AP Psychology Knowledge test Exam Toolkit Questions and
Verified solution 2025/2026
Validity - correct answer The ability of a test to measure what is designed to
measure or, in other words, accuracy.
Reliability - correct answer The consistency or repeat ability of a particular
assessment over repeated measurements.
Sample - correct answer A small subset of individuals chosen to represent
the population in research; an attempt should be made to make the sample as
representative of the population as possible.
Population - correct answer All the members of a group that could be
selected for research and to whom the results apply.
Random Sampling - correct answer A sample of cases drawn from the
larger population in such a way that every member of the population has an
equal chance of being drawn for the sample.
Stratified Sampling - correct answer The process of dividing the population
into subgroups (strata) to create a sample that contains members of each
subgroup in the same proportion that exists in the same proportion that exists
in the larger population. For example, if the population being studied is 40%
Danish and 60% Swedish, this would be 40% Danish and 60% Swedish as
well.
Random Assignment - correct answer An experimental method that
ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigns to either
the experimental or the control group. This is required in order to determine if
there is a cause and effect relationship between the independent and
dependent variables.
,Experimenter Bias - correct answer The tendency for researchers to
unknowingly influence the results in an experiment. Also called researcher
bias.
Double-Blind Procedure - correct answer A procedure in which both the
experimenter and the participants are unaware of who has receive the
independent variable (treatment). These studies eliminate both experimenter
and participant bias.
Single-Blind Procedure - correct answer A procedure in which the
participants are unaware of whether they are receiving the independent
variable (drug) or the placebo.
Social Desirability - correct answer *bias*
The tendency for participants to not answer personal questions honestly in
order to depict themselves in a positive way. Also called social desirability
response set.
Hawthorne Effect - correct answer The effect on participants' performance
attributable to their knowledge that they are being watched or participating in
an experiment.
The tendency to work harder, perform better, or act more favorably under
experimental conditions; a form of participant bias, akin to social facilitation in
an experimental setting.
Biological Psychology - correct answer Biopyschosocial systems.
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and
behavior.
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and
behavior.
,Sensory Neurons - correct answer *millions*
Carries messages towards the brain and towards the spinal cord.
Afferent (at the brain from tissues/organs).
Transfer information from the sense organs to the brain for analysis.
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the
brain and spinal cord.
Motor Neurons - correct answer *millions*
Communicating to our body to move.
Efferent (exits the brain to tissues/organs).
Transfer information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs,
and glands of the body.
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the
muscles and glands.
Interneurons - correct answer *billions*
Connect the sensory and motor neurons.
Relay messages between the neurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and
intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.
The neurons which are located in the brain and spinal cord that facilitate
communication between afferent and efferent neurons. Also called association
neurons.
Dendrites - correct answer Branch-like structures that are receiving
messages from other neurons.
"Listeners"
, Branches extending from the cell body that receive chemical messages via
neurotransmitters from other neurons and transports them to the cell body of
the neuron.
Axon - correct answer Sends messages to other neurons.
"Talkers"
A long tube-like extension attached to the cell body that sends the electrical
message (action potential) away from the cell body of the neuron.
Myelin Sheath - correct answer Covers the axon to insulate it- helps
message to be sent faster.
Multiple Sclerosis- results from the breakdown of this.
An insulating layer of fat cells surrounding the axon of the neuron that
provides insulation and increases the speed of the electrical message (action
potential).
Terminal Branches - correct answer Axon terminals.
Very similar to dendrites but on opposite pole.
Branch like.
Cell Body - correct answer The cell's life support system.
The center of the neuron that contains the nucleus and produces energy for
the neuron.
Action Potential - correct answer A neural impulse.
Electrical signal traveling down the axon when the neuron fires.
Message being sent.
Verified solution 2025/2026
Validity - correct answer The ability of a test to measure what is designed to
measure or, in other words, accuracy.
Reliability - correct answer The consistency or repeat ability of a particular
assessment over repeated measurements.
Sample - correct answer A small subset of individuals chosen to represent
the population in research; an attempt should be made to make the sample as
representative of the population as possible.
Population - correct answer All the members of a group that could be
selected for research and to whom the results apply.
Random Sampling - correct answer A sample of cases drawn from the
larger population in such a way that every member of the population has an
equal chance of being drawn for the sample.
Stratified Sampling - correct answer The process of dividing the population
into subgroups (strata) to create a sample that contains members of each
subgroup in the same proportion that exists in the same proportion that exists
in the larger population. For example, if the population being studied is 40%
Danish and 60% Swedish, this would be 40% Danish and 60% Swedish as
well.
Random Assignment - correct answer An experimental method that
ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigns to either
the experimental or the control group. This is required in order to determine if
there is a cause and effect relationship between the independent and
dependent variables.
,Experimenter Bias - correct answer The tendency for researchers to
unknowingly influence the results in an experiment. Also called researcher
bias.
Double-Blind Procedure - correct answer A procedure in which both the
experimenter and the participants are unaware of who has receive the
independent variable (treatment). These studies eliminate both experimenter
and participant bias.
Single-Blind Procedure - correct answer A procedure in which the
participants are unaware of whether they are receiving the independent
variable (drug) or the placebo.
Social Desirability - correct answer *bias*
The tendency for participants to not answer personal questions honestly in
order to depict themselves in a positive way. Also called social desirability
response set.
Hawthorne Effect - correct answer The effect on participants' performance
attributable to their knowledge that they are being watched or participating in
an experiment.
The tendency to work harder, perform better, or act more favorably under
experimental conditions; a form of participant bias, akin to social facilitation in
an experimental setting.
Biological Psychology - correct answer Biopyschosocial systems.
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and
behavior.
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and
behavior.
,Sensory Neurons - correct answer *millions*
Carries messages towards the brain and towards the spinal cord.
Afferent (at the brain from tissues/organs).
Transfer information from the sense organs to the brain for analysis.
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the
brain and spinal cord.
Motor Neurons - correct answer *millions*
Communicating to our body to move.
Efferent (exits the brain to tissues/organs).
Transfer information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs,
and glands of the body.
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the
muscles and glands.
Interneurons - correct answer *billions*
Connect the sensory and motor neurons.
Relay messages between the neurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and
intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.
The neurons which are located in the brain and spinal cord that facilitate
communication between afferent and efferent neurons. Also called association
neurons.
Dendrites - correct answer Branch-like structures that are receiving
messages from other neurons.
"Listeners"
, Branches extending from the cell body that receive chemical messages via
neurotransmitters from other neurons and transports them to the cell body of
the neuron.
Axon - correct answer Sends messages to other neurons.
"Talkers"
A long tube-like extension attached to the cell body that sends the electrical
message (action potential) away from the cell body of the neuron.
Myelin Sheath - correct answer Covers the axon to insulate it- helps
message to be sent faster.
Multiple Sclerosis- results from the breakdown of this.
An insulating layer of fat cells surrounding the axon of the neuron that
provides insulation and increases the speed of the electrical message (action
potential).
Terminal Branches - correct answer Axon terminals.
Very similar to dendrites but on opposite pole.
Branch like.
Cell Body - correct answer The cell's life support system.
The center of the neuron that contains the nucleus and produces energy for
the neuron.
Action Potential - correct answer A neural impulse.
Electrical signal traveling down the axon when the neuron fires.
Message being sent.
