AP Psych Perspectives Practice Quiz 1

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

Answer explanation

Cognitive Psychologists are interested in the mental processes of humans. This includes: Memory, Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Intelligence.

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

Of the following, an evolutionary psychologist will most likely investigate the

• (A) age of children when they speak their first words
• (B) speed of an action potential
• (C) reason why many people have an innate fear of the dark
• (D) factors that make a person feel accepted by others
• (E) features of a car that make it easier for a person to operate

Answer explanation

If you see the word innate (instinct) you should think about evolutionary psychology.

Gestalt psychology is concerned primarily with understanding which of the following?

• (A) Learning
• (B) Motivation
• (C) Development
• (D) Sensation
• (E) Perception

Answer explanation

A bit tricky, we'll cover this more in our sensation and perception unit. For now, know that Gestalt Psychologists study our "perception of the whole."

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

Answer explanation

Humanistic psychology is all about reaching one's full potential and everyone can achieve that goal! You may also encounter "Positive Psychology"--it has very similar ideas has humanistic psych.

. What is the correct chronological order of the following perspectives of psychology, from past to present? I. Behaviorism II. Psychoanalysis III. Structuralism IV. Humanism

• (A) I, II, III, IV
• (B) II, III, IV, I
• (C) I, IV, III, II
• (D) III, II, I, IV
• (E) III, II, IV, I

The belief that human behavior is the result of unconscious drives and conflicts represents which of the following theoretical perspectives?

• (A) Behavioral
• (B) Biological
• (C) Cognitive
• (D) Humanistic
• (E) Psychoanalytic

Answer explanation

Unconscious Mind = Psychoanalytic or Psychodynamic.

ALWAYS

Also looks at childhood trauma, dream analysis, and defense mechanisms.

In the early years of psychology, a research participant might have been asked to observe carefully and systematically his conscious experiences. What method would the participant be using?

• (A) Functionalism
• (B) Introspection
• (C) Biofeedback
• (D) Dream analysis
• (E) Behaviorism

According to one theory of psychology, many people have mental illnesses because their maladaptive behaviors have proven rewarding for them in the past and thus have been continued. This belief is consistent with which of the following models?

• (A) Behavioral
• (B) Biological
• (C) Cognitive
• (D) Psychodynamic
• (E) Sociocultural

Answer explanation

Behavior = Behaviorism!

Other key words to watch for that will mean behaviorism: Rewards, Punishment, Conditioning, Shaping, Reinforcement and more.

The sociocultural perspective is best reflected in which of the following research findings?

• Shortly after young children were exposed to a bacterial streptococcal infection they began displaying symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Brain imaging studies show higher levels of activity in the limbic system of individuals with depression when responding to negative emotional information.
• In the United States individuals diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder switch identities upon suggestion, while in India individuals diagnosed with the same disorder switch personalities only upon awakening.
• Individuals diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder show weaker startle responses when shown unpleasant stimuli.
• As genetic relatedness increases so does the likelihood that a relative of a person with schizophrenia will also develop schizophrenia.

Answer explanation

Social-Cultural studies variations in actions and thinking in group settings and between cultures!