, huh? That’s awesome! And you’re curious about the 2018 free response questions (FRQs), right? Well, buckle up, because I’m about to break down the key concepts and approaches you need to ace those FRQs.
Think of the FRQs as a chance to really show off your understanding of psychology. They’re like a mini-essay where you have to apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios. It’s all about making connections between concepts, putting on your thinking cap, and demonstrating your knowledge.
FR Memory
Alright, let’s start with the memory FRQ. This one’s a classic, and it usually involves some sort of scenario where you have to analyze someone’s memory processes. Remember, memory is all about how we encode, store, and retrieve information.
Here’s what you need to know:
Encoding: This is the process of getting information into our brains. It’s like putting stuff in your mental filing cabinet. We encode things through visual, auditory, or semantic (meaning-based) pathways.
Storage: Once encoded, information needs to be stored. Think of your mental filing cabinet with all those folders. There are different types of memory storage, like short-term memory and long-term memory.
Retrieval: Now, it’s time to get that information back out of your mental filing cabinet. Retrieval is about accessing the information that’s been stored.
The 2018 FRQ on memory probably asked you to do a few things:
Identify specific memory processes: You had to pinpoint the specific encoding, storage, or retrieval processes involved in the scenario. This is where knowing the terms and definitions comes into play.
Apply memory theories: The question probably asked you to connect the scenario to some key memory theories. For example, maybe it mentioned retrieval cues or the role of context.
Explain the impact of cognitive biases: Cognitive biases are systematic errors in our thinking, and they can affect our memory. The FRQ might have asked you to explain how biases like confirmation bias or hindsight bias could influence the scenario.
FR Social Psychology
Now, let’s dive into social psychology. This area of psychology explores how we think about, influence, and relate to each other.
Here’s what you need to remember about social psychology:
Social Influence: This is how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by other people.
Social Cognition: This is how we think about ourselves and others. It’s about our perceptions, attributions, and beliefs about the social world.
Social Behavior: This is how we act in social situations. This includes our interactions, relationships, and group dynamics.
The 2018 FRQ on social psychology probably centered around one of these three areas.
Here’s a possible scenario:
Scenario: Imagine a group project where one person is doing all the work, while the others are slacking off.
Here’s how you might analyze that scenario using social psychology concepts:
Social Influence: You could discuss how social loafing (people putting in less effort when working in a group) might be at play. Or, you could talk about the bystander effect, which explains why people are less likely to help when others are around.
Social Cognition: You could analyze the group members’ attributions. Are they making internal attributions (blaming the slackers’ laziness) or external attributions (blaming the lack of resources or time constraints)?
Social Behavior: You could examine the group dynamics and how they might have contributed to the imbalance. For example, maybe there’s a lack of clear roles or a dominant leader who’s not holding everyone accountable.
Key Tips for Acing the AP Psychology FRQs
1. Know Your Terms: You need to be familiar with the key concepts and terms in the AP Psychology course. Study those definitions like they’re your best friend.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice: The best way to prepare for FRQs is to practice writing them. You can find old FRQs online or in your textbook. Try writing a response to each question and then compare it to the scoring guidelines.
3. Stay Organized: Your response should be well-organized and clearly written. Use headings, bullet points, and transitions to make your response easy to follow.
4. Be Specific: Don’t just make vague statements. Use specific examples and details to illustrate your points.
5. Use the Terms: Don’t just define the terms; apply them to the specific scenario given in the FRQ.
6. Don’t Stress: Remember, the FRQs are designed to test your understanding of psychology. Just take your time, think critically, and apply what you’ve learned.
Good luck on the AP Psychology exam! You’ve got this!
Let me know if you have any more questions about the FRQs or if you want to talk more about psychology. It’s always fun to discuss these topics!
