Free AP Psychology History & Research Methods Exam Question and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Chip holds that unresolved conflicts and wants, particularly those that have their roots in childhood experience, are what largely drive human behavior and that it originates in our unconscious minds. Which psychological angle is Chip most likely to advocate for?
- Cognitive
- Humanistic
- Psychoanalytic (Correct answer)
- Evolutionary
Correct answer: Psychoanalytic
The psychoanalytic perspective, pioneered by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes the influence of unconscious drives, unresolved childhood conflicts, and repressed desires on human behavior. Chip's belief that "unresolved conflicts and wants, particularly those that have their roots in childhood experience, are what largely drive human behavior and that it originates in our unconscious minds" directly aligns with the core tenets of psychoanalytic theory. This approach focuses on exploring these hidden psychological forces to understand personality and behavior.
Question 2: Which of the following would not be represented by a normal distribution of children's intellect scores?
- Mode
- Standard Deviation
- Mean
- Variance (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Variance
A normal distribution is characterized by its central tendency (mean, median, mode, which are all equal in a perfect normal distribution) and its spread (standard deviation). While variance is a statistical measure of the spread of data, it is the square of the standard deviation and not a direct measure of central tendency or a primary visual representation of the spread on the curve itself, unlike the mean, mode, or standard deviation. Therefore, it is less directly "represented by" the visual characteristics of the distribution compared to the other options.
Question 3: Which of the following sums up the longitudinal research approach the best?
- Assessing changes in a group of same aged individuals numerous times over many years (Correct answer)
- Doing cross cultural studies
- Observing one individual or group in their natural environment for a period of time
- Asking questions of a random sample of individuals
Correct answer: Assessing changes in a group of same aged individuals numerous times over many years
The longitudinal research approach involves studying the same group of individuals over an extended period, often many years. This method allows researchers to observe and track developmental changes, trends, and patterns within the same subjects as they age. By repeatedly collecting data from the same participants, researchers can identify how specific variables evolve over time.
Question 4: What does it mean to consider an assessment "valid" in terms of research?
- If the study shows the independent variable is effective
- If the study is conducted under controlled conditions
- If the study has a large number of participants
- If the assessment accurately measures what it claims to be measuring (Correct answer)
Correct answer: If the assessment accurately measures what it claims to be measuring
In research, validity refers to the extent to which a test or assessment tool accurately measures what it is intended to measure. If a test is designed to assess intelligence, for example, it is considered valid if it truly measures intelligence and not some other construct. This ensures that the conclusions drawn from the assessment are meaningful and accurate.
Question 5: What kind of study approach observes individuals without engaging them in conversation to ascertain their behavior?
- Interview
- Naturalistic Observation (Correct answer)
- Case Study
- Experiment
Correct answer: Naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic observation is a research method where researchers observe subjects in their natural environment without any intervention or manipulation. The goal is to study behavior as it naturally occurs, without the subjects being aware they are being watched or engaging in conversation with the observer. This approach helps to gather authentic behavioral data.
Question 6: When the teacher assigns a test, Steve copies from other students rather than studying his spelling words like the rest of the class. A behaviorist would probably put Scott's dishonesty down to:
- His perception that the test is too difficult, and, therefore, his cheating is justified
- Inner conflicts that are buried deep in his unconscious
- The fact that he was reinforced for cheating on a test in the past (Correct answer)
- A genetic tendency to maximize his opportunities for promoting himself above others
Correct answer: The fact that he was reinforced for cheating on a test in the past
A behaviorist perspective focuses on how behaviors are learned through conditioning and reinforcement. If Steve cheated in the past and received a positive outcome (e.g., a good grade without effort, avoiding punishment), this outcome would serve as a positive reinforcement. This reinforcement would increase the likelihood of him repeating the cheating behavior in the future, according to behaviorist principles.
Question 7: What was the name of the fictitious science that localized brain function by measuring the bumps and indentations on the skull?
- Prosopagnosia
- Mesmerism
- Phrenology (Correct answer)
- Split brain theory
Correct answer: Phrenology
Phrenology was a pseudoscience popular in the 19th century that claimed to determine a person's character, personality traits, and mental faculties by examining the bumps and indentations on their skull. Proponents believed that specific brain functions were localized to different areas, and the size of these areas would manifest as corresponding skull contours. This theory has since been debunked.
Free AP Psychology History & Research Methods Exam Question and Answers 1
Chip holds that unresolved conflicts and wants, particularly those that have their roots in childhood experience, are what largely drive human behavior and that it originates in our unconscious minds.
Which psychological angle is Chip most likely to advocate for?