AP Psychology Chapter 1 Practice Test
Preparing for the upcoming AP Psychology exam? In the following quiz, you will find questions that will help you review Chapter 1. Take this practice test and make your preparation level better for your exam. AP Psychology is a college-level psychology course offered to students interested in the field of psychology. If you are among them, play this quiz and see in which area you need more practice. Please choose the multiple choice answer that best answers the question.
- 1.
"I am primarily interested in thinking processes; I am a __________ psychologist."
- A.
Cognitive
- B.
Learning
- C.
Perception
- D.
Personality
Correct Answer
A. CognitiveExplanation
Key word in this problems is Thinking - Cognitive Psychology focuses on one's thought patternsRate this question:
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- 2.
Like Carl Rogers, I believe people choose to live more creative and meaningful lives. My name is
- A.
Wertheimer
- B.
Washburn
- C.
Skinner
- D.
Maslow
Correct Answer
D. MaslowExplanation
Both Carl Roger's and Abraham Maslow are Humansitic Psychologist and focus on one's feeling and emotions and promote the concept of Self-Actualization.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Of the following, who is associated with the Gestalt school of psychology?
- A.
Ivan Pavlov
- B.
B. F. Skinner
- C.
Max Wertheimer
- D.
John Watson
Correct Answer
C. Max WertheimerExplanation
Max Wertheimer was a Gestalt Psychologist. The other three are all Behaviorist. Remember Gestalt focuses on the whole.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Of the following, who is a humanistic psychologist?
- A.
Sigmund Freud
- B.
Abraham Maslow
- C.
B. F. Skinner
- D.
John Watson
Correct Answer
B. Abraham MaslowExplanation
Maslow and Carl Rogers are your key humanists. Skinner and Watson are Behaviorists, and Freud is PsychoanalyticRate this question:
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- 5.
According to John Watson, introspection was
- A.
A valid method of research
- B.
Unscientific
- C.
The cornerstone of behaviorism
- D.
The study of the mind in use
Correct Answer
B. UnscientificExplanation
Introspection is the theory of knowing thy self, therefore behaviorists like Skinner would not view this as an observable behavior therefore it would lack empirical or scientific support.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following psychological theories is known as the one that emphasizes "free will"?
- A.
Psychodynamic psychology
- B.
Behaviorism
- C.
Humanistic psychology
- D.
Neo-Freudian psychology
Correct Answer
C. Humanistic psychologyExplanation
The other schools of thought outside of Humanistic Psychology are deterministic in nature and do NOT believe in the concept of Free WillRate this question:
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- 7.
Brain mechanisms involved in hunger and thirst would most likely be studied by a
- A.
Personality theorist
- B.
Sensory psychologist
- C.
Learning theorist
- D.
Biopsychologist
Correct Answer
D. BiopsychologistExplanation
Biological psychology focuses on bodily functions and processes.Rate this question:
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- 8.
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is represented by which of the following?
- A.
The Gestalt psychologists
- B.
The behaviorists
- C.
The structuralists
- D.
The functionalists
Correct Answer
A. The Gestalt psychologistsExplanation
Key Gestalt PrincipleRate this question:
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- 9.
The goals of psychology are to
- A.
Develop effective methods of psychotherapy
- B.
Describe, predict, understand, and control behavior
- C.
Explain the functioning of the human mind
- D.
Compare, analyze, and control human behavior
Correct Answer
B. Describe, predict, understand, and control behaviorExplanation
The goals of psychology are to describe, predict, understand, and control behavior. This means that psychologists aim to accurately describe and classify different behaviors, predict future behaviors based on current observations, understand the underlying causes and mechanisms of behavior, and develop strategies to modify or control behavior when necessary. By achieving these goals, psychologists can contribute to the improvement of mental health, well-being, and overall quality of life for individuals and society as a whole.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Freud believed that all thoughts and actions are determined by
- A.
The first year of life
- B.
Forces in the personality that are often unconscious
- C.
Needs for love and self-esteem
- D.
the drive for self-actualization
Correct Answer
B. Forces in the personality that are often unconsciousExplanation
The key word here is Unconscious which is the key principle of Psychoanalysis and FreudRate this question:
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- 11.
Barbara is applying conditioning principles to teach language skills to specially-abled children. As a psychologist, her point of view appears to be
- A.
Freudian
- B.
Gestalt
- C.
Functionalist
- D.
Behaviorist
Correct Answer
D. BehavioristExplanation
Barbara's approach to teaching language skills to specially-abled children using conditioning principles aligns with the behaviorist perspective. Behaviorism is a psychological approach that emphasizes observable behavior and how it can be influenced and modified through learning principles such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning. In this approach, the focus is on the environmental factors and external stimuli that shape behavior.Rate this question:
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- 12.
A psychologist who is "eclectic" can best be described as
- A.
Rejecting determinism in favor of free will
- B.
Cognitive rather than behavioral
- C.
Drawing from many psychological approaches
- D.
Preferring pseudo-psychological approaches
Correct Answer
C. Drawing from many psychological approachesExplanation
Many psychologists today are eclectic in their therapy practice today and alter their practice to meet their patients needs.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Maslow proposed a need to develop one's potential and be the best one can be, which he called
- A.
Self-image
- B.
Self-concept
- C.
Self-esteem
- D.
Self-actualization
Correct Answer
D. Self-actualizationExplanation
Abraham Maslow, in his hierarchy of needs, proposed the need to realize one's full potential and seek personal growth and fulfillment, which he termed "self-actualization." This is considered the highest level of psychological development in Maslow's hierarchy, where one strives to achieve and utilize their talents, capabilities, and capacities fully.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Psychology is
- A.
The study of human origins, evolution, and cultures
- B.
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes of any living creature
- C.
A natural science integrating physiology and neurology
- D.
The deductive study of forms and functions of human groups
Correct Answer
B. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes of any living creatureExplanation
This is the standard definition of PsychologyRate this question:
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- 15.
Of the following, who was a structuralist?
- A.
B. F. Skinner
- B.
John Watson
- C.
Wilhelm Wundt
- D.
William James
Correct Answer
C. Wilhelm WundtExplanation
Wilhelm Wundt is the individual who was a structuralist. Wundt is often considered the father of experimental psychology, and he founded the first psychological laboratory. His approach, known as structuralism, involved analyzing the basic components of conscious experience, using methods such as introspection.Rate this question:
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- 16.
The structuralist school of psychology
- A.
used introspection to analyze conscious experience
- B.
Relied heavily on the concept of natural selection
- C.
Was concerned with experiences as "wholes"
- D.
Used dream analysis to reveal the unconscious
Correct Answer
A. used introspection to analyze conscious experienceExplanation
The structuralist school of psychology used introspection to analyze conscious experience. Introspection is a method of self-observation and self-reflection, where individuals report their thoughts, feelings, and sensations. By utilizing introspection, the structuralists aimed to break down conscious experiences into their basic elements and understand the underlying structures of the mind. This approach allowed them to study the subjective aspects of human experience and gain insights into the workings of the mind.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Who among the following can prescribe drugs to treat emotional problems?
- A.
Psychiatrist
- B.
Social worker
- C.
Psychologist
- D.
Gestalt therapist
Correct Answer
A. PsychiatristExplanation
Only a psychiatrist can prescribe drugs.Rate this question:
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- 18.
William James wrote Principles of Psychology and founded
- A.
Structuralism
- B.
Functionalism
- C.
Behaviorism
- D.
Humanism
Correct Answer
B. FunctionalismExplanation
William James founded the school of Functionalism which looks at how we operate or function with our basic structures.Rate this question:
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- 19.
A psychologist using the method of naturalistic observation would
- A.
Carefully design controlled situations in which to observe behavior
- B.
Rely on observations of subjects' responses to questionnaires
- C.
Observe behavior as it happens outside the laboratory or clinic
- D.
Make records of the behavior of clients treated in therapy
Correct Answer
C. Observe behavior as it happens outside the laboratory or clinicExplanation
Naturalistic Observation observes people in their natural environment. Because there is no control, no cause or effect can be determined from this method.Rate this question:
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- 20.
In a study of effects of alcohol on driving ability, the control group should be given
- A.
a high dosage of alcohol
- B.
One-half the dosage given the experimental group
- C.
A driving test before and after drinking alcohol
- D.
no alcohol at all
Correct Answer
D. no alcohol at allExplanation
Alcohol is the independent variable therefore the control group does not get the IV only the experimental group does.Rate this question:
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- 21.
A scientific explanation that remains tentative until it has been adequately tested is called a(n)
- A.
Theory
- B.
Law
- C.
Hypothesis
- D.
Experiment
Correct Answer
C. HypothesisExplanation
A scientific explanation that remains tentative until it has been adequately tested is called a hypothesis. In the scientific method, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observation or phenomenon. It serves as a starting point for further investigation and is subject to testing and experimentation. Once a hypothesis has been rigorously tested and consistently supported by evidence, it may evolve into a theory, which has a higher level of acceptance in the scientific community. A law, on the other hand, describes a general principle that has been repeatedly verified under different conditions, typically without exceptions. An experiment is a method used to test a hypothesis. Thus, a hypothesis is the initial tentative explanation that requires validation through testing and experimentation.Rate this question:
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- 22.
A study to determine the degree of relationship between two events is called
- A.
Naturalistic observation
- B.
The correlational method
- C.
A controlled experiment
- D.
The survey method
Correct Answer
B. The correlational methodExplanation
The key word here is "relationship". Correlational studies focus on relationships and because a relationship can not be narrowed down to just one factor, no cause and effect can be determined.Rate this question:
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- 23.
In an experiment to find out if taking ginseng increases IQ scores, the IQ scores would be
- A.
The independent variable
- B.
A control variable
- C.
An extraneous variable
- D.
The dependent variable
Correct Answer
D. The dependent variableExplanation
The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured in this case IQ is what is being measured.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Subjects are said to be assigned randomly when
- A.
They are assigned to experimental and control groups from a sample which is representative of the larger population.
- B.
They each have an equal chance of being assigned to either the experimental or control group.
- C.
They are assigned to experimental and control groups so that the groups differ on some critical variable before the experiment begins.
- D.
Neither the experimenter nor the subject knows whether the subject is in the experimental or control group
Correct Answer
B. They each have an equal chance of being assigned to either the experimental or control group.Explanation
Random assignment is key to any experimental study. Without it you have a cofounding variable and can not determine cause and effect.Rate this question:
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- 25.
An experiment is performed to see if background music improves learning. Two groups study the same material, one while listening to music and another without music. The independent variable is
- A.
Learning
- B.
The size of the group
- C.
The material studied
- D.
Music
Correct Answer
D. MusicExplanation
The Independent Variable is the variable that is being manipulated or changed. In this example that is the aspect of music.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Which of the following coefficients of correlation indicates the strongest relationship between two sets of variables?
- A.
-0.98
- B.
0.90
- C.
0.00
- D.
1.20
Correct Answer
A. -0.98Explanation
The correlational coefficient goes from -1 to +1 and you should always look at absolute values when determining the strength of the correlation.Rate this question:
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- 27.
The most powerful research tool is a (an)
- A.
Clinical study
- B.
Experiment
- C.
Survey
- D.
Correlational study
Correct Answer
B. ExperimentExplanation
The strongest research method one can use is the experimental method because it is the only method that can determine cause and effect.Rate this question:
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- 28.
Students who do better in high school tend to do better in college. This is an example of
- A.
a negative correlation
- B.
A zero correlation
- C.
A positive correlation
- D.
A perfect correlation
Correct Answer
C. A positive correlationExplanation
The two would show a positive relationship in that one's performace impacts positively their performance in college.Rate this question:
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- 29.
Which of the following best describes a double-blind experimental procedure?
- A.
All subjects get the experimental procedure.
- B.
Half the subjects get the experimental procedure, half the placebo; which they receive is known only to the experimenter
- C.
Half the subjects get the experimental procedure, half the placebo; which they receive is not known to subjects or experimenters.
- D.
All subjects get the control procedure.
Correct Answer
C. Half the subjects get the experimental procedure, half the placebo; which they receive is not known to subjects or experimenters.Explanation
A single-blind procedure is where the subjects do not what group they are in and is essential to control for the confounding variable of random assignment. A double-blind is not necessary but useful, and is where neither the subject nor the experimentor know what group the subjects are in. This helps to control for experimenter bias.Rate this question:
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- 30.
A set of exact procedures that represent particular variables is called a(n)
- A.
Abstract definition
- B.
Operational definition
- C.
Case study
- D.
Defining characteristic
Correct Answer
B. Operational definitionExplanation
This is the definition of Operational DefinitionRate this question:
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- 31.
Giving placebos in drug experiments is necessary to
- A.
Counteract the random assignment of subjects
- B.
Counteract the side effects of the drug
- C.
Control for the effects of suggestion and expectation
- D.
Keep control subjects from knowing they have been given the drug
Correct Answer
C. Control for the effects of suggestion and expectationExplanation
In drug experiments, giving placebos is necessary to control for the effects of suggestion and expectation. This means that by giving some participants a placebo instead of the actual drug, researchers can determine whether any observed effects are due to the drug itself or simply the result of the participants' belief or expectation that they are receiving a treatment. This helps to ensure that the results of the experiment are accurate and reliable.Rate this question:
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- 32.
The effects of brain injury on personality would usually be investigated by the use of the
- A.
experimental method
- B.
Case study method
- C.
Naturalistic observation method
- D.
Survey method
Correct Answer
B. Case study methodExplanation
The reason this is a case study is because it can only be applied to a small group of people that have had brain injuiries. You can not harm a healthy brain in order to apply this to the population as a whole, therefore no cause and effect.Rate this question:
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- 33.
An educated guess about what is controlling some behavior is called
- A.
experimental control
- B.
A hypothesis
- C.
An experimental variable
- D.
A theory
Correct Answer
B. A hypothesisExplanation
A hypothesis is an educated guess about what is controlling some behavior. It is a tentative explanation that can be tested through further research and experimentation. Hypotheses are often formulated based on existing knowledge or observations and serve as a starting point for scientific investigations. They help researchers make predictions and guide their research efforts to gather evidence and support or refute the hypothesis. Therefore, a hypothesis is the most appropriate term to describe an educated guess about what is controlling some behavior.Rate this question:
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- 34.
Responding to a substance like a sugar pill as if it were a drug is called
- A.
The placebo effect
- B.
An extraneous factor
- C.
Variability
- D.
Psychosomatic illness
Correct Answer
A. The placebo effectExplanation
The correct answer is the placebo effect. The placebo effect refers to the phenomenon where a person responds to a substance or treatment, such as a sugar pill, as if it were a drug, even though the substance itself has no therapeutic effect. This response is believed to be due to the person's belief in the treatment and the power of their mind to influence their physical well-being. The placebo effect is often used in clinical trials to compare the effectiveness of a new treatment against a placebo, which helps researchers determine the true effectiveness of the treatment.Rate this question:
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- 35.
The control group and the experimental group in an experiment are treated exactly the same except for the
- A.
Dependent variable
- B.
Independent variable
- C.
Extraneous variables
- D.
Replication variables
Correct Answer
B. Independent variableExplanation
The control group does not recieve the independent variable so it can give the experimenter something to compare the findings of the experimental group with.Rate this question:
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