AP Psychology : Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #411 : Ap Psychology

The concept of Emotional Intelligence (or EQ) was first proposed by __________.

Possible Answers:

Sigmund Freud

Gordon Allport

Sandra Starr

Howard Gardner

Daniel Goleman

Correct answer:

Daniel Goleman

Explanation:

An adaptation of Gardner's ideas of interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence, EQ was brought forth by Daniel Goleman as an alternative to traditional IQ for indicating which people tend to be more successful in life.

Example Question #11 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following features differentiates Erik Erikson's theory of personality from other theories?

Possible Answers:

His theory that personality developed across a person's whole life.

His model considers the role of unconscious conflicts and desires.

His model considers the role of culture in personality development.

His theory for gender differences in personality.

Correct answer:

His theory that personality developed across a person's whole life.

Explanation:

Prior to Erik Erikson, most theorists held that development ended in adolescence or early adulthood, after that, they argued, personality was essentially stable. Erikson argued that adults of all ages continued to face new challenges that shape their personalities as they age. Erikson's conception of development across the lifespan is unique and has continued to influence modern personality theorists and humanistic psychotherapists long after his death. 

Example Question #12 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

What is the idiographic view of personalities?

Possible Answers:

That mediating and getting close to realizing one's spirituality is the only way to true self-actualization

That each person is psychologically unique and possesses at least one trait that no one else does

None of these 

That individuals all share certain traits to which they differ in different degrees

Correct answer:

That each person is psychologically unique and possesses at least one trait that no one else does

Explanation:

The idiographic view supports that people are highly unique in their personalities and psychological structure to the point where they can't be compared to other people. Those who conduct research in support of this view often use case studies as opposed to general surveys.

Example Question #13 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which theory describes the idea that humans inherited their behaviors and personality from ancient ancestors?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Evolutionary theory

Humanistic theory

Rational theory

Correct answer:

Evolutionary theory

Explanation:

Evolutionary psychology describes the idea that human behavior has evolved over time and has been passed down from generation to generation. In evolutionary psychology, humans’ behavioral tendencies were passed down from our ancestors.

Example Question #15 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Which option describes when an analyst forms an emotional attachment to the patient?

Possible Answers:

Deviation

Transference

Attachment

Countertransference

Correct answer:

Countertransference

Explanation:

Countertransference describes when an analyst becomes emotionally attached or involved with a patient as if they are an important person in their life. The opposite of this phenomenon, when a patient becomes attached to an analyst, is called transference.

Example Question #16 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

You are driving a car and run a red light, you look behind you and see a police officer. You become fearful you will be pulled over and given a ticket. What type of anxiety would this be an example of?  

Possible Answers:

Neurotic anxiety

None of these 

Moral anxiety

Realistic anxiety

Correct answer:

Realistic anxiety

Explanation:

Freud outlined three basic kinds of anxiety (anxiety, for Freud, being the feelings associated with an imminent danger). Realistic anxiety is fear of being in genuine danger. It occurs when there is an actual threat to the person. Moral anxiety is the fear of one's internal values being challenged or compromised. Neurotic anxiety is the fear of the id overpowering the ego. 

Example Question #14 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Janet was abused as a child. As an adult she has absolutely no recollection of any of these events. This would be an example of what Freudian defense mechanism?

Possible Answers:

Regression

Repression

Identification

None of these

Correct answer:

Repression

Explanation:

According to Freud, repression was the mind’s first defense against harmful memories or psychological issues. Freud defined repression as the ego blocking an inappropriate wish or desire from being known or recognized consciously.

Example Question #423 : Ap Psychology

Tommy is well known for being a liar. He goes on a date with a woman and when it does not work out he tells his friends he broke it off because she was a liar (even though she was an honest person). This is an example of what Freudian defense mechanism?

Possible Answers:

Reaction formation

Identification

Projection

Regression

Correct answer:

Projection

Explanation:

Projection is giving an unconscious desire or inappropriate behavior to someone else. In this example, Tommy is a liar, and recognizes that about himself in other people, instead of realizing that he is the one with a lying problem. Think of a movie projection, which puts forth an image onto a blanks screen.

Example Question #424 : Ap Psychology

Jessica is extremely courteous and friendly to her coworker, Brian. Jessica is actually an unfriendly person and does not like Brian at all. Of what Freudian defense mechanism is this an example? 

Possible Answers:

Repression

Reaction formation 

Identification

Projection

Correct answer:

Reaction formation 

Explanation:

Reaction formation is described as expressing an impulse by doing the opposite. Projection describes the process of denying a negative aspect of one's own personality by projecting it onto someone else ("I'm not irritable, you are."). Identification describes the process of takes in and models one's own behavior on another's. Repression refers to the process of forgetting, or pushing away, traumatic childhood experiences.

Example Question #425 : Ap Psychology

Josh is 27 and recently went through a traumatic car crash. He has found himself recently wetting the bed, which he has not done since he was a child. Of which Freudian defense mechanism would this be an example?

Possible Answers:

Regression

Repression

Identification

Reaction

Correct answer:

Regression

Explanation:

Regression is described as reverting back to an earlier behavior used to express an impulse. Common behaviors of regression are childhood behaviors like bed wetting or thumb sucking.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors