AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #22 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Hank has recently been attending sessions with a psychoanalyst. He has developed an attachment to his analyst and feels very emotionally involved with her. This is an example of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Transference

Countertransference 

Reaction 

Correct answer:

Transference

Explanation:

Transference is when a patient reacts to the analyst as if they were an important person in the patient's life. The patient develops an emotional attachment to the analyst. The opposite, when an analyst develops feeling of personal attachment or significance towards a patient, is called countertransference.

Example Question #431 : Ap Psychology

Doug was fired at work today. He really wanted to scream at his boss, but he did not. When he leaves and goes home he is unkind to his wife and yells at her. This is an example of what Freudian defense mechanism? 

Possible Answers:

Displacement 

Projection

Sublimation

Identification

Correct answer:

Displacement 

Explanation:

Displacement is described as satisfying an impulse on a substitute object. Freud initially related this concept to dreams, before expanding it to include jokes, as well as more serious ethical behavior.

Example Question #432 : Ap Psychology

Which of these answer choices would be exemplified by the following scenario: a blind person developing a stronger than average sense of hearing?

Possible Answers:

Compensating

Competing

Rationalizing

None of these 

Repression

Correct answer:

Compensating

Explanation:

Alfred Alder developed the idea of “compensating” early in his career. The process of compensation has been described as focusing on other skills or abilities when another is lacking or weak.

Example Question #433 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following psychologists coined the term “organ inferiority”?

Possible Answers:

Freud

None of these 

Erikson

Jung

Adler

Correct answer:

Adler

Explanation:

Alfred Alder focused greatly on the biology behind psychology in his early career. As a child, Alder was frequently physically weak and ill. He eventually recovered and went on to become a successful psychologist. The theory that a person’s psyche can become weak due to their organs being weak was influenced by Alder’s childhood experiences.

Example Question #434 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following would be best defined as the desire to become more masculine?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Feminine complex

Feminine protest  

Masculine complex 

Masculine protest 

Correct answer:

Masculine protest 

Explanation:

Masculine protest describes the desire to display more masculine traits, which may be perceived as more powerful or successful. Masculine protest is not universal in all cultures. It is primarily observed in cultures that place a high value on masculinity or associate masculinity with success.

Example Question #435 : Ap Psychology

Thomas has a hard time believing in himself. He is extremely intelligent but never accomplishes anything due to his self-perception. Thomas has a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

neurotic complex 

superiority complex

inferiority complex 

mother complex 

None of these 

Correct answer:

inferiority complex 

Explanation:

An inferiority complex is described as feelings of inferiority acting as a barrier to accomplishing positive things or goals. This answer choice would best describe Thomas in the given scenario.

Example Question #436 : Ap Psychology

Jennifer is always bossing her friends and family around. She believes she is always right and forces her will upon others. Jennifer is an example of a(n) __________ person  

Possible Answers:

None of these

avoiding

getting-leaning 

socially useful 

ruling-dominant 

Correct answer:

ruling-dominant 

Explanation:

A ruling-dominant person attempts to dominate other people and impose their will. They believe they will only be happy if they control situations. This answer choice best describes Jennifer in the given situation.

Example Question #437 : Ap Psychology

Nicole has been described by her acquaintances as a “mooch.” She always needs her friends or family to provide her with monetary support. She has little self-motivation and tends to rely on other people. Nicole is an example of a(n) __________ person.

Possible Answers:

socially useful 

getting-leaning

ruling-dominant

avoiding 

None of these

Correct answer:

getting-leaning

Explanation:

A getting-leaning person relies on other people constantly and expects and everything out of other people. They would prefer a handout than to work for something. This answer choice best describes Nicole in the given scenario.

Example Question #432 : Ap Psychology

Conflict makes Jack very uncomfortable. He does not like to deal with his problems, but instead ignores them. Jack is an example of a(n) _________ person. 

Possible Answers:

socially useful 

getting-leaning

ruling-dominant

None of these

avoiding

Correct answer:

avoiding

Explanation:

An avoiding person does not like conflict or the possibility of failure. Instead of dealing with problems or trying new things they generally avoid anything that involves risk. This would be the answer choice that best describes Jack in the given scenario.

Example Question #433 : Ap Psychology

Nick is a well-adjusted person. He attempts to solve problems head-on when they come up in his life. He considers other people when making choices. Nick is an example of a(n) _________ person. 

Possible Answers:

None of these

socially useful 

avoiding

ruling-dominant 

getting-leaning 

Correct answer:

socially useful 

Explanation:

Confronting problems and attempting to solve them in a healthy way define socially useful people. This type of person has been considered by psychologists to exhibit the healthiest lifestyle. This answer choice best describes Nick in the given scenario.

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