2019 International Practice Exam Mcq Ap Psych

2019 International Practice Exam MCQ AP Psychology: A Comprehensive Review

The AP Psychology exam is a significant hurdle for high school students aiming for college credit. This comprehensive guide focuses on the 2019 International Practice Exam MCQs, offering a deep dive into key concepts, strategies for success, and valuable insights for future exam takers. We'll explore various topics covered in the exam, providing detailed explanations and highlighting common pitfalls to avoid.

Understanding the AP Psychology Exam Structure

Before diving into the specifics of the 2019 International Practice Exam, let's understand the exam's structure. The AP Psychology exam consists of two sections:

• Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs): This section accounts for 66.7% of the total score and comprises approximately 100 multiple-choice questions. These questions assess your understanding of various psychological concepts, theories, and research methodologies. Time management is crucial here, as you only have 70 minutes to complete this section.

• Section II: Free-Response Questions (FRQs): This section constitutes 33.3% of the total score and involves two free-response questions. One question is typically a scenario-based question requiring application of psychological principles, while the other is a more general essay question demanding in-depth knowledge of a specific topic. You have 50 minutes to answer these questions.

Key Topics Covered in the 2019 International Practice Exam

The 2019 International Practice Exam, like all AP Psychology exams, covers a broad range of topics. Mastering these areas is essential for success. These include:

1. History and Approaches

This foundational section explores the historical development of psychology, its various perspectives (e.g., biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, sociocultural), and the research methods used to investigate human behavior. Expect questions on influential figures like Wilhelm Wundt, William James, Sigmund Freud, and B.F. Skinner, along with their respective contributions.

Key Concepts: Different schools of thought, research methods (experimental, correlational, case studies, naturalistic observation), ethical considerations in research.

2. Research Methods

This crucial section tests your understanding of research designs, data analysis, and statistical reasoning. You should be familiar with concepts like independent and dependent variables, control groups, experimental and correlational studies, and interpreting statistical data. Understanding bias and its impact on research findings is also vital.

Key Concepts: Operational definitions, sampling techniques, validity and reliability, ethical considerations in research (informed consent, deception, debriefing).

3. Biological Bases of Behavior

This section delves into the biological underpinnings of behavior, focusing on the nervous system (brain structures and functions), endocrine system, genetics, and the interplay between biology and behavior. Understanding neurotransmitters, hormones, and their effects on mood, behavior, and cognition is essential.

Key Concepts: Neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine), brain structures (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum), the endocrine system, genetics and heritability, the impact of drugs and other substances on the brain.

4. Sensation and Perception

This section explores how we receive and interpret sensory information from the environment. Expect questions on various sensory systems (vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch), sensory adaptation, perception (gestalt principles, depth perception), and illusions.

Key Concepts: Absolute threshold, difference threshold, sensory adaptation, visual perception (e.g., color vision, depth cues), auditory perception (e.g., sound localization), Gestalt principles (e.g., proximity, similarity, closure).

5. States of Consciousness

This section focuses on different states of consciousness, including sleep, dreams, hypnosis, and psychoactive drugs. You should understand the stages of sleep, the effects of sleep deprivation, different theories of dreaming, and the impact of various drugs on brain function and behavior.

Key Concepts: Sleep cycles (REM, NREM), sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, sleep apnea), dream theories (e.g., Freud's psychodynamic theory, activation-synthesis theory), hypnosis, psychoactive drugs (depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens).

6. Learning

This section explores different learning theories, including classical conditioning (Pavlov's dog), operant conditioning (Skinner's box), observational learning (Bandura's social learning theory), and cognitive learning. You should understand the principles of reinforcement and punishment, shaping, and the role of cognition in learning.

Key Concepts: Classical conditioning (UCS, UCR, CS, CR), operant conditioning (positive/negative reinforcement, positive/negative punishment), observational learning, cognitive learning, latent learning.

7. Cognitive Psychology

This section covers various aspects of cognition, including memory, thinking, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. You should understand different memory models (e.g., Atkinson-Shiffrin model), types of memory (sensory, short-term, long-term), problem-solving strategies (e.g., algorithms, heuristics), and biases in thinking.

Key Concepts: Sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory (explicit/implicit, episodic/semantic), encoding, storage, retrieval, problem-solving strategies, heuristics, biases, language development (Chomsky's language acquisition device).

8. Motivation and Emotion

This section explores the biological, psychological, and social factors influencing motivation and emotion. You should understand different theories of motivation (e.g., Maslow's hierarchy of needs, drive-reduction theory), theories of emotion (e.g., James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, Schachter-Singer two-factor theory), and the physiological responses associated with emotions.

Key Concepts: Maslow's hierarchy of needs, drive-reduction theory, incentive theory, James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, Schachter-Singer two-factor theory, stress and coping mechanisms.

9. Developmental Psychology

This section focuses on human development across the lifespan, from infancy to adulthood. Expect questions on various theories of development (e.g., Piaget's cognitive development theory, Erikson's psychosocial development theory, Kohlberg's moral development theory), attachment styles, and social and emotional development.

Key Concepts: Piaget's stages of cognitive development, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, Kohlberg's stages of moral development, attachment styles, social and emotional development across the lifespan.

10. Personality

This section explores different theories of personality, including psychodynamic, humanistic, trait, and social-cognitive perspectives. You should understand key concepts like the id, ego, superego (Freud), self-actualization (Maslow), the Big Five personality traits, and reciprocal determinism (Bandura).

Key Concepts: Freud's psychodynamic theory, humanistic theories (Maslow, Rogers), trait theories (Big Five), social-cognitive theory (Bandura), assessment methods (e.g., projective tests, personality inventories).

11. Social Psychology

This section covers social influences on behavior, including conformity, obedience, attitudes, prejudice, aggression, altruism, and group dynamics. You should understand classic studies like the Asch conformity experiment and Milgram's obedience experiment.

Key Concepts: Conformity, obedience, attitudes, prejudice, discrimination, aggression, altruism, group dynamics (e.g., social facilitation, social loafing, group polarization), bystander effect.

12. Abnormal Psychology

This section focuses on the classification and diagnosis of psychological disorders, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. You should understand the DSM-5 and different treatment approaches for psychological disorders.

Key Concepts: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, personality disorders, DSM-5, treatment approaches (e.g., psychotherapy, medication).

13. Treatment of Psychological Disorders

This section explores different approaches to treating psychological disorders, including psychotherapy (e.g., psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy) and biomedical therapies (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy). You should understand the strengths and limitations of different treatment approaches.

Key Concepts: Psychotherapy (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic), biomedical therapies (medication, ECT), effectiveness of different treatment approaches.

Strategies for Success on the AP Psychology Exam

Successfully navigating the 2019 International Practice Exam, and the AP Psychology exam in general, requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Thorough Content Review:

• Focus on Key Concepts: Don't get bogged down in minor details. Concentrate on mastering the core concepts and theories within each topic area.
• Utilize Multiple Resources: Combine textbooks, review books, online resources, and practice exams to reinforce your understanding.
• Create a Study Schedule: Develop a realistic study plan that allocates sufficient time to each topic area.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice:

• Multiple-Choice Questions: Work through numerous practice MCQs to familiarize yourself with the question format and identify your weak areas.
• Free-Response Questions: Practice writing FRQs under timed conditions to hone your essay-writing skills and improve your ability to apply psychological principles.
• Analyze Your Mistakes: Don't just focus on getting the correct answers. Carefully analyze your mistakes to understand where you went wrong and avoid repeating them.

3. Effective Time Management:

• Pace Yourself: During the exam, allocate your time effectively to ensure you can answer all questions within the allotted time.
• Prioritize Questions: If you're unsure of an answer, move on to another question and return to it later if time permits.
• Practice Under Time Constraints: Practice answering questions under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment.

4. Understanding Question Stems:

• Identify Keywords: Pay close attention to keywords in the question stem to identify the specific concept being tested.
• Eliminate Incorrect Answers: Use process of elimination to narrow down the choices and increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
• Consider All Options: Read all answer choices carefully before making your selection.

5. Utilize Flashcards and Mnemonics:

• Flashcards: Flashcards can be a highly effective tool for memorizing key terms, concepts, and theories.
• Mnemonics: Mnemonics can help you remember complex information by associating it with memorable phrases or images.

Conclusion

The 2019 International Practice Exam MCQ AP Psychology provides a valuable opportunity to test your knowledge and prepare for the actual exam. By understanding the exam structure, mastering key concepts, and utilizing effective study strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of success. Remember, consistent effort, focused practice, and a clear understanding of psychological principles are the keys to achieving a high score. Good luck!