AP Psychology : Motivation and Emotion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #173 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

The term "affect" refers to which of the following?

Possible Answers:

The degree to which an experience is positive or negative

The experience of sympathetic autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses

The experience of an emotion

The strength of a stimulus’ effect on attention

Correct answer:

The experience of an emotion

Explanation:

“Affect” refers to the experience of having an emotion. The “degree to which an experience is positive or negative” and “the experience of sympathetic autonomic nervous system responses” are the definitions of valence and arousal, respectively. These are both components of emotion, but do not encompass the entirety of affect. Last, the “strength of a stimulus’ effect on attention” is the definition of salience.

Example Question #15 : Other Emotion Concepts

Jenny speaks in the same tone of voice and shows little variation in facial expression or emotion when speaking. Jenny most likely demonstrates which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Consistent mood 

Liable affect

Inappropriate affect

Consistent emotion 

Flat affect 

Correct answer:

Flat affect 

Explanation:

Jenny's unwavering tone of voice and little variation of facial expression or emotion when speaking demonstrate the flat affect. The flat affect refers to a lack of (or diminished) emotional expression. This can be observed through robot-like speaking and lack of facial expression. On the other hand, the inappropriate affect and liable affect are the opposite of flat affect. Inappropriate affect refers to emotions are are inappropriate to the situation. Liable affect refers to rapid and inappropriate changes in mood. Jenny clearly demonstrates the flat affect.

Example Question #16 : Other Emotion Concepts

Tracey gets teased by the girls at school. When she gets home, she teases her little brother. 

This scenario is an example of which defense mechanism? 

Possible Answers:

Projection

Sublimation

Regression

Repression

Displacement

Correct answer:

Displacement

Explanation:

"Displacement" is a defense mechanism in which a person directs an unwanted desire or aggression toward something more acceptable than the root of the desire. In this case, Tracey displaces her aggression onto her little brother by teasing him instead of the girls who had teased her. 

The other answers are incorrect. "Repression" is defined as pushing desires out of our consciousness, while "regression" is defined as reverting back to old habits (often from childhood) during stressful situations. "Projection" is described as projecting negative desires onto other people. For example, Tiffany is hurt when Kim does not call her back and she says, "Kim is such a mean person. She doesn't care or like anyone but herself." Projection is sometimes confused with displacement. Last, "sublimation" is defined as changing unwanted desires into something socially valued.

Example Question #181 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Which of the following is more indicative of a type B personality, rather than a type A personality?

Possible Answers:

Feelings of anger and hostility

Easy-going attitude

Competitiveness 

Higher risk of stress-related diseases

Sense of time urgency

Correct answer:

Easy-going attitude

Explanation:

Type A personalities are characterized by high competition, a sense of time urgency, and negative feelings including anger, stress, and hostility. Type B personalities are characterized by low competition and an overall easy-going attitude. People with type A personalities tend to become easily stressed and have more difficulty coping with stress than type B personalities. Studies on the differences between type A and B personalities have revealed that type A personalities are also at higher risk of stress-related diseases. 

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