AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Ap Psychology

What are the two main classes of drugs used to treat anxiety disorders?

Possible Answers:

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines 

MAO inhibitors and lithium

Barbiturates and MAO inhibitors

Barbiturates and SSRIs

SSRIs and benzodiazepines 

Correct answer:

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines 

Explanation:

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are the two main types of anti-anxiety medication-- one you might have heard of is Valium. SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) block the reuptake of serotonin into the neuron, therefore increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapatic cleft and making people feel happier since serotonin is a "feel good hormone." MAO inhibitors block monoamine oxidase from transporting "feel good hormones" from the brain, thereby increasing their availability and making people feel happier. SSRIs and MAO inhibitors are used to treat major depressive disorder and lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. 

Example Question #152 : Ap Psychology

What do SSRI's lead to?

Possible Answers:

The reabsorption of serotonin into synaptic vesicles

Reabsorption of serotonin into synaptic vesicles and decrease in amount of serotonin in brain

An increased amount of serotonin in brain

Serotonin absorption by surrounding neurons

A decrease in amount of serotonin in brain

Correct answer:

An increased amount of serotonin in brain

Explanation:

SSRI's, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, inhibit reuptake of serotonin, and therefore increases the availability of serotonin in the brain. SSRIs are the most common treatment for clinical depression.

Example Question #153 : Ap Psychology

Benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core ring is a fusion of benzene and diazepine. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation, and seizures. Benzos achieve this effect by doing which of the following in the brain?

Possible Answers:

Increasing the number of synaptic connections in the brain.

Inhibiting the release of dopamine in neurotransmitter synapses

None of these

Enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA

Increasing serotonin reuptake

Correct answer:

Enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA

Explanation:

Benzos enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA. The GABA neurotransmitter suppresses the activity of nerves. By enhancing it's function, overactive nerve signals that are believed to increase anxiety are calmed down.

Example Question #154 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following neurotransmitters is most effective for treating disorders associated with mood, sleep, and motivation?

Possible Answers:

Norepinephrine 

Serotonin 

Glutamate 

Beta 

Dopamine 

Correct answer:

Serotonin 

Explanation:

Serotonin is most effective in treating disorders associated with mood, sleep, and motivation. When serotonin levels are too low, patients are at risk of developing depression and OCD tendencies. When serotonin levels are too high, patients lack motivation.

The other choices are incorrect. Glutamate's function is to register pain and store new information in memory. Norepinephrine is a major part of the autonomic nervous system and is important for attention and regulation of the flight-or-fright response. Last, dopamine is the neurotransmitter involved in rewards, motivation, executive functioning, and motor control. 

Example Question #155 : Ap Psychology

Which neurotransmitter affects the brain's reward system and executive functioning in the frontal lobes?

Possible Answers:

Serotonin 

Gamma-amino butyric acid 

Glutamate 

Dopamine 

Noradrenaline 

Correct answer:

Dopamine 

Explanation:

Dopamine works with the brain's reward system, motivation, and executive functioning in the frontal lobes. A lack of dopamine can lead to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, while too much can lead to aggression. Hyperactive, damaged, or a lack of dopamine receptors can lead to addictions, which attempt to increase dopamine levels in the brain.

Example Question #156 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following neurotransmitters possesses functions related to mood, sleep, and motivation? 

Possible Answers:

Noradrenaline 

Glutamate 

Serotonin 

Gamma- amino butyric acid 

Dopamine 

Correct answer:

Serotonin 

Explanation:

Serotonin is the major neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and motivation. A lack of serotonin can lead to depression, OCD, and eating disorders. Too much serotonin can decrease motivation. Serotonin levels can be regulated through selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and other drugs.

Example Question #12 : Medications

Which of the following best defines trephination?

Possible Answers:

A modern form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved drilling holes in the skull. 

A modern treatment for psychological disorders where the prefrontal lobe is severed. 

An early form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved drilling holes in the skull. 

An early form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved removing the spleen from the body. 

A type of counseling where individuals are asked about their dreams.

Correct answer:

An early form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved drilling holes in the skull. 

Explanation:

Trephination is "an early form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved drilling holes in the skull." The key to this answer is realizing that trephination is an early form of treatment. From there you can narrow it down to two different answers (i.e. "an early form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved drilling holes in the skull" and "an early form of treatment for psychological disorders which involved removing the spleen from the body). Since psychological disorders are associated with the mind or the brain, you can deduce that this treatment will involve the head (or in this case the skull). "A type of counseling where individuals are asked about their dreams" is indicative of dream analysis, while "a modern treatment for psychological disorders where the prefrontal lobe is severed" is a lobotomy and is rarely performed today. 

Example Question #157 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following disorders is not typically treated with psychotropic medication?

Possible Answers:

Binge eating disorder

Depression

Schizophrenia

Generalized anxiety disorder

Bipolar disorder

Correct answer:

Binge eating disorder

Explanation:

"Binge eating disorder" (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by the consumption of large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of nausea and/or vomiting), along with experiencing shame and guilt afterwards. Typically, treatment of BED involves psychotherapy along with nutritional care. The other answer choices are usually treated with a psychotropic medication (e.g. antidepressants) along with psychotherapy.

Example Question #158 : Ap Psychology

A famous psychopharmacological researcher just created a new antipsychotic medication. Which of the following disorders would the medication work best to treat?

Possible Answers:

Depression

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Autism

Schizophrenia

Anorexia nervosa

Correct answer:

Schizophrenia

Explanation:

Antipsychotic medications are typically used to treat those with "schizophrenia." Specifically, this class of medications help to manage psychotic episodes, including the presence of delusions and hallucinations. 

Example Question #159 : Ap Psychology

A patient comes into your office presenting symptoms that are indicative of depression. Which of the following would not be a proper psychopharmacological treatment option?

Possible Answers:

Atypical antipsychotics

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs)

Correct answer:

Atypical antipsychotics

Explanation:

"Atypical antipsychotics" are not typically utilized in treating depression; however, they can be effective for treating individuals with schizophrenia. All of the other answer choices are commonly prescribed antidepressants used to treat depressive symptomologies. 

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