AP Psychology : Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Nicole has been described by her acquaintances as a “mooch.” She always needs her friends or family to provide her with monetary support. She has little self-motivation and tends to rely on other people. Nicole is an example of a(n) __________ person.

Possible Answers:

ruling-dominant

getting-leaning

avoiding 

socially useful 

None of these

Correct answer:

getting-leaning

Explanation:

A getting-leaning person relies on other people constantly and expects and everything out of other people. They would prefer a handout than to work for something. This answer choice best describes Nicole in the given scenario.

Example Question #32 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Conflict makes Jack very uncomfortable. He does not like to deal with his problems, but instead ignores them. Jack is an example of a(n) _________ person. 

Possible Answers:

avoiding

socially useful 

getting-leaning

ruling-dominant

None of these

Correct answer:

avoiding

Explanation:

An avoiding person does not like conflict or the possibility of failure. Instead of dealing with problems or trying new things they generally avoid anything that involves risk. This would be the answer choice that best describes Jack in the given scenario.

Example Question #33 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Nick is a well-adjusted person. He attempts to solve problems head-on when they come up in his life. He considers other people when making choices. Nick is an example of a(n) _________ person. 

Possible Answers:

avoiding

None of these

getting-leaning 

socially useful 

ruling-dominant 

Correct answer:

socially useful 

Explanation:

Confronting problems and attempting to solve them in a healthy way define socially useful people. This type of person has been considered by psychologists to exhibit the healthiest lifestyle. This answer choice best describes Nick in the given scenario.

Example Question #34 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Karen Horney was greatly influenced by which of the following psychologists? 

Possible Answers:

Erikson

Jung

None of these

Adler

Freud

Correct answer:

Freud

Explanation:

Horney was originally greatly influenced by Freud and studied psychoanalysis; however, she broke off from his theories later on and promoted self-analysis—the theory that suggested that the subjects were able to psychoanalyze and understand themselves. Freud believed that self-analysis was impossible. 

Example Question #35 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following pairs of terms did Horney describe as the primary two needs of children?

Possible Answers:

Attention and affection 

None of these 

Food and water

Affection and pampering

Safety and satisfaction

Correct answer:

Safety and satisfaction

Explanation:

Horney suggested that safety and satisfaction were the two main needs of children. She theorized that a child would grow up to display neurosis if they were denied these needs.

Example Question #36 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following is not considered to be a neurotic adjustment as described by Horney? 

Possible Answers:

Moving towards people 

Moving around people 

All of these

Moving away from people 

Moving against people 

Correct answer:

Moving around people 

Explanation:

Horney described moving towards people, moving against people, and moving away from people as the three types of neurotic adjustments. These adjustments all allow the neurotic to maintain their “idealized self.”

Example Question #37 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Ashley distances herself from people. She does not maintain close relationships. According to Horney, which neurotic adjustment is Ashley displaying? 

Possible Answers:

Moving away from people 

Moving toward people 

Moving against people 

Moving around people 

None of these

Correct answer:

Moving away from people 

Explanation:

Moving away from people can be represented by the mindset of “if I don’t get close to you, you cannot hurt me.” Neurotics want to maintain their idealized self, and do not want to be perceived as doing anything wrong. As a result, they believe that if they do not get close to people, then their decisions cannot be questioned.

Example Question #38 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

According to __________, personality is dominated by three parts of the psyche, which includes the id, ego, and superego.

Possible Answers:

Carl Rogers

Sigmund Freud

Geoff Clusserath

Harry Harlow

Wilhelm Wundt

Correct answer:

Sigmund Freud

Explanation:

Freud believed that human personality was a battle between the id, superego, and ego. He believed that the id was the primitive and instinctive part of personality that compelled a person to seek basic primal desires. He theorized that the ego was the part of personality that mediated and controlled the id and that the superego incorporates all the morals and rules of society. This causes people to feel guilt for wrong actions.

Example Question #39 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Following the five-factor theory of personality, peoples' personalities are determined by their levels of __________, ______________________________, and __________.

Possible Answers:

extraversion. . . agreeableness. . . conscientiousness. . . neuroticism. . . openness

craziness. . . impulsiveness. . . stability. . . imaginativeness. . . predictability

intraversion. . . organization. . . kindess. . . happiness. . . neuroticism

psychoticism. . . neuroticism. . . happiness. . . sadness. . . openness

anxiousness. . . shyness. . . level of control. . . psychoticism. . . openness

Correct answer:

extraversion. . . agreeableness. . . conscientiousness. . . neuroticism. . . openness

Explanation:

The five-factor theory of personality states that there are five basic dimensions that make up personality: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness.

Example Question #40 : Motivation, Emotion, And Personality

Which of the following does not accurately describe personality as a psychological concept?

Possible Answers:

Patterned

Stable

None of these

Consistent

Fluctuating

Correct answer:

Fluctuating

Explanation:

It is important tot note that, although personality can change, it tends to be consistent and stable across an individual’s lifetime. Personality can be thought of as patterns of thoughts and actions that are characteristic and unique to a certain person. 

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