AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Personality disorder characterized by self-preoccupation, inflated estimates of one's
abilities and attractiveness, and the need for others to focus on oneself.
Conversion Disorder A somatic symptom disorder in which a psychological problem manifests itself as a
deficit in physiological functioning (e.g. blindess, paralysis). Freud called these
"Hysterias".
Dissociative Disorders Group of disorders that involve dysfunction of memory or an altered state of identity
(e.g. dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia)
Histrionic Personality Disorder Personality disorder characterized by excessive emotional reactions and excitability,
as well as by the need for attention and overly dramatic behavior
Somatic Symptom-Related Disorders This category of disorders includes psychological disorders characterized by
physical symptoms without any (known) physical causes. Illness Anxiety Disorder
and Conversion Disorder are examples.
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) a biomedical therapy for severely depressed patients in which a brief electric current
is sent through the brain of an anesthetized patient
Illness Anxiety Disorder A somatic symptom disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with health
concerns and incessant worry about developing physical illnesses.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) also called multiple personality disorder; person displays more than one distinct
personality & these personalities are expressed a different times.
Narcolepsy a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks
Bipolar Disorder a mental disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression
hallucination sensory experience without an accompanying sensory stimulus; auditory most
common
Major Depressive Disorder depressive disorder characterized by two weeks or more of low energy and mood
Factitious Disorder disorder in which the sufferer purposefully ingests harmful substances or engages
in acts of self-harm or mutilation in order to obtain medical attention
tardive dyskinesia side effect of antipsychotic medications; repetitive, uncontrollable muscle
movements
SSRI's most commonly used drug treatment for depression; examples include Prozac and
Zoloft
, AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
benzodiazepenes central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety disorders; examples
include Xanax, Valium, and Librium
neuroleptics drugs used to treat psychotic disorders; includes Risperdal, Clozaril, Thorazine
Lithium Carbonate most common drug treatment for bipolar disorder
eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are examples
bulimia nervosa eating disorder marked by episodes of binge eating followed by purging (through
use of laxatives or induced vomiting)
Anorexia Nervosa eating disorder wherein the sufferer is irrationally concerned about weight gain and
avoids eating, despite being significantly underweight for his/her age and height
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by exposure to trauma, such as war or violence, which leads to recurring
thoughts and anxiety related to the trauma
sleep disorders narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and night terrors are examples
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis; therapist often directly challenges the
patient's irrational beliefs
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) cognitive therapy developed by Aaron Beck; therapist works with the patient to
correct maladaptive thoughts and harmful beliefs through hypothesis testing
systematic desensitization behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders that requires creation of a fear hierarchy;
the patient approaches tasks on the list while practicing relaxation
flooding behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders that requires the patient confront the
fearful situation at full force
counterconditioning behavioral treatment (using classical conditioning principles) that seeks to remove
the association between a particular stimulus and the fearful response
psychoanalysis Freud's "talking cure" that includes techniques like free association, dream
interpretation, hypnosis, etc.
transference in Freudian theory, when a patient redirects feelings for a (for example) parent or
loved one toward the therapist
, AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
resistance pauses in speech or gaps in memory that occur during free association; believed by
psychoanalysts to indicate attempts at repression
Gestalt Therapy methods pioneered by Fritz Perls; includes the "empty chair" technique, use of "I-
statements" and metaphor
client-centered therapy therapy developed by Carl Rogers; non-directive
active listening conversational method used by client-centered therapists: includes summarizing
and clarifying questions, as well as non-verbal signals of understanding
token economy system used to encourage positive behaviors by providing small rewards that can
be exchanged for desired items; relies on principles of operant conditioning
rTMS treatment for depression that involves passing an electromagnet back & forth close
to the person's left eyebrow (left frontal lobe).
psychopharmacology the study of the effects of drugs on the mind and behavior
Dorothea Dix known for her efforts to reform psychiatric institutions and improve living conditions
for the mentally ill during the 19th century
Aaron Beck known for developing a model of cognitive therapy
Albert Ellis founder of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy
Joseph Wolpe credited with establishing procedure for systematic desensitization
anxiolytics general term for drugs that reduce feelings of anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) A disorder characterized by pervasive, "free-floating" anxiety not connected to any
one, specific stimulus
Specific Phobia Anxiety disorder characterized by irrational and persistent fear of a particular object
or situation, along with a compelling desire to avoid it.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) a disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or
actions (compulsions).
, AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
Panic Disorder anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
Anxiety Disorders psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or
maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety (includes phobias, GAD, panic disorder,
etc.)
Manic episode a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state; occurs in persons with bipolar disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder a low-grade chronic depression with symptoms that are milder than those of severe
depression but are present on a majority of days for 2 or more years; also known as
dysthymia
Somatic Symptom Disorder A disorder marked by a history of diverse physical symptoms that appear to be
psychological in origin.
Personality Disorders psychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns
that impair social functioning
Antisocial Personality Disorder a personality disorder in which the person (usually a man) exhibits a lack of
conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members; may be
aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist
Borderline Personality Disorder a personality disorder characterized by lack of stability in interpersonal
relationships, self-image, and emotion; impulsivity; angry outbursts; intense fear of
abandonment; recurring suicidal gestures
Behavioral Therapies Treatments designed to change behavior through the use of established learning
techniques (for example, systematic desensitization, token economies); more
concerned with change in behavior than any underlying thoughts
aversion conditioning A method that uses classical conditioning to create a negative response to a
particular stimulus (e.g. a client with a paraphilia might be trained to respond
negatively to a previously arousing stimulus). Also known as avoidance
conditioning.
behavior modification psychotherapy that seeks to extinguish or inhibit abnormal or maladaptive behavior
by reinforcing desired behavior and extinguishing undesired behavior (i.e. use of
operant conditioning techniques to adjust behavior)
modeling use of observational learning processes to help a client change behavior; the
process of observing and imitating a behavior (e.g. a therapist might demonstrate
how to introduce oneself to a stranger at a party and have the client repeat/mimic
the behavior).
Cognitive Therapies Treatments designed to remove irrational beliefs and negative thoughts that are
presumed to be responsible for psychological disorders; includes CBT, REBT
stress inoculation stress management technique in which a person consciously tries to prepare ahead
of time for potential stressors
Psychodynamic therapies looks at unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms and symptom resolution in a
broader manner than Freud; often more brief and present-focused than traditional
psychoanalysis
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Personality disorder characterized by self-preoccupation, inflated estimates of one's
abilities and attractiveness, and the need for others to focus on oneself.
Conversion Disorder A somatic symptom disorder in which a psychological problem manifests itself as a
deficit in physiological functioning (e.g. blindess, paralysis). Freud called these
"Hysterias".
Dissociative Disorders Group of disorders that involve dysfunction of memory or an altered state of identity
(e.g. dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia)
Histrionic Personality Disorder Personality disorder characterized by excessive emotional reactions and excitability,
as well as by the need for attention and overly dramatic behavior
Somatic Symptom-Related Disorders This category of disorders includes psychological disorders characterized by
physical symptoms without any (known) physical causes. Illness Anxiety Disorder
and Conversion Disorder are examples.
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) a biomedical therapy for severely depressed patients in which a brief electric current
is sent through the brain of an anesthetized patient
Illness Anxiety Disorder A somatic symptom disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with health
concerns and incessant worry about developing physical illnesses.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) also called multiple personality disorder; person displays more than one distinct
personality & these personalities are expressed a different times.
Narcolepsy a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks
Bipolar Disorder a mental disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression
hallucination sensory experience without an accompanying sensory stimulus; auditory most
common
Major Depressive Disorder depressive disorder characterized by two weeks or more of low energy and mood
Factitious Disorder disorder in which the sufferer purposefully ingests harmful substances or engages
in acts of self-harm or mutilation in order to obtain medical attention
tardive dyskinesia side effect of antipsychotic medications; repetitive, uncontrollable muscle
movements
SSRI's most commonly used drug treatment for depression; examples include Prozac and
Zoloft
, AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
benzodiazepenes central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety disorders; examples
include Xanax, Valium, and Librium
neuroleptics drugs used to treat psychotic disorders; includes Risperdal, Clozaril, Thorazine
Lithium Carbonate most common drug treatment for bipolar disorder
eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are examples
bulimia nervosa eating disorder marked by episodes of binge eating followed by purging (through
use of laxatives or induced vomiting)
Anorexia Nervosa eating disorder wherein the sufferer is irrationally concerned about weight gain and
avoids eating, despite being significantly underweight for his/her age and height
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by exposure to trauma, such as war or violence, which leads to recurring
thoughts and anxiety related to the trauma
sleep disorders narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and night terrors are examples
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis; therapist often directly challenges the
patient's irrational beliefs
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) cognitive therapy developed by Aaron Beck; therapist works with the patient to
correct maladaptive thoughts and harmful beliefs through hypothesis testing
systematic desensitization behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders that requires creation of a fear hierarchy;
the patient approaches tasks on the list while practicing relaxation
flooding behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders that requires the patient confront the
fearful situation at full force
counterconditioning behavioral treatment (using classical conditioning principles) that seeks to remove
the association between a particular stimulus and the fearful response
psychoanalysis Freud's "talking cure" that includes techniques like free association, dream
interpretation, hypnosis, etc.
transference in Freudian theory, when a patient redirects feelings for a (for example) parent or
loved one toward the therapist
, AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
resistance pauses in speech or gaps in memory that occur during free association; believed by
psychoanalysts to indicate attempts at repression
Gestalt Therapy methods pioneered by Fritz Perls; includes the "empty chair" technique, use of "I-
statements" and metaphor
client-centered therapy therapy developed by Carl Rogers; non-directive
active listening conversational method used by client-centered therapists: includes summarizing
and clarifying questions, as well as non-verbal signals of understanding
token economy system used to encourage positive behaviors by providing small rewards that can
be exchanged for desired items; relies on principles of operant conditioning
rTMS treatment for depression that involves passing an electromagnet back & forth close
to the person's left eyebrow (left frontal lobe).
psychopharmacology the study of the effects of drugs on the mind and behavior
Dorothea Dix known for her efforts to reform psychiatric institutions and improve living conditions
for the mentally ill during the 19th century
Aaron Beck known for developing a model of cognitive therapy
Albert Ellis founder of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy
Joseph Wolpe credited with establishing procedure for systematic desensitization
anxiolytics general term for drugs that reduce feelings of anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) A disorder characterized by pervasive, "free-floating" anxiety not connected to any
one, specific stimulus
Specific Phobia Anxiety disorder characterized by irrational and persistent fear of a particular object
or situation, along with a compelling desire to avoid it.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) a disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or
actions (compulsions).
, AP PSYCHOLOGY - EXAM REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS -2026/2027
Panic Disorder anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
Anxiety Disorders psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or
maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety (includes phobias, GAD, panic disorder,
etc.)
Manic episode a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state; occurs in persons with bipolar disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder a low-grade chronic depression with symptoms that are milder than those of severe
depression but are present on a majority of days for 2 or more years; also known as
dysthymia
Somatic Symptom Disorder A disorder marked by a history of diverse physical symptoms that appear to be
psychological in origin.
Personality Disorders psychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns
that impair social functioning
Antisocial Personality Disorder a personality disorder in which the person (usually a man) exhibits a lack of
conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members; may be
aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist
Borderline Personality Disorder a personality disorder characterized by lack of stability in interpersonal
relationships, self-image, and emotion; impulsivity; angry outbursts; intense fear of
abandonment; recurring suicidal gestures
Behavioral Therapies Treatments designed to change behavior through the use of established learning
techniques (for example, systematic desensitization, token economies); more
concerned with change in behavior than any underlying thoughts
aversion conditioning A method that uses classical conditioning to create a negative response to a
particular stimulus (e.g. a client with a paraphilia might be trained to respond
negatively to a previously arousing stimulus). Also known as avoidance
conditioning.
behavior modification psychotherapy that seeks to extinguish or inhibit abnormal or maladaptive behavior
by reinforcing desired behavior and extinguishing undesired behavior (i.e. use of
operant conditioning techniques to adjust behavior)
modeling use of observational learning processes to help a client change behavior; the
process of observing and imitating a behavior (e.g. a therapist might demonstrate
how to introduce oneself to a stranger at a party and have the client repeat/mimic
the behavior).
Cognitive Therapies Treatments designed to remove irrational beliefs and negative thoughts that are
presumed to be responsible for psychological disorders; includes CBT, REBT
stress inoculation stress management technique in which a person consciously tries to prepare ahead
of time for potential stressors
Psychodynamic therapies looks at unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms and symptom resolution in a
broader manner than Freud; often more brief and present-focused than traditional
psychoanalysis
