AP Psych Quarter 1 Questions
Which of the following allows the examination of living brain tissue visually without performing surgery? A Computerized axial tomography B Stereotaxic examination C Retrograde degeneration D Biofeedback E Ablation
A
Which of the following perspectives argues that every person has the potential to become self-actualized? A Humanistic B Behavioral C Gestalt D Cognitive E Psychodynamic
A
Which of the following research approaches would be best for testing the hypothesis that the presence of certain odors causes people to gamble more? A Experimental B Observational C Correlational D Survey E Case study
A
An illusory correlation is best defined as a A perceived relationship where one does not exist B causal relationship C correlation of 0 D correlation of −1.0−1.0 E correlation of +1.0
A
Curare blocks action at acetylcholine synapses and causes paralysis. This drug is an example of an A antagonist B agonist C inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) D excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) E excitatory neurotransmitter
A
Dr. Grayson is interested in studying the relationship between weight loss and mood. To conduct the study, Dr. Grayson analyzes the results of several previous studies on weight loss and emotional state. Which research strategy is Dr. Grayson using? A Meta-analysis B Naturalistic observation C An experiment D A survey E A case study
A
Drawing a random sample of people from a town for an interview study of social attitudes ensures that A each person in the town has the same probability of being chosen for the study B an equal number of males and females are selected for interviews C the study includes at least some respondents from every social class in town D the study will uncover widely differing social attitudes among the respondents E the sample will be large enough even though some people may refuse to be interviewed
A
In studying the behavior of five year olds in freeplay situations, a cognitive psychologist would be most interested in the children's A problem-solving strategies B toy preferences C degree of cooperative behavior D prosocial play activities E choice of playmates
A
John B. Watson is best known as the founder of A behaviorism B functionalism C rationalism D structuralism E mechanism
A
Of the following, a behavioral psychologist is most likely to study the A perceived locus of control of adults who experience panic attacks B formation of emotional attachments to significant others C defense mechanisms used by depressed adults and children in stressful situations D genetic basis for schizophrenic disorders E
A
The brain scans of people with amnesia are most likely to show damage to the A hippocampus B hypothalamus C medulla D reticular formation E cerebellum
A
A drug that has the effect of intensifying or mimicking a particular neurotransmitter can be characterized as A a hallucinogen, because it has the reverse effect of an agonist B an agonist, because it intensifies the effects of a particular neurotransmitter C an antagonist, because it intensifies the effects of a particular neurotransmitter D a reuptake inhibitor, because it increases activity of the central nervous system E a stimulant, because it increases activity of the central nervous system
B
According to Wilhelm Wundt, the focus of scientific psychology should be the study of A observable behavior B conscious experience C unconscious motivation D physiology and behavior E evolved psychological mechanisms
B
An image projected to the left visual field of a split-brained person will be processed in the A left visual cortex B right visual cortex C right side of the left retina D left side of the right retina E sensory cortex
B
An important difference between humanistic and psychoanalytic approaches is that humanistic psychologists believe in the importance of A learning B free will C determinism D biological instincts E unconscious processes
B
Damage to a small part of the occipital lobe would most likely result in a A speech deficit B visual deficit C motor deficit D hearing loss E slower heart rate
B
For most people, speech functions are primarily localized in the A right cerebral hemisphere B left cerebral hemisphere C occipital lobe D corpus callosum E cerebellum
B
The brain's ability to adapt after it is damaged is known as A integration B plasticity C polarization D lateralization
B
The depletion of which of the following neurotransmitters is most closely associated with the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? A Dopamine B Acetylcholine C Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) D Serotonin E Norepinephrine
B
A person with a severe head injury subsequently acts irresponsibly, does not seem to be able to plan effectively, and is easy to anger. Which of the following brain areas is most likely injured? A Cerebellum B Hypothalamus C Parietal lobe D Frontal lobe E Corpus callosum
D
An individual with damage to Wernicke's area is most likely to have difficulty A identifying an object held in the hand but not seen B planning what to wear to a party C remembering the name of a person in a photograph D comprehending a spoken request for information E distinguishing between red and green
D
Ben was enjoying a walk in the woods on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. As he went around a curve, he noticed a bear walking toward him. Immediately his pupils dilated, he began to perspire, and his heart accelerated. These changes are most closely related to the function of the A angular gyrus B hippocampus C parasympathetic nervous system D sympathetic nervous system E ventricular system
D
Damage to the cerebellum would most likely result in which of the following problems? A Aphasia B Increased aggression C A loss of vision D A loss of motor coordination E A change in personality
D
If an individual has lost the ability to feel pain in the left arm, there is most likely damage to what area of the brain? A Left occipital lobe B Left parietal lobe C Right frontal lobe D Right parietal lobe E Right occipital lobe
D
Immediately after firing, a neuron is incapable of responding to stimulation. This condition is referred to as A the action potential B the threshold difference C specific energy of the nerve D the absolute refractory phase E depolarization
D
In an experiment to test the effects of hunger on aggressive behavior, aggressive behavior would be the A placebo B control C hypothesis D dependent variable E independent variable
D
Information is relayed to the spinal cord or the brain by A afferent neurons B Schwann cells C T cells D efferent neurons E neuroglia
D
Introspection, a research tool used by early psychologists, is a technique which involves A correlational analyses B machines designed for cognitive analysis C survey methodology D self-examination of mental processes E teaching participants to multitask
D
Research finds that, in general, the higher an incoming college student scores on a given test, the higher the student's college grade point average (GPA). Which of the following best describes this relationship? A A bimodal distribution B A normal distribution C A skewed distribution D A positive correlation E A negative correlation
D
Sam has shown some marked changes in the way he is able to communicate after having a stroke. He knows what he wants to say, but his speech is slow and labored. Sam's grammar is also quite poor. The part of Sam's brain that most likely sustained damage is A the primary somatosensory cortex B the primary motor cortex C the locus coeruleus D Broca's area E Wernicke's area
D
The area of the brain stem that is important in controlling breathing is the A suprachiasmatic nucleus B cerebellum C limbic system D medulla E hippocampus
D
The limbic system is most closely associated with A logic and reasoning B decision making C auditory comprehension D emotions E sensory sensitivity
D
A person displays a set of rare behaviors that psychologists had not known about previously, because nobody had ever shown them before. The best strategy to investigate the nature of those behaviors is A an experiment B a survey C a case study D cross-sectional research E Correlational research
C
Difficulty in typing smoothly on a keyboard would most likely result from damage to the A amygdala B hippocampus C cerebellum D pituitary gland E lateral ventricle
C
Dorothea Dix was known for A becoming the first woman to be appointed president of the American Psychological Association (APA) B becoming the first woman to be granted a Ph.D. in psychology C documenting the poor conditions of mental asylums, which eventually led to their reform D being the first person to ever be called a psychologist E conducting the Little Albert study alongside John Watson
C
Hunger and eating are primarily regulated by which of the following? A Androgens B Estrogens C The hypothalamus D The kidneys E The medulla oblongata
C
In psychology, Gestalt principles are used to explain A statistical probabilities B somatic behavioral disorders C perceptual organization D stimulus-detection thresholds E altered states of consciousness
C
Significant damage to which of the following parts of the brain will most likely cause a person to fall into a deep coma from which the person will be unable to awaken? A Hypothalamus B Frontal lobe C Reticular formation D Amygdala E Thalamus
C
A person with damage to Broca's area would most likely demonstrate which of the following symptoms? A Forgetfulness B Hearing difficulties C Difficulty controlling balance and coordination D Difficulty controlling emotions E Difficulty with speech production
E
A researcher uses debriefing when he A uses deception in a study B has a study approved by the Institutional Review Board C has a study approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee D explains the purpose of a study before the study begins E explains the true purpose of a study immediately after the study is complete
E
A survey shows that children who have encyclopedias in their homes earn better grades in school than children whose homes lack encyclopedias. The researcher concludes that having encyclopedias at home improves grades. This conclusion is erroneous primarily because the researcher has incorrectly A failed to allow for experimenter bias B identified the independent variable C identified the dependent variable D inferred correlation from causation E inferred causation from correlation
E
Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system results in which of the following? A An increase in pupil dilation B An increase in respiratory rate C A decrease in digestion D A decrease in salivation E A decrease in heart rate
E
The division of the nervous system that most directly allows voluntary muscle movement is the A midbrain B forebrain C sympathetic D parasympathetic E somatic
E
The next question(s) are based on this scenario: A researcher randomly assigned boys and girls to each of two groups. One group watched a violent television program while the other group watched a nonviolent program. The children were then observed during a period of free play, and the incidence of aggressive behavior was recorded for each group. What is the dependent variable in this study? A Sex of the children B Duration of free play C Type of television program viewed D Level of televised violence E Incidence of aggressive behavior
E
The notion that human behavior is greatly influenced by unconscious thoughts and desires is most consistent with which of the following psychological approaches? A)Cognitive B)Biological C)Behavioral D)Sociocultural E)Psychodynamic
E
When people consume large amounts of alcohol, they are often unable to recall what they did and said while they were drinking. This occurs because alcohol interferes with the brain's ability to form new memories in the A reticular formation B occipital lobe C parietal lobe D thalamus E hippocampus
E
Which of the following best describes the response of members of the American Psychological Association to ethical issues in research? A They have just begun to address such issues. B They disclaim ethical concerns regarding research. C They have developed codes of ethics for research with human participants only. D They have developed codes of ethics for research with animal subjects only. E They have developed codes of ethics for research with both human participants and animal subjects.
E
Which of the following is true about the pons? A It is closely associated with judgment, higher-order cognition, and personality. B It functions as a bridge between the two hemispheres. C It is associated with hormones and the endocrine system. D It is associated with visual processing. E It is the region of the brain that is most closely associated with sleep and arousal.
E
Which of the following provides information regarding brain function by monitoring the brain at work through metabolism of glucose? A Computed tomography (CT) B Electrooculography (EOG) C Electroencephalography (EEG) D Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) E Positron emission tomography (PET)
E
Which of the following would most likely result from an injury to the medulla? A Visual problems that make spatial judgments difficult B Receptive aphasia that makes it difficult to understand what other people are saying C Retrograde amnesia that destroys previously established memories D A problem regulating hunger E A life-threatening disruption of heartbeat and breathing
E
What is the primary function of the pons? A Memory formation B Sleeping, waking, and dreaming C Problem solving D Regulation of body temperature E Emotional responses
B
Which of the following correctly describes the firing of neurons? A A protoplasmic transfer of ions B A finely graded response C An all-or-none response D An osmotic process E A symbiotic function
C
Which of the following is true of the reticular activating system? A It is the major system in the brain for controlling emotions. B It functions primarily in the control of motor responses. C It regulates levels of arousal. D It regulates body temperature. E It controls the uptake of pituitary hormones.
C
Which of the following studies demonstrates a cross-sectional research design? A Testing the first graders, and testing them again when they are in third grade B Testing first graders at the end of the school year C Testing first, third, and fifth graders at the beginning of the school year D Observing first graders as they test in two different subject areas E Observing first graders as they interact with either third graders or fifth graders
C
Treating a patient for Parkinson's disease includes administering a chemical that will lead to increases in the patient's A monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) B acetylcholine C norepinephrine D dopamine E serotonin
D
Which of the following is a term for a variable that researchers do not control and that can affect the results of a study? A Independent variable B Dependent variable C Control variable D Confounding variable E Continuous variable
D
Which of the following is classified as an antagonist? A Cocaine, because it floods the brain with dopamine. B Mescaline, because it floods the brain with dopamine. C An amphetamine, because they lead to increased central nervous system activity. D A tricyclic antidepressant, because they block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. E Prozac®, because it blocks the reuptake of serotonin.
D
Which of the following parts of the brain is most active in decision-making? A Reticular formation B Corpus callosum C Hypothalamus D Cerebral cortex E Pituitary gland
D
Beth received a hemispherectomy to treat a seizure disorder when she was two years old. However, by the time she was five years old, her cognitive abilities were the same as those of a neurotypical five year old. Which of the following best explains her abilities? A Reuptake B Dual processing C Accommodation D Myelination E Neuroplasticity
E
Brain lateralization refers to the A ability of the brain to process multisensory information B capacity of the brain to control basic motor movements C aptitude of the brain to produce speech D ability of the brain to control basic functions such as respiration and blood circulation E inclination for certain cognitive processes to be specialized to one hemisphere of the brain or the other
E
Cocaine blocks the reuptake of which neurotransmitter? A Epinephrine B Endorphins C Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) D Substance P E Dopamine
E
Damage to which of the following brain structures may cause the inability to detect the emotional significance of facial expressions, especially those demonstrating fear? A Hippocampus B Thalamus C Cerebellum D Hypothalamus E Amygdala
E
Experimental research differs from correlational research in that experimental research A allows for prediction B may reveal a causal relation C establishes a mathematical relation D defines the strength of the relation E uses a dependent variable
E
In developmental psychology, one advantage of cross-sectional over longitudinal studies is that cross-sectional research A controls for cognitive ability B controls for gender C controls for cultural influences D involves subjects of the same age E requires comparatively little time
E
Mary participates in an exercise program because she experiences an increase in energy and feelings of well-being at the end of each exercise session. The best explanation for Mary's perseverance in the program is that exercise A reduces her level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) B reduces her level of acetylcholine C reduces her level of glutamate D increases her level of teratogens E increases her level of endorphins
E
