Question 1

In Aaron Beck's model of depression, the cognitive triad consists of

Accepted Answer

The cognitive triad in Aaron Beck's model of depression consists of three types of negative thoughts: negative thoughts about oneself, negative thoughts about the world, and negative thoughts about the future. These negative thoughts or beliefs can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, which are common in depression. Option A is incorrect because past, present, and future expectations are not three types of negative thoughts in Beck's model. Option C and D refer to different models of the human mind and are unrelated to Beck's model of depression.

Question 2

Dr. Pambros returns Abnormal Psychology exams. Juanita, Kevin, and Morgan all receive grades of "C." Juanita is grateful to have passed. Kevin is devastated. Morgan is mildly disappointed but recognizes that there are three remaining exams that could boost his grade. How would the cognitive model explain the different responses of these students to the same event?

Accepted Answer

According to the cognitive model, it is not the event itself that determines a person's emotional response, but rather their thoughts and interpretations of the event. In this case, Juanita's interpretation was that passing was a positive outcome, Kevin's interpretation was that a "C" was a failure, and Morgan's interpretation was that there are still opportunities to improve their grade. The event of receiving a "C" grade is essentially neutral, and it is each individual's thoughts about it that ultimately determine their emotional response.

Question 3

In Pavlov's experiment with dogs, classical conditioning was demonstrated when

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning was demonstrated when the previously neutral stimulus (CS), which initially did not elicit a response, was paired with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to produce a conditioned response (CR). In Pavlov's experiment, the sound of a bell (CS) was repeatedly paired with the presentation of food (UCS) until eventually the dogs learned to salivate (CR) at the sound of the bell alone. Therefore, the correct choice is C, the CS elicited the CR.

Question 4

Freud and his successor, Carl Jung, had fundamental disagreements about the motivation for behavior. While Freud thought that past events and sexual impulses were important, Jung believed that

Accepted Answer

Jung believed that future goals and spiritual motivators could be just as important as past events and sexual impulses in motivating behavior. His theory of the collective unconscious also emphasized the role of inherited, universal archetypes in shaping behavior. While past events and sexual impulses were still seen as significant by Jung, they were not the only factors driving behavior.

Question 5

Every time little Jeffrey goes shopping with his mom, there is an incident at the checkout line when he spots candy. Typically, Jeffrey's mom initially refuses his request for a candy bar. When the child throws himself to the floor kicking and screaming, Jeffrey's mom gives in and hands him the candy bar to end the embarrassing scene. In operant conditioning terms, what is maintaining the child's "checkout tantrums"?

Accepted Answer

The child's behavior of throwing a tantrum is being reinforced by the positive outcome of receiving candy. In this case, positive reinforcement is maintaining the behavior.

Question 6

Which of the following reinforcers meets the criterion for being "primary"?

Accepted Answer

Primary reinforcers are those that are naturally reinforcing without prior learning or conditioning. Attention, which is a form of social interaction, is a primary reinforcer because individuals have an innate need for social interaction and derive pleasure from it. Money, grades, and power are all examples of secondary or conditioned reinforcers that gain their reinforcing power through association with primary reinforcers.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the viral infection theory as it relates to the development of psychological disorders is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The viral infection theory suggests that viral infections may take several pathways in producing disordered behavior, including direct infection and changes in the immune system. Therefore, option D is the correct answer as it reflects the true nature of the viral infection theory. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not reflect the complexity of the relationship between viral infections and psychological disturbances.

Question 8

In the classical conditioning paradigm demonstrated by Pavlov through his study of the physiology of dog digestion, what was the UCS?

Accepted Answer

The UCS, or unconditioned stimulus, in Pavlov's dog study was the food powder that would naturally elicit salivation in the dogs.

Question 9

Derek did not clean the dishes even though it was his turn. As a result, his parents told him he could not go to his friend's house to play. What did his parents engage in?

Accepted Answer

Derek's parents engaged in punishment by taking away something he wanted (going to his friend's house to play) in response to his failure to complete his assigned task (cleaning the dishes).

Question 10

Neurons release neurotransmitters into synapses. These neurotransmitters

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the next neuron, which can either excite or inhibit the neuron from firing an action potential. This allows for communication between neurons and is the basis for neural signaling in the brain and nervous system.

Question 11

Whereas the behavioral approach focuses on ________, the cognitive model targets _______ in explaining behavior.

Accepted Answer

The behavioral approach looks to explain behavior through external events (such as rewards and punishments), while the cognitive model targets mental processes (such as thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs) in explaining behavior.

Question 12

John B. Watson, the founder of behaviorism, maintained that

Accepted Answer

John B. Watson believed in the theory of behaviorism which suggests that behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment. Watson believed that all behaviors, even complex human behaviors, could be broken down into specific stimulus-response patterns that could be studied scientifically. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 13

If a psychologist defines herself as a "scientist-practitioner," what do we automatically know about her through this label?

Accepted Answer

By identifying as a "scientist-practitioner," we know that the psychologist values both scientific research and practical application in her work. This means that she is likely to rely on the latest research findings when providing patient care and treatment, ensuring that her practice is evidence-based and of high quality.

Question 14

In operant conditioning, a reinforcer serves to _______ a behavior it follows.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a reinforcer is to increase or strengthen the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future by providing a desirable consequence or reward.

Question 15

Object relations theory proposes that people have a basic drive for

Accepted Answer

Object relations theory focuses on how individuals develop and maintain relationships with others, emphasizing the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping these relationships. Therefore, the theory proposes that people have a basic drive for engaging in social interactions.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about reinforcement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is defined by its effect on behavior; if it increases the likelihood of the behavior occurring again, it is considered reinforcement. What constitutes reinforcement can vary greatly among individuals, meaning a stimulus that is reinforcing for one person might not be reinforcing for another, and could even serve as a punishment. This variability underscores the subjective nature of reinforcement.

Question 17

Which of the following forms of learning explains why television has a profound effect on children's learning?

Accepted Answer

Vicarious conditioning, also known as observational learning, is the process of learning by watching the behaviors of others and experiencing the consequences of those behaviors. Television provides a constant stream of models for children to observe and learn from, making it a powerful tool for vicarious learning.

Question 18

According to Freud, which of the following was critical to overcoming psychological difficulties?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, insight was critical to overcoming psychological difficulties because it allowed the individual to understand and become aware of their unconscious conflicts and issues. Through this awareness, the individual could work to resolve these conflicts and achieve psychological health. Empathy and hypnosis were not specifically emphasized by Freud as critical components of overcoming psychological difficulties, and regression (returning to an earlier developmental stage) was seen as a potential negative outcome of psychotherapy rather than a critical process for achieving psychological health.

Question 19

Dr. Barstow is treating a young man who is afraid of dogs. One method he uses is progressive muscle relaxation using vivid imagery. Once the patient is relaxed, Dr. Barstow introduces the patient to a picture of a dog with instructions to "Breathe deeply and remain calm and relaxed." Which learning principle established by Wolpe is being employed in this example?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Barstow is employing the learning principle of reciprocal inhibition, as he is introducing a relaxing response (progressive muscle relaxation and vivid imagery) to counteract the fear response elicited by the picture of a dog. This is based on Wolpe's theory that two incompatible responses cannot exist simultaneously, and the inhibitory response will be strengthened over time through repeated exposure. Mindfulness, negative reinforcement, and backward chaining are not applicable in this example.

Question 20

Biological scarring, as seen in some disorders such as PTSD, demonstrates that

Accepted Answer

Biological scarring refers to the changes in the brain that occur as a result of a disorder such as PTSD. This demonstrates that the brain may change as a result of the disorder, indicating that the brain may be scarred or altered from the experience. This supports option B. It does not necessarily mean that the brain cannot heal itself or that brain plasticity is impossible, so options A and D can be ruled out. While genetics may play a role in vulnerability to a disorder, this is not specifically demonstrated by biological scarring, so option C is not the best choice.

Quiz 1: Abnormal Psychology: Historical and Modern Perspectives