AP Psychology : Individual Psychology and Behavior

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1831 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is an instance of cognitive dissonance?

Possible Answers:

A woman sees her friend in pain and immediately starts to cry. She finds the exact emotions of her friend to be mirrorred within herself. She would then be in a state of dissonance because she finds herself completely immersed in her friend's psychological state of mind. 

A person's consciousness becomes fractured and they start to act like two different people at random times. Their behavior begins to represent two antagonistic forces in their consciousness that are fighting each other.

A person experiences severe disconnection from their surroundings and psychological distress at the thought of the loneliness of their condition. This kind of alienation is termed cognitive dissonance. 

A man steals money from his friend and then experiences a state of stress due to contradicting beliefs. On the one hand, he believed that he was a good person, but he also believes good people don't steal. These two beliefs cannot be true at the same time, so he is in a state of dissonance.

Correct answer:

A man steals money from his friend and then experiences a state of stress due to contradicting beliefs. On the one hand, he believed that he was a good person, but he also believes good people don't steal. These two beliefs cannot be true at the same time, so he is in a state of dissonance.

Explanation:

Cognitive dissonance has to do with the beliefs we hold, namely when they come into conflict with one another. For instance, the man has belief number one: Good people do not steal. At the same time, he also believes that he is a good person. When he is confronted with the reality of his actions (that he stole money from his friend), he experiences dissonance since those two beliefs now contradict each other.

Example Question #1 : Other Cognitive Principles

What is confirmation bias?

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

The tendency to look for evidence that confirms our current beliefs

Explanation:

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 #1831 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is not assessed on an IQ (cognitive) test?

Possible Answers:

Processing speed

Auditory processing

Logical reasoning

Short-term memory

Reading comprehension

Correct answer:

Reading comprehension

Explanation:

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 #2 : Other Cognitive Principles

Where is the amygdala located?

Possible Answers:

The occipital lobe

The cerebral cortex

The limbic system

The cerebellum

The brainstem

Correct answer:

The limbic system

Explanation:

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 #241 : Cognition And Consciousness

Which term refers to memory loss?

Possible Answers:

Amnesia

Lesion

Rexitrification

Damagia

Aphasia

Correct answer:

Amnesia

Explanation:

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 #1 : Other Cognitive Principles

A subject has sustained damage to Broca's area. Which area of his functioning will be impacted?

Possible Answers:

Producing speech

Poor gross motor skills

Interpreting pictures

Inability to form new memories

Understanding language

Correct answer:

Producing speech

Explanation:

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 #2 : Other Cognitive Principles

Which of the following processes is not controlled by the frontal lobe?

Possible Answers:

Memory

Impulse inhibition

Problem solving

Language 

Hearing

Correct answer:

Hearing

Explanation:

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 #11 : Other Cognitive Principles

During which stage of development do humans have the greatest number of synapses?

Possible Answers:

Adolescence

Infancy

Prenatal

Late Adulthood (50-65 years old)

Young Adulthood (18-30 years old)

Correct answer:

Infancy

Explanation:

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 #242 : Cognition And Consciousness

Which of the following is an example of functional fixedness?

Possible Answers:

Being able to see how a bucket could act as a ladder when turned upside down

Someone avoiding risk to achieve a potential gain

Someone taking on risk to avoid a potential loss

Not being able to see how a bucket could act as a step stool when turned upside down

Someone taking on risk to achieve a potential gain

Correct answer:

Not being able to see how a bucket could act as a step stool when turned upside down

Explanation:

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 #12 : Other Cognitive Principles

A multiple-choice exam tests a student's __________ of subject material.

Possible Answers:

recall

All of these

recognition

None of these

relearning

Correct answer:

recognition

Explanation:

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.

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