All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #161 : Cognition
What is confirmation bias?
The tendency to look for evidence that confirms our current beliefs
The tendency to overlook details when looking for evidence
The tendency to hold on to beliefs despite information that contradicts them
None of these
The tendency to look for evidence that confirms our current beliefs
Confirmation bias is the tendency to look for evidence that confirms our current beliefs. This can affect many decisions and beliefs we hold in our lives and can impede us from finding out new things about the world and new solutions to problems.
Although the answer "the tendency to hold on to beliefs despite information that contradicts them" might have been confusing, this is not confirmation bias. This would be an instance of belief perseverance, since we actually find and recognize truthful but contradictory information, yet hold on to our beliefs anyways. Confirmation bias is when we simply seek out confirming evidence without recognizing this information.
Example Question #1836 : Ap Psychology
Which of the following is not assessed on an IQ (cognitive) test?
Reading comprehension
Logical reasoning
Short-term memory
Auditory processing
Processing speed
Reading comprehension
IQ/cognitive tests—for example, WISC-V and WJ-IV—do not assess any academic areas, such as reading, writing, or math. Academic areas are tested on achievement tests, like on the WIAT-III.
Cognitive tests focus on processing skills, such as logic, problem solving, and memory.
Example Question #162 : Cognition
Where is the amygdala located?
The occipital lobe
The cerebral cortex
The brainstem
The limbic system
The cerebellum
The limbic system
The amygdala consists of two almond-shaped clusters that regulate much of our emotional experiences. It is located in the limbic system, which is situated between the brainstem (below) and the cerebral cortex (above).
Example Question #163 : Cognition
Which term refers to memory loss?
Lesion
Damagia
Amnesia
Aphasia
Rexitrification
Amnesia
Amnesia refers to the loss of memory. One may suffer from retrograde (inability to remember past memories) or anterograde (inability to make new memories) amnesia, both of which are severely debilitating.
Damagia and rexitrification are false terms that hold no significance in psychology. Aphasia refers to the inability to comprehend or create language. Lesions refer to damaged areas of the brain.
Example Question #164 : Cognition
A subject has sustained damage to Broca's area. Which area of his functioning will be impacted?
Poor gross motor skills
Inability to form new memories
Interpreting pictures
Understanding language
Producing speech
Producing speech
Broca's area is heavily involved in the motor movements behind speech production. Damage to this area makes it extremely difficult or impossible to produce speech, but understanding other people's speech is not impacted. This condition is commonly known as Broca's aphasia or expressive aphasia.
Example Question #7 : Other Cognitive Principles
Which of the following processes is not controlled by the frontal lobe?
Problem solving
Impulse inhibition
Hearing
Language
Memory
Hearing
The frontal lobe is responsible for many important processes, including problem solving, certain aspects of producing and comprehending language, controlling one's impulses, and consolidating memories. The frontal lobe is not, however, involved in hearing, which mainly takes place in the parietal lobe.
Example Question #162 : Cognition
During which stage of development do humans have the greatest number of synapses?
Young Adulthood (18-30 years old)
Late Adulthood (50-65 years old)
Infancy
Adolescence
Prenatal
Infancy
Humans have the greatest number of synapses in infancy, connecting around 86 billion neurons. As we age, synaptic pruning occurs and unused synapses are systematically eliminated.
Example Question #165 : Cognition
Which of the following is an example of functional fixedness?
Being able to see how a bucket could act as a ladder when turned upside down
Not being able to see how a bucket could act as a step stool when turned upside down
Someone avoiding risk to achieve a potential gain
Someone taking on risk to avoid a potential loss
Someone taking on risk to achieve a potential gain
Not being able to see how a bucket could act as a step stool when turned upside down
Functional fixedness is the inability to see the different functions of an object (use as a step stool) other than its conventional use (bucket).
The three answer choices about risks and losses/gains explain aspects of prospect theory (people take on risks when avoiding potential loss and avoid risks to achieve potential gain), rather than functional fixedness. Functional fixedness is a theory of creativity, whereas prospect theory is a explanation of decision-making.
Example Question #166 : Cognition
A multiple-choice exam tests a student's __________ of subject material.
recognition
relearning
None of these
recall
All of these
recognition
In multiple-choice exams, all the answers to a given question are provided; however, it is up to the exam-taker to be able to identify, or "recognize," the correct answer. Multiple-choice exams test an exam-taker's recognition of the subject material.
Example Question #1843 : Ap Psychology
A fill-in-the-blank exam tests a student's __________ of subject material.
All of these
recall
recognition
None of these
relearning
recall
In fill-in-the-blank exams, it is up to the exam-taker to be able to remember, or "recall," information learned in the past to be able to correctly answer questions. Fill-in-the-blank exams test an exam-taker's recall ability—how well they can correctly remember information without it being overtly presented to them.