Theories
Mrs. Shelton wants to motivate her students to study for the AP Psychology Exam. She provides a very long packet for her students to complete in exchange for earning extra credit on any grade they want. What psychological concept best describes how the students are being motivated to study for the exam?
Incentive Theory
A social psychologist examines whether group size affects helping behavior. A confederate in a campus courtyard drops a stack of papers while either one stranger, three strangers, or seven strangers are nearby. Observers hidden on a bench record whether any participant helps within 10 seconds. The researcher finds that helping is least likely when more strangers are present. What psychological phenomena is being depicted in this scenario?
The Bystander Effect
During a group project, Layla sees a classmate snap at another student once. Layla immediately concludes that the classmate is a rude person, even though she later learns the classmate had been dealing with a stressful family emergency that week. What psychological thought pattern is Layla most likely exhibiting?
Fundamental Attribution Error
A trait theory that identifies five main characteristics that account for most individual differences in personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
OCEAN Model or Big Five Theory
Keziah quickly jerks her hand away when she felt a pricking feeling on her palm. She turns around and finds out it was just Leila using her nail trying to get her attention for an important matter. What psychological concept best describes Keziah's reaction?
Instinct
Aubrey is really thirsty, but she doesn't have enough money to buy a bottle of water from the store. She cannot stop thinking about how thirsty she is. Eventually, Aubrey steals a bottle of water and drinks it. What psychological concept best explains her behavior?
Drive-Reduction Theory
Mrs. Shelton assigns a group project to her 6th period class. In one specific group, a student does not do anything as he believes his group will do everything for him. What psychological concept best describes what the student is displaying?
Social Loafing
Christine, an Arby's manager, decides one day to order the viral Meat Mountain. Working at Arby's for over two decades, she believes their food is top-tier and Michelin quality, and that the Meat Mountain would be no different. Taking a bite, she instantly feels repulsed but continues to think to herself that it was just a one time occurrence, despite throwing away the entire sandwich after a single bite, continuing to believe Arby's is a top tier food chain. What psychological term best describes Christine's behavior?
Belief Perseverance
An adult who is overwhelmed by work stress begins to throw tantrums and pout like a toddler to get their way. What psychological concept is being demonstrated in this scenario?
Regression
A student is torn between accepting a prestigious university scholarship that requires moving far from family and staying at a local college to be closer to friends and support systems. What psychological concept is the student currently experiencing?
Approach-Avoidance Conflict
Cornelius recently took his AP Psychology mock test and scored a 1, making him extremely depressed because people were calling him stupid. His friend trying to encourage him, tells him to smile a little bit, which Cornelius does. Over the course of the next hour, Cornelius becomes way more cheerful than he originally was. What psychological concept best explains Cornelius' sudden change in behavior?
Facial-Feedback Hypothesis
In a workplace training session, several employees are asked to give an obviously wrong answer about the length of a line after hearing every other person in the room say the same wrong response. Although she privately believes the group is mistaken, Elizabeth gives the same incorrect answer out loud. Elizabeth's behavior is best described by what psychological concept?
Conformity or Normative Social Influence
Maya sees a classmate arrive late and immediately thinks, “He is so irresponsible.” The next day Maya arrives late herself, but she explains that traffic and a broken alarm caused her delay. What pattern of thought is Maya displaying?
Actor-Observer Bias
Marcus is a college student who frequently misses deadlines, leaves his room in disarray, and often forgets to attend scheduled study groups. Despite having high intelligence and strong conceptual understanding of the material, he consistently receives low grades on assignments that require structured planning and sustained effort. His professors note that while he is creative and open to new ideas, he lacks the discipline to organize his work or follow through on tasks. What personality trait is being exhibited and how much of it?
Low conscientiousness
Sylvé who previously enjoyed creating graphics for fun, is asked by her dad to paint a series of graphics. In exchange for each completed graphic, her parents give her $50. Over the next few weeks, Sylvé's enthusiasm for creating graphics decreases, and she only paints when she is expecting payment.
Extrinsic Motivation
After coming home from school, David is very bored and starts playing multiple competitive Valorant games. While playing however, he ends up going on a losing streak, causing him to get aggressive and extremely upset, leading him to take a nap to calm himself down. What psychological theory is being described in this situation?
Arousal Theory
A high school football team wears matching uniforms and face masks during a championship game. During a controversial play, the team engages in aggressive, unsportsmanlike conduct that they would likely not perform by themselves. What psychological concept best explains the scenario?
One afternoon, Cayden goes to shop at a local Walmart near his home. While browsing many different items, he notices a woman working as the manager of the Walmart and believes that she is unfit to be the job manager and that she should be at home. What psychological thought pattern is Cayden expressing?
Prejudice
Maria has an assignment to write a research paper for a class. She has several weeks to work on the paper before turning in the finished product, which she believes 100% that she can finish in time and get a good grade. What psychological term is Maria expressing in this scenario?
Self-Efficacy
While playing a game, Jackson says some very bad things to his teammates, without considering the possible consequences of the words that he said. What psychological concept best represents the scenario?
Disinhibition
While playing his favorite game, League of Legends, Camden start to hear encouraging words from his teammates, causing him to become more focused and aware about his surroundings, since he is now determined to win. However, his opponents start to send harsh, degrading comments in the chat, which momentarily make him focus on the negative attacks, costing his team the game. What psychological concept best describes what Camden is experiencing?
Broaden-and-Build Theory of Emotions
A social psychologist wants to know whether group size affects helping behavior. In a staged emergency, a researcher drops a box of folders and papers in a campus hallway while passing either one student alone, three students walking together, or six students walking together. Observers hidden nearby record how many seconds pass before someone helps pick up the papers. The psychologist surveys the students and finds out that help is delayed longest when the passing group is largest as the students believe the other students would pick it up first. What psychological tendency is best displayed in this situation?
Diffusion of Responsibility
Mere Exposure Effect
A student named Alex is highly anxious about public speaking. Because of this anxiety, he avoids joining the debate club, which prevents him from gaining experience and positive feedback. Consequently, his belief in his ability to speak publicly remains low. What psychological term best describes how Alex's environment and personality keep interacting with each other?
Reciprocal Determinism
While heading to Universal Studios, Sawyer kept nagging his friend group to ride a variety of different roller coasters. One time, he pointed towards a 300 feet tall roller coaster and asked his friends to join the line to ride the attraction. What psychological term best describes Sawyer's consistent pleading to go on the rides?
Thrill Seeking