run, but detrimental in the long-run. Dependence occurs when a subject is addicted to a substance or activity and is unable to behave independently of that stimulus.

Example Question #2 : Psychological Abnormalities

Who is regarded as the father of cognitive therapy?

Possible Answers:

Aaron Beck

B.F. Skinner

Sigmund Freud

William James

Carl Jung

Correct answer:

Aaron Beck

Explanation:

Aaron Beck is a psychatrist who is credited with creating cognitive therapy for disorders such as depression and anxiety. His theories are still very influential on modern therapy. He also created the Beck Depression Inventory, one of the most widely used assessments for depression.

Example Question #3 : Psychological Abnormalities

Who is the founder of psychoanalysis?

Possible Answers:

Edmund Hillary

Sigmund Freud

Aaron Beck

Karl Yang

Carl Rogers

Correct answer:

Sigmund Freud

Explanation:

Psychoanalysis was founded by Freud in the late 1800s. He believed that people could be cured of their mental illnesses by revealing their unconscious thoughts and motivations. This process leads to client insight and allows them to address their repressed emotions and experiences.

Example Question #3 : Psychological Abnormalities

Which therapeutic orientation utilizes unconditional positive regard?

Possible Answers:

Behavioral

Humanistic

Logistical

Psychoanalytic

Psychodynamic

Correct answer:

Humanistic

Explanation:

Unconditional positive regard is a concept created by humanistic psychologist, Carl Rogers. This term involves the therapist accepting and supporting the client regardless of what he or she says or does. This is a core tenet of client-centered therapy.

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