AP Psychology : Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #561 : Ap Psychology

According to Drive Reduction Theory, humans' bodies seek __________.

Possible Answers:

death

a return to the womb

homeostasis

water

food

Correct answer:

homeostasis

Explanation:

The correct answer here is homeostasis, a internally balanced state in which our needs, and the drives created by those needs, are satisfied. When one is experiencing needs and drives, one is out of homeostasis.

Example Question #161 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

According to Maslow's hierarchy, the need for esteem is __________.

Possible Answers:

Our need to achieve in order to gain approval and recognition

Our need to physically sustain ourselves

Our need to realize our talents

Our need to feel accepted and loved

Our need to feel safe and secure

Correct answer:

Our need to achieve in order to gain approval and recognition

Explanation:

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for esteem is the need to achieve goals for approval and recognition in our community. The need for esteem also includes self-esteem and self-approval. The need for esteem is separated into higher and lower level needs, lower being the need to be approved of by others, higher being self-esteem and approval.

Example Question #162 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following is the best example of an intrinsic motivation for reading your psychology textbook?

Possible Answers:

You are very interested in schizophrenia and want to know more about it.

You have an upcoming test you need to get a good grade on.

You want your romantic interest, who finds intelligence attractive, to see you reading.

Your parents require you to study every night and you don’t want to be punished.

Correct answer:

You are very interested in schizophrenia and want to know more about it.

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation refers to doing something because of an internal reward, such as genuinely finding an activity fun, doing something because “it makes me feel good,” etc. Outside, tangible rewards for doing the activity are not really taken into account when deciding whether or not to do it. Extrinsic motivation refers to doing something because of an external reward, such as earning money so you can buy a new computer, joining an after-school activity to boost your college application, etc. As a result, all of the answers provided refer to extrinsic motivations, except for an interest in the material. Reading about psychology essentially “just for fun” is the only choice that reflects an internal reward for reading the textbook.

Example Question #163 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Parker failed an exam badly. For almost a month afterwards, he has not been able to eat, has an expectation for bad things to happen, and rarely goes to school anymore. Which of the following is he most likely experiencing? 

Possible Answers:

Mania

Dissociative identity disorder

Depression

Post traumatic stress disorder

Correct answer:

Depression

Explanation:

Parker's lethargic attitude and unwillingness to participate in school are most indicative of "depression." His personality has not been affected, but more so his mood and his outlook. His lack of energy is not a sign of mania and his intact personality rules out disassociate identity disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. 

Example Question #1 : Other Emotion Concepts

Based on the theory of mood-congruent memory, which type of memories is a subject most likely to recall when he is upset?

Possible Answers:

Negative memories

Inconsistent memories

Positive memories

False or fabricated memories

Information-laden memories

Correct answer:

Negative memories

Explanation:

Mood-congruent memory is the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's good or bad mood. Thus, if the subject is upset, he is more likely to recall negative memories during which he experienced a similar emotional state.

Example Question #2 : Other Emotion Concepts

Which of these is not a universal emotional expression that has been observed in virtually every culture?

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Joy

Surprise

Contempt

Confusion

Correct answer:

Confusion

Explanation:

There are seven "basic" emotions that have been observed in nearly every culture on earth, and are recognizable between cultures even if those cultures have never interacted previously. These fundamental emotions are: joy, sadness, anger, fear, surpise, contempt, and disgust. Confusion is not one of the universal expressions.

Example Question #1 : Other Emotion Concepts

Which part of the brain is NOT a part of the limbic system?

Possible Answers:

All of these are parts of the limbic system.

amygdala

hippocampus

corpus callosum

Correct answer:

corpus callosum

Explanation:

The limbic system deals with emotion and memory. The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Example Question #3 : Other Emotion Concepts

What is the scientific study of optimal human functioning?

Possible Answers:

Optimistic psychology

Existential psychology

Positive psychology

Euphoric psychology

Gestalt psychology

Correct answer:

Positive psychology

Explanation:

Positive psychology is a growing field of psychological research that seeks to grow the empirical data on optimal human functioning and positive emotions (e.g., longitudinal happiness)

Example Question #1 : Other Emotion Concepts

Who was responsible for groundbreaking work on emotions and their expression throughout cultures?

Possible Answers:

Sigmund Freud

Carl Jung

Paul Ekman

Erik Erikson

None of these

Correct answer:

Paul Ekman

Explanation:

Paul Ekman was primarily responsible for identifying many of the possible emotions of the human species and how these emotions were expressed facially. He argued that emotions were universal, though culture produced varying factors on to what extent they could be expressed and what situations/ideas would evoke which emotions. He came to this conclusion by studying emotions across cultures.

Example Question #1 : Other Emotion Concepts

Which of the following is an example of Richard Lazarus's theory of emotion?

Possible Answers:

All of these are examples of Lazarus' theory

Brandon walks down a very busy road and interprets the cars as a threat to his survival, so he feels fear. Marina walks down the same busy road and interprets the car as a sign that she's not alone, so she feels happy.

Roland, who loves animals, sees a dog and immediately runs to the dog, joyfully rubbing the dog's belly and asking if it is a good boy. Yoel, who was bitten by a dog when he was seven, fearfully turns his back on the dog and performs a quick breathing exercise to calm himself down.

Josip and Mikkhail are sitting next to one another on a flight. Josip, who is a pilot, feels relaxed, while Mikkhail, who has a big problem with heights, feels afraid and tense.

None of these are examples of Lazarus' theory

Correct answer:

All of these are examples of Lazarus' theory

Explanation:

Richard Lazarus's theory of appraisal, which departs from a physiological explanation for emotion, posits that emotions are a result of people's subjective experience of an event. This theory is exemplified by the old tale of many different people looking at an elephant: each of these people will focus on different aspects of this elephant, like its ears, trunk, feet, etc. Likewise, someone's emotional experience of a busy road depends on his or her interpretation. Many might fear the busy road. Others accept it and feel content. Others focus on the sun outside and feel joy.

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