AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #54 : Consciousness

Antagonists are a type of drug that do which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Change one's perception of reality

Slow down body systems

Change the chemistry of the brain by mimicking neurotransmitters

Speed up body processes

Change the chemistry of the brain by preventing neurotransmitters from entering receptor sites

Correct answer:

Change the chemistry of the brain by preventing neurotransmitters from entering receptor sites

Explanation:

Antagonists are a type of psychoactive drug. Psychoactive drugs are drugs that change the chemistry of the brain. There are two types that do this: antagonists and agonists. Agonists change the chemistry of the brain by mimicking neurotransmitters. Antagonists also change the chemistry of the brain, but they do not mimic neurotransmitters. Instead, they simply prevent neurotransmitters from entering receptor sites.

Example Question #55 : Consciousness

Alcohol belongs to which of the following drug categories?

Possible Answers:

Suppressants

Hallucinogens

Stimulants

Depressants

Barbiturates 

Correct answer:

Depressants

Explanation:

The three categories of drugs that have been established are depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Although an individual may seem lively with a small amount of alcohol, alcohol is actually a depressant. The liveliness comes from the fact that alcohol acts as a disinhibitor. This means it will act to slow down neural processing and brain activity responsible for judgment and inhibitions. As a result, people are more likely to act out in ways that they would not under unaffected judgment and conditions. Barbiturates are tranquilizers. These also fall under the category depressants; therefore, this would also be incorrect.

Example Question #11 : Methods Of Altering Consciousness

Opiates belong to which of the following drug categories?

Possible Answers:

Suppressants 

Stimulants

Hallucinogens

Barbiturates

Depressants

Correct answer:

Depressants

Explanation:

The three categories drugs may be organized into are depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. As a result, "suppressants" and "barbiturates" would be incorrect options. Opiates (i.e. opium, morphine, and heroin) may be considered depressants because they depress neural functions. As the nervous system is slowed, the individual may feel a sense of pleasure. In the meantime, pupils will constrict and breathing will slow down. These are not the effects of stimulants and hallucinogens; therefore, those options would be incorrect as well.

Example Question #12 : Methods Of Altering Consciousness

Which of the following is not a stimulant?

Possible Answers:

Caffeine 

Cocaine 

Amphetamines 

LSD

Nicotine

Correct answer:

LSD

Explanation:

Stimulants are chemicals known to stimulate the nervous system. It will excite neural activity and body functions. Physiological effects include dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, an increase in blood sugar, and a resulting decrease in appetite that coincide with increased energy levels. LSD would not be considered a stimulant because it is a hallucinogen. This means that it will distort perception and create sensory images without the sensory stimulus.

Example Question #13 : Methods Of Altering Consciousness

Cocaine belongs to which of the following drug categories?

Possible Answers:

Depressants

Opiates

Stimulants

Suppressants

Hallucinogens

Correct answer:

Stimulants

Explanation:

Cocaine is considered to be a stimulant because it is known to excite neural processes and body functions. These effects have been observed in other stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine. Cocaine users will receive an immediate sense of euphoria because of the drug's ability to interfere with and deplete the brain's source of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Within hours a crash will set in, this leaves the individual depressed and agitated.

Example Question #14 : Methods Of Altering Consciousness

Which of the following types of individuals can be hypnotized?

Possible Answers:

Hypnosis is not a real method of altering consciousness

People who are highly open to suggestions are more likely to be hypnotized

People who are not open to suggestions are more likely to be hypnotized  

Hypnosis is only effective on those that have undergone traumatic events

Hypnotism is possible for all volunteers

Correct answer:

People who are highly open to suggestions are more likely to be hypnotized

Explanation:

To some degree, most individuals are open for suggestions; however, there are some that are more open to them than others. These individuals are more likely to be hypnotizable. For instance, this may be observed in the phenomenon known as postural sway. In this process, a group of individuals are lined up and told to stand straight with their eyes closed. Afterwards, a person will randomly call out individuals and tell them that they are swaying. It has been observed that people who are highly open to suggestion may begin to sway when they were not previously. These types of individuals are more likely to experience hypnosis.

Example Question #992 : Ap Psychology

Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that alter perception and mood. Which of the following describes how an individual would become tolerant to such medications?

Possible Answers:

One would become tolerant through being exposed only once

One would become tolerant through stopping use and relapsing

One would become tolerant through repeated exposure of the same dose

One would become tolerant through continuously increasing the dose

One would become tolerant through random occasional exposure

Correct answer:

One would become tolerant through repeated exposure of the same dose

Explanation:

Tolerance is what occurs when the effects of the same dose of drug diminishes over extended use. Upon repeated exposure, the brain will begin to adjust its chemistry to counteract the effects of the drug. Because exposure needs to be regular for tolerance to occur, the option about random exposure would be incorrect. It's common to observe those who have become tolerant to begin increasing their usual dose. This is a potential outcome of tolerance; therefore, this option is incorrect. While some drugs may have an affect on individuals upon exposure only once, this does not entail tolerance. This becomes a matter of an individual becoming "hooked" on the drug; therefore, this option would also be incorrect. When an individual decides to stop, the body may undergo withdrawal if the individual has developed a physical dependence and is addicted to the drug; thus, this answer is also incorrect.

Example Question #995 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following terms is best defined as the form of waves that are emitted by a person who is awake, unfocused, and relaxed?

Possible Answers:

Delta waves

Theta waves

None of these

Beta waves

Alpha waves

Correct answer:

Alpha waves

Explanation:

Alpha waves are a type of brain wave that occurs when a person is about to fall asleep. The person will be relaxed and unfocused but still aware of their surroundings.

Example Question #996 : Ap Psychology

Natural and synthetic depressants include which of the following?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Alcohol

Prescription painkillers

Tranquilizers

Heroin

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Alcohol, prescription painkillers, tranquilizers, heroin, and others affect the nervous system in a depressive manner. This class of drugs generally lowers neurotransmitter levels and decreases central nervous system functions.

Example Question #994 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following are classified as stimulants?

Possible Answers:

Morphine

Psilocybin

LSD

Amphetamine

Alcohol

Correct answer:

Amphetamine

Explanation:

Amphetamine is an excitatory drug that affects the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Alcohol and morphine are depressants, whereas LSD and psilocybin are hallucinogens.

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