AP Psychology : Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Motivation And Emotion

A man sees a bear. According to the James-Lange theory, which of the following best explains how his emotional response will occur?

Possible Answers:

First, he experience a emotional reaction of fear and then he experiences a physiological reaction including increased heart rate and sweating

The man's physiological response and experience of emotional fear occur at the same time independently of each other

He will go into fight-or-flight without any emotional response

First, he will experience physiological reactions including an increased heart rate and sweating and then his brain will identify his reactions as a fearful one, and the man will feel the emotional response of fear

The emotional response depends on the person (i.e. some will experience emotion first and others will experience a physiological response first)

Correct answer:

First, he will experience physiological reactions including an increased heart rate and sweating and then his brain will identify his reactions as a fearful one, and the man will feel the emotional response of fear

Explanation:

The James-Lange theory of emotion states that an event causes physical arousal in the body. The brain interprets this arousal. Afterwards, based on the specific reactions, the brain identifies the arousal as a certain emotion (i.e. fear, happiness, sadness, or anger). In this case, the correct answer follows this theory because it states that the physiological reaction will occur first and then the brain will alert the man indicating he is experiencing fear.

Example Question #131 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Which emotional psychologist is responsible for the idea that the brain cannot just rely on bodily responses to understand what emotions individuals are experiencing?

Possible Answers:

Lange

Singer

Cannon-Bard

Schachter

James

Correct answer:

Cannon-Bard

Explanation:

The Cannon-Bard theory states that the brain cannot rely on bodily responses to know which emotions it is experiencing. This is supported by the observation that a racing heart can indicate excitement, fear, or anger. 

Example Question #132 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

The Opponent-Process theory of emotion explains our experience of emotion in relation to its opposites. According to this theory, which emotional experience is not representative of this concept? 

Possible Answers:

A person initiates an argument with their spouse in order to have an outlet for their anger. 

A drug addict experiences euphoria while on a drug, and intense pain while going through withdrawal. 

All of these

None of these

A teenager goes through a haunted house to feel intense fear, and after leaving has a surge of elation. 

Correct answer:

A person initiates an argument with their spouse in order to have an outlet for their anger. 

Explanation:

The opponent-process theory states that one emotion elicits a feeling of the opposite emotion. While someone may initiate an argument to release his or her anger, this is not consistent with the opponent process theory of emotion. 

Example Question #133 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Ahmed is about to give an oral presentation in class and notices his skin flush and his heart pounding faster. Considering his immediate surroundings and the context of the presentation, he interprets his physical state as a fear of public speaking. This description of Ahmed’s emotional process best exemplifies which of the following theories of emotion?

Possible Answers:

Schachter two-factor

James-Lange

Cannon-Bard

Sapir-Whorf

Correct answer:

Schachter two-factor

Explanation:

The Schachter two-factor theory of emotion posits that the experience of arousal (i.e. Ahmed’s increased heart rate and blood flow to the skin) is qualitatively identical in all instances and only differentiated into specific emotions as a result of cognitive evaluation and labeling of the situation at hand. James-Lange, on the other hand, posits that different emotions result from different patterns of arousal, while Cannon-Bard posits that arousal and emotion occur in parallel. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is not a theory of emotion, but of language.

Example Question #542 : Ap Psychology

What is the primary difference between the James-Lange theory of emotions and the Cannon-Bard theory of emotions?

Possible Answers:

James-Lange theory says we experience feelings and then label them, while Cannon-Bard theory says that when we experience something, we think about it and then label it as an emotion. 

James-Lange theory says when we experience something, we think about it and then label it as an emotion while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion. 

James-Lange theory says we have an emotional response and then we feel the physiological response, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion. 

James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we experience feelings and then label them. 

James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have an emotional response and we later feel the physiological response. 

Correct answer:

James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have an emotional response and we later feel the physiological response. 

Explanation:

The correct answer is that "the James-Lange theory says we have a physiological response and then we label it as an emotion, while Cannon-Bard theory says that we have an emotional response and we later feel the physiological response." The other answers are all incorrect, because they are either only half correct, or not correct at all. The Schacter-Singer theory says that we experience feelings and then label them, while Cognitive Appraisal theory says that we experience something, we think about it, and then we label it as an emotion. The other answers are all incorrect juxtapositions of different, incorrect theories or simply a switching of the two theories. 

Example Question #43 : Motivation And Emotion

Which of the following explanations is most representative of the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Possible Answers:

Violet sees a brightly colored snake in her backyard, which triggers autonomic arousal in her body. As she becomes aware of this activated state, Violet considers why her body is reacting this way and determines that she must be excited since she loves snakes.

Daniel is told over the phone that his mother has been in a severe car accident. His brain processes this information and sends out signals that cause tears to well up in his eyes as well as trigger a rush of sadness.

After being insulted by her friend, Beatrice simultaneously feels her muscles tense up and herself starting to get angry. 

Aaron’s heart started beating faster when he encountered a bear on a hiking trip. When he realized his heartbeat was faster, he realized he was afraid.

Correct answer:

Aaron’s heart started beating faster when he encountered a bear on a hiking trip. When he realized his heartbeat was faster, he realized he was afraid.

Explanation:

The example with Aaron is the best choice. In the James-Lange view, an external stimulus creates a bodily change, and then that bodily change prompts the emotional experience (i.e. Aaron is afraid because his heart is beating quickly). Contrastingly, the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion posits that the stimulus triggers a response in the brain, which then contributes to the physiological (e.g. bodily changes) and subjective (e.g. “I must be feeling __________”) experiences of emotion at the same time. This is why the examples with Beatrice and Daniel both reflect the Cannon-Bard view. The example with Violet is related to the Schachter-Singer theory of emotion (also called the two-factor theory), which is harder to distinguish from the James-Lange theory. The “two factors” in this theory are autonomic arousal (ti.e. he heightened bodily response to an emotionally inductive stimulus) and cognitive appraisal (i.e. what you think about your body’s reaction). Since Violet thinks about her body’s reaction and determines she is excited, rather than instantly concluding her emotional state like Aaron did; therefore, she is demonstrating the Schachter-Singer theory.

Example Question #134 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

The Cannon-Bard Theory posits that __________.

Possible Answers:

physical changes occur before emotions.

people experience two basic emotions.

emotions occur before physical changes.

emotion and physical changes are inseparably intertwined.

Correct answer:

people experience two basic emotions.

Explanation:

Cannon-Bard theory states that we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as sweating, trembling, and muscle tension simultaneously.

Example Question #51 : Motivation And Emotion

Which of the following is a secondary drive?

Possible Answers:

Money

Hunger

Thirst

None of the above

Sex

Correct answer:

Money

Explanation:

While primary drives are directly related to basic survival and reproduction, secondary drives are related to social factors. Money is not directly related to basic survival, but it can aid in quelling primary drives (for example, using money to buy food to reduce hunger).

Example Question #52 : Motivation And Emotion

Sally is studying for an exam, but realizes her favorite TV show has just started. She immediately puts down her books and goes to watch. Freud would identify this as a characteristic of __________.

Possible Answers:

reality principle

the superego

the id

the ego

free association

Correct answer:

the id

Explanation:

The id operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification. The id satisfies drives, developed from physiological needs such as hunger, thirst, sexual drives, and more. The id, unlike the ego or superego, contains no morality or judgment of value. Rather, it seeks immediate pleasure or avoidance of pain, and disregards long-term consequences and benefits. 

Example Question #53 : Motivation And Emotion

Before looking for a sense of belonging and love, which of the following needs must be met according to the hierarchy of needs?

I. Self esteem

II. Self efficacy 

III. Safety and shelter 

IV. Physiological needs

Possible Answers:

II and III 

II only

I only

IV only 

III and IV

Correct answer:

III and IV

Explanation:

Proposed by Abraham Maslow, the hierarchy of needs theory states that the most important physiological needs must be met before other, less urgent needs are met. These essential needs consist of oxygen, food, water, and shelter. After physiological needs are met, one will seek to fulfill the need for safety and security (personal, physical, and financial), belongingness and love (friendship, intimacy, and family), then self esteem (earned respect), self actualization (reaching one’s highest potential), and then self transcendence (finding a greater, spiritual purpose in life). According to Maslow, very few people reach a level of self transcendence. 

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