AP Psychology 5.4.F: Compulsions in OCD
Learn to distinguish a compulsion from a desire or routine by linking a repeated behaviour or mental act to an obsession or reduced distress in AP Psychology.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Psychology
Exam points
- Explain a compulsion as a repeated behaviour or mental act linked to an obsession or distress.
5.4.F—Describe the symptoms and possible causes of selected obsessive-compulsive disorders and related disorders question 1
[Maximum number: 1]
Professor Menendez conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of a new medication for treating the
symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Part A
Explain the concept of compulsion in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Point 1: Compulsion
Responses must indicate that a compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act (e.g., counting) in response to
an obsession or done to reduce anxiety/distress.
- Score: "Jamal washes his hands a lot to reduce his anxiety."
- Do NOT score: "Ricardo wants to wash his hands all the time because he thinks it will make him feel
better" because desires (beliefs, needs, wants, etc.) are not a behavior.
- Do NOT score: "Amy tidies her room regularly" because it is not a response to an obsession or done to
reduce anxiety.
Part B
All question bank results loaded