Ap Psychology
AP Psychology
Free Response Questions Sample
The following questions are samples of the free response questions from past AP Psychology exams. The free response sections are worth 33 1/3 percent of the total grade. Students have 50 minutes to answer two questions. The key to successfully answering these questions is to: completely define the terms using appropriate psychological terminology and then critically apply each term. Many students concentrate their efforts on the multiple-choice sections. However, the free response section is extremely important. While grammar and spelling do not count, students should make a serious effort at producing a quality piece of writing to ensure their points are completely understood by the reader. However, an opening paragraph with a thesis statement is not necessary. The purpose of these essay questions was to give teachers/students/parents a small sampling of past essays. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the www.collegeboard.org/ap for more information on exam content, multiple-choice questions, free-response questions, scoring guidelines, and grade distributions from previous years.
Question #1
1. Psychologists use a variety of research methods to study behavior. Three of the main research methods used are:
• Case study
• Correlational study, and
• Experiment
A. Students should be able to critically discuss one advantage of each of the research methods (It is critical students make sure they cover each method).
B. Student should be able to critically discuss one disadvantage of each of the research methods.
Pretend you are a psychologist who will use each of the three research methods – case study, correlational study, and experiment – to determine the effect of taking vitamin J to improve memory.
C. For each of the methods listed above, explain a key characteristic of the basic approach you could use to reach a scientific conclusion about the relationship between taking vitamin J and
Free Response Questions Sample
The following questions are samples of the free response questions from past AP Psychology exams. The free response sections are worth 33 1/3 percent of the total grade. Students have 50 minutes to answer two questions. The key to successfully answering these questions is to: completely define the terms using appropriate psychological terminology and then critically apply each term. Many students concentrate their efforts on the multiple-choice sections. However, the free response section is extremely important. While grammar and spelling do not count, students should make a serious effort at producing a quality piece of writing to ensure their points are completely understood by the reader. However, an opening paragraph with a thesis statement is not necessary. The purpose of these essay questions was to give teachers/students/parents a small sampling of past essays. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the www.collegeboard.org/ap for more information on exam content, multiple-choice questions, free-response questions, scoring guidelines, and grade distributions from previous years.
Question #1
1. Psychologists use a variety of research methods to study behavior. Three of the main research methods used are:
• Case study
• Correlational study, and
• Experiment
A. Students should be able to critically discuss one advantage of each of the research methods (It is critical students make sure they cover each method).
B. Student should be able to critically discuss one disadvantage of each of the research methods.
Pretend you are a psychologist who will use each of the three research methods – case study, correlational study, and experiment – to determine the effect of taking vitamin J to improve memory.
C. For each of the methods listed above, explain a key characteristic of the basic approach you could use to reach a scientific conclusion about the relationship between taking vitamin J and