All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Developmental Psychology
Dr. Jones studies how a person’s learning styles change over time. Given this information, Dr. Jones is most likely what kind of psychologist?
Health
Developmental
Evolutionary
Clinical
Developmental
Developmental psychology studies changes throughout a person’s entire lifespan. This includes the physical, social, and cognitive developments and changes observed in a person.
Example Question #31 : Developmental Psychology
A 10-month-old child is brought to a family gathering by his parents. The child cries when he first meets his extended relatives and clings to his parents as they try to introduce him to the new people. Which of the following developmental behaviors is this child exhibiting?
Generalized anxiety
Separation anxiety
Disorganized attachment
Stranger anxiety
Stranger anxiety
Stranger anxiety is a characteristic of secure attachment and usually begins around 8 months of age. It is more commonly described as a fear of strangers.
Example Question #21 : Theories Of Psychological Development
Fourteen-year-old Audrey and her 8-year-old brother, Aaron, participated in a cognitive task. The experimenter presented the following scenario to each of them: “Here is the rule: Tapping a glass softly will cause it to break. A little boy then taps the glass. What happened next?” According to Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory, Audrey and Aaron are in two different cognitive stages. How might Audrey and Aaron each respond?
Audrey would say the glass broke, whereas Aaron would say the glass did not break.
Audrey would say the glass did not break, whereas Aaron would say the glass broke.
Both Audrey and Aaron would say the glass did not break.
Both Audrey and Aaron would say the glass broke.
Audrey would say the glass broke, whereas Aaron would say the glass did not break.
Audrey is currently in the formal operational stage, whereas Aaron is currently in the concrete operational stage. Children in the concrete operational stage such as Aaron fixate on the physical properties of objects and what they know to be true based on past experiences. In contrast, adolescents can think and reason more abstractly even when given hypothetical scenarios or specific rules to follow. So, when both Audrey and Aaron are asked about the glass, Audrey was able to follow the rule, but Aaron focused on the concrete validity of the rule; therefore, the children would respond in the following manner: “Audrey would say the glass broke, whereas Aaron would say the glass did not break.”
Example Question #32 : Developmental Psychology
Compared to children in the concrete operational stage, which of the following is not a cognitive gain that first appears during the formal operational stage according to Piaget?
Propositional thought
Conservation
Hypothetico-deductive reasoning
Idealism
Conservation
The ability to conserve physical properties first appears during middle childhood during the concrete operational stage (ages 7-11 approximately), not during the formal operational stage. Adolescents are first able to engage in hypothetical-deductive reasoning and propositional thought during the formal operational stage. Adolescents are also idealistic, which can be a gain or limitation cognitive ability.
Example Question #33 : Developmental Psychology
Randall is a high school senior. He wants to go to college and medical school after he graduates so he can become a doctor like both of his parents. He does not want to consider any other career options and wants to make his parents proud. Which of the following best explains Randall’s identity status?
Identity foreclosure
Identity moratorium
Identity diffusion
Identity achievement
Identity foreclosure
According to James Marcia's theory of identity statuses, Randall has made a commitment without exploring any additional options in terms of his field of study and career (i.e. identity foreclosure). Moratorium is when an individual is actively exploring an identity but has yet to commit. Achievement is when one has actively explored an identity and made a final decision. Diffusion is when one is indifferent and does not explore or commit to any one identity.
Example Question #34 : Developmental Psychology
Joe is 55-years-old and unmarried. He does not have children and has no interest in interacting with young people. He is self-absorbed with his own life and what other people can do for him, especially at work. According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory of the stages of development, which of the following would best describe Joe?
Despair
Stagnation
Self-doubt
Isolation
Stagnation
Erikson's theory proposes that individuals have to resolve certain psychological conflicts across the lifespan, which in turn affects their personality development as well as their social and emotional well-being. During middle age, individuals must resolve the generativity vs. stagnation conflict. Individuals who resolve this conflict positively have children and grandchildren, give back to younger generations by mentoring or coaching in their careers, and feel a sense of achievement or accomplishment with passing down their knowledge. Those who resolve the conflict negatively do not interact with young adults and are still focused on themselves and what other people can do for them.
Example Question #35 : Developmental Psychology
Vickie has achieved ego integrity. Which of the following statements regarding Vickie is most likely true?
Vickie does not accept help from others even when it is needed
Vickie fears death and is overwhelmed with hopelessness
Vickie acknowledges a few challenges in her life, but she has a sense of fulfillment and has a close relationship with her adult children
Vickie feels that she has made many wrong decisions, yet time is too short to correct them
Vickie acknowledges a few challenges in her life, but she has a sense of fulfillment and has a close relationship with her adult children
Ego integrity vs. despair is the last stage of Erikson's psychosocial theory of the stages of development and corresponds to late adulthood. Individuals who have ego integrity reflect back on their lives and feel as if they have fulfilled their goals related to work and family. They often recognize that any challenges or problems they encountered were necessary for them to grow and make it to the point where they are currently in their lives. They often are not hopeless or regretful and typically do not fear death.
Example Question #36 : Developmental Psychology
According to Eriskon’s psychosocial theory of the stages of development, which of the following does not influence whether someone will successfully resolve the intimacy vs. isolation conflict?
He/she is self-absorbed
He/she has a secure attachment pattern
He/she makes a romantic commitment to someone
He/she has a secure identity
He/she is self-absorbed
During early adulthood, individuals who have established their identities (i.e. their career, gender, ethnic/racial, moral/religious, political, or sexuality preferences) are often easily able to commit to another person in a romantic relationship. Often times, they have developed secure attachment patterns with their parents/caregivers during infancy and toddlerhood, which impacts their future relationships and friendships. If they are self-absorbed, then they are more likely to isolate themselves from other people.
Example Question #37 : Developmental Psychology
Which of the following is true according to the evolutionary perspective of mate selection?
Men do not consider physical attractiveness an important quality.
Women’s reproductive capacity is limited, and it “costs” them more if they do not seek a partner who is financially stable, protective, and committed.
Women are drawn to attractiveness and domestic skills in men.
Men are attracted solely to ambition and financial status in women.
Women’s reproductive capacity is limited, and it “costs” them more if they do not seek a partner who is financially stable, protective, and committed.
The evolutionary perspective suggests that women are more attracted to financial stability and ambition because it signals that their mate will protect, provide, and commit to the family. Since women have a limited reproductive capacity and have to carry children, they have to be more selective in who they choose. On the other hand, men are not limited by their reproductive capacity and are attracted to women who seem physically healthy and are able to bear and take care of children.
Example Question #38 : Developmental Psychology
When 35-year-old Jake saw the Heinz dilemma video, he immediately thought, “The law that prohibits stealing the drug may need to be revised, especially if it’s infringing on his wife’s right to live. Heinz should steal the drug.” According to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, Jake’s moral reasoning reflects which stage?
Level II: Conventional—good interpersonal relationships
Level III: Post-conventional—universal principles
Level III: Post-conventional—social contract/individual rights
Level II: Conventional—maintaining social order
Level III: Post-conventional—social contract/individual rights
Individuals at Level II in their moral reasoning focus on upholding laws to prevent anarchy and maintain good relationships with and approval from others around them. On the other hand, individuals at Level III in their moral reasoning understand if certain laws infringe on human rights, then in certain circumstances it may be appropriate to break a law (i.e., there are exceptions to a rule). This particular scenario focuses on revising the flawed law that is prohibiting Heinz' wife from living, which is why it is most related to maintaining social contracts with the law, while also acknowledging individual rights. Individuals who focus on universal principles reason beyond laws they consider unjust and adhere to maintaining the dignity of all people.
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