AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?

Possible Answers:

Studying hard because of an innate desire to learn

Studying hard to get good grades

Getting a piece of candy for doing your homework

Following the law to avoid getting arrested

Earning a bonus at work for completing a project

Correct answer:

Studying hard because of an innate desire to learn

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation involves internal motivating factors that keep us focused on completing a task. This does not include external rewards, like a piece of candy or a bonus at work. Thus, studying for the pure sake of learning is an example of intrinsic motivation.

Example Question #152 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Marie does not like roller coasters, but is afraid her friends will make fun of her if she does not ride with them.

This is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

A Stroop test

Cognitive dissonance

An approach-avoidance conflict

An avoidance-avoidance conflict

An approach-approach conflict

Correct answer:

An avoidance-avoidance conflict

Explanation:

Marie is faced with two undesirable outcomes: riding a ride she does not like or inviting the mockery of her friends. Marie would prefer to avoid both of these outcomes, thus she faces an avoidance-avoidance conflict.

Example Question #2 : Other Motivation Concepts

The Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test are two examples of __________.

Possible Answers:

Projective tests

Morality tests

Intelligence tests

Achievement tests

Aptitude tests

Correct answer:

Projective tests

Explanation:

Psychoanalysts use both of these projective tests in the attempt to access a patient's unconscious mind. The idea behind their use is the possibility that what sense the patient makes of an inkblot or the story they create behind an ambiguous picture will reveal hidden emotions, conflicts, or desires that have been troubling him/her without his/her direct knowledge.

Aptitude tests are used to determine an individual's underlying capacity or talent at a task; aptitudes can be mental or physical. Intelligence tests are used strictly in an attempt to measure mental acuity. Achievement tests are used to test both skill and aptitude. Morality tests are used to assess individuals' response to specific, moral situations.

Example Question #1 : Other Motivation Concepts

Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?

Possible Answers:

Painting a picture of a man because you want him to fall in love with you

Painting a picture of a landscape for a client who is paying you

Painting a picture of a landscape because you love the act of painting

Painting a picture of a landscape in hopes that it will give you the chance to get higher paying portrait work

Painting a picture of a landscape in order to avoid to do your taxes

Correct answer:

Painting a picture of a landscape because you love the act of painting

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation is when someone completes an action because the action itself is an enjoyable process. This contrasts with external motivation, where an action is completed in order to gain external reward or avoid a negative external consequence. If I'm painting a landscape because I need money and someone will buy my painting, I may enjoy painting it, but this will have been an externally motivated behavior. If I engage in an action like reading, drawing, or the like, because it is pleasurable and there is no expectation of reward, this is intrinsically motivated.

Example Question #154 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following is an example of a primary drive?

Possible Answers:

Knowledge attainment

Creativity

Effective communication

Social approval

Sex

Correct answer:

Sex

Explanation:

A primary drive is a drive that is completely unlearned, something that any human will inherit regardless of their socialization, upbringing, or background. Primary drives are concerned with survival and reproduction. These drives for humans are hunger, sex, thirst, sleep, and bathroom needs. All of these ensure the health, maintenance, and reproduction of the human species.

Example Question #152 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Can sexual desire be present even when the ability to have sex is lost?

Possible Answers:

No, if you can't have sex you don't want it. 

Yes, because we are emotional beings.

Yes, because people want sex all of the time. 

No, because losing the ability to have sex causes hormonal deficiencies that will make you not want it. 

Yes, the sexual desire can be present even when the ability to have sex is lost.

Correct answer:

Yes, the sexual desire can be present even when the ability to have sex is lost.

Explanation:

William Masters and Virginia Johnson noted in their study on the sexual response cycle that sexual desire can be present even if one does not have the ability to have sex anymore.

Example Question #71 : Motivation And Emotion

What is the basic idea of the Set Point Theory?

Possible Answers:

We achieve goals that we perceive to be attainable

We have an ideal point of stress in order to feel motivated to learn; we must feel challenged but not too much

None of these

Our body wants to maintain a certain weight

We always seek to be slimmer 

Correct answer:

Our body wants to maintain a certain weight

Explanation:

The Set Point Theory is the theory that the hypothalamus wants to maintain a certain ideal body weight. Once we reach that set point, our metabolism kicks in to burn off the excess food.

Example Question #561 : Ap Psychology

According to Drive Reduction Theory, humans' bodies seek __________.

Possible Answers:

death

a return to the womb

homeostasis

water

food

Correct answer:

homeostasis

Explanation:

The correct answer here is homeostasis, a internally balanced state in which our needs, and the drives created by those needs, are satisfied. When one is experiencing needs and drives, one is out of homeostasis.

Example Question #561 : Ap Psychology

According to Maslow's hierarchy, the need for esteem is __________.

Possible Answers:

Our need to realize our talents

Our need to feel accepted and loved

Our need to achieve in order to gain approval and recognition

Our need to physically sustain ourselves

Our need to feel safe and secure

Correct answer:

Our need to achieve in order to gain approval and recognition

Explanation:

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for esteem is the need to achieve goals for approval and recognition in our community. The need for esteem also includes self-esteem and self-approval. The need for esteem is separated into higher and lower level needs, lower being the need to be approved of by others, higher being self-esteem and approval.

Example Question #562 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is the best example of an intrinsic motivation for reading your psychology textbook?

Possible Answers:

You are very interested in schizophrenia and want to know more about it.

You have an upcoming test you need to get a good grade on.

Your parents require you to study every night and you don’t want to be punished.

You want your romantic interest, who finds intelligence attractive, to see you reading.

Correct answer:

You are very interested in schizophrenia and want to know more about it.

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation refers to doing something because of an internal reward, such as genuinely finding an activity fun, doing something because “it makes me feel good,” etc. Outside, tangible rewards for doing the activity are not really taken into account when deciding whether or not to do it. Extrinsic motivation refers to doing something because of an external reward, such as earning money so you can buy a new computer, joining an after-school activity to boost your college application, etc. As a result, all of the answers provided refer to extrinsic motivations, except for an interest in the material. Reading about psychology essentially “just for fun” is the only choice that reflects an internal reward for reading the textbook.

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