AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Sensation And Perception

What is the colored part of the eye called?

Possible Answers:

The iris

The retina

The lash

The ocular lens

The ciliary muscle

Correct answer:

The iris

Explanation:

The iris is a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored part of the eye. Additionally, the iris controls the size of the pupil opening, and thus controls how much light enters the eye.

Example Question #23 : Sensation And Perception

During the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development, which of the following occurs?

Possible Answers:

The child begins to form words using their facial muscles and vocal cords

The child leans to use language

The child begins to think logically

The child develops the ability to think about abstract concepts

The child's behaviors are limited to musculoskeletal responses caused by the nervous system

Correct answer:

The child's behaviors are limited to musculoskeletal responses caused by the nervous system

Explanation:

The stages of cognitive development, according to Jean Piaget, are the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. During the sensorimotor stage, the period between birth and age two, cognitive development is limited to motor responses caused by sensory stimuli.

Between ages two and six—the preoperational stage—the child learns to use language. Between ages seven and eleven—the concrete operational stage—children begin thinking logically. During the formal operational stage, age twelve through adulthood, people develop the ability to think about abstract concepts such as deductive reasoning. 

Example Question #24 : Sensation And Perception

Which part of the ear has tiny bones that concentrate vibrations from the eardrum?

Possible Answers:

The middle ear

The inner ear

The square window

The oval window

The cochlea

Correct answer:

The middle ear

Explanation:

The middle ear contains three tiny bones: the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). These bones concentrate the vibrations coming from the eardrum, and send these signals to the cochlea's oval window.

Each region of the ear uses a different medium to transmit vibrations. Remember that the outer ear uses air as the medium (sound waves impact the ear drum). The middle ear uses bones to transmit these vibrations to the oval window. Finally, the inner ear uses fluid found in the cochlea to transmit the vibrations to neural tissue.

Example Question #25 : Sensation And Perception

Where in the eye are photoreceptors located?

Possible Answers:

Pupil

Cornea

Retina

Lens

Sclera

Correct answer:

Retina

Explanation:

The retina contains the rods and the cones, which are sensitive to light that enters through the pupil. Rods are able to detect shades of dark and light, while cones are able to detect color. When light strikes these cells, it is converted into electrical neural impulses that are transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain.

Example Question #22 : Sensation And Perception

A lack of which of the following neurotransmitters is most likely to cause clinical depression?

Possible Answers:

Serotonin

Endorphins

​Acetylcholine

Dopamine

Adrenaline

Correct answer:

Serotonin

Explanation:

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is most responsible for mood control. Therefore, a lack of serotonin would likely result in clinical depression, a mood disorder.

Example Question #21 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following types of cells are not located in the eye?

Possible Answers:

Olfactory cells

Retinal cells

Ganglion cells

Rods and cones

Bipolar cells

Correct answer:

Olfactory cells

Explanation:

Olfactory cells are receptors involved with our sense of smell, while the other answer choices are all related to vision, and are located in the eye. 

Example Question #26 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following is one of the oldest theories about how and why humans see in color?

Possible Answers:

Trichronological theory

Dichromatic theory

Frequency theory

Trichromatic theory

Place theory

Correct answer:

Trichromatic theory

Explanation:

The trichromatic theory is one of the oldest theories about why and how humans see in color and it states that there are three types of cones in the retina that can detect the three colors (hence trichromatic) of blue, green, and red. 

As for the other answers, dichromatic theory and trichronological theory don't exist; they just sound similar to the correct answer. Place theory and frequency theory are theories about audition rather than vision. Place theory states that ear hairs respond to different frequencies based on their different locations in the cochlea, and frequency theory states that pitch is perceived by the rate at which hair cells fire. 

Example Question #1191 : Ap Psychology

Which region of the human body would have the largest area of the sensory cortex devoted to it?

Possible Answers:

Eyes

Toes

Knee

Arm

Lips 

Correct answer:

Lips 

Explanation:

The area devoted to a particular region of the body in the sensory cortex is proportional to the region's sensitivity. Lips are known to contain more sensory receptors than any of the other answers. Thus making "lips" the correct answer.

Example Question #1192 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following best describes why humans can become sensory adapted in relation to the sense of smell but not sight?

Possible Answers:

None of these

It is easier to forget a smell

Olfactory sensory receptors are weaker than visual receptors

Visual stimulation is different from olfactory stimulation

Our eyes are always moving

Correct answer:

Our eyes are always moving

Explanation:

It is true that visual stimulation is different from olfactory stimulation; however, the heart of the question lies in the matter of sensory receptors. It is not a matter of the receptors being different strengths, but of how they respond to a stimulus. Olfactory receptors undergo sensory adaptation. This occurs after continuous exposure to a stimulus when nerve cells will fire less. As a result, we become less aware of the smell. Visual receptors cannot undergo adaptation because our eyes are always moving. As a result, the stimulation is constantly changing for our eyes' receptors. Psychologists have devised an experiment to test sensory adaptation with visual receptors. By maintaining a constant image on the inner surface of the eye, the individual will eventually cease to see the image that was once there. The image will occasionally reappear and disappear again; therefore, it is possible to become sensory adapted visually—but not under normal circumstances. 

Example Question #11 : Sensory Organs And Mechanisms

Which of the following choices best describes why we cease to notice a watch on our wrist after wearing it for a period of time?

Possible Answers:

Perceptual set 

None of these

Receptor resetting 

Sensory overload 

Sensory adaptation 

Correct answer:

Sensory adaptation 

Explanation:

This phenomenon is known as sensory adaptation, where sensitivity diminishes over time with a continuous stimulus. Over time, as stimulation continues, nerve cells will fire less and as a result we will no longer notice a stimulus—in this case, touch.

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