AP Psychology Practice Quiz: Motivation

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 16 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 16

A student who studies diligently because they genuinely enjoy learning the subject matter is demonstrating which type of motivation, according to self-determination theory?

A)Extrinsic motivationB)Intrinsic motivationC)Drive-reduction motivationD)Instinctual motivation

All Questions (16)

A student who studies diligently because they genuinely enjoy learning the subject matter is demonstrating which type of motivation, according to self-determination theory?

A) Extrinsic motivation

B) Intrinsic motivation

C) Drive-reduction motivation

D) Instinctual motivation

Correct Answer: B

Self-determination theory proposes that people are motivated by intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Intrinsic motivation involves engaging in a behavior because it is personally rewarding, which is the case for the student who enjoys learning.

According to the provided text, drive-reduction theory primarily focuses on explaining behaviors that:

A) seek novel and varied experiences.

B) are driven by internal rewards and personal satisfaction.

C) address physical needs and desires.

D) resolve conflicts between two desirable goals.

Correct Answer: C

The content explicitly states that 'Motivation theories like drive-reduction and arousal theory focus on addressing physical needs and desires.'

Maria is offered a promotion that comes with a higher salary but also requires her to move to a city she dislikes. According to Lewin's motivational conflicts theory, what type of conflict is Maria experiencing?

A) Approach-approach

B) Avoidance-avoidance

C) Approach-avoidance

D) Sensation-seeking

Correct Answer: C

This is an approach-avoidance conflict because the single choice (the promotion) has both positive (approach) and negative (avoidance) aspects. Lewin's theory outlines this type of conflict.

Which hormone is primarily responsible for signaling feelings of hunger to the brain, thus motivating an individual to eat?

A) Leptin

B) Ghrelin

C) Insulin

D) Cortisol

Correct Answer: B

The provided content specifies that 'Hormones like ghrelin and leptin regulate feelings of hunger and satiety.' Ghrelin is the hormone that stimulates hunger.

A person who frequently engages in activities like skydiving, exploring new cuisines, and traveling to unfamiliar places is likely motivated by what the Sensation-Seeking Theory describes as a need for:

A) resolving cognitive dissonance.

B) reducing a physiological drive.

C) varied or novel experiences.

D) achieving extrinsic rewards.

Correct Answer: C

Sensation-seeking theory directly proposes that 'the need for varied or novel experiences is the basis of motivation.' The activities listed are all examples of seeking such experiences.

Even though he just ate lunch, David eats a piece of cake when it is offered at an office birthday party. This behavior is best explained by the influence of:

A) high levels of ghrelin.

B) instinctual motivation.

C) drive-reduction needs.

D) external factors on eating.

Correct Answer: D

The content states that 'External factors like food presence, time of day, or social gatherings also influence eating.' The social gathering and presence of food motivated David to eat despite not being physically hungry.

A student must choose between doing their dreaded calculus homework or their equally disliked chemistry lab report. Lewin's theory would classify this situation as which type of conflict?

A) Approach-approach

B) Avoidance-avoidance

C) Approach-avoidance

D) Double approach-avoidance

Correct Answer: B

According to Lewin’s motivational conflicts theory, an avoidance-avoidance conflict occurs when a person must choose between two undesirable or negative options.

The provided text suggests that instincts are not a primary motivator for humans, but they are for:

A) individuals with high sensation-seeking needs.

B) people in avoidance-avoidance conflicts.

C) many non-human animals.

D) those driven by extrinsic factors.

Correct Answer: C

The content explicitly states, 'Many non-human animals are motivated by instincts, which do not seem to be a primary motivator for humans.'

After consuming a large holiday meal, a person feels full and has no desire to eat more. This feeling of satiety is largely regulated by the hormone:

A) Ghrelin

B) Leptin

C) Testosterone

D) Adrenaline

Correct Answer: B

The text indicates that ghrelin and leptin regulate hunger and satiety. Leptin is the hormone responsible for signaling satiety, or the feeling of being full.

The idea that eating is a complex motivated behavior is supported by the fact that it is influenced by:

A) only the time of day and social context.

B) only hormonal signals like ghrelin and leptin.

C) an interaction of physical and mental processes.

D) a single, unchangeable instinctual drive.

Correct Answer: C

The text states, 'Eating is a complex motivated behavior involving the interaction of physical and mental processes.' This complexity arises from the combination of biological factors (hormones) and external/mental factors (social cues, presence of food).

An employee works overtime solely to earn a bonus. According to self-determination theory, this is an example of:

A) Intrinsic motivation

B) Extrinsic motivation

C) Sensation-seeking behavior

D) Instinctual drive

Correct Answer: B

Self-determination theory distinguishes between intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) motivation. Working for an external reward like a bonus is a clear example of extrinsic motivation.

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies an approach-approach conflict?

A) Deciding whether to study for an exam or go to a party.

B) Choosing between two different job offers, both of which are highly desirable.

C) Deciding whether to clean your room or take out the trash, both of which are chores you dislike.

D) Wanting to buy an expensive car but not wanting to go into debt.

Correct Answer: B

An approach-approach conflict, according to Lewin's theory, involves choosing between two attractive or desirable goals. Choosing between two great job offers fits this description perfectly.

A person feels bored and decides to go for a run to increase their heart rate and feel more alert. This behavior aligns with the core principle of arousal theory, which, like drive-reduction theory, focuses on:

A) the influence of external rewards.

B) the need for novel experiences.

C) addressing physical needs and desires.

D) the power of instinctual patterns.

Correct Answer: C

The text groups arousal theory with drive-reduction theory, stating they both 'focus on addressing physical needs and desires.' In this case, the 'desire' is to reach a more optimal level of physiological arousal, moving from boredom to alertness.

The fact that a person might join a club or a team to feel connected to others best demonstrates how which of the following can motivate behavior?

A) Belongingness

B) Sensation-seeking

C) Drive-reduction

D) Extrinsic factors

Correct Answer: A

The content states, 'Explain how eating and belongingness motivate behavior and mental processes.' Joining a group to feel connected is a direct example of the need for belongingness motivating social behavior.

A person who chooses to run a marathon, pushing through physical pain and exhaustion for the personal satisfaction of finishing, is primarily driven by factors described in which theory?

A) Drive-reduction theory

B) Lewin's motivational conflicts theory

C) Self-determination theory

D) Instinct theory

Correct Answer: C

Running a marathon for personal satisfaction, not an external prize, is a powerful example of intrinsic motivation. Self-determination theory is the framework provided that proposes people are motivated by such intrinsic factors.

Which statement best synthesizes the provided information about the motivation to eat?

A) Eating is a simple drive-reduction behavior, primarily controlled by the hormone ghrelin.

B) Eating is a behavior motivated solely by external social cues and the presence of food.

C) The motivation to eat is a complex interplay of internal biological signals and external environmental factors.

D) The motivation to eat is an approach-avoidance conflict that is resolved through sensation-seeking.

Correct Answer: C

This answer correctly combines multiple points from the text: that eating is a complex behavior (Point 8), involving hormones like ghrelin and leptin (Point 9) as internal signals, and is also influenced by external factors like social gatherings (Point 10).