AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #133 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Ahmed is about to give an oral presentation in class and notices his skin flush and his heart pounding faster. Considering his immediate surroundings and the context of the presentation, he interprets his physical state as a fear of public speaking. This description of Ahmed’s emotional process best exemplifies which of the following theories of emotion?

Possible Answers:

Schachter two-factor

James-Lange

Cannon-Bard

Sapir-Whorf

Correct answer:

Schachter two-factor

Explanation:

The Schachter two-factor theory of emotion posits that the experience of arousal (i.e. Ahmed’s increased heart rate and blood flow to the skin) is qualitatively identical in all instances and only differentiated into specific emotions as a result of cognitive evaluation and labeling of the situation at hand. James-Lange, on the other hand, posits that different emotions result from different patterns of arousal, while Cannon-Bard posits that arousal and emotion occur in parallel. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is not a theory of emotion, but of language.

Example Question #542 : Ap Psychology

What is the primary difference between the James-Lange theory of emotions and the Cannon-Bard theory of emotions?

Possible Answers:

James-Lange theory says we experience feelings and then label them, while Cannon-Bard theory says that when we experience something, we think about it and then label it as an emotion. 

James-Lange theory says when we experience something, we think about it and then label it as an emotion while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion. 

James-Lange theory says we have an emotional response and then we feel the physiological response, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion. 

James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we experience feelings and then label them. 

James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have an emotional response and we later feel the physiological response. 

Correct answer:

James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have an emotional response and we later feel the physiological response. 

Explanation:

The correct answer is that "the James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have an emotional response and we later feel the physiological response." The other answers are all incorrect, because they are either only half correct, or not correct at all. The Schacter-Singer theory says that we experience feelings and then label them, while Cognitive Appraisal theory says that we experience something, we think about it, and then we label it as an emotion. The other answers are all incorrect juxtapositions of different, incorrect theories or simply a switching of the two theories. 

Example Question #43 : Motivation And Emotion

Which of the following explanations is most representative of the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Possible Answers:

Violet sees a brightly colored snake in her backyard, which triggers autonomic arousal in her body. As she becomes aware of this activated state, Violet considers why her body is reacting this way and determines that she must be excited since she loves snakes.

Daniel is told over the phone that his mother has been in a severe car accident. His brain processes this information and sends out signals that cause tears to well up in his eyes as well as trigger a rush of sadness.

After being insulted by her friend, Beatrice simultaneously feels her muscles tense up and herself starting to get angry. 

Aaron’s heart started beating faster when he encountered a bear on a hiking trip. When he realized his heartbeat was faster, he realized he was afraid.

Correct answer:

Aaron’s heart started beating faster when he encountered a bear on a hiking trip. When he realized his heartbeat was faster, he realized he was afraid.

Explanation:

The example with Aaron is the best choice. In the James-Lange view, an external stimulus creates a bodily change, and then that bodily change prompts the emotional experience (i.e. Aaron is afraid because his heart is beating quickly). Contrastingly, the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion posits that the stimulus triggers a response in the brain, which then contributes to the physiological (e.g. bodily changes) and subjective (e.g. “I must be feeling __________”) experiences of emotion at the same time. This is why the examples with Beatrice and Daniel both reflect the Cannon-Bard view. The example with Violet is related to the Schachter-Singer theory of emotion (also called the two-factor theory), which is harder to distinguish from the James-Lange theory. The “two factors” in this theory are autonomic arousal (ti.e. he heightened bodily response to an emotionally inductive stimulus) and cognitive appraisal (i.e. what you think about your body’s reaction). Since Violet thinks about her body’s reaction and determines she is excited, rather than instantly concluding her emotional state like Aaron did; therefore, she is demonstrating the Schachter-Singer theory.

Example Question #134 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

The Cannon-Bard Theory posits that __________.

Possible Answers:

physical changes occur before emotions.

people experience two basic emotions.

emotions occur before physical changes.

emotion and physical changes are inseparably intertwined.

Correct answer:

people experience two basic emotions.

Explanation:

Cannon-Bard theory states that we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as sweating, trembling, and muscle tension simultaneously.

Example Question #541 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is a secondary drive?

Possible Answers:

Money

Hunger

None of the above

Thirst

Sex

Correct answer:

Money

Explanation:

While primary drives are directly related to basic survival and reproduction, secondary drives are related to social factors. Money is not directly related to basic survival, but it can aid in quelling primary drives (for example, using money to buy food to reduce hunger).

Example Question #52 : Motivation And Emotion

Sally is studying for an exam, but realizes her favorite TV show has just started. She immediately puts down her books and goes to watch. Freud would identify this as a characteristic of __________.

Possible Answers:

reality principle

the superego

the id

the ego

free association

Correct answer:

the id

Explanation:

The id operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification. The id satisfies drives, developed from physiological needs such as hunger, thirst, sexual drives, and more. The id, unlike the ego or superego, contains no morality or judgment of value. Rather, it seeks immediate pleasure or avoidance of pain, and disregards long-term consequences and benefits. 

Example Question #53 : Motivation And Emotion

Before looking for a sense of belonging and love, which of the following needs must be met according to the hierarchy of needs?

I. Self esteem

II. Self efficacy 

III. Safety and shelter 

IV. Physiological needs

Possible Answers:

II and III 

II only

I only

IV only 

III and IV

Correct answer:

III and IV

Explanation:

Proposed by Abraham Maslow, the hierarchy of needs theory states that the most important physiological needs must be met before other, less urgent needs are met. These essential needs consist of oxygen, food, water, and shelter. After physiological needs are met, one will seek to fulfill the need for safety and security (personal, physical, and financial), belongingness and love (friendship, intimacy, and family), then self esteem (earned respect), self actualization (reaching one’s highest potential), and then self transcendence (finding a greater, spiritual purpose in life). According to Maslow, very few people reach a level of self transcendence. 

Example Question #51 : Motivation And Emotion

Damage to the amygdala would result in which of the following symptoms?

Possible Answers:

Loss of hearing

An inability to process fear

Blindness

Antisocial behavior

Poor depth perception

Correct answer:

An inability to process fear

Explanation:

The amygdala is a key brain structure in the limbic system. Those who experience brain damage in this area have difficulty developing conditioned fear responses.

Example Question #54 : Motivation And Emotion

Which of the following most closely defines drive reduction theory?

Possible Answers:

Humans seek to satisfy their drives in order to achieve further knowledge about the truth of their surroundings

Humans seek to satisfy their drives in order to enjoy the intrinsic value of the actions involved in satisfying those drives

None of these

Humans seek to satisfy their drives in order to gain external rewards like money or approval

Humans seek to satisfy their drives in order to reduce a state of tension within themselves and achieve homeostasis

Correct answer:

Humans seek to satisfy their drives in order to reduce a state of tension within themselves and achieve homeostasis

Explanation:

Drive reduction theory is based on the idea that human behavior is motivated by various drives. This behavior is undertaken in hopes of reducing the state of tension these drives create. The most basic of examples would be that when people are hungry they experience the distress of hunger and are motivated to look for food. A more nuanced example might be humans' drives to connect with romantic partners. If humans seek connection and don't find it with one partner, they may look for it in another person.

Example Question #55 : Motivation And Emotion

What's an example of extrinsic motivation?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Going to your job because it gives your life meaning

Going to your job because you love all your coworkers dearly

Going to your job because you have a massive debt you need to pay off

Going to your job because it involves reading scripts, and you love reading scripts

Correct answer:

Going to your job because you have a massive debt you need to pay off

Explanation:

Extrinsic motivation is a pervasive force behind many of our daily behaviors. Most people don't go to work because it's intrinsically pleasurable, but because they need something. In essence, extrinsic is when someone does something for something else. We go to school to avoid punishment and get approval from our teachers, parents, and peers. We work to get money to pay the bills to avoid being broke and to make our families happy and comfortable. 

The reverse is doing something for its intrinsic pleasure, known as intrinsic motivation. For instance we may enjoy knowing more about the world for the pleasure it gives us, not what we have to gain from it.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors