Cranford – AP Psych
AP Psychology Exam
Date: Monday, May 2, 2016 noon
The AP Psychology exam is a two-part test, which lasts a total of 2 hours.
1.)100 Multiple Choice = 70 minutes to complete, counts 2/3 of overall test score.
2.)2 free response = 50 minutes to complete (@25 minutes per essay, but you manage your own time). Counts 1/3 of overall test score. There is no choice associated with the free response; you must answer both questions. The essays are content based. (use psych vocab, define, explain, apply – pack in the content)
Exams are scored on a scale of 1-5, with a score of 5 being the highest grade. A score of 3 and higher is considered passing.
Multiple Choice questions are graded by computer and students are not penalized for answering questions incorrectly. (i.e. you should guess, even if you do not know the answer).
The free response questions are scored at the AP reading in June by a group of faculty consultants, college professors, and AP teachers. Graders follow a strict rubric and essays are back read to ensure reliability and consistency.
The score from the multiple-choice section is combined with the scores from your free response questions and the total raw score is converted to the AP 5-point scale:
5 = extremely qualified
4 = well qualified
3 = qualified
2 = possibly qualified
1 = no recommendation
Most colleges and universities will accept a score of 4 or 5 for credit and placement and many schools will accept a 3. No credit is given for a 1 or 2.
Unit 1 Review Methods, Research, Stats
- Psych – science of behaviors and mental processes (blend of philosophy and biology/physiology)
-Wilhelm Wundt
-William James
-Functionalism V. Structuralism
-7 Psych Perspectives – Humanism, Psychoanalytic, Biopsychology, Evolutionary, Behavioral, Cognitive, Sociocultural
-Hindsight Bias, overconfidence
-Longitudinal versus cross sectional research
-Descriptive Research – case study, survey, naturalistic observation (know what it is, pros, cons)
-Correlation Research – scatter plot, line of best fit, correlation coefficient, +/-, no relationship, correlation DOES NOT equal causation, show relationships, makes predictions
-Experiments – IV, DV, operational def, population, random sample, random assignment, experimental group, control group, experimenter bias, participant bias, blind, double blind, placebo, Hawthorne Effect, confounding variables, generalize, statistical significance, p-value
-Measures of central tendency – mean, median, mode
-Measures of variability – range, standard deviation
-Normal Distributions
-Skewed distributions: + and -, outliers, what happens to measures of central tendency?
-Inferential statistics - MANOVAs, ANOVAs, t-tests – statistical significance
-Validity
-Reliability
-APA Ethical Guidelines for animals and humans – informed consent, debrief, anonymity
Unit 2 Neurobiology
- Neurons – parts, process of firing, electrochemical process – axon, dendrite, myelin sheath, terminal buttons, cell body/soma, synapse, action potential, all or none, reuptake, refractory period, resting state, electrical charges
-Neurotransmitters – dopamine, serotonin, AcH, endorphins
-Afferent v. Efferent Neurons
-Autonomic NS
-Somatic NS
-Sympathetic V. Parasympathetic NS
-Reflexes
-Brain Imaging – legions, EEG, CAT, MRI, PET, functional MRI – which study structure, function or both?
-Hindbrain – medulla, pons, cerebellum
-Midbrain – reticular formation
-Forebrain – thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus
-Cerebral Cortex –
- Left hemisphere – language, logic
- Right hemisphere – spatial, creative, emotionally intuitive
- Corpus Callosum – split brain
-Frontal Lobe – Brocas Area, Motor Cortex, judgment/reasoning center (Phineus Gage)
-Parietal Lobe – Sensory Cortex
-Occipital Lobe – vision
-Temporal Lobe – hearing, Wernicke’s Area
-Aphasia – broca’s and wernicke’s
-Brain Plasticity
-Endocrine System – hormones, glands – pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, testes, ovaries, pancreas
-Genetics – DNA, dominant/recessive, phenotype/genotype, homozygous/heterozygous
-Twin studies – identical V. fraternal
-Genetic Abnormalities – Down’s Syndrome, Turner’s, Klinefelters
Unit 3 Developmental Psychology
-Three major issues: nature v. nurture, continuity v. stages, stability v. change
-Cross sectional & longitudinal research
-Prenatal – conception, zygote, embryo, fetus
-Teratogens, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
-Reflexes: rooting, sucking, grasping, moro, 1babinski
-Newborn’s senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell
-Motor Dev.: roll, crawl, stand, walk, run (sequence is constant)
-Tabula rasa
-Piaget (father of childhood cognitive dev.), schemas, assimilation, accommodation, KNOW his four stages well, the title, ages, benchmarks, etc.
-Criticisms of Piaget: underestimated ability, dev. More gradual and continuous
-Attachment & stranger anxiety
-Harry Harlow
-Konrad Lorenz – critical period, imprinting
-Mary Ainsworth (strange situation and attachment), secure, avoidant, anxious ambivalent (and results)
-Baumrind’s Parenting styles: permissive, authoritarian, authoritative
-Moral Dev. Lawrence Kohlberg: preconventional, conventional, postconventional
-Carol Gilligan & criticisms of Kohlberg
-Gender Differences (Girls: more interested in making connections, more social, interdependent, more relationships w/ deeper levels of intimacy) (Boys = more independent, competitive, self-reliant, independent), androgyny
-Freud: oral, anal, phallic, and genital stages
-Erikson: know all eight stages, time periods, conflict within, etc.
-Alzheimer’s (dementia) – know causes, stages, etc.
-Autism
-Death & dying: Elizabeth Kubler Ross’ 5 stages
Sensation and Perception
-Sensation/Perception – transduction
-Bottom up/top down processing
-Absolute threshold – subliminal messages
-Signal Detection theory – false positive, false negative, response criteria
-Difference thresholds (JND) and Weber’s Law
-Sensory Adaptation
-Vision – energy sense, waves amplitude and brightness, wavelength and color, process of vision (cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, rods/cones, bipolar, ganglion cells, optic nerve, blind spot, occipital lobe), foveal vision, theories of color vision (Trichromatic/Young Helmholtz and Opponent process), color blindness, after images, Hubel and Wiesel – feature detectors
-Hearing – energy sense, amplitude/loudness/decibels, wavelength/pitch/megahertz, process of hearing (outer ear, ear canal, eardrum, hammer, anvil, stirrup, oval window, cochlea, hair cells, auditory nerve, temporal lobes), pitch theories (place and frequency), deafness (conduction and sensorineural), selective attention
-Touch: pressure, temperature, pain, concentration of nerve endings, Gate Control Theory
-Taste: chemical, taste buds, papillae, sweet, salty, bitter, sour, how smell accentuates taste
-Smell: receptor cells and olfactory bulb, connection to limbic system/hippocampus, animals olfactory receptors
-Body Senses: kinesthetic and vestibular
-Figure Ground Relationship
-Phi phenomenon – blinking lights giving the appearance of movement
-Gestalt Psychologists – the whole is different from the sum of the parts, we perceive things in groups, proximity, similarity, closure, continuity
-Constancy: of size, shape, and brightness
-Monocular Depth Cues: linear perspective, relative size cue, interposition, texture gradient, shadowing
-Binocular Depth Cues: retinal disparity, convergence
-Effects of culture on perception
States of Consciousness Review
-Psych’s history of C
-Levels of C (C, NonC, PreC, SubC, UnC…mere exposure effect and priming)
-Dualism v. Monism
-Circadian Rhythm
-Sleep stages: know cycle and characteristics of each – EEGs, alpha waves, delta waves, sleep spindles
-Problems of sleep deprivation
-Melatonin
-Sleep disorders: know characteristics and treatments – insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea
-Night terrors
-Dreams – manifest & latent content (Freud), info processing theory, dream’s physiological function
-Hypnosis – role, state, and dissociation theories (hypnotic suggestibility, posthypnotic amnesia, posthypnotic suggestion)
-Ernest Hilgard and the ice bucket experiment with the hidden observer
-Psychoactive Drugs – agonists, antagonists, tolerance, withdrawal, physical and psychological dependence, know the 4 categories with their characteristics and examples (stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, opiates)
Learning Review
-What is learning?
-Classical Conditioning: Pavlov, US, UR, CS, CR, delayed conditioning, trace conditioning, simultaneous conditioning, backward conditioning, acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, discrimination, John Watson, baby Albert, aversive conditioning, second or higher order conditioning
-Biology and CC: equipotentiality, how does biology affect CC
-Behaviorism: main arguments, Pavlov, Skinner, Watson, Bandura
-Operant Conditioning: Thorndike the law of effect and instrumental learning, BF Skinner, the Skinner box, + and – reinforcement, punishment and omission training, escape learning, avoidance learning, shaping, chaining, acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, discrimination, generalization, primary reinforces v. secondary reinforcers, token economy and generalized reinforcers, Premack principle
-Reinforcement Schedules: continuous reinforcement, partial reinforcement, ratio v. interval schedules, fixed v. variable schedules (FR, VR, FI, VI), instinctive drift
-Observational Learning (social learning theory): observation modeling and imitation has cognitive component, Albert Bandura –Bobo doll, antisocial behavior, prosocial behavior
-Edward Tolman & latent learning (rats and maze)
-Abstract Learning
-Insight Learning (Wolfgang Kohler and chimpanzees)
Memory Review Sheet
-Memory
-Information Processing Model (3 box) – know well
-Levels of Processing Model
-Encoding: automatic processing, effortful processing, Ebinghaus curve
-Retrieval
-Sensory Mem: split sec holding tank, selective attention, cocktail party effect, George Sperling, iconic mem., echoic mem.
-Short-term/working Mem: 7 + or – 2, 10-30 sec. with no further encoding, chunking, mnemonic devices, rehearsal
-Long-term Mem.: permanent storage, unlimited capacity
-Episodic, semantic, and procedural memories
-Explicit/declarative memories versus. Implicit/nondeclarative memories
-Eidetic/photographic memories
-Serial positioning effect (primacy/recency)
-Context: semantic network theory, flashbulb mem., mood congruent mem., state dependent mem.
-Constructive Mem.: false memories, Elizabeth Loftus
-Forgetting: decay, interference (proactive and retroactive), repression/Freud
-Hippocampus, 1anax1choline/Alzheimer’s
-Amnesia (anterograde)
-Long term potentiation
-Spacing effect
Thinking and Language
-Cognition
-Types of thoughts…concepts, images
-Algorithms
-Heuristics: availability H, representative H
-Means end technique
-Obstacles to problem solving: overconfidence, belief perseverance, rigidity, functional fixedness, confirmation bias, framing
-Creativity: originality, appropriateness, convergent and divergent thinking
-Metacognition
-Conceptual Categories – superordinate, basic, subordinate
-Relationship of lang and thought
-Elements of lang: phoneme, morpheme, grammar, semantics, syntax
-Stages of Lang Dev.: babbling, one word stage, telegraphic speech, acquisition of grammar/syntax, overgeneralization of language
-Debate @ lang acquisition: Behaviorists V. Cognitive Psych.
-Noam Chomsky and Nativist Theory of Lang Dev: LAD, critical period, Genie
-Benjamin Whorf and Edward Sapir - the Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis
Intelligence Review
-Stanford – Binet: Alfred Binet, history of testing, mental age, LouisTerman
-IQ: what is it what’s the formula?
-David Wechsler – Wechsler Scale
-Controversies surrounding intel: nature V. nurture, stability V. change, G-factor V. multiple intel., how valuable is it?, etc.
-Charles Spearman (G-factor)
- Howard Gardner (multiple intelligences, savant syndrome) – factor analysis
-Daniel Goleman and emotional intel
-Robert Sternberg’s triarchic theory – analytical, practical, creative
-Is intel neurologically measurable? Know evidence
-Standardization & norms
-Reliability & ways to measure (split-half, equivalent form, test-retest)
-Validity: face, content, concurrent, predictive, construct
-Flynn Effect & possible explanations
-Aptitude tests V. Achievement Tests
-Speed tests V. power tests
-Group tests V. Individual Tests
-Extremes of intel: mental retardation (70), (Down’s Syndrome, Autism, Fetal Alcohol)
-Know normal distribution and how intel scores are distributed
-Heritability (scale 0 – 1.0) – IQ = about .75 (relatively high)
-Fluid Intelligence – crystallized intelligence
-Bias in testing?
Motivation and Emotion Review
-Motivation
-Instinct Theory
-Drive Reduction Theory: needs, drives, homeostasis (primary drives = hunger, thirst, need to sleep)
-Arousal Theory
-Incentive Theory
-Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
-Hunger Motivation: hypothalamus (lateral & ventromedial), set point theory, glucose, insulin, external and internal eaters, Garcia effect, Bulimia, Anorexia, obesity
-Sexual Motivation: 4 stages, hormones (estrogen & testosterone), psychological factors, sexual orientation and what causes it, wide variance of attitudes from person to person and culture to culture @ sex
-Social Motivation: achievement mot., intrinsic and extrinsic rewards (overjustification effect), Management Theories X & Y
-Theories of emotion: James-Lange V. Cannon- Bard, Stanley Schacter’s Two Factor Theory, Opponent Process Theory of Emotion
-Stress: SRRS, life change units, stressors and stress reactions, catharsis, Type A versus Type B personalities
-Transient stressors versus chronic stressors (chronic worse)
-Hans Seyle – General Adaptation Syndrome – alarm, resistance, exhaustion
-Universal human emotions - Gestures unique to cultures
-Polygraphs (wrong 25% of time)
-Adaptation Level Theory
-Relative Deprivation Theory
-Feel good do good phenomenon
PERSONALITY REVIEW
- define personality
- Psychoanalytic Perspective: Freud, Psychosexual stage theory (know stages, ages, conflicts, etc.), Oedipus Complex, penis envy, Electra Crisis, castration anxiety, Fixation, importance of unconscious, iceberg analogy, Id, Ego, Superego, projective tests (TAT, Rorschach inkblot, dream analysis), hypnosis, Defense Mechanisms (repression, denial, displacement, projection, reaction formation, regression, rationalization, intellectualization, sublimation, criticisms of Freud, impact of Freud (neo-Freudians and psychodynamic perspective)
- Neo-Freudians: Carl Jung: personal unconscious and collective unconscious, Alfred Adler: inferiority & superiority, Karen Horney: social not sexual tension is important in childhood, Erik Eriksson
- Trait Perspective: describes not concerned w/ explaining, traits thought to be stable, nomothetic approach (Hans Eyesenck, Raymond Cattell, Big 5), factor analysis, Idiographic (unique traits), personality inventories….are traits stable and enduring or do they depend on who you’re with and where you are?
- Biological Theories: Hippocrates & 4 fluids, William Sheldon’s somatotype theory
- Humanist Perspective: not deterministic (like psych analytic & behaviorist), emph free will, called the 3rd force, humans innately good, self-concept, self-esteem, Abraham Maslow (hierarchy of needs, self-actualize), Carl Rogers (self-theory, unconditionally positive regard, people should be genuine accepting and empathetic), individualism V. collectivism, Critics of humanism…its naïve, vague, subjective, and self-centered
- Social Cognitive Perspective: combine environment and thought, Albert Bandura – triadic reciprocality model (reciprocal determinism), George Kelly – personal construct theory of personality), Julian Rotter – locus of control
- Behaviorist: personality is all learning/all environment; you can only assess what you see/observe
- In general…know how each perspective assesses personality and criticisms of each perspective
Abnormal Psych Review
What is abnormal: MAID
Insane = legal term
DSM-IV: categorizes, diagnostic criteria – doesn’t talk @ cause or treatment, Axis I – V
Be familiar with perspective and their take on abnormality in general & on specific DO: Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Behavioral, Cognitive, Sociocultural, Biomedical
Rosenhan Study: power of labels, how do we treat the mentally ill?
Anxiety DO: phobias, GAD, Panic DO, OCD, Posttraumatic Stress DO (know theories @ causes)
Mood DO: Major Depression (debilitating, 2 weeks, no clear reason, women much more likely to suffer), SAD, Bipolar/Manic-Depression, Cognitive explanations: triad/Aaron Beck, internal V. external, global V. specific, stable V. unstable, Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness; Bio: serotonin
Schizophrenia: cancer of psych, delusions, hallucinations, flat or inappropriate affect, word salad, clang associations, neologisms, know types: Disorganized, Paranoid, Catatonic, Undifferentiated, role of dopamine, genetic component, diff in brains, + and – symptoms
Personality DO: Anti-social (Conduct DO in minors), Dependent, Narcissistic, Histrionic
Somatoform DO: Hypochondriasis, Conversion DO
Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative Identity DO (MPD), psychogenic amnesia, fugue
Sexual DO: paraphilia, pedophilia, zoophilia, fetishism, voyeur, masochist, sadist
Eating DO: anorexia & bulimia
Substance abuse
Developmental/Behavior DO: Asperger/Autism, ADHD
THERAPY
History: attitudes towards mental illness have changed over time
- early society – mentally ill possessed by evil spirits. Used trephining– drill holes in head
- Enlightenment – call to treat the mentally ill. Turn of 19th C, Dorothea Dix in U.S. and Philippe Pinel in France = reformers for humane treatment of the mentally ill
- Post 1950s – with advancement in medications, move for deinstitutionalization: release mentally ill & treat as outpatients. (problems?…many homeless)
- Recently – emphasis on preventative efforts
PSYCHOANALYTIC = Sigmund Freud
Issue: uncover patient’s repressed unCon issues & emotions. Person’s symptoms are outward manifestation of deeper problems
- defense mechanisms
- Key techniques:
-Free association
-Projective tests (Rorschach ink blot, Thematic Apperception test, TAT)
-Dream interpretation (manifest & latent content)
-Hypnosis
- Transference: patients transfer feelings to therapist
HUMANISTIC = Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow
Issue: boosting the patient’s self-esteem and helping him realize his potential, possibilities for growth, and self-actualization
- Key Techniques:
-Unconditional + regard
-Client centered therapy
-Active listening (parroting)
-Show empathy, concern, and genuine regard for patient
- Important ideas:
-self-actualization
-hierarchy of needs
-people innately good
-free will…….not deterministic
BEHAVIORAL = Pavlov, BF Skinner, John Watson, Bandura
Issue: focus on correcting negative behavior by replacing it w/ positive incentives and rewards. ALL behavior is learned.
- Classical Cond.: extinguish the negative conditioned response & replace it w/ a pleasant one
- Counter cond: replace anxiety w/ relaxation
-Systematic Desensitization: proceed up anxiety hierarchy by imagining (in vivo desensitization; experience anxiety hierarchy live)
-Implosive Therapy– imagine most frightening scenario (at top of hierarchy); flooding don’t imagine but experience it
-Aversive cond.: pair a bad habit w/ an unpleasant stimulus
- Operant Cond: + and – reinforcement & punishment. Token economy, behavioral contract
- Modeling/Social Learning – Bobo Doll
COGNITIVE THERAPY = Aaron Beck, Albert Ellis
Emphasis on showing the patient their thoughts are irrational & counterproductive.
-attributional style: internal V. external, global V. specific, stable V. unstable