AP Psychology Placement Exam

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior

Any action a person makes that can be observed, such as smiling, crying, jumping, and sleeping.

Mental processes

Private thoughts, emotions, and feelings that others cannot observe.

Goals of Psychology

1. Describe, 2. Predict, 3. Understand, 4. Influence.

Psyche

Essence of life, according to Aristotle.

Structuralism

An approach that aimed to break down mental processes into basic components through introspection.

Functionalism

A psychological perspective that emphasized how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment.

Introspection

Self-observation and reporting of inner thoughts and sensations.

Gestalt Psychology

Modern study of perception, focusing on the whole rather than individual parts.

Behaviorism

Learning based on overt behavior from the past, as coined by John B. Watson.

Operant Conditioning

A learning principle that focuses on how reinforcement and punishment shape behavior.

Social Learning Theory

The theory that behaviors are learned from the environment through observational learning and modeling.

Cognition

All intellectual processes, including perceiving, thinking, believing, remembering, knowing, and deciding.

Unconscious mind

The part of the mind that contains thoughts and memories not readily accessible to consciousness.

Hierarchy of Needs

A motivational theory proposed by Abraham Maslow, suggesting individuals must fulfill basic needs before higher-level needs.

Biopsychology

A perspective that examines biological processes and their influence on behavior and mental processes.

Evolutionary Perspective

Explains behavior through natural selection and adaptation principles.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on internal mental processes and how information is processed and stored.

Cultural relativity

The concept of viewing cultures and groups as different rather than inferior to one another.

Biopsychosocial Perspective

An approach that integrates biological, psychological, and social factors to understand behavior.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor (M.D.) who can prescribe medication.

Psychologist

A professional with a Ph.D. in psychology, who does not prescribe medication and may focus on therapy and research.