Deck 2: Research Methods in Abnormal Psychology

Question 1

Which statement is TRUE of the two hemispheres of the brain?:

A) The left hemisphere processes information in a more holistic fashion.
B) The right hemisphere processes the world in a more logical manner.
C) There is substantial cross-talk between the two hemispheres?
D) The left hemisphere is more associated with creativity and intuition.

Answer 1

There is substantial cross-talk between the two hemispheres?

Question 2

You are referred a patient who is experiencing difficulty walking and maintaining balance when upright. Given your understanding of the brain and its functioning, where might you suspect a lesion?

A) Cerebellum
B) Corpus callosum
C) Cerebral cortex
D) Forebrain

Answer 2

Cerebellum

Question 3

An older client is being evaluated for memory deficits. After completing an assessment, the clinician suspects that the client suffers from Alzheimer's disease. This client would most likely have problems in which part of the limbic system?

A) Caudate
B) Amygdala
C) Cingulate gyrus
D) Hippocampus

Answer 3

Hippocampus

Question 4

An evolutionary perspective has revealed that

A) some parts of the brain offer no obvious evolutionary advantage.
B) the prevalence of certain disorders varies across cultures.
C) some parts of the brain function in isolation.
D) brain areas associated with the most basic aspects of functioning appeared earliest during evolution.

Question 5

The endocrine system regulates bodily systems through

A) electrical impulses.
B) neural pathways.
C) hormones.
D) neural impulses.

Question 6

The human nervous system is composed of two parts, the

A) autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system.
B) peripheral nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
C) peripheral nervous system and the brain nervous system.
D) central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Question 7

The fiber used by a cell to transport information to other cells is called a(n)

A) axon
B) dendrite
C) soma
D) synapse

Question 8

The experience of emotion, the regulation of emotional expression, and basic biological drives are of particular interest in abnormal psychology. These functions are controlled by structures in the ________ system.

A) limbic
B) endocrine
C) nervous
D) reticular activating

Question 9

Translational research is best described as research that

A) is directed toward finding immediate cures for specific clinical disorders.
B) focuses on cross-cultural communication patterns.
C) focuses on communication between basic science and applied clinical research.
D) is translated into easy to understand language and dialects.

Question 10

Kathleen has been arrested several times for shoplifting. Because she is a repeat offender, the judge requested a psychological evaluation. The results show a young woman with difficulty thinking through problems and generating appropriate solutions. In addition, she has impaired judgment and difficulty controlling impulses. What brain lobe would most likely be involved in this type of cognitive dysfunction?

A) Frontal
B) Temporal
C) Occipital
D) Parietal

Question 11

The oldest part of the brain is the

A) brain stem.
B) cerebellum.
C) medulla.
D) pons.

Question 12

The brain area that is the center of visual processing is the _____ lobe.

A) frontal
B) temporal
C) occipital
D) parietal

Question 13

The pituitary gland is known as the "master gland." In females, it controls many functions including the menstrual cycle, lactation, and

A) weight
B) metabolism.
C) birth.
D) hormonal mood swings.

Question 14

You are walking toward your car in the campus parking garage late at night. Suddenly, you hear a car horn and are startled. Instantaneously, your heart begins to race and your breathing becomes shallow. Which system of your body responded to the car horn?

A) Sympathetic nervous system
B) Parasympathetic nervous system
C) Peripheral nervous system
D) Sensory-somatic nervous system

Question 15

Which of the following is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

A) Regulation of sleep and arousal systems
B) Maintenance of homeostasis
C) Coordination of fine motor movement
D) Regulation of emotions

Question 16

After being startled by a balloon that popped, you once again calm down. Which nervous systems, in order, are involved in this example?

A) peripheral; autonomic
B) autonomic; parasympathetic
C) sympathetic; parasympathetic
D) parasympathetic; sympathetic

Question 17

Drug treatments affect neurotransmitters mainly by influencing their

A) availability or action in the brain.
B) mimicry or availability in the brain.
C) potential for synthesis in the brain.
D) synergistic interactions in the brain.

Question 18

You are able to read and understand this question because of processing and information integration that takes place in your

A) hindbrain.
B) brain stem.
C) midbrain.
D) cerebral cortex.

Question 19

The case of Henry Gustav Molaison, cited in your text, demonstrates two significant findings about the relationship between memory and the hippocampus: short-term memories are not dependent on a functioning hippocampus, and long-term memories

A) must be stored in the hippocampus.
B) employ an indirect route for processing.
C) must pass through the hippocampus to be stored.
D) may bypass the hippocampus entirely.

Question 20

The brain stem is critical to survival because it

A) regulates higher cognitive functioning.
B) mediates responses between the autonomic and peripheral nervous system.
C) controls most of the biological functions associated with living.
D) contains the area known as the cerebral cortex.

Question 21

Genomewide linkage analysis allows researchers studying a disorder to focus on specific areas on specific chromosomes through using large families with the disorder or

A) large groups of non-relatives affected by the disorder.
B) large samples of affected relative pairs.
C) members of large families matched against cohorts from the general population.
D) large samples of non-affected relative pairs.

Question 22

The most important function of neurotransmitters in the brain is to relay electrical signals

A) down the axon.
B) through the cerebral cortex.
C) across the synapse.
D) between the brain hemispheres.

Question 23

A researcher is interested in studying the effect of orange juice on test performance. She will evaluate the test performance of students who drink the juice a half-hour before the test against the performance of students who receive nothing to drink before the test. The groups are equivalent in terms of demographics, intelligence, and prior college classes. In this example, the orange juice would be the

A) experimental control.
B) experimental variable.
C) control variable.
D) comparison control.

Question 24

Which of the following is a type of study included in the area of behavioral genetics?

A) Familial aggregation study
B) Genomewide linkage analysis
C) Candidate gene association study
D) Genomewide association study

Question 25

The term "complex trait" implies that

A) two genes alone interact to form complex behavioral patterns seen in psychological disorders.
B) genes mutate under the influence of environmental factors resulting in complex behavioral patterns.
C) the environment is more influential in the development of complex behaviors such as those seen in mental illness.
D) given mental disorders or behavioral traits are influenced by many genes in interaction with environmental factors.

Question 26

One Minnesota study highlighting the importance of genetic factors in determining IQ was conducted

A) on MZ twins reared together.
B) on MZ twins reared apart.
C) on DZ twins reared together.
D) on DZ twins reared apart.

Question 27

Which of the following neuroimaging techniques uses a radioactive substance and allows us to trace neuotransmitter pathways in the brain?

A) Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan)
B) Functional MRI (fMRI)
C) CAT scan
D) MRI

Question 28

The human genome contains approximately ________ genes.

A) 5,000 to 10,000
B) 20,000 to 25,000
C) 50,000 to 75,000
D) 50,000 to 100,000

Question 29

Which of the following is a method of molecular genetics?

A) Longitudinal Design
B) Single-Case Design
C) Familial Aggregation Study
D) Candidate Gene Association Study

Question 30

Dr. Shomeyer is conducting a twin study in order to determine the presence of ADHD in familial cohorts. Ultimately, she hopes to uncover information on the degree to which the disorder might be heritable. Dr. Shomeyer's methodology would be described as a __________ approach.

A) candidate gene
B) genomewide
C) behavioral genetic
D) familial determinism

Question 31

One difficulty associated with family studies is that

A) they do not indicate whether symptoms "run in families."
B) it is not possible to separate the influence of genetics from that of the environment.
C) the drop-out rate for family members tends to be high.
D) it is difficult to determine the contribution of dominant versus recessive genes in family members.

Question 32

Single-case research designs

A) provide information about covarying variables in among large samples.
B) depend on the random assignment of participants to groups.
C) allow researchers to demonstrate causal relationships in a single individual.
D) provide data about the development of mental disorders across the lifespan.

Question 33

The fact that there is considerable variation among individuals in height, eye color, and other characteristics demonstrates Mendel's law of

A) independent assortment.
B) segregation.
C) allele assortment.
D) independent segregation

Question 34

Which of the following IS a benefit of the case study method?

A) It allows for the examination of rare disorders or conditions.
B) It provides valuable data about the development of mental illness across the lifespan.
C) It allows for the evaluation of large groups with rare disorders.
D) It allows researchers to draw cause-and-effect conclusion.

Question 35

The person sitting next to you has blue eyes. What do we know about that person given Mendel's law of segregation and what was said about eye color in the text?

A) The law of segregation was violated in this case.
B) A genetic mutation for brown eyes caused the color shift.
C) The blue eyes are due to the receipt of two recessive genes.
D) The person received a dominant parental gene for blue eyes.

Question 36

One way to overcome a limitation of the case study method is to

A) standardize the types of treatment methods used.
B) vary the number of sessions used.
C) generate conclusions as to the cause of a disorder in a case report.
D) vary the levels of the independent variable.

Question 37

Adoption studies provide a rich setting for discriminating between the contributions of genetics and environment on behavior. In such a study, which of the following would indicate an environmental influence on behavior?

A) An adoptive parent selects a child to adopt who is similar in temperament.
B) An adopted child is more similar in behavior to a biological parent than to an adoptive parent.
C) The adopted child and the adoptive parent are similar in a behavioral trait.
D) An adoptee in a selective placement is similar in behavior to the adoptive parent.

Question 38

The behavioral genetics approach

A) examines the direct influence of genes by studying behavior at the cellular level.
B) cannot explain how genes and environment influences behavior.
C) is a strict behavioral approach to studying the influence of the environment on the expression of physical traits in related individuals.
D) relies on family, twin, and adoption studies to investigate gene/environment interactions.

Question 39

A researcher has asked you and your family to participate in a study of depression. Each member is given a checklist and asked questions about themselves and other family members. Which type of study is most closely associated with the method outlined in this example?

A) Family Aggregate Method
B) Family Proband Method
C) Family History Method
D) Family Correlational Method

Question 40

Both CAT scans and MRIs are neuroimaging techniques that allow us to understand brain structures. While the CAT scan relies on __________, the MRI uses _______ to produce images of the brain.

A) radiofrequency waves; radioactive dye and x-rays
B) radioactive dye; x-rays and positrons
C) radioactive dye and x-rays; radiofrequency waves and magnetic fields
D) radioactive positrons; magnetic fields

Question 41

With respect to randomized controlled designs, reliability is to validity as _____ is to _____.

A) generality; accuracy
B) generality; consistency
C) accuracy; consistency
D) consistency; accuracy

Question 42

In the use of randomized controlled designs, as internal validity increases,

A) external validity increases.
B) external validity decreases.
C) efficacy decreases.
D) effectiveness increases.

Question 43

Random assignment to groups is a critical part of the methodology in controlled design experiments because each participant has

A) an equal opportunity of being assigned to either group.
B) benefit of the treatment intervention.
C) an equal opportunity of being part of the analogue sample.
D) an ethical right to be a member of either group.

Question 44

Efficacy research is to effectiveness research as ______ is to ______.

A) internal validity; external validity
B) external validity; internal validity
C) clinical significance; statistical significance
D) generalizability; internal validity

Question 45

A psychologist designs a study to investigate the effect of diaphragmatic breathing on test anxiety. After recruiting test-anxious subjects, the researcher splits the group so that two equivalent groups are created. One group is taught the method of breathing and asked to use it before taking a verbal memory test, while the other group is not taught the technique. After scoring the tests and conducting a statistical test, the researcher finds that the group that received the training significantly outperformed the other group. In this design, the test scores for each group would be

A) an example of a correlational outcome.
B) the independent variable.
C) the dependent variable.
D) considered random.

Question 46

Correlation coefficients obtained in group research studies indicate the

A) causal link between two variables.
B) degree of association between two variables.
C) degree to which a treatment has an effect.
D) effect of the independent variable.

Question 47

Your college newspaper features a headline reading, "COUNSELING CENTER RESEARCHER SEEKING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR SMOKING STUDY. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PAID FOR THEIR TIME." This type of recruitment is most typical of which of the following research techniques?

A) Clinical sample
B) Analogue sample
C) Random sample
D) Correlational study

Question 48

Research guidelines from the National Institutes of Health have emphasized the importance of including ________ in clinical research.

A) balanced conditions
B) diverse participants
C) older cohorts
D) large groups

Question 49

A major drawback of the ABAB reversal design lies in

A) the length of time it takes to complete all of the treatment conditions.
B) the fact that there are limits to generalizability of results to other cases.
C) its limited use with adults and developmentally disabled persons.
D) the problem of determining accurate baselines for behaviors targeted for treatment.

Question 50

A research study produces a negative correlation between hours of sleep and test performance. Given this, what do we know about the relationship of the variables?

A) As hours of sleep decrease, test performance increases.
B) As hours of sleep increase, test performance increases.
C) There is no relationship between the variables.
D) There is a significant relationship between the variables.

Question 51

In order to draw causal conclusions about a research finding, a researcher must use a

A) correlational design.
B) controlled groups design.
C) random case study design.
D) multiple groups correlational design.

Question 52

In an experiment involving a specific form of therapy, the independent variable is the

A) outcome of the intervention.
B) variable that serves as a moderator.
C) treatment administered.
D) variable not manipulated by the experimenter.

Question 53

The type of sample selected for a research study affects the recruitment strategy for participants as well as the

A) number of dependent variables studied.
B) number of conditions in a study.
C) length of the study.
D) generalizability of the study findings.

Question 54

Select the following correlation that demonstrates the strongest relationship between two variables.

A) +.20
B) -.76
C) -.50
D) +.75

Question 55

The case of Caitlin, used in the text, demonstrated that the psychologist's intervention for trichotillomania was effective when applied in an ABAB reversal design. In this case, what signaled the success of the intervention?

A) The decrease in targeted behavior during the A phase.
B) The increase in targeted behavior during the B phase.
C) The increase in targeted behavior during the A phase.
D) The decrease in targeted behavior during the B phase.

Question 56

In correlational research, it is possible that a third variable influences the relationship of the other two variables. This type of variable is labeled a(n)

A) independent variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) moderator variable.
D) indirect variable.

Question 57

To maximize the internal validity of an experiment, it is best to make sure that

A) patients are fully aware of which condition of the independent variable they are receiving.
B) a heterogeneous group of patients are selected for the study.
C) the control and experimental groups receive the same experience except for the dependent variable.
D) the control and experimental groups receive the same experience during the study except for the independent variable.

Question 58

Whereas efficacy research focuses on ________, effectiveness research targets _________.

A) causal relationships; success rates.
B) cost-benefit ratio; causal relationships
C) causal relationships; cost-benefit ratios
D) success rates; causal relationships

Question 59

When considering a curvilinear relationship between two variables, it is important to recognize that

A) the strength of the relationship is underestimated by the correlation coefficient.
B) there is no relationship on which to base generalizations.
C) by virtue of fitting a straight line, a perfect prediction is possible.
D) one must be tentative in making causal statements.

Question 60

The "placebo response" discussed in your text is the result of ________ on the part of the _________.

A) expectations; researcher
B) blinded treatment; researcher
C) expectations; participant
D) blinded treatment; participant

Question 61

The statistical significance of a research finding refers to the

A) relevance of clinical results.
B) degree to which the treatment group reports symptom reduction.
C) probability that findings did not occur by chance.
D) judgment of a clinician that the results are important.

Question 62

One major limitation of group-based research in earlier clinical research in abnormal psychology is the

A) over reliance on self-report measures.
B) overuse of white college students as participants.
C) failure to use blind conditions.
D) inappropriate use of statistical procedures.

Question 63

In observational epidemiology, the most common method of data collection used for evaluating the presence of psychological disorders is a(n)

A) self-report.
B) psychiatric rating scale.
C) unstructured interview.
D) diagnostic interview.

Question 64

Epidemiological investigators are planning an experiment targeting an increase in the number of adolescent women seeking prenatal care. They have identified two urban communities that have similar rates of teen pregnancy. The intervention will consist of a public awareness campaign through local media and advertising and brochures distributed through high schools. Community A is given the experimental intervention, while Community B serves as the control group. The best measure of the effectiveness of the intervention would be the number of

A) the number of adolescent pregnancies during the period of the campaign.
B) the average health ratings given by a physician to pregnant adolescents during the period of the campaign.
C) the number of births by adolescents during the period of the campaign.
D) pregnant adolescents seeking prenatal care for the first time during the period of the campaign.

Question 65

In a longitudinal study of depression in children cited in your text, it was found that as girls with a history of depression matured, they were more likely to

A) develop eating disorders.
B) develop conduct disorders.
C) drop out of the study.
D) report substance abuse problems.

Question 66

A placebo control group is one in which

A) no active treatment is given.
B) participants do not really have the disorder under study.
C) assessment is not provided.
D) blindedness is of no concern.

Question 67

Randomized controlled designs depend on two conditions in assessment instruments. What are they?

A) standardization, efficacy
B) reliability, validity
C) validity, efficacy
D) efficacy, reliability

Question 68

A psychologist is interested in finding the lifetime prevalence rate for substance abuse in the U.S. His main interest is in learning

A) the number of people who currently report substance abuse problems.
B) the number of people who report substance abuse problems at any point in their lives.
C) whether the number of people who report developing substance abuse problems has increased within the last year.
D) if the rate of substance abuse is higher in adolescence than adulthood.

Question 69

A researcher is interested in evaluating rates of posttraumatic stress disorder for firefighters involved in 9/11. In this example, participants would be labeled a(n) ________ cohort.

A) inception
B) birth
C) exposure
D) incident

Question 70

In the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) study published in 2005 and discussed in your text, results indicated that ________ of respondents met diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder within the last year.

A) 26%
B) 12%
C) 52%
D) 31%

Question 71

In addition to increasing generalizability of research results, increased diversity in samples allows psychologists to evaluate ________ that may affect assessment and treatment.

A) clinical significance
B) cultural differences
C) statistical significance
D) design differences

Question 72

The epidemiological approach to the study of abnormal behavior is one that

A) grew out of a need to evaluate disorders within older cohorts.
B) focuses on behavioral aberrations at the subgroup level.
C) focuses on behavioral aberrations at the population level.
D) primarily focuses on the causes of behavioral disorders.

Question 73

According to your text, both ________ and women were excluded from clinical research well into the 1980's.

A) adolescents
B) children
C) older adults
D) toddlers

Question 74

The National Institutes of Health is conducting a study of aging that has been in progress for several years. This study requires that each participant agree to undergo a complete psychological and physical evaluation every three years. Information from this study has generated new findings in risk factors for many disorders. This research has a ________ design.

A) cross-sectional
B) randomized controlled
C) longitudinal
D) controlled case study

Question 75

Which of the following designs captures a "snapshot" of a cohort at one time?

A) Cross-sectional
B) Longitudinal
C) Randomized controlled
D) ABAB reversal

Question 76

Longitudinal studies provide valuable data about which of the following?

A) how mental illness is currently perceived by people in different regions of the country
B) how mental illness develops across the life span
C) how labels for mental illness currently vary from one culture to the next
D) how labels for mental illness stigmatize persons when they apply for a job

Question 77

To encourage gender, age, racial, and ethnic diversity, the National Institutes of Health require all grant applications to include ________ for traditionally underrepresented groups.

A) recruitment strategies
B) participant guidelines
C) recruiters
D) projected drop-out rates

Question 78

During the first half of the twentieth century, unethical research practices occurred in some clinical studies. This caused ________, which led diverse groups to become reluctant to participate in research.

A) outrage by ethicists
B) widespread regulation of research
C) increased federal oversight
D) a lack of trust

Question 79

Dr. Santiago is interested in evaluating the prevalence of binge drinking in freshmen and seniors at a local college. After collecting data from a self-report survey, he concludes that freshmen have a higher rate of binge drinking than seniors. Given these findings, what is Dr. Santiago able to conclude from the research?

A) Freshmen will continue to drink at this rate throughout their college careers.
B) The freshman rate for binge drinking will decrease as students move closer to graduation.
C) Seniors most likely engaged in high rates of binge drinking as freshmen.
D) Freshmen binge drink more than seniors in this college at this time.

Question 80

Research conducted at the cellular level is one of the newest and most exciting areas of study for abnormal psychology.