AP Psychology : Other Motivation Concepts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #63 : Motivation And Emotion

Mikey paints every afternoon after school because he genuinely enjoys painting. What type of motivation is he exhibiting?

Possible Answers:

Deterministic motivation

Psychosocial motivation

Extrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation

Athletic motivation

Correct answer:

Intrinsic motivation

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation is defined as motivation to complete a behavior because it is internally satisfying to the person. On the contrary, extrinstic motivation is defined as motivation to complete a behavior to acquire extrinsic rewards (for example, money, food, or elevation of status). 

Example Question #2 : Other Motivation Concepts

Which of the following is at the top of Maslow's hiearchy of needs?

Possible Answers:

Safety

Love

Self-esteem

Physiological needs

Self-actualization

Correct answer:

Self-actualization

Explanation:

Maslow's hierarchy of needs ranges from physiological needs (at the bottom of the pyramid) to self-actualization needs (at the top of the pyramid). Self-actualization involves achieving one's unique potential, and is much more spiritually oriented than the lower levels.

Example Question #3 : Other Motivation Concepts

Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?

Possible Answers:

Getting a piece of candy for doing your homework

Studying hard to get good grades

Earning a bonus at work for completing a project

Following the law to avoid getting arrested

Studying hard because of an innate desire to learn

Correct answer:

Studying hard because of an innate desire to learn

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation involves internal motivating factors that keep us focused on completing a task. This does not include external rewards, like a piece of candy or a bonus at work. Thus, studying for the pure sake of learning is an example of intrinsic motivation.

Example Question #154 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Marie does not like roller coasters, but is afraid her friends will make fun of her if she does not ride with them.

This is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

An approach-avoidance conflict

An avoidance-avoidance conflict

An approach-approach conflict

Cognitive dissonance

A Stroop test

Correct answer:

An avoidance-avoidance conflict

Explanation:

Marie is faced with two undesirable outcomes: riding a ride she does not like or inviting the mockery of her friends. Marie would prefer to avoid both of these outcomes, thus she faces an avoidance-avoidance conflict.

Example Question #4 : Other Motivation Concepts

The Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test are two examples of __________.

Possible Answers:

Projective tests

Intelligence tests

Aptitude tests

Achievement tests

Morality tests

Correct answer:

Projective tests

Explanation:

Psychoanalysts use both of these projective tests in the attempt to access a patient's unconscious mind. The idea behind their use is the possibility that what sense the patient makes of an inkblot or the story they create behind an ambiguous picture will reveal hidden emotions, conflicts, or desires that have been troubling him/her without his/her direct knowledge.

Aptitude tests are used to determine an individual's underlying capacity or talent at a task; aptitudes can be mental or physical. Intelligence tests are used strictly in an attempt to measure mental acuity. Achievement tests are used to test both skill and aptitude. Morality tests are used to assess individuals' response to specific, moral situations.

Example Question #155 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?

Possible Answers:

Painting a picture of a landscape for a client who is paying you

Painting a picture of a landscape in order to avoid to do your taxes

Painting a picture of a man because you want him to fall in love with you

Painting a picture of a landscape because you love the act of painting

Painting a picture of a landscape in hopes that it will give you the chance to get higher paying portrait work

Correct answer:

Painting a picture of a landscape because you love the act of painting

Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation is when someone completes an action because the action itself is an enjoyable process. This contrasts with external motivation, where an action is completed in order to gain external reward or avoid a negative external consequence. If I'm painting a landscape because I need money and someone will buy my painting, I may enjoy painting it, but this will have been an externally motivated behavior. If I engage in an action like reading, drawing, or the like, because it is pleasurable and there is no expectation of reward, this is intrinsically motivated.

Example Question #1 : Other Motivation Concepts

Which of the following is an example of a primary drive?

Possible Answers:

Creativity

Knowledge attainment

Sex

Social approval

Effective communication

Correct answer:

Sex

Explanation:

A primary drive is a drive that is completely unlearned, something that any human will inherit regardless of their socialization, upbringing, or background. Primary drives are concerned with survival and reproduction. These drives for humans are hunger, sex, thirst, sleep, and bathroom needs. All of these ensure the health, maintenance, and reproduction of the human species.

Example Question #71 : Motivation And Emotion

Can sexual desire be present even when the ability to have sex is lost?

Possible Answers:

Yes, because people want sex all of the time. 

Yes, the sexual desire can be present even when the ability to have sex is lost.

No, because losing the ability to have sex causes hormonal deficiencies that will make you not want it. 

Yes, because we are emotional beings.

No, if you can't have sex you don't want it. 

Correct answer:

Yes, the sexual desire can be present even when the ability to have sex is lost.

Explanation:

William Masters and Virginia Johnson noted in their study on the sexual response cycle that sexual desire can be present even if one does not have the ability to have sex anymore.

Example Question #72 : Motivation And Emotion

What is the basic idea of the Set Point Theory?

Possible Answers:

We have an ideal point of stress in order to feel motivated to learn; we must feel challenged but not too much

We achieve goals that we perceive to be attainable

None of these

We always seek to be slimmer 

Our body wants to maintain a certain weight

Correct answer:

Our body wants to maintain a certain weight

Explanation:

The Set Point Theory is the theory that the hypothalamus wants to maintain a certain ideal body weight. Once we reach that set point, our metabolism kicks in to burn off the excess food.

Example Question #73 : Motivation And Emotion

According to Drive Reduction Theory, humans' bodies seek __________.

Possible Answers:

homeostasis

a return to the womb

death

food

water

Correct answer:

homeostasis

Explanation:

The correct answer here is homeostasis, a internally balanced state in which our needs, and the drives created by those needs, are satisfied. When one is experiencing needs and drives, one is out of homeostasis.

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