AP Psychology : Individual Psychology and Behavior

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #922 : Ap Psychology

Lawrence Kohlberg is known for the levels of moral thinking hypothesis. Which of the following levels focuses on self-interest?

Possible Answers:

Postconventional 

Conventional 

Preconventional 

Concrete operational 

Preoperational 

Correct answer:

Preconventional 

Explanation:

Kohlberg's three levels of moral thinking include preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. 

From birth to about nine years of age, a child is believed to experience what Kohlberg called the preconventional phase. At this time the focus is self-interest; the child will follow rules just to avoid punishment and achieve a concrete reward. 

The other two options, “preoperational” and “concrete operational” are incorrect because they are stages from Piaget's theory of cognitive development. 

Example Question #921 : Ap Psychology

Lawrence Kohlberg is known for the levels of moral thinking hypothesis. Which of the following levels focuses on self-defined ethical principles?

Possible Answers:

Concrete Operational 

Preconventional 

Ego 

Postconventional 

Conventional 

Correct answer:

Postconventional 

Explanation:

Kohlberg's three levels of moral thinking include preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. 

From adolescence and beyond, Kohlberg believed that an individual experiences the postconventional level of morality. During this time, the individual focuses on actions that demonstrate a belief in self-defined ethical principles and basic rights. 

“Ego” would be incorrect as it is one of Freud's psychoanalytical stages.

“Concrete operational” would also be incorrect because it is one of Piaget's stages from his theory of cognitive development. 

Example Question #922 : Ap Psychology

Adam is a child and considered to be in the conventional morality stage according to Kohlberg’s model. Which of the following is most likely to be his rationale for why stealing is morally wrong?

Possible Answers:

Stealing is against the law.

None of these

If I steal, then I will be caught and punished.

If I steal, then people will think I’m a bad boy.

Correct answer:

If I steal, then people will think I’m a bad boy.

Explanation:

Kohlberg’s model of moral thought was categorized into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Pre-conventional moral thought is concerned with thoughts associated with obedience, punishment, and self interests (e.g. “if I steal, then I will be caught and punished” and “stealing is against the law”). On the other hand, post-conventional thought is characterized by higher order moral thinking such as that associated with social contracts and universal ethical principles. Last, the conventional level is characterized by thoughts indicative of social order and conformity (e.g. the correct answer “if I steal, then people will think I’m a bad boy”).

Example Question #92 : Dimensions Of Psychological Development

The conventional stage of Kohlberg's moral developmental stages usually occurs during which of the following age brackets?

Possible Answers:

Approximately 10 years old through adolescence

None of these

Approximately late adolescence through adulthood 

Approximately birth to 9 years old

Correct answer:

Approximately 10 years old through adolescence

Explanation:

The conventional stage of moral development occurs from approximately 10 years old to early adolescence. During this stage, children make decisions based on how the world will view them. Children learn conventional standards of right and wrong, as usually follow these so others will see them as "good." 

Example Question #931 : Ap Psychology

10-year-old Mark believes that you should not lie because it is wrong and against the rules. What stage of Kohlberg's moral development is Mark most likely in?

Possible Answers:

Postconventional

Oral 

Preconventional

Latency

Conventional

Correct answer:

Conventional

Explanation:

Kohlberg's theory of moral development divides morality into three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. The preconventional level occurs prior to age 10 and involves a desire to avoid punishment and receive rewards. Children in this stage may follow rules because of their own self-interests. Children in the conventional stage are motivated to do what is right and uphold society's rules and standards. This is consistent with Mark's philosophy on why lying is wrong. During the postconventional stage, people develop an internal set of values and have a more flexible view of morality. Kohlberg believed that not everyone reaches the postconventional level. The oral and latency stages are associated with Freud's psychosexual stages of development. 

Example Question #932 : Ap Psychology

A young child decides not to steal a classmate's stuffed animal because he will likely be punished by the teacher. According to Kohlberg's stages of morality, this child is engaging in which of the following  types of thinking?

Possible Answers:

Pre-conventional morality

Conventional morality

Elementary morality

Post-conventional morality

Macro-oriented morality

Correct answer:

Pre-conventional morality

Explanation:

Lawrence Kohlberg believed that there are three different stages of morality that are expressed through our actions. The young child above is engaging in "pre-conventional morality." In this stage, actions are determined to be bad or good depending on how they are rewarded or punished. Specifically, the action of stealing is determined to be bad because society has set forth rules that would likely result in the young child getting punished for it.  

Example Question #933 : Ap Psychology

Conventional morality is derived from which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Self-interest

Intrinsic motivation

Avoiding punishment

Social contract

Social norms and expectations

Correct answer:

Social norms and expectations

Explanation:

The conventional stages of Kohlberg's stages of moral development are associated with morality derived from "social norms and expectations." This is in contrast with the pre-conventional stages, which focus on self-interest and punishment, and the post-conventional stages, which focus on social contracts and universal principles. 

Example Question #1 : Cognition And Consciousness

In which stage of sleep do we typically dream?

Possible Answers:

Stage 2 

Stage 4

Stage 1

Stage 3

REM sleep

Correct answer:

REM sleep

Explanation:

REM sleep (REM stands for "rapid eye movement") is the stage of sleep in which we dream. As the name suggests, our eyes move rapidly in different directions while in this stage. The other 4 stages of sleep are called "non-REM" sleep.

Example Question #2 : Cognition And Consciousness

What does a delta wave on an EEG scan signify?

Possible Answers:

The accessing of spatial information

Slow wave sleep, or non-rapid-eye-movement sleep

The subject is working through a problem involving math

An extreme emotion, such as anger or sadness, occurring at the time of the reading

A painful sensation experienced during the reading

Correct answer:

Slow wave sleep, or non-rapid-eye-movement sleep

Explanation:

A delta wave is a wave with a high amplitude (height on graph) and has a frequency of 0-4 Hz (fairly slow). Delta waves are helpful to note on a scan because they can help characterize how deeply a person is sleeping; in certain disorders (such as alcoholism) delta waves are disrupted by other wave forms, showing that a person is not getting the type of rest required by the body. 

Example Question #3 : Cognition And Consciousness

What stage of sleep is most strongly associated with dreaming?

Possible Answers:

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 1

REM

Correct answer:

REM

Explanation:

Rapid-eye movement (REM) is the stage during which most dreaming occurs. It is the last stage in the cycle of sleep and gets longer and more frequent the longer you sleep.

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