Question 1

Ali has a spider phobia. To overcome this phobia, his therapist has him develop a list of least-to-most feared situations involving spiders. Ali engaged in the least-feared situation, looking at spider pictures in a book. Then he moved to looking at a spider from across a room, touching a spider, and finally getting a tarantula as a pet. This method is known as __________, which incorporates __________.

Accepted Answer

The method described is systematic desensitization therapy, which incorporates in vivo exposure. This is a type of exposure therapy used to treat phobias, where a patient gradually confronts their fear in a controlled manner, starting with the least-feared situation and progressing to more anxiety-provoking ones. The goal is for the patient to learn that the feared stimulus (in this case, spiders) is not actually dangerous, and to reduce their fear response over time.

Question 2

Lola works with clients who are overcoming social phobias. She often models appropriate social behaviors for shopping or meeting new people at a party. Her hope with this kind of __________ is that her clients will feel more comfortable and effective in their daily interactions with others.

Accepted Answer

Lola is helping her clients improve their abilities to interact with others through modeling appropriate behaviors, which is the basis of social skills training. This therapy focuses on teaching social behaviors, such as communication and assertiveness skills, to help individuals feel more comfortable and effective in their daily interactions. The other options, systematic desensitization therapy, cognitive restructuring, and in vivo exposure, are all types of therapy that target specific issues related to anxiety and phobias, but they do not specifically address social skills.

Question 3

For which of the following phobias would virtual reality graded exposure therapy be most well-advised?

Accepted Answer

Virtual reality graded exposure therapy is particularly effective for phobias related to environments or situations that can be simulated, such as heights.

Question 4

Dr. Bregel is a behavior therapist. When working with a client, Dr. Bregel seeks to change the client's behavior by

Accepted Answer

Behavior therapy focuses on changing observable behaviors, which is what Dr. Bregel is doing by helping the client learn more adaptive behaviors.

Question 5

When Super Instructor first started teaching, he was terrified of speaking in front of groups. As he began his first lecture, he was so nervous that his voice shook and he felt close to tears. By the end of the lecture, he was calm. His experience is an example of the __________ technique, which is based on __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Super Instructor first started teaching, he...

Question 6

Magdalena works with teens at the juvenile detention center. She helps the teen's practice skills that will help them integrate back into school more effectively. The teens are rewarded when they follow specific rules for appropriate behaviors. This system operates primarily on the use of

Accepted Answer

The system of rewarding the teens for following specific rules for appropriate behaviors is an example of positive reinforcement, as it involves providing a desirable consequence (reward) to increase the frequency of the target behavior (following the rules). Flooding, transference, and congruence are not relevant concepts in this context.

Question 7

Pedro is afraid of crossing bridges. A psychologist helps Pedro by first letting him look at bridges and then having him imagine himself standing near a bridge while being in a safe, relaxing environment. Next, the psychologist has Pedro watch a video of a man crossing a bridge in a car and then has him imagine himself crossing that bridge. Eventually, Pedro is able to stay relaxed while he drives over a bridge. This process is called

Accepted Answer

The process described is systematic desensitization therapy, which involves gradually exposing the person to the feared stimulus (bridges in this case) while helping them practice relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety. The steps used in this therapy include relaxation training, exposure to the feared stimulus in a controlled way, and using visualization techniques.

Question 8

A young child is suffering from a life-threatening disorder in which he involuntarily regurgitates all food. When no other therapies work, the child is given electric shock to eliminate his vomiting behavior. The electric shock is a form of

Accepted Answer

The electric shock given to the child to eliminate his vomiting behavior is a form of punishment. Punishment is a type of behavior modification that seeks to decrease the frequency or intensity of a behavior by applying an aversive stimulus after the behavior occurs. In this case, the aversive stimulus is the electric shock, which is meant to decrease the frequency of the vomiting behavior.

Question 9

You are afraid of tunnels. Your therapist first helps you to deeply relax and then asks you to imagine a distant tunnel. When you can stay relaxed while visualizing this image, the therapist then asks you to imagine nearing the entrance, and finally entering the tunnel. Eventually, when you can remain relaxed while imagining all of this, the therapist takes you through a short tunnel. This list of increasingly fear-provoking situations is known as

Accepted Answer

The technique used by the therapist in the given scenario is desensitization hierarchy, which involves gradually exposing the individual to feared situations in a controlled and safe manner, starting from less anxiety-provoking scenarios and progressing towards more fearful situations. This technique is commonly used in the treatment of phobias and anxiety disorders.

Question 10

Zelda is a junior high school teacher. When a student acts up, she prefers to modify the student's behavior with the use of extinction. Therefore, Zelda is most likely going to

Accepted Answer

Extinction involves eliminating reinforcement of the misbehavior, meaning not rewarding or acknowledging the behavior. Options A and D involve providing reinforcement, which is the opposite of what extinction aims to achieve. Option B involves presenting an unpleasant stimulus, which is a form of punishment, not extinction. Therefore, C is the best choice.

Question 11

The most significant difference between client-centered and Gestalt therapies is that Gestalt therapy

Accepted Answer

Gestalt therapy is known for its direct and sometimes confrontational approach, with the therapist using techniques such as role-playing, empty-chair work, and other dramatic interventions. In contrast, client-centered therapy emphasizes active listening, empathy, and creating a supportive therapeutic relationship, without using these kinds of interventions.

Question 12

Alice has severe behavioral problems at school, including throwing her books on the floor and spitting on the floor. To reduce these problems, Alice's teacher gives her one plastic chip for each socially appropriate behavior that Alice displays. At the end of the week, Alice can trade in the chips she has earned for a prize. Alice's teacher is using which of the following treatment methods?

Accepted Answer

Alice's teacher is using a token economy program, where desired behaviors are reinforced with tokens that can be exchanged for a reward.

Question 13

Behavior therapy relies mainly on __________ conditioning, while behavior modification relies mainly on __________ conditioning.

Accepted Answer

Behavior therapy focuses on modifying problematic behaviors through operant conditioning, which involves learning through consequences such as reinforcement or punishment. In contrast, behavior modification focuses on changing behaviors through classical conditioning, which involves learning through associations between environmental stimuli and behaviors. Therefore, the correct answer is D, where behavior therapy relies mainly on operant conditioning and behavior modification relies mainly on classical conditioning.

Question 14

A group home for teenage juvenile offenders requires each girl to participate in twice-weekly group sessions with a counselor, to perform a daily chore, and to set monthly goals for herself. The girls earn a specified number of points each day for accomplishing these activities. At the end of each week, the girls are allowed to trade their points for candy, television time, or a day trip into town. This type of setting is called a

Accepted Answer

This type of setting in which individuals earn tokens (in this case, points) for desirable behaviors which can be exchanged for desired items or privileges is known as a token economy program. It is commonly used in behavioral and group therapy settings to reinforce positive behaviors and discourage negative behaviors. The system is designed to shape behavior through positive reinforcement and can be an effective way to motivate individuals to engage in more positive behaviors.

Question 15

Molly is very timid and often taken advantage of by others. She seeks psychotherapy to help her overcome this problem. You recommend that she see a behavioral therapist who will help her learn to be more direct and expressive in social situations and to stand up for her own rights. This special form of therapy is sometimes called

Accepted Answer

Assertiveness training is a form of behavioral therapy that helps individuals learn to express themselves more directly and stand up for their own rights in social situations.

Question 16

Mrs. Burger decides to take her son Neal to a psychologist because he constantly picks his nose in public. Which of the following would be emphasized in a behavioral assessment of Neal's problem?

Accepted Answer

A behavioral assessment would focus on the observable behavior of nose-picking and the frequency of that behavior, rather than delving into internal conflicts or unconscious motivations. It is important to gather information about the behavior itself in order to develop an effective intervention.

Question 17

Becci is extremely afraid of snakes. Her therapist puts her in a room full of snakes and doesn't allow her to leave for several hours. When Becci leaves the room, she is no longer afraid of snakes. Becci's therapist helped her overcome her snake phobia through the use of __________, which is a technique used by __________ therapists.

Accepted Answer

Becci's therapist used the technique of flooding, which is a behavioral therapy technique where a person is exposed to the feared object or situation until their anxiety reduces. Therefore, the correct option is C. Option A (aversion therapy) is incorrect because aversion therapy involves pairing a pleasant stimulus with an unpleasant one to create a negative association. Option B (biological) is incorrect because it refers to a different type of treatment that utilizes medication or biological interventions. Option D (psychodynamic) is incorrect because it pertains to a different approach to therapy that focuses on exploring unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.

Question 18

To help Jenny with her depression, her therapist instructs her to replace her thought, "I must be perfect," with the thought, "I'm a good person and I'm doing the best I can." This technique is most consistent with the assumptions of __________ therapy.

Accepted Answer

The instruction to replace negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones is a key technique in cognitive behavior therapy. This therapy assumes that our thoughts influence our emotions and behavior, and aims to help individuals identify and change their negative thought patterns in order to improve their mood and functioning.

Question 19

"Don't worry about the hidden meanings behind your psychological problems. Just change the way you think and act about them, and you'll get better." This statement best summarizes which therapeutic approach?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavior therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve mental health, rather than exploring hidden meanings or unconscious processes.

Question 20

Super Nanny is visiting the Niemann household to assist in eliminating little Alex's temper tantrums. Super Nanny decides to set up rules that specify what behaviors will be strengthened or rewarded. Super Nanny has implemented a behavioral technique called

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement involves strengthening or rewarding desired behaviors to increase their occurrence, which aligns with Super Nanny's approach.

Quiz 13: Treatment of Psychological Disorders