AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #38 : Memory

The common saying—“It’s like riding a bike”—reflects the idea that learning to ride a bike is often firmly stored in one’s memory. The ability to ride a bike would be stored in a person’s __________.

Possible Answers:

procedural memory

episodic memory

semantic memory

short term memory

Correct answer:

procedural memory

Explanation:

"Procedural memory" refers to a memory of “knowing how.” If you can ride a bike, then you might not be able to word-for-word verbalize your memory of how to do so; therefore, "semantic memory" is not the best choice. Psychologists would also distinguish between remembering how to ride a bike and remembering when you learned to ride a bike—the latter would be considered "episodic memory." Additionally, "short term memory" refers to information held immediately in consciousness for a very brief time, often in order to carry out a certain task, which is then lost if not transferred to long term memory.  The general knowledge of riding a bike would not be permanently stored in short term memory.

Example Question #1051 : Ap Psychology

What is the first stage of memory processing in the information-processing theory of memory?  

Possible Answers:

Rehearsal 

Encoding

Storage

Retrieval

Correct answer:

Encoding

Explanation:

In the information processing theory of memory, "encoding" must precede both storage and retrieval. Rehearsal is only essential in short term memory, but also must follow encoding. The process of encoding is essential to transferring perception into memory, so it must occur first. 

Example Question #1051 : Ap Psychology

Cameron experienced a traumatic car accident. After recovery, he is only able to remember things that happened before the accident and is completely unable to retain new memories. He is most likely suffering from which of the following? 

Possible Answers:

Retroactive interference

 

Post traumatic stress disorder 

Anterograde amnesia

 

Selective amnesia

Correct answer:

Anterograde amnesia

 

Explanation:

"Anterograde amnesia" describes the condition in which an individual is unable to create or retain new memories following a specific incident. For Cameron, this specific moment is the car crash. It is where his long term memory ends and he loses the ability to add more information to this collection. He is unable to recall the recent past, in contrast with his vivid recollection of the time before the accident. 

Example Question #41 : Memory

Remembering the beginning contents of a long list is termed the __________________.

Possible Answers:

recency effect

primacy effect

naming effect

spatial effect

visual effect

Correct answer:

primacy effect

Explanation:

The primacy effect and the recency effect are termed the "serial position effects". The primacy effect is a phenomenon that allows one to remember information better that is initially presented to them (e.g., the beginning contents of a long list). The recency effect refers to the ability to better recall information presented last (e.g., information presented at the end of a long list).

Example Question #1053 : Ap Psychology

What term is used to describe long term memory that is often factual in nature?

Possible Answers:

Declarative

Rehearsed

Procedural

Episodic

Semantic

Correct answer:

Declarative

Explanation:

Declarative memory is also known as explicit memory. Declarative memory is a type of long term memory that can be recalled as facts of knowledge, usually in a verbatim manner. These types of memories can be consciously recalled.

Example Question #1054 : Ap Psychology

New memories and the retrieval of old memories are localized to which structure in the brain?

Possible Answers:

Cerebellum

Occipital Lobe

Hippocampus

Wernicke's area

Amygdala

Correct answer:

Hippocampus

Explanation:

The hippocampus is a structure within the brain that encodes memories. When this structure is damaged it can lead to an inability to form and retrieve memories. The amygdala is the brain structure responsible for fear. The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual input. Wernicke's area is important for speech and language. The cerebellum is responsible for movement and coordination.

Example Question #1051 : Ap Psychology

Walter decides that he would like to ride a bicycle. He has not used a bicycle in twenty years and wonders if he will remember how to do so. To his surprise he easily remembers how to ride. What type of memory allows Walter to ride a bicycle after twenty years?

Possible Answers:

Implicit memory

Semantic memory

Eidetic memory

Explicit memory

Episodic memory

Correct answer:

Implicit memory

Explanation:

Implicit memory involves remembering how to complete tasks that do not require conscious effort. It is also sometimes called non-declarative memory. Remembering how to ride a bicycle or tie your shoes are examples of implicit memory. Explicit memory is memory for every day information. It is a conscious form of memory and requires effort. Semantic and episodic are forms of explicit memory. Semantic memory involves remembering specific facts, such as math formulas or the names of former presidents. Episodic memory refers to remembering past life events, such as your wedding day. Eidetic memory is also known as photographic memory and is a rare ability in some people to recall images and sounds after short exposure. 

Example Question #1051 : Ap Psychology

What is the name of the theory in linguistics that suggests that some rules of grammar are hard-wired into the brain, and manifest without being taught?

Possible Answers:

Lexical functional grammar

Universal grammar

Country grammar

Role and reference grammar

Systematic functional grammar

Correct answer:

Universal grammar

Explanation:

Usually credited to Noam Chomsky, the theory of universal grammar suggests that all possible human languages share certain properties, such as the rules of grammar. For Chomsky, the development of language involves genetic endowment, external data, and principles not specific to the faculty of language (i.e. those properties of the brain that cause it to learn language).

Example Question #1052 : Ap Psychology

What is the name of the region of the brain responsible for controlling speech?

Possible Answers:

Brokaw area

Wernicke area

Broca area

Bicameral area

Sprachbund area

Correct answer:

Broca area

Explanation:

Also called convolution of Broca, the Broca area region of the brain contains motor neurons involved in speech production. The Broca region was discovered by a French surgeon, named Paul Broca, in 1861. 

Example Question #121 : Cognition And Consciousness

An individual with damage to Broca's area is most likely to have difficulty with which of the following tasks?

Possible Answers:

Distinguishing between blue and yellow

Comprehending a spoken request

Remembering a phone number

Answering a question out loud

Correct answer:

Answering a question out loud

Explanation:

Broca's area is a region of the frontal lobe of the cortex, and is linked to the ability to produce speech. Damage to Broca's area can lead to Broca's aphasia, which is the inability to speak out loud.

In contrast, Wernicke's area is located in the temporal lobe of the cortex and is credited with processing and interpreting the speech of others. Damage to Wernicke's area could leave a patient unable to comprehend a spoken request. Remembering a phone number would require processing by the hippocampus, which is a component of the limbic system credited with memory storage. Blue-yellow color blindness arises when a genetic disorder leaves the individual unable to produce cones that detect light at short wavelengths (such as blue).

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