Category 1
A person displays behaviors of a psychological disorder that psychologists in the United States have not seen before. The best strategy to investigate the nature of those behaviors is to conduct which of the following? (A) an experiment (B) a case study (C) cross-sectional research (D) correlational research
a case study
A case study is an in-depth investigation of one person or a small group. It is the best choice when psychologists are seeing something new or rare and want to understand it in detail.
Since the disorder behaviors have not been seen before, psychologists would first want to closely study that individual.
Why the others are wrong:
In a two-phase study, participants were randomly assigned to either group A or group B. All participants were subjected to a series of irritating air puffs directed at the face. In the first phase of the study, participants in group A pressed a button that stopped the air puffs. Participants in group B pressed a button that had no effect on the air puffs. In the second phase of the study, both groups had buttons that, if pressed, would stop the air puffs. 10. Which of the following disorders is hypothesized to result most frequently from real-world conditions that are similar to those used in the study?
(A) Autism spectrum (B) Dependent personality (C) Major depressive (D) Obsessive-compulsive
The correct answer is (C) Major depressive disorder. The study shows learned helplessness—when people experience situations where they have no control, they may stop trying even when control becomes possible later, which is strongly linked to depression.
Many common antidepressants ease symptoms of depression by (A) inhibiting serotonin reuptake, which makes serotonin more available (B) inhibiting serotonin reuptake, which makes serotonin less available (C) releasing endorphins, which makes endorphins more available (D) inhibiting dopamine reuptake, which makes dopamine more available
The correct answer is (A) inhibiting serotonin reuptake, which makes serotonin more available. Many antidepressants, especially SSRIs, work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin so more of it remains available in the brain to help regulate mood.
Training in the construction of an anxiety hierarchy and in relaxation techniques is likely to be part of the treatment for which of the following? (A) Schizophrenia (B) Bipolar disorder (C) Specific phobia (D) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
The correct answer is (C) Specific phobia. An anxiety hierarchy and relaxation techniques are used in systematic desensitization, a treatment that gradually exposes someone to the feared object or situation while teaching them to stay calm.
Antonella, a native of the Caribbean, learns that a family member died suddenly. She begins to cry uncontrollably, loses control as she yells aggressively, and faints. Which of the following conditions best describes the symptoms Antonella experienced? (A) Ataque de nervios (B) Agoraphobia (C) Taijin kyofusho (D) Dissociative amnesia
The correct answer is (D) Unreasonable beliefs or assumptions. Rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) says psychological problems come from irrational beliefs, and treatment focuses on changing those thoughts into more realistic ones.
A double-blind control is essential for which of the following?
Hint:A double-blind study means neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the real treatment and who is receiving the placebo (fake treatment) until the study is over.
(A) A study comparing the IQ test scores of children from different educational systems
(B) A study of relationships among family members
(C) Assessment of a treatment designed to reduce schizophrenic symptoms
(D) A survey of drug use among teenagers
Assessment of a treatment designed to reduce schizophrenic symptoms
Why (C) is correct:
Why the others are wrong:
Rational-emotive therapy would propose that which of the following is the source of psychological problems? (A) are due to unconscious, internal conflicts (B) are due to irrational thinking (C) should be treated with exposure therapy (D) should be treated with client-centered therapy
The correct answer is (B) are due to irrational thinking. Rational-emotive therapy (REBT) teaches that emotional and behavioral problems come from irrational beliefs, and treatment focuses on replacing them with more logical thoughts.
Six months ago, Caleb was involved in a serious car accident when another driver ran a stop sign and collided with Caleb’s car in an intersection. Caleb was unharmed, so he resumed driving a few weeks after the accident. He now reports experiencing severe anxiety whenever he approaches an intersection. 16. Which of the following disorders is consistent with Caleb’s experience? (A) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (B) Posttraumatic stress disorder (C) Agoraphobia (D) Avoidant personality disorder
The correct answer is (B) Posttraumatic stress disorder. PTSD can develop after a traumatic event, causing intense anxiety and fear when a person encounters reminders of the trauma, such as intersections after a serious car accident.
In an experiment examining the effects of a new anti-anxiety medication, which of the following is most important to ensure the study follows appropriate ethical procedures? (A) Informed consent (B) Random assignment to conditions (C) Double-blind procedure (D) Diagnosis of anxiety disorder
The correct answer is (A) Informed consent. To follow ethical procedures, participants must be told about the study, possible risks, and their right to withdraw before agreeing to take part.
Three-year-old Antra avoids eye contact, lacks facial expressions, and struggles to show empathy for others who are upset. Which of the following disorders is most consistent with these symptoms? Scoring Guide Unit 5 AP Psychology Page 11 of 13 (A) Major depressive disorder (B) ADHD (C) Antisocial personality disorder (D) Autism spectrum disorder
The correct answer is (D) Autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder often involves early difficulties with social interaction, such as avoiding eye contact, limited facial expressions, and trouble understanding others’ emotions.
A psychologist using cognitive therapy techniques would most likely focus on which of the following as the root of psychological disorders?
(A) Unconscious, internal conflicts (B) A client’s catastrophic thinking patterns (C) Operant conditioning techniques (D) Client-centered therapy
The correct answer is (B) A client’s catastrophic thinking patterns. Cognitive therapy focuses on how unhealthy or irrational thought patterns cause emotional and behavioral problems, so psychologists work to change negative thinking into more realistic thoughts.
Annie experiences disorganized thinking and communicates with people who do not exist. Which of the following is the most likely classification of Annie’s problems? (A) Autism spectrum disorder (B) Borderline personality disorder (C) Conversion disorder (D) Schizophrenia
The correct answer is (D) Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms such as disorganized thinking and hallucinations, like communicating with people who are not really there.
In investigating the impact of social environment on the development of anxiety in children, Anthony places children in chaotic rooms with loud noises and scary situations after gaining their guardians permission. At the end of the day, he measures the children’s blood pressure then sends them home. According to ethical guidelines, which of the following is Anthony forgetting? (A) Debriefing (B) Placebo effect (C) Random Sampling (D) Informed Consent
The correct answer is (A) Debriefing. Anthony got guardian permission, so informed consent was addressed, but after exposing children to stressful situations he should explain the study, reduce any distress, and make sure participants leave in a safe mental state through debriefing.
Dr. Bell works with young children who need help to manage their anxiety. By following the principle of nonmalficence, which of the following is Dr. Bell doing for his clients? (A) Paying them for their time and trouble. (B) Making sure they have not participated in research in the past. (C) Protecting them from physical and psychological harm. (D) Keeping their information confidential.
The correct answer is (C) Protecting them from physical and psychological harm. Nonmaleficence means “do no harm,” so Dr. Bell must make sure his young clients are kept safe from injury or emotional damage during treatment.
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) Psychodynamic
The correct answer is (D) Psychodynamic. The psychodynamic approach, based on Sigmund Freud’s ideas, says behavior is strongly influenced by unconscious thoughts, desires, and conflicts.
Twenty-five-year-old Aaron worries about various issues throughout the day. Aaron is distressed by his worrying. Aaron’s problems are most consistent with which of the following? (A) Major depressive disorder (B) Bipolar disorder (C) Agoraphobia (D) Generalized anxiety disorder
The correct answer is (D) Generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive, ongoing worry about many everyday issues that is hard to control and causes distress.
Which of the following treatments is most likely to be used to treat Annie’s problems? (A) Cognitive behavioral therapy (B) Psychoanalysis (C) Antipsychotic medication (D) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
The correct answer is (C) Antipsychotic medication. Schizophrenia is most commonly treated with antipsychotic medications, which help reduce symptoms like hallucinations and disorganized thinking.
Which of the following disorders is classified as an anxiety disorder? (A) Dissociative identity disorder (B) ADHD (C) Bipolar disorder (D) Panic disorder
The correct answer is (D) Panic disorder. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by recurring panic attacks and intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.
Which of the following theories predicts that someone who experiences too much anxiety will likely be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder? Scoring Guide Unit 5 Page 10 of 13 AP Psychology (A) Activation synthesis (B) Arousal theory (C) Drive-reduction theory (D) Opponent-process theory
The correct answer is (B) Arousal theory. Arousal theory says people try to maintain an optimal level of alertness, so too much anxiety means arousal is excessively high and may lead to an anxiety disorder.
Behavior therapists emphasize which of the following in their treatment of clients? (A) Freedom of choice about the future (B) The uncovering of unconscious defense mechanisms (C) Responses that have been reinforced in the past (D) Early childhood conflicts
The correct answer is (C) Responses that have been reinforced in the past. Behavior therapists focus on learned behaviors and how past reinforcement or punishment shaped those responses, then work to change them.
Marcia avoids crowds because she is afraid that she will not be able to escape. She avoids going to movie theaters, riding in elevators, and using public transportation. Sometimes her fear is so overwhelming Marcia doesn’t leave her house. Scoring Guide Unit 5 AP Psychology Page 5 of 13 9. Marcia is experiencing which of the following?
(A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (B) Post-traumatic stress disorder (C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (D) Agoraphobia
The correct answer is (D) Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, such as crowds, theaters, elevators, or public transportation, which can become so severe that a person avoids leaving home.
Charlie believes anorexia nervosa is the direct result of the emphasis put on thinness in movies, television, and advertisements. Which of the following approaches is most consistent with Charlie’s viewpoint? Scoring Guide Unit 5 AP Psychology Page 7 of 13 (A) Psychoanalytical (B) Sociocultural (C) Biological (D) Humanistic
The correct answer is (B) Sociocultural. The sociocultural approach explains psychological disorders as influenced by society and culture, such as media promoting thinness through movies, television, and advertisements.
Dr. Feliz is interested in investigating the effectiveness of a new drug for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Ethical guidelines require that prior to starting the study he needs to do which of the following? (A) Have participants give informed consent (B) Set up an exam room for participants (C) Write a paper proving the effect of the drug (D) Debrief participants on the purpose of the study
The correct answer is (A) Have participants give informed consent. Before a study begins, ethical guidelines require researchers to explain the study, risks, and participant rights so people can voluntarily agree to participate.
Rational-emotive behavior therapy assumes that abnormal functioning results from which of the following? (A) Repression of unpleasant emotions (B) Unconscious conflict (C) Inadequate reinforcement (D) Unreasonable beliefs or assumptions
The correct answer is (D) Unreasonable beliefs or assumptions. Rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) says psychological problems come from irrational beliefs, and treatment focuses on changing those thoughts into more realistic ones.
Which of the following behavior-therapy techniques is typically used to reduce fear of heights? (A) Punishment (B) Discrimination learning (C) Token economy (D) Systematic desensitization
The correct answer is (D) Systematic desensitization. This technique gradually exposes a person to the feared situation, like heights, while teaching relaxation skills to reduce anxiety over time.