Question 1

Someone who studies the history of the field of abnormal psychology MOST likely would compare our current understanding of abnormal behavior to a book that:

Accepted Answer

The field of abnormal psychology is continuously evolving with new research, theories, and treatments being developed. This means our understanding of abnormal behavior is like a book that is still being written, as we constantly add new knowledge and revise existing understandings.

Question 2

At one time, reimbursements for mental disorders tended to be lower than those for physical disorders. Which of the following was a response to correct that?

Accepted Answer

Parity laws were enacted to require insurance companies to provide the same level of benefits for mental health care as they do for physical health care, addressing the disparity in reimbursements.

Question 3

The main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that:

Accepted Answer

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders, and is qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, whereas psychologists typically cannot, focusing instead on providing psychotherapy and behavioral interventions.

Question 4

Which statement is TRUE about the participation of women in the mental health professions?

Accepted Answer

Social work has historically and currently has the highest percentage of women among the mental health professions. This is due to a variety of factors, including the profession's focus on care, community, and advocacy, which have traditionally attracted more women.

Question 5

Research suggests that one negative effect of adolescents using social media sites is that these sites may:

Accepted Answer

Social media sites can increase peer pressure among adolescents as they compare themselves with their peers, leading to various negative effects such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and unhealthy behaviors.

Question 6

A person who works in a mental hospital analyzing various treatment protocols to see how multicultural factors impact success rates is MOST likely to be a:

Accepted Answer

Clinical researchers focus on studying various aspects of health care, including treatment protocols and their effectiveness. In this scenario, analyzing how multicultural factors impact treatment success rates in a mental hospital aligns with the work of a clinical researcher, who would systematically study and evaluate the outcomes of different treatment approaches.

Question 7

Some mental health professionals are concerned about the increased availability of mental health information online. Which is NOT a reason for their concern?

Accepted Answer

Concerns from mental health professionals about online mental health information primarily focus on the accuracy and potential harm of the information, not on financial loss due to self-care practices.

Question 8

What percentage of current psychology graduate students are female?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Psychological Association, as of recent years, approximately 74 percent of psychology graduate students are female. This reflects a longstanding trend in psychology and other social sciences, where female participation has been significantly higher than male participation.

Question 9

Which statement BEST describes the effect of technology on mental health?

Accepted Answer

Technology introduces new stimuli that can trigger or exacerbate abnormal behaviors, such as excessive use leading to addiction or the way social media can impact self-esteem and anxiety. While technology's impact on mental health is complex and multifaceted, it's recognized that it can both negatively and positively affect mental health, depending on usage patterns and individual circumstances.

Question 10

A therapist has a client complete an exercise in which the person imagines a future where everything has worked out. The goal of the exercise is to increase that person's optimism. This therapist is practicing:

Accepted Answer

This exercise is an example of positive psychology, which focuses on enhancing individual strengths and promoting well-being and happiness, rather than merely treating mental illness.

Question 11

One major difference between psychiatrists and clinical psychologists is that psychiatrists:

Accepted Answer

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who have attended medical school, which is the primary distinction between them and clinical psychologists. Clinical psychologists typically have a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) but do not attend medical school.

Question 12

Today, the dominant form of insurance coverage for mental health patients is:

Accepted Answer

Managed care has become the dominant form of insurance coverage for mental health patients, as it aims to control costs and manage the quality of care through various mechanisms, such as pre-authorization for services, utilization review, and provider networks.

Question 13

The use of various technologies to deliver mental health services without the therapist being physically present is called:

Accepted Answer

Telemental health refers to the use of telecommunications or digital technology to provide mental health services remotely, without the need for the therapist and the client to be in the same physical location.

Question 14

The specialty that presently has the largest number of practitioners is:

Accepted Answer

Social work has the largest number of practitioners among the options provided. This is due to the broad scope of services and support that social workers provide across various settings, including healthcare, schools, government institutions, and private practice. Social workers address a wide range of issues, such as mental health, family services, child welfare, and social justice, making it a large and diverse field.

Question 15

Before the 1950s, psychotherapy was offered only by:

Accepted Answer

Before the 1950s, psychotherapy was primarily offered by psychiatrists. At that time, psychiatry was the branch of medicine specifically concerned with the study and treatment of mental illnesses and disorders, which included providing psychotherapy. Other professionals like neurologists, hypnotists, and psychotherapists as we understand them today, did not have the same role or recognition in offering psychotherapy during that period.

Quiz 1: Abnormal Psychology: Past and Present