Deck 2: Understanding and Treating Mental Disorders

Question 1

Because Joan suffers from depression, Dr. Adler has prescribed a medication that alters sensitivity and receptivity to ____ at the receptor sites in her brain. For Justin, who suffers from anxiety, Dr. Adler prescribes a drug that affects receptor reactivity to ____.

A) serotonin; GABA
B) GABA; serotonin
C) dopamine; acetylcholine
D) acetylcholine; dopamine

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Peter survived a stroke that damaged much of the tissue in the left hemisphere of his brain. We can expect that Peter will ____.

A) have trouble controlling his emotional behavior
B) be unable to sense touch on the left side of his body
C) experience impaired visual-spatial abilities
D) experience paralysis on the right side of his body

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which statement about the biological model is accurate ?

A) It has helped find effective drugs for treating disorders.
B) It has received support from diathesis-stress theory.
C) It has shown that mental disorders are almost always caused by structural abnormalities in the brain.
D) It has proven that inheritance is the direct cause of most disorders.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Forebrain is to ____ as hindbrain is to ____.

A) alertness and attention; language, thought, and memory
B) serotonin; dopamine
C) higher mental functions; functions like sleep, heart rate, and respiration
D) visual and spatial abilities; emotions and motivation

Question 5

Which factor is a biological explanation of psychopathology?

A) family interactions
B) neurological dysfunctions
C) early childhood experiences
D) behaviors learned in the environment

Question 6

A person's observable physical or behavioral characteristics are the ____.

A) same thing as their genotype
B) result of inheritance only
C) result of environmental factors only
D) same thing as their phenotype

Question 7

Which statement about neurotransmitters is accurate ?

A) Neurotransmitters are released by dendrites.
B) Drugs that block or facilitate neurotransmitter activity can alleviate symptoms of mental disorders.
C) Neurotransmitters consistently have an excitatory effect on the human nervous system.
D) Neurotransmitters send neural impulses to axons of receiving neurons.

Question 8

In the diathesis-stress theory, the diathesis is ____.

A) the amount of stressful life changes that activates a disorder
B) the individual's predisposition to develop illness
C) an individual's neurotransmitter imbalance
D) a faulty schema the individual uses to understand the world

Question 9

An assumption of the multipath model of abnormality is that ____.

A) the biological perspective best explains the complexities of human behavior
B) most psychological disorders are due to one or two primary factors
C) biological, psychological, social, and sociocultural factors contribute equally to most psychological disorders
D) different individuals exposed to different factors may develop similar mental disorders

Question 10

What term is used to describe the cause of abnormal behavior?

A) genesis
B) etiology
C) psychiatric underpinnings
D) psychological underpinnings

Question 11

Dopamine is related to several mental disorders. Insufficient dopamine is a possible cause of ____, while having an excess of dopamine may be related to ____.

A) anxiety; depression
B) Parkinson's disease; schizophrenia
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder; Parkinson's disease
D) schizophrenia; depression

Question 12

Models are often utilized by scientists to ____.

A) provide a clear and definitive explanation for a phenomenon
B) help conceptualize the cause of a phenomenon
C) directly observe a phenomenon
D) infer a phenomenon to something more abstract

Question 13

Faith says that she agrees with the diathesis-stress view of psychopathology that ____.

A) biochemical changes influence the structure of the brain to produce most disorders
B) the environment plays little, if any, role in the development of disorders
C) genetics are unimportant in the explanation of disorders
D) genetics and environmental factors interact to cause disorders

Question 14

The function of neural dendrites is to ____.

A) release neurotransmitters
B) receive signals from other neurons
C) bind to receptors of other neurons
D) trigger synaptic excitation of other neurons

Question 15

The scientific field that studies the effects of drugs on the mind and behavior is called ____.

A) psychopharmaceuticals
B) pharmaceuticals
C) psychopharmacology
D) pharmacology

Question 16

Which drug is most likely to be prescribed for a patient suffering from depression?

A) benzodiazepine
B) chlorpromazine
C) a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
D) lithium

Question 17

The two main distinguishing ideas in the psychodynamic model are that ____.

A) disorders result from childhood experiences and anxieties operate unconsciously
B) the causes of disorders are largely conscious and culture determines the expression of symptoms of disorders
C) diathesis is a predisposition to develop an illness and stress is an environmental factor that triggers the illness
D) abnormalities are inherited and symptoms start with biology

Question 18

A psychologist who uses the words neurological makeup when discussing disorders is using which model?

A) social
B) psychological
C) sociocultural
D) biological

Question 19

Which statement is true of human genomes?

A) Scientists have been able to map and understand all of the genes outside the nucleus of a human cell.
B) The genome provides the complete DNA of a cell.
C) Epigenomes are the chemical compounds found in the genome.
D) Genes are turned on and off by material inside of the genome.

Question 20

Autonomic nervous system reactivity in humans appears to be ____.

A) learned
B) psychogenic
C) inherited
D) related to dopamine activity

Question 21

Joseph, a student in the abnormal psychology class, says, "Why are we studying Freud? All he ever talked about was sex and his theory is totally outdated!" A valid response from his professor would be ____.

A) "I agree. Your assessment of Freud's theory is correct."
B) "Let me show you how all of Freud's theories have been supported by modern research."
C) "Freud's focus on early childhood experiences, the role of the unconscious, and the use of insight continue to assert a pervasive impact on mental health practice."
D) "Freud's emphasis on sexuality as a precipitating factor in all mental disorders has been found to be totally valid."

Question 22

Constance was instructed by her therapist to say whatever came to mind, even if it was illogical or embarrassing. Her therapist was using which psychodynamic technique?

A) dream analysis
B) free association
C) resistance
D) catharsis

Question 23

Patients in psychoanalysis unconsciously attempt to impede their treatment by preventing exposure of repressed material. This process is referred to as ____.

A) transference
B) suppression
C) projection
D) resistance

Question 24

According to the psychodynamic model, people use unconscious strategies to protect their egos from anxieties. These strategies are called ____.

A) defense mechanisms
B) anti-anxiety mechanisms
C) ego distortions
D) reaction formations

Question 25

Two characters on the "Star Trek" television series, Mr. Spock and Commander Data, are completely logical. They make their decisions on the basis of realistic considerations, not emotions or moral judgment. From a psychodynamic perspective, their personalities are entirely ____.

A) ego
B) id
C) superego
D) ego ideal

Question 26

After three sessions, Molly decides she is madly in love with Dr. Arnold. As a psychoanalyst, Dr. Arnold will most likely ____.

A) ignore these feelings and continue with therapy
B) see this as a sign of other relationship issues in Molly's life
C) encourage her feelings as a way to help her feel secure in her relationships
D) correct her mistaken impression and discontinue therapy

Question 27

Of the following, which client would be most likely to benefit from psychoanalysis?

A) a poor person with limited verbal skills
B) an older woman in immediate crisis
C) a rich anxious young woman
D) a psychotic older man

Question 28

Dr. Al-Suwaidi explains his clients' psychological problems by considering biological, psychological, social, and sociocultural explanations. He is using what the text refers to as the ____ model.

A) multipath
B) biopsychosocial
C) multicultural
D) integrative

Question 29

Thuy is faced with a dilemma. She lives in a war-torn country in which for years, the economy has been severely disrupted. In order to feed herself and her children, she steals food, but she feels a great sense of guilt when she does. According to Freud, the personality structure involved in stealing food is the ____, whereas the one involved in the associated guilt is the ____.

A) id; ego
B) ego; superego
C) superego; id
D) conscience; ego ideal

Question 30

Unlike traditional psychoanalysts, post-Freudians tend to ____.

A) deemphasize sexual motivation as the cause of behavior
B) view all behavior as originating predominantly from conscious thought
C) deemphasize the importance of personal choice and future goals
D) feel that talking in therapy is a waste of time

Question 31

Dr. Young says, "My client faced such severe traumas in her first five years of life that she blocked the memories from conscious recall. The result is that although she is 29 years old, and cannot remember her childhood." Dr. Young is describing the psychodynamic concept of ____.

A) reaction formation
B) transference
C) resistance
D) repression

Question 32

Dr. O'Brien says, "Psychodynamic theory has had a significant impact on psychology because it is based largely on observations in controlled conditions. Further, the theory emphasizes freedom of choice, and the therapy is effective with all disorders." Which part of Dr. O'Brien's statement is accurate ?

A) Psychodynamic therapy is effective with all disorders.
B) Psychoanalysis has had a significant impact on psychology.
C) Psychodynamic theory is based on observations in controlled conditions.
D) Psychodynamic theory emphasizes freedom of choice.

Question 33

Which statement about interpersonal therapy is accurate ?

A) It rejects the importance of childhood experience as a cause of adult disorder.
B) It is a cognitive approach used to understand family dynamics.
C) It is a psychodynamic idea involving exploration of past interpersonal relationships.
D) It employs a humanistic-existential set of concepts.

Question 34

Defense mechanisms ____.

A) operate consciously
B) protect individuals from anxiety
C) are used only by neurotic people
D) provide a realistic perspective

Question 35

According to Freud, the two most important instincts in people are ____.

A) pleasure and reality
B) responsibility and irresponsibility
C) sex and aggression
D) fear and happiness

Question 36

A psychologist who sees a client's problems as caused by a lack of useful, productive behaviors and lack of consequences following inappropriate actions probably supports which model of psychopathology?

A) existential
B) psychodynamic
C) behavioral
D) humanistic

Question 37

Erik Erikson, Carl Jung, and Alfred Adler were all considered ____.

A) behaviorists
B) cognitive psychologists
C) humanists
D) psychodynamic theorists

Question 38

Which model of psychopathology considers unconscious influences to be the motivation for behavior?

A) existential
B) psychodynamic
C) cognitive
D) humanistic

Question 39

Jason exploits other people and never feels guilty about it. He rarely helps other people and feels no pride when he does. According to psychodynamic thinking, Jason has ____.

A) an underdeveloped superego
B) an underdeveloped ego
C) too much ego ideal
D) no id

Question 40

Psychodynamic theory ____.

A) is gynocentric
B) used advanced research methodology for Freud's time
C) can be applied to a wide range of disturbed people
D) uses insight on motivations to resolve childhood conflicts

Question 41

When Stanley is afraid of meeting a woman, he finds an excuse to run off by himself. The immediate effect of running away is to make him feel less anxious and more at ease. Stanley's behavior illustrates the ____.

A) role of negative reinforcers in avoidance behavior
B) fact that shaping can result in maladjusted behavior
C) role of partial reinforcement in abnormal behavior
D) power of positive reinforcement

Question 42

In his original experiments, Pavlov paired a bell tone with the presentation of food. After a while, the bell tone alone could provoke salivation. By the time this happened, the ____.

A) bell had become a conditioned stimulus
B) food had become a conditioned stimulus
C) animal had lost interest in the food
D) salivation had become an unconditioned response

Question 43

Unlike behaviors in classical conditioning, operant behaviors are ____.

A) learned by observing others
B) unconscious
C) voluntary and controllable
D) instinctive

Question 44

Which quote is most similar to the theory of operant conditioning?

A) "Emotions are a function of beliefs, not events."
B) "Emotions are the outgrowth of passive associations we make with positive and negative stimuli in the world."
C) "Most of our behavior is motivated by factors of which we are not conscious."
D) "We do more of whatever behavior pays off."

Question 45

Which example best illustrates operant conditioning?

A) A man gets nauseated when he smells the same kind of food that once caused him food poisoning.
B) A man asks for a raise because, in the past, his requests have been successful.
C) A woman has been frightened by thunderstorms all her life.
D) A child watches a friend steal from a store, so he thinks he might steal sometime in the future.

Question 46

Which statement about classical conditioning is accurate ?

A) The conditioned response is a response the organism makes automatically when in the presence of the UCS.
B) Classical conditioning does not occur unless the associated stimuli are reinforced.
C) A reliable pairing of the UCS and the UCR leads to learning.
D) Classical conditioning involves involuntary responses.

Question 47

Patty knows that if she cries, she will get her way. Paul knows that if he cries. he will be ignored. Which model of behavior suggests that Patty will increase her crying and Paul will decrease his crying?

A) classical conditioning
B) operant conditioning
C) psychodynamic theory
D) observational learning

Question 48

Dr. White says, "Psychopathology is learned through a person's interactions with his or her environment." Dr. White's statement reflects which psychological model?

A) behavioral
B) psychodynamic
C) cognitive
D) biological

Question 49

A common myth about behavioral approaches assumes that people are ____.

A) empty organisms
B) active participants in the developmental process
C) overwhelmed by their free will
D) greatly affected by their internal mental life

Question 50

Which statement about classical conditioning is accurate ?

A) It was first described by Edward Thorndike after observing the behavior of cats.
B) It assumes that behavior is controlled by its consequences.
C) It explains most human behavior.
D) It was discovered by Ivan Pavlov when he was studying the digestive processes of dogs.

Question 51

In classical conditioning, behaviors are controlled by events that ____ the response, whereas in operant conditioning, they are controlled by events that ____ the response.

A) intensify; reduce
B) follow; precede
C) precede; follow
D) increase; decrease

Question 52

Classical conditioning has been useful in the field of abnormal psychology primarily by ____.

A) explaining the acquisition of phobias and other human behaviors
B) emphasizing the voluntary nature of human behavior
C) exploring how abnormal behavior is learned through observation of disturbed models
D) demonstrating the importance of the consequences of behavior

Question 53

Unlike operant or classical conditioning, in observational learning, ____.

A) direct reinforcement is necessary to establish behavior
B) new behaviors can be learned by watching others
C) reinforcement must precede the person's action
D) reinforcers are not necessary to maintain a behavior

Question 54

Watson and Rayner's famous research in classical conditioning was designed to explain the development of ____.

A) cognitive disorders
B) neuroses
C) phobias
D) depression

Question 55

A kindergarten teacher wants to reduce the amount of aggressiveness children display in her class and on the playground. Using operant conditioning principles, the teacher should ____.

A) use negative reinforcers to decrease the behavior
B) pair aggressiveness with some pleasant stimulus
C) eliminate the reinforcement associated with aggressiveness
D) encourage the children to get the aggressiveness out of their systems

Question 56

According to operant conditioning, self-injurious behavior may be learned through the use of ____.

A) reinforcement
B) personalization
C) implosion
D) modeling

Question 57

If a loud siren is sounded, any newborn infant will automatically scream. In classical conditioning terminology, the siren is a(n) ____.

A) conditioned response
B) unconditioned response
C) unconditioned stimulus
D) conditioned stimulus

Question 58

Erin has an exaggerated fear of flying. She refuses to board an airplane and avoids airports altogether. This is an example of associative learning; therefore, which type of therapy is most likely to be helpful in her case?

A) cognitive
B) classical conditioning
C) modeling
D) psychodynamic

Question 59

Classical conditioning is a form of associative learning. What exactly is associated?

A) internal models of the world and behavior
B) a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus
C) a behavior and its consequence
D) unconscious motivations and internal needs

Question 60

Which technique increases the frequency of a behavior because it removes or reduces an aversive (punishing) event?

A) positive reinforcement
B) vicarious conditioning
C) negative reinforcement
D) modeling

Question 61

According to Rogers, behavior disorders are the result of ____.

A) insufficient discipline of children by parents
B) observational learning from poor role models
C) fixation at early psychosexual stages
D) incongruence between self-concept and potential

Question 62

The humanistic approach and the ____ approach emphasize the subjective world of the individual. Both were developed as a reaction against the deterministic and mechanistic quality of early models of psychopathology.

A) existential
B) observational learning
C) multicultural
D) behavioral

Question 63

A person hears this from his therapist: "Your interpretation of the events in your life brings on your behaviors. If you can see yourself as less of a failure and more of a success, your behaviors will change." The therapist probably supports which approach to abnormal behavior?

A) cognitive-behavioral
B) operant conditioning
C) psychodynamic
D) family systems

Question 64

A mother says to her daughter, "I value you regardless of your behavior. I may disapprove of what you do, but I will still respect and love you." According to Rogers, this mother is ____.

A) increasing the incongruence between the child's self-concept and the child's behavior
B) expressing conditions of worth toward her daughter
C) providing unconditional positive regard
D) teaching the girl irrational beliefs

Question 65

Dr. Weinberg is a humanistically-oriented psychotherapist. Which comment about cognitive therapy is she most likely to make?

A) "People have the ability to make free choices and they are responsible for their own decisions."
B) "Therapists who use the ABC-theory are too passive; they should be more like teachers than listeners."
C) "Cognitive therapists put too much emphasis on childhood experiences and not enough on choices one makes in life."
D) "Thoughts are not observable, so they have no place in science."

Question 66

Dr. Abdul explains to his students, "There are two key things to understand about this therapeutic approach. First, the best way to understand an individual's behavior is to see the world from that person's point of view. Second, people are able to make free choices in life." Which theoretical approach is Dr. Abdul discussing?

A) psychodynamic
B) humanistic
C) cognitive
D) behavioral

Question 67

Dr. Danvers is a firm believer in Ellis's REBT theory. Given that, what can we expect Dr. Danvers to say?

A) "People are less troubled by their thoughts regarding the events in their lives than the actual events themselves."
B) "Belief that an event is unfortunate leads to a healthier consequence than belief that an event is a catastrophe."
C) "Our reactions are due to our learned associations."
D) "Depression is something you are most likely born with and can never really escape."

Question 68

Unlike the early behaviorists, behaviorally-oriented mental health professionals today ____.

A) are more focused on the importance of behavioral consequences
B) are interested in understanding the effects of internal mental processes on the acquisition and treatment of disorders
C) reject the notion that internal mental processes affect the acquisition of disorders
D) emphasize the importance of conditioning

Question 69

When John was growing up, he saw his older brother severely beaten by their father after the brother was caught drinking a beer. Since then, John has never had a beer in his life. What form of learning does this best illustrate?

A) classical conditioning
B) instrumental learning
C) observational learning
D) operant conditioning

Question 70

Shelly says, "I think that everyone has an inherent tendency to strive toward their full potential. It shows in our creativity and delight in discovering new things." Shelly's thoughts illustrate ____.

A) Maslow's term "self-actualization"
B) Thorndike's principle "the law of effect"
C) Freud's view of unconscious influences on our development
D) Ellis's concept of rational beliefs

Question 71

A major contribution of the humanistic perspective is its ____.

A) insistence on rigorous empirical studies
B) primary focus on improving the mental health of persons with serious disorders
C) positive view of the individual
D) emphasis on blocked instinctual forces

Question 72

As a person-centered therapist, Dr. Finn wants his clients to discover their strengths and their full potential. As a result, Dr. Finn will most likely ____.

A) provide unconditional positive regard to the client
B) make suggestions for ways his clients can increase their strength and potential
C) point out how his clients get in the way of developing their strength and potential
D) reinforce the behaviors his clients use that promote their strength and potential

Question 73

Dr. Ansorg believes that her clients can acquire appropriate social skills by watching her interact with other people in a social setting. Dr. Ansorg assumes which paradigm of learning?

A) classical conditioning
B) observational learning
C) operant conditioning
D) psychodynamic

Question 74

Schema and irrational thoughts are two terms that are used in which model of psychopathology?

A) family systems
B) behavioral
C) cognitive-behavioral
D) multicultural

Question 75

Dr. Alcott makes the following statement about Janet's depression: "Your depression may be due to your misperception of this unfortunate situation and your tendency to blame yourself for events that are beyond your control. What we need to do is help you to recognize and modify your irrational beliefs." Dr. Alcott's comments are characteristic of the ____.

A) behavioral model
B) cognitive-behavioral model
C) humanistic model
D) psychodynamic model

Question 76

Which technique is most consistent with person-centered therapy?

A) Express and communicate respect.
B) Tell a client how to think about a problem.
C) Help a client achieve insight into inner motivations and desires.
D) Recognize the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Question 77

According to Rogers, which aspect of a therapeutic relationship is most important?

A) well-developed counseling techniques
B) interpretation of transference
C) the therapist's attitude
D) insight into the client's problems

Question 78

Cognitive-behavioral theorists emphasize that disturbed individuals ____.

A) come from disturbed families
B) live in stressful environments
C) have irrational and maladaptive thoughts
D) are deficient in interpersonal skills

Question 79

One strength of the behavioral model is that it ____.

A) emphasizes the impact of environment on behavior
B) is applied to explain intrapsychic conflict
C) is not restricted by adherence to scientific methodology
D) highlights the subjective life of the individual

Question 80

Who developed the REBT theory of personality and irrational beliefs?

A) Ellis
B) Minuchin
C) Beck
D) Satir