AP Psychology : Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #191 : Biology

Which part of the brain is responsible for complex decision-making and has become paritcularly well-developed in humans?

Possible Answers:

The temporal lobe

The frontal lobe

The parietal lobe

The occipital lobe

The amygdala

Correct answer:

The frontal lobe

Explanation:

The frontal lobe, specifically the prefrontal cortex, is involved in complex decision-making and making goal-oriented plans. 

Example Question #1 : Evolutionary Principles

Which of the following is a core tenet of evolutionary psychology?

Possible Answers:

Unconditional positive regard

Genetic modification

Natural selection

Conscious processing

Free association

Correct answer:

Natural selection

Explanation:

Natural selection is the theory that certain traits become more or less common in a population based on its reproductive success in a group of organisms. Evolutionary (sometimes called Darwinian) psychology studies human thought in the context of Darwinian evolution.

Example Question #1 : Evolutionary Principles

What are chromsones made of?

Possible Answers:

DNA

Genetic information

Genes

All of these

Proteins

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Chromosomes are complex structures that contain a molecule of DNA and a protein. DNA strands contain genetic information. 

Example Question #191 : Biology

According to the principle of natural selection, which genes are most likely to get passed on?

Possible Answers:

Those that are likely to increase the neural regeneration

Those that manifest in high physical attractiveness

Those that manifest in high practical intelligence

Those that are exclusively likely to increase reproduction

Those that are most likely to increase survival and reproduction

Correct answer:

Those that are most likely to increase survival and reproduction

Explanation:

Darwin's principle of natural selection holds that the genes most likely to increase the chance of survival and reproduction are also the most likely to be passed on. Survival and reproduction are the fundamental basis of Darwin's principles.

Example Question #5 : Evolutionary Principles

What is a common factor among human beings?

Possible Answers:

Use of language

Sympathy

The ability to eat dairy products

Empathy

Nurturing instinct

Correct answer:

Use of language

Explanation:

There are many dimensions that make the human species united as well as many that differentiate humans from one another One factor that unites humans is the imperative to use language, a trait that has evolved over time to help us communicate and coexist with one another. Other common factors among humans are biological heritage, brain architecture, and social behavior. The ability to eat dairy products and experience empathy are not common to all people, as some people are lactose intolerant, and some are psychopathic, and largely incapable of empathy and sympathy. While a nurturing instinct is extremely common, it is not considered a universally common human trait.

Example Question #1 : Evolutionary Principles

Which of the following is a differentiating characteristic within the human species?

Possible Answers:

Familial upbringing

The endocrine system

The predisposition to learn/acquire a language

The inclination to be social 

The general structure of our brains

Correct answer:

Familial upbringing

Explanation:

The human species is united on many fronts, namely our social bonding tendencies, inherited mental structures, biological origins, and the predisposition to acquire language. Of course there are exceptions to this, as a variety of disorders may affect our abilities to acquire language, bond socially, or the development of our cognitive functions. These traits are, however, widely observable in the majority of the human species.

The dimensions that make most of us different from one another, both at the individual and societal level, have to do with our personalities, familial upbringing, cultures, and personal interests.

Example Question #11 : Evolutionary Principles

Which of the following answer choices does not accurately describe the theory of natural selection?

Possible Answers:

Certain variations in biological and physical characteristics increase organisms' reproductive and survival chances in their environment

All of these

Organisms' offspring compete for survival

Offspring that survive are more likely to pass on their genes to future generations and offspring

Natural selection can cause a population's characteristics to change over long periods of time

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Natural selection is a term coined by Charles Darwin that states that the biological and physical traits that lead to an organism's increased survival and reproduction will be the traits that will eventually be passed onto future generations. All of the answer choices accurately describe concepts surrounding the idea of natural selection.

Example Question #1491 : Ap Psychology

According to evolutionary theory, the ability of an octopus to blend into its environment by changing colors is an example of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Adaptation

Fitness

Heritability

Correct answer:

Adaptation

Explanation:

Adaptation is an inherited characteristic that increased in a population because it helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction during the time it emerged. For an octopus, blending into their environment is a way to increase survival because predators are less likely to notice the octopus. 

Fitness also has to do with evolutionary psychology, but it refers to the reproductive success of an organism. Heritability also sounds like it might be a correct answer because the adaptive ability of blending in might be a trait that was inherited; however, heritability has to do with measuring the tendency for a particular trait to be passed down to a future generation.

Example Question #13 : Evolutionary Principles

Which of the following best describes the concept of adaptation? 

Possible Answers:

Heritable characteristics that provide a survival advantage are more likely than other characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations

Inherited characteristics that increased in a population because it helped solve a problem of survival when it emerged

Reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success in the population

Inherited characteristics that decrease the probability of an organism's survival or reproductive success

Correct answer:

Inherited characteristics that increased in a population because it helped solve a problem of survival when it emerged

Explanation:

Adaptation is best described as inherited characteristics that increase in a population because it helped to solve a problem of survival when it emerged. Adaptation is a process that occurs through natural selection, which is described as heritable characteristics that provide a survival advantage are more likely than other characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations. The two concepts are very similar, but an organism's adaptation is the result of the natural selection process. The reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success in the population is best understood as that organism's fitnessThe remaining option of decreasing the probability of an organism's chance of survival or reproduction is not in line with evolutionary theory, which posits that organisms are becoming increasingly complex and adaptable. 

Example Question #1492 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following terms is most commonly associated with the field of evolutionary psychology?

Possible Answers:

Biofeedback

The unconscious

Kin selection

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Unconditional positive regard

Correct answer:

Kin selection

Explanation:

Evolutionary psychology attempts to explain psychological phenomena under the lens of natural selection. "Kin selection" is the evolutionary strategy that favors the reproductive success of one's biological relatives as opposed to strangers. All of the other answer choices are not associated with the field of evolutionary psychology. 

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