AP Psychology : History and Research

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Elizabeth Loftus' "Lost in the Mall" Study aimed to examine the creation of __________.

Possible Answers:

self-fulfilling prophecies

schemae

stereotypes and prejudice

false memories

romantic attachment

Correct answer:

false memories

Explanation:

The study asked participants to recall and write down information about an event from their childhood in which they became separated from their parent in a crowded shopping mall. What the participants did not know was that this "event" was a fictional scenario designed to appear as a plausible part of their pasts.

Example Question #4 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Which famous theorist believed most of human desire laid in the unconscious state of mind? 

Possible Answers:

Sigmund Freud 

Abraham Maslow 

Jean Piaget 

Lawrence Kohlberg 

B.F. Skinner 

Correct answer:

Sigmund Freud 

Explanation:

Freud was a huge proponent of the unconscious state of mind and believed human beings buried most of their unwanted thoughts and desires there. This concept is the basis for Freudian psychoanalytic theory and principles.

Example Question #5 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Who theorized that there are certain archetypes that are common across cultures, also known as the collective unconscious? 

Possible Answers:

Sigmund Freud

Albert Bandura

William James

Carl Jung

Noam Chomsky

Correct answer:

Carl Jung

Explanation:

Carl Jung was strongly influenced by Freud's idea of the unconscious mind, and took it one step further into society as a whole. He believed that members of the same species have inborn ideas and images that are common across cultures.

Example Question #6 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Which of the following pairings of psychologists and their schools is incorrect?

Possible Answers:

B.F. Skinner - Humanism

Carl Rogers - Humanism

John Watson - Behavioralism

Sigmund Freud - Psychoanalysis

Rollo May - Existential Psychology

Correct answer:

B.F. Skinner - Humanism

Explanation:

Like John Watson, B. F. Skinner was a Behavioralist. He is best known for developing the theory of operant conditioning as an alternative to Pavlov's classical conditioning.

Example Question #6 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Which famous psychologist developed a model for psychosocial development that includes eight stages?

Possible Answers:

Jean Piaget

Erik Erikson

Ivan Pavlov

Albert Bandura

Sigmund Freud

Correct answer:

Erik Erikson

Explanation:

Erik Erikson believed that psychosocial development follows an eight-stage progression. Each stage consists of two competing paths of development (e.g. trust v. mistrust).

Erikson's eight stages are trust v. mistrust, autonomy v. shame/doubt, initiative v. guilt, industry v. inferiority, identity v. role confusion, intimacy v. isolation, generativity v. stagnation, and integrity v. despair.

Example Question #7 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Who developed the first psychology lab in 1879?

Possible Answers:

John Harrison

William James

Sigmund Freud

Wilhelm Wundt

Carl Jung

Correct answer:

Wilhelm Wundt

Explanation:

Wilhelm Wundt, also known as the "Father of Experimental Psychology", developed the first formal psychology lab at the University of Leipzig in 1879.

Example Question #8 : History And Principles Of Psychology

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow were two of the founders of which psychological perspective?

Possible Answers:

Humanistic 

Phenomenological

Behavioral

Psychodynamic

Psychoanalytic

Correct answer:

Humanistic 

Explanation:

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow are both associated with the Humanistic (also sometimes called the Client-Centered) approach to psychology, which emphasizes people's underlying desire and need for self-actualization. The humanist approach focuses more on encouraging a holistic view of mental health and self-actualization, as opposed to a problem-focused treatment model. 

Example Question #2 : Influential Psychologists

Jean-Martin Charcot is known for developing the Salpetriere into the world's first major school for which discipline?

Possible Answers:

Neurology

Existential Psychology

Phrenology

Trepanning

Psychoanalysis

Correct answer:

Neurology

Explanation:

In 1882, Charcot established the first neurology clinic at the Salpetriere, an accomplishment for which he is often known as "The Father of Neurology".

Example Question #11 : Influential Psychologists

B.F Skinner was a principal proponent of which approach to psychology?

Possible Answers:

Developmental psychology

Radical behaviorism

Humanism

Psychoanalysis

Correct answer:

Radical behaviorism

Explanation:

Skinner was a key theorist in the development of the behaviorist approach to psychological study. Skinner's particular brand of behaviorism was called Radical Behaviorism, and much of Skinner's research was focused on operant conditioning (conditioning focusing on the modification of voluntary behavior through positive or negative reinforcement and punishment). 

Example Question #12 : Influential Psychologists

Which of these psychologists was not a student of Sigmund Freud?

Possible Answers:

Carl Rogers

Alfred Adler

Karen Horney

Carl Jung

Correct answer:

Carl Rogers

Explanation:

Carl Rogers studied humanistic psychology. Carl Jung and Freud maintained a relationship from 1906-13; a rift developed in their relationship as Jung increasingly deemphasized the role of libido, thus distancing himself from Freud's theoretical framework. Freud and Adler were co-founders of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society (although Freud would later have Adler expelled from this society over disagreements in their ideas). Karen Horney is widely regarded as a Neo-Freudian thinker, although she differed widely with Freud on many points (most notably the differences in psychology between the sexes).

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