AP Psychology : Social Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Sense Of Self

Which of the following best describes Bem's Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI)?

Possible Answers:

A measure of how well you fit into your gender role by analyzing personality as masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated

A measure of how often your sexual preferences fluctuate during adolescence 

A measure of how well you fit in with peers of your gender/sex

The age by which most adolescents have engaged in sexual activity

Correct answer:

A measure of how well you fit into your gender role by analyzing personality as masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated

Explanation:

Bem's Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) is an antiquated system to evaluate correspondence between sex and gender, with the goal of helping to diagnose gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder. The test presents 60 personality traits, with each trait appropriated as either male or female. The individual will score himself or herself on each trait and be presented with a result of masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated. It is important to note that the BSRI is no longer considered a valid evaluation, as our understanding of gender roles and identification has evolved.

Example Question #122 : Social Psychology

Which of the following best describes what individuals may become, want to become, and are afraid of becoming?

Possible Answers:

Self-concept

Self-esteem 

Self-understanding 

Possible self 

Correct answer:

Possible self 

Explanation:

The term that best fits the definition is the "possible self." 

Example Question #14 : Sense Of Self

Which of the following is best described as a common defense mechanism employed by adolescents?

Possible Answers:

Make lots of friends in fear of being alone

Isolation from all types of people

Denial of negative characteristics

Admittance of negative characteristics

Correct answer:

Denial of negative characteristics

Explanation:

Adolescents deny their negative characteristics in order to protect themselves while on their quest for self-understanding. They do not necessarily isolate themselves from all types of people, nor do all of them make many friends just because they are afraid to be alone.

Example Question #15 : Sense Of Self

Self-esteem can be described as which of the following?

Possible Answers:

The emotional evaluation of ones own worth or self-image

The individual's cognitive representation of self

The persona a person may present to others, while realizing that it does not represent what he or she is actually thinking and feeling

The evaluation of self in terms of domains like academic, athletic, physical appearance

Correct answer:

The emotional evaluation of ones own worth or self-image

Explanation:

Self-esteem is defined as the emotional evaluation of ones own worth or self-image. The other answer options refer to different concepts of self-evaluation. Self-concept is the evaluation of self in terms of domains like academic, athletic, physical appearance. Self-understanding is the individual's cognitive representation of self. False self is the persona a person may present to others, while realizing that it does not represent what he or she is actually thinking and feeling.

Example Question #16 : Sense Of Self

Adolescents are most likely to show their false selves with which of the following people?

Possible Answers:

School administrators

Romantic interests

Close friends

Parents

Correct answer:

Romantic interests

Explanation:

A false self is a self that a person may present to others while realizing that it does not represent what he or she is actually thinking and feeling in order to impress them. It is like a front that adolescents put up. Adolescents are more likely to exhibit their false selves when around romantic interests most likely because they are trying to impress them. They are likely to exhibit their true selves around close friends, and usually parents.

Example Question #17 : Sense Of Self

The conglomeration of perceptions of “I” and “me” combined with the beliefs one associates with them are referred to as which of the following answer choices?

Possible Answers:

Social-concept

Ideal self

Self-concept

Real self

Correct answer:

Self-concept

Explanation:

We develop a concept of ourselves through a process of considering how others perceive us and responding to how we view ourselves. This concept can change over time, but is titled a self-concept. Although there is a social component involved in that we rely on others, in part, to show us who we are, it is not termed a social-concept. Further, it is not necessarily ideal or real. As such, self-concept is the correct response.

Example Question #21 : Sense Of Self

The self 'I’d like to be' refers to which of the following choices?

Possible Answers:

Private self

Ideal self

Social self

Self-image

Correct answer:

Ideal self

Explanation:

The concept of the ideal self is as straightforward as it seems: the version of yourself that you would most like to be is your ideal self. The concept of self-image captures how you view and conceive of yourself. Your social and private selves, respectively, describe how you act in front of others versus how you tend to behave when unobserved.

Example Question #22 : Sense Of Self

People tend to elicit feedback that confirms their own self-perceptions, both positive and negative according to which of the following theories?

Possible Answers:

Social-self theory

Self-enhancement theory

Ideal self theory

Self-verification theory

Correct answer:

Self-verification theory

Explanation:

Self-verification is a theory in social psychology that describes the phenomenon of accepting and integrating information that is consistent with one's current self-concept. This theory also posits that we actively avoid, ignore, or reject information that does not align with our current concept of self even if it is positive or complimentary. For example, an individual exhibiting the phenomenon of self-verification theory may disregard compliments that she is pretty because it does not verify or confirm her self-concept of being unattractive.

Example Question #23 : Sense Of Self

Contrasting yourself with the social standings (e.g., resources, accomplishments, material possessions) of another person that is less fortunate than you in order to feel better about yourself is best described as which of the following choices?

Possible Answers:

Upward social comparison

Downward social comparison

Self-enhancement theory

Social-self theory

Correct answer:

Downward social comparison

Explanation:

Downward social comparison describes the perspective of looking 'down' to those of less fortune or greater hardships in order to cheer up. Often we will hear, "Oh, yeah, you are going through a rough time, but it could be worse. I know a guy who...(enter an even worse case scenario)." Sometimes, these little anecdotes can help us gain perspective and feel better, whereas upward social comparisons tend to make us feel worse about ourselves. For example, comparing oneself to a successful movie actor or Nobel Prize winner may leave one feeling pretty inadequate.

Example Question #24 : Sense Of Self

People with high self esteem are prone to __________.

Possible Answers:

overestimating their good qualities

be control freaks

 emotional instability 

have a pessimistic view on life 

have narcissistic feelings of grandiosity 

Correct answer:

overestimating their good qualities

Explanation:

Although there are many advantages to having high self-esteem and is arguably the key to success and overall contentment in life, there are some potential pitfalls. One of which is a sort of "rose-tinted glasses" effect on your beliefs about your good qualities and capabilities. This is not narcissistic in nature, where narcissism is actually deeply rooted in low self-worth.

These beliefs stem in the belief that one is a capable human being worthy in many aspects, though sometimes on an "objective scale" these beliefs may not be true. For instance, a person who gets bad grades but high self-esteem may still believe they are smart and this leads them to work harder and get better grades. 

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