AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Classifications And Procedures

Which type of research design focuses on the in-depth analysis of one subject?

Possible Answers:

Case study

Cross-sectional

Individual

Report

Longitudinal

Correct answer:

Case study

Explanation:

Case studies are rare in psychological research, and are typically used when a subject exhibits a rare and unique symptom pattern. Case studies can also be employed in K-12 school settings to show a child's progress over time in response to various interventions.

Example Question #5 : Classifications And Procedures

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative research studies?

Possible Answers:

Qualitative studies do not utilize random sampling, while quantitative studies do

Qualitative studies follow people over a period of time, while quantitative studies take a cross-section of the population

Qualitative studies do not have a control group, whereas quantitative studies do

Qualitative studies rely on observations and descriptions, while quantitative studies rely on numbers and statistics

Qualitative studies rely on self-reported scales, while quantitative studies rely on objective measures

Correct answer:

Qualitative studies rely on observations and descriptions, while quantitative studies rely on numbers and statistics

Explanation:

Qualitative studies do not measure behavior using numbers. Rather, these studies record behaviors such as dialogue, body language, and other observations. Quantitative studies measure variables numerically in order to conduct statistics on the results. All other answer choices are characteristics that are not confined to either type of study alone.

Example Question #6 : Classifications And Procedures

What is the advantage of field work in research?

Possible Answers:

It allows for the researcher to see the practical applications for their theories.

It allows the experiment to grow and expand so that it may be conducted in other places.

It gives a much more realistic picture of what would happen in the real world.

None of these.

It allows the researcher to see the world in a much more holistic way.

Correct answer:

It gives a much more realistic picture of what would happen in the real world.

Explanation:

Doing field work for reserarch can give a much more realistic picture of what would happen in the real world. This helps the researcher to discover the things they could miss in a laboratory setting and spread their net wide. For instance, a researcher may have a hypothesis about how autistic children behave in a classroom setting with other students. By observing this in a natural setting, the research considers all of the real world possibilities of this hypothesis. 

Example Question #7 : Classifications And Procedures

What is the difference between basic and applied research?

Possible Answers:

Applied research aims to answer questions that are of concern to a particular field; basic research aims to answers several questions simultaneously through a more generalized experiment.

Applied research aims to answer questions that are of concern to a particular field; basic research aims to apply research in some concrete way.

Basic research aims to make advances in a particular field; applied research aims to apply research in some concrete way.

Basic research aims to answer questions that are of concern to a particular field; applied research aims to apply research in some concrete way.

Correct answer:

Basic research aims to answer questions that are of concern to a particular field; applied research aims to apply research in some concrete way.

Explanation:

Basic research aims to answer questions that are of concern to a particular field. These questions are more of general interest and can be much more for knowledge's own sake as opposed to means toward a specific end. For instance, trying to answer why the sky is blue doesn't have much practical application, but answers an interesting question.

Applied research aims to apply research in some concrete way. For example, researchers may try to answer specific questions so that they can develop a cure or treatment plan for particular illnesses.

Example Question #81 : Research And Testing

What is the ultimate goal of a theory?

Possible Answers:

To be correct

To explain a particular phenomenon or pattern

To be extremely general, so as to not miss any important details about the phenomenon at hand

To be extremely specific, so as not to generalize and make broad statements it can't support

Correct answer:

To explain a particular phenomenon or pattern

Explanation:

A theory is a statement, concept, or idea that tries to explain some particular phenomenon or pattern in a particular field. A good theory makes a number of claims, all which can be concretely proven through thorough and extensive research that is both valid and reliable.

Example Question #82 : Research And Testing

What is the difference between reliability and validity in terms of classifying research?

Possible Answers:

Validity indicates when the initial hypothesis is proven to be correct by the research. Reliability indicates when the results of the research can be replicated over and over again consistently.

Validity indicates when the results of the research can be replicated over and over again consistently. Reliability indicates when the initial hypothesis is proven to be correct by the research. 

Validity indicates when the theory is proven to be correct but there still exists some disproving counterevidence. Reliability indicates when the theory is proven repeatedly over time. 

Validity indicates when the theory is based on clear logic. Reliability indicates when the logic of one theory can apply to another. 

Correct answer:

Validity indicates when the initial hypothesis is proven to be correct by the research. Reliability indicates when the results of the research can be replicated over and over again consistently.

Explanation:

Validity is when the initial hypothesis is proven to be correct by the research. In other words, the experiment measures what the experimenter had anticipated.

Reliability is when the results of the research can be replicated over and over again consistently. This means that the hypothesis can be tested again in another experiment and still proven to be true.

Example Question #83 : Research And Testing

What is the advantage of using a laboratory for experiments?

Possible Answers:

It is much less expensive than buying permits for field testing

It gives a much more realistic picture of what would happen in the real world

The participants of whatever study will be much more focused in a laboratory than they would in any other environment

It is a highly controlled environment where any interfering factors that may happen in the field can be phased out

Correct answer:

It is a highly controlled environment where any interfering factors that may happen in the field can be phased out

Explanation:

The main advantage of using a laboratory for research is to provide a highly controlled environment where any interfering factors that may happen in the field can be phased out. This is good for studies that have an extremely narrow focus on some specific element. With regards to psychology, during a child-play experiment in a laboratory a researcher might be trying to see how a child reacts to a particular toy and observe this specific reaction. In the field, however, the child's reaction could be affected by their environment. They could become distracted by their peers and lose focus on the item and thus the researcher can't gather their data accurately.

Example Question #84 : Research And Testing

In research, correlation can easily be mistaken for which of the following principles?

Possible Answers:

Placebo effect

Causation

Counterbalancing

Hawthorne effect

Correct answer:

Causation

Explanation:

A mistake that can often be made in analyzing in any sort of data is confusing correlation with causation. Correlation is when two variables have a definitive relationship with one another. For instance, if someone is trying to see why certain students perform poorly on standardized tests they may find that these students also frequently have brown eyes. The researcher may mistakenly conclude that brown eyes result in poor test performance. The correlation still exists, but it is not enought to prove causation, as a multitude of other variables may be at play in producing poor test results. Other factors may include testing environment, amount of sleep, presence of learning disabilities, etc. that are not included in this study.

Example Question #1588 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is the correct chronological order, from left to right, of the steps taken in a scientific investigation?

Possible Answers:

Hypothesis, Observation, Analysis, Testing, Evaluation

Observation, Hypothesis, Testing, Analysis, Evaluation

Hypothesis, Observation, Testing, Evaluation, Analysis

Data collection, Hypothesis, Analysis, Evaluation, Observation

Analysis, Design, Data Collection, Hypothesis, Evaluation

Correct answer:

Observation, Hypothesis, Testing, Analysis, Evaluation

Explanation:

The first step is to observe a phenomenon that can bear scientific study.

The second step is to form a hypothesis that can be tested experimentally.

The third step is to test that hypothesis through empirical research.

The fourth step is to analyze the data that was obtained to draw a conclusion about the findings.

The fifth step is to evaluate one's theory in light of the results of quantitative research.

The correct answer is Observation, Hypothesis, Testing, Analysis, Evaluation.

Example Question #1589 : Ap Psychology

In what areas of development do genes carry strong influence?

Possible Answers:

Inclinations towards particular interests

Brain development

All of these

Physical appearance

Fine motor skills

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Genetics can play a huge role in many areas of development, including mental and physical capacities. While many environmental factors such as prenatal environment, nutrition, upbringing, socialization, and personal experience can have dramatic impacts on development, genes will have huge influence over, in particular, physical appearance, natural inclinations or abilities, brain development, and fine motor skills. While all of these factors may also be influenced by environmental and other factors, for instance one's physical appearance can be altered by a scar, or one's fine motor skills can be refined with training and practice, the strong influence of genetics on these areas is beyond dispute.

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