AP English Literature and Composition Flashcards: Relationships, conflict, and motivation
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
Define altruism.
Altruism is the unselfish regard for the welfare of others. It involves acting out of concern for the well-being of other people, without expectation of reward.
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Define altruism.
Altruism is the unselfish regard for the welfare of others. It involves acting out of concern for the well-being of other people, without expectation of reward.
How does Maslow's hierarchy of needs explain motivation?
Maslow's hierarchy proposes that human needs are arranged in a pyramid, and we are motivated to satisfy lower-level needs (like physiological and safety) before we pursue higher-level needs (like belonging, esteem, and self-actualization).
Explain the bystander effect.
The bystander effect is a social psychological theory that states individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people present. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help.
A college student begins to feel a strong liking for their roommate after sharing a small dorm room for a year, despite having little in common initially. What principle of attraction is at play?
This situation illustrates the principle of proximity and the mere-exposure effect. Constant exposure and nearness to the roommate increased the student's liking for them over time.
If two rival nations both see themselves as peace-loving and the other as aggressive and evil, what concept does this illustrate?
This illustrates mirror-image perceptions, which are mutual, reciprocal views held by conflicting parties. Each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive.
According to drive-reduction theory, what is the goal of motivation?
According to drive-reduction theory, the goal of motivation is to maintain homeostasis, a state of internal physiological balance. A physiological need creates an aroused drive that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.
During a group project, two members want to pursue different strategies, both believing their own plan is the only way to get a good grade. What is the source of their conflict?
The source of their conflict is a perceived incompatibility of goals. Each member sees their goal (implementing their own strategy) as being blocked by the other, leading to a conflict situation.
What are three key factors that influence interpersonal attraction?
Three major factors that influence interpersonal attraction are proximity (geographical nearness), physical attractiveness, and similarity (sharing common attitudes, beliefs, and interests).
What is the mere-exposure effect?
The mere-exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon by which people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them. Repeated exposure to a novel stimulus increases our liking for it.
What is a social trap?
A social trap is a situation in which conflicting parties, by each rationally pursuing their self-interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior. This can fuel and sustain social conflicts.