AP Psychology : Theories of Personality

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #426 : Ap Psychology

Judy is a compulsive thief. She regularly steals large amounts of office supplies from her job. She does not think this is wrong because she believes that she needs them and everybody in the office takes things. This is an example of what Freudian defense mechanism?

Possible Answers:

Projection

Rationalization 

Avoidance 

Regression 

Correct answer:

Rationalization 

Explanation:

Rationalization is described as attempting to intellectually justify inappropriate desires or behaviors. “Everybody else does it” or “This really is not hurting anyone” are examples of rationalization thought processes. 

Example Question #22 : Theories Of Personality

The hidden meaning behind a dream in psychoanalysis is called __________.

Possible Answers:

Subliminal content

Latent content

Manifest content

Secret content

Correct answer:

Latent content

Explanation:

Latent content is the hidden meaning behind a dream that only a psychoanalyst can access from a patient’s dream. The word "latent" means something is inherent or dormant within a person or thing.

Example Question #23 : Theories Of Personality

Carl Jung emphasized the idea that human behavior is drawn by the future and has a purpose. This is called __________.

Possible Answers:

Teleology

Synchronicity

Parsimony

Causality

Correct answer:

Teleology

Explanation:

Teleology is the idea that there is a purpose to human behavior and we are drawn by the future. People make choices and behave because of the future in mind.  

Example Question #431 : Ap Psychology

Hank has recently been attending sessions with a psychoanalyst. He has developed an attachment to his analyst and feels very emotionally involved with her. This is an example of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Transference

Reaction 

None of these

Countertransference 

Correct answer:

Transference

Explanation:

Transference is when a patient reacts to the analyst as if they were an important person in the patient's life. The patient develops an emotional attachment to the analyst. The opposite, when an analyst develops feeling of personal attachment or significance towards a patient, is called countertransference.

Example Question #432 : Ap Psychology

Doug was fired at work today. He really wanted to scream at his boss, but he did not. When he leaves and goes home he is unkind to his wife and yells at her. This is an example of what Freudian defense mechanism? 

Possible Answers:

Displacement 

Sublimation

Projection

Identification

Correct answer:

Displacement 

Explanation:

Displacement is described as satisfying an impulse on a substitute object. Freud initially related this concept to dreams, before expanding it to include jokes, as well as more serious ethical behavior.

Example Question #433 : Ap Psychology

Which of these answer choices would be exemplified by the following scenario: a blind person developing a stronger than average sense of hearing?

Possible Answers:

Competing

Compensating

Repression

Rationalizing

None of these 

Correct answer:

Compensating

Explanation:

Alfred Alder developed the idea of “compensating” early in his career. The process of compensation has been described as focusing on other skills or abilities when another is lacking or weak.

Example Question #434 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following psychologists coined the term “organ inferiority”?

Possible Answers:

Freud

Jung

Adler

None of these 

Erikson

Correct answer:

Adler

Explanation:

Alfred Alder focused greatly on the biology behind psychology in his early career. As a child, Alder was frequently physically weak and ill. He eventually recovered and went on to become a successful psychologist. The theory that a person’s psyche can become weak due to their organs being weak was influenced by Alder’s childhood experiences.

Example Question #435 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following would be best defined as the desire to become more masculine?

Possible Answers:

Masculine protest 

Feminine complex

Masculine complex 

Feminine protest  

None of these

Correct answer:

Masculine protest 

Explanation:

Masculine protest describes the desire to display more masculine traits, which may be perceived as more powerful or successful. Masculine protest is not universal in all cultures. It is primarily observed in cultures that place a high value on masculinity or associate masculinity with success.

Example Question #436 : Ap Psychology

Thomas has a hard time believing in himself. He is extremely intelligent but never accomplishes anything due to his self-perception. Thomas has a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

inferiority complex 

mother complex 

None of these 

superiority complex

neurotic complex 

Correct answer:

inferiority complex 

Explanation:

An inferiority complex is described as feelings of inferiority acting as a barrier to accomplishing positive things or goals. This answer choice would best describe Thomas in the given scenario.

Example Question #437 : Ap Psychology

Jennifer is always bossing her friends and family around. She believes she is always right and forces her will upon others. Jennifer is an example of a(n) __________ person  

Possible Answers:

avoiding

ruling-dominant 

None of these

getting-leaning 

socially useful 

Correct answer:

ruling-dominant 

Explanation:

A ruling-dominant person attempts to dominate other people and impose their will. They believe they will only be happy if they control situations. This answer choice best describes Jennifer in the given situation.

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