2105 AP Psychology. Free Response Questions

Transcription

1 2105 AP Psychology Free Response Questions

2 Question 1 7 points, 3.57/25 each Researchers conducted a naturalistic study of children between the ages of 5 and 7 years. The researchers visited classrooms during class party celebrations. As a measure of hyperactivity, they recorded the number of times children left their seats. The researchers found a strong positive correlation between sugary snacks offered at the parties and hyperactivity. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that sugar causes hyperactivity. A. How might the following explain why people may easily accept the conclusion of the study described above? Confirmation Bias Availability Bias Misunderstanding of correlational studies B. As a follow-up study, the researchers are designing an experiment to test whether sugar causes hyperactivity. For the experiment, please do the following. State a possible hypothesis. Operationally define the dependent variable. Describe how random assignment can be achieved. C. Based on the results of the follow-up experiment described in Part B, researchers conclude that sugar does not cause any change in hyperactivity. Draw a correctly labeled bar graph depicting this result.

3 How might the following explain why people may easily accept the conclusion of the study described above? Confirmation Bias Confirmation bias is a tendency to look for evidence that confirms what we already believe to be true. In this case, it might be possible that someone who already believes that sugary foods cause hyperactive behavior cites this study as evidence confirming their belief. However, they may ignore evidence from another study that suggests the opposite is true.

4 How might the following explain why people may easily accept the conclusion of the study described above? Availability Heuristic The availability heuristic causes us to remember information that is more available or vivid, which may lead to incorrect judgments. In this example a reader of this study may easily recall an experience they have had with a sugar-fueled and hyperactive child. This memory influences their judgment about the relationship between sugar and hyperactivity making it more likely the reader will accept the results of this study.

5 How might the following explain why people may easily accept the conclusion of the study described above? Misunderstanding of correlational studies People often misunderstand correlational studies by embracing correlational data as causal. People may read the results of this study and believe that eating sugary snacks causes an increase in hyperactive behavior. However, because correlation does not equal causation this belief may be false. Other factors may also have played a role, or the relationship may be an illusory one.

6 As a follow-up study, the researchers are designing an experiment to test whether sugar causes hyperactivity. For the experiment, please do the following: State a possible hypothesis A hypothesis is a prediction of the outcome of an experiment. The researchers may hypothesize or predict that children fed sugary snacks in the experimental group will exhibit more hyperactive behavior.

7 As a follow-up study, the researchers are designing an experiment to test whether sugar causes hyperactivity. For the experiment, please do the following: Operationally define the dependent variable In order to facilitate future replication of the experiment, researchers need to clearly state what they are measuring in the dependent variable, or the outcome, after manipulating the independent variable. In this case, as in the correlational study, the researchers can define hyperactivity as the number of times a child gets up from their seat. They could also choose to measure a different outcome like the number of times a child interrupts a speaking adult or the number of times a child has to be instructed what to do for a particular task.

8 As a follow-up study, the researchers are designing an experiment to test whether sugar causes hyperactivity. For the experiment, please do the following: Describe how random assignment can be achieved By randomly assigning children to either the control or experimental groups, researchers can ensure that any pre-existing differences are eliminated. Each child would have to have an equal likelihood of being selected for one group or the other. Each child could be assigned a number, and the researcher using a random number generator, could randomly choose half of the children for the experimental group, and putting those that remain into the control group.

9 Based on the results of the follow-up experiment described in Part B, researchers conclude that sugar does not cause any change in hyperactivity. Draw a correctly labeled bar graph depicting this result 100 Incidents of Hyperactivity Sugar Free Snacks Sugary Snacks Groups The difference between the control and experimental conditions has not been found to be statistically significant.

10 Scoring for Question 1 1/7 = 3.57/25 points 2/7 = 7.14/25 points 3/7 = 10.71/25 points 4/7 = 14.28/25 points 5/7 = 17.85/25 points 6/7 = 21.42/25 points 7/7 = 25/25 points

11 Question 2 7 points, 3.57/25 each Chandler and Alex were transferred to a new city and needed to find a new home. They carefully considered every house within their price range and finally purchased one that met all their criteria. A. Explain how each of the following is related to their decision to buy the home. Prefrontal cortex Algorithm One month before the move, Chandler and Alex asked friends to help them organize and pack their belongings. One week before the scheduled moving day, they learned that they needed to move out within 48 hours, so they quickly finished packing. B. Explain how each of the following concepts could be related to their moving process. Social loafing Alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome C. Provide an example that explains how each of the following concepts could be related to life in their new home and new neighborhood. Proactive interference Habituation Normative social influence

12 Explain how each of the following is related to their decision to buy the home. Prefrontal cortex The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that the functions of decision making and judgments are most closely associated with. In this case Chandler and Alex carefully considered their choices and planned a course of action, an function associated with the prefrontal cortex.

13 Explain how each of the following is related to their decision to buy the home. Algorithm An algorithm is a methodical, step-by-step process of solving a problem. The process that Chandler and Alex used to choose their home can be described as an algorithm. They carefully considered every house in their price range and chose the one that met all of the criteria they had identified. By examining all choices and judging each, they did not rely on shortcuts or guesswork.

14 Explain how each of the following concepts could be related to their moving process. Social loafing Social loafing is a tendency for members of a group to exert less overall effort than they would individually. Perhaps Chandler and Alex ask friends to help them move. Many members of the group may move more slowly, pack less, or take more breaks than they would if it were just them moving stuff on their own.

15 Explain how each of the following concepts could be related to their moving process. Alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome The alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome is the beginning of a stress response in which the body s resources are first mobilized to fight off the stressor. In this example, Chandler and Alex face a sudden stressor when they are told they have to be out of their home sooner than expected. This stressful event causes a brief dip in autonomic arousal, followed by a building up of energy to fight off the stressor (resistance).

16 Provide an example that explains how each of the following concepts could be related to life in their new home and neighborhood. Proactive interference Proactive interference takes place when old information blocks our recollection of more recently learned information. In this case, Chandler and/or Alex may have difficulty remembering their new telephone number because they still have a strong memory for their older phone number.

17 Provide an example that explains how each of the following concepts could be related to life in their new home and neighborhood. Habituation Habituation is when one pays less attention to a stimulus to which they are repeatedly exposed. It might be the case that in their new neighborhood, Chandler and Alex repeatedly hear a particular sound, like a train s horn. At first the noise is alarming and catches their attention every time they hear it. However, with repeated exposure to the noise, they become less and less alarmed and eventually grow so familiar with the sound that they scarcely notice it any longer.

18 Provide an example that explains how each of the following concepts could be related to life in their new home and neighborhood. Normative social influence The normative social influence occurs when we take on the behaviors or beliefs of those around us in order to gain approval or to avoid social rejection. Perhaps Chandler and Alex have moved into a neighborhood in which residents take meticulous care of their lawns. Although neither Chandler or Alex have been particularly concerned with lawn maintenance at their previous home, they adopt this behavior in their new home to avoid the disapproval of their new neighbors.

19 Scoring for Question 1 1/7 = 3.57/25 points 2/7 = 7.14/25 points 3/7 = 10.71/25 points 4/7 = 14.28/25 points 5/7 = 17.85/25 points 6/7 = 21.42/25 points 7/7 = 25/25 points