Question 1

Overnier and Seligman have described the phenomenon of learned ________ as the tendency to feel powerless in the face of events that we can't control. They have also argued that it provides an explanation for many cases of major depressive disorder.

Accepted Answer

Overnier and Seligman have specifically described the phenomenon of learned helplessness as the tendency to feel powerless in the face of events that we can't control, and have linked it to major depressive disorder. Option B (impotence) is a similar concept but is not specifically linked to learned helplessness, while options C (ineptitude) and D (incredulity) are not related at all.

Question 2

Jessie is giving a class presentation on suicide. Which of the following is a point you are likely to hear her make?

Accepted Answer

This is a commonly known fact in the field of psychology that people who have experienced depression and are undergoing treatment are at risk of attempting suicide as their energy levels may increase and they may start to act out.

Answer: B
 This is also a well-established idea in psychology that when talking to a depressed person about suicide, the person should be approached with care and empathy in order to avoid the possibility of triggering suicidal thoughts.

Answer: D
 This statement is a misconception. There are often warning signs given by individuals who are contemplating suicide, and it is possible to identify these warning signs if one is aware of what to look for.

Option C is incorrect as it is a misconception and it is not true that people who talk about committing suicide are simply seeking attention. Such statements should be taken seriously, and the person should be provided with the necessary support and help.

Question 3

The results of studies investigating the role of biological factors suggest that depression is caused by

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that individuals with certain variations of the serotonin transporter gene are more susceptible to developing depression. These variations affect the reuptake of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood. A decrease in serotonin levels is generally associated with an increased risk of depression.

Question 4

In class, a psychology lecturer states that learned helplessness causes persons to make attributions that are internally focused, global in nature, and stable. A student who demonstrates critical thinking would raise his or her hand and remind the professor that

Accepted Answer

The statement made by the lecturer suggests a causal relationship between learned helplessness and specific attributions. However, the student with critical thinking would remember that correlation does not equal causation and would raise this point to remind the professor to be cautious in making sweeping claims.

Question 5

Scott feels that no matter what he does, he will always be unable to master his French vocabulary terms. He points to the fact that he has received a 5/10, 6/10, and 5/10 despite increasing the amount of time he studied each week. As a result, he has stopped going to class and studying. Scott is demonstrating a phenomenon known as ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scott feels that no matter what he...

Question 6

According to the data, the single best predictor of suicide is

Accepted Answer

According to the data, the best predictor of suicide is a previous attempt. This indicates that individuals who have attempted suicide in the past are at a higher risk of attempting again in the future. While factors like loss of a loved one, depression, and unemployment are also risk factors for suicide, having a previous suicide attempt has been shown to be the strongest predictor.

Question 7

According to Aaron Beck's cognitive model of depression, people with this condition focus on the negative cognitive triad, which sustains the depression. This triad includes all but WHICH of the following?

Accepted Answer

The negative cognitive triad consists of negative views of oneself, the world, and the future. Negative views of one's past are not part of this triad.

Question 8

According to Aaron Beck, depression is often caused by

Accepted Answer

According to Aaron Beck's cognitive theory of depression, negative beliefs and expectations, such as "I am worthless" or "nothing ever goes my way," can lead to a negative thought pattern that contributes to the development and maintenance of depression. This negative thought pattern can be challenged and altered through cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to replace negative beliefs with more positive and accurate ones. Biological or genetic influences may also play a role in depression, but according to Beck's theory, the negative thought pattern is the primary cause. Lack of positive reinforcement and poor interpersonal skills may be contributing factors in some cases, but are not the primary cause of depression according to Beck's theory.

Question 9

Lily is concerned that her roommate Sachie is feeling overwhelmed by being a first-year student at an Australian university. Sachie often explains her academic difficulties and failures as being due to ________ factors.

Accepted Answer

Sachie's explanation of her academic difficulties as due to internal, global, and stable factors suggests she attributes her struggles to personal, pervasive, and unchanging reasons, which can contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed.

Question 10

What category of psychological disorders is characterised by inflexible and maladaptive behavioural patterns?

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are characterised by inflexible and maladaptive patterns of behaviour that deviate from cultural norms and are often problematic in relationships and daily functioning. Examples include borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

Question 11

Public health officials and researchers assert that the number of suicides reported each year is a(n)________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Public health officials and researchers assert that...

Question 12

A counterintuitive research finding involving depression is that

Accepted Answer

The counterintuitive research finding involving depression is that mildly depressed people have a more accurate view of circumstances than do nondepressed people. This is because nondepressed people tend to have a positive bias that may cause them to overlook or ignore negative information, while mildly depressed individuals have a more realistic view of the world around them.

Question 13

Mr Evans feels that no matter what he does, he will be unable to convince his boss that he deserves a promotion. He also feels that it doesn't matter who his boss is, he still would not receive a promotion. These feelings represent what Overnier and Seligman called ________.

Accepted Answer

Mr Evans' feelings represent learned helplessness, which is the belief that one is unable to control or influence outcomes in their life, even when this is not necessarily true. This belief can develop after repeated experiences of failure or lack of control, leading the individual to give up even when they could potentially succeed. Depressive realism refers to the tendency for people with depression to have a more accurate, but negative, perception of reality compared to non-depressed individuals. Illusory control refers to the belief that one has more control over outcomes than they actually do. Overgeneralisation refers to the tendency to apply a specific experience or belief to all situations, even when this may not be accurate.

Question 14

A concern for researchers interested in the topic of suicide prevention is that the number of suicides is

Accepted Answer

The best choice is D because many suicide attempts and deaths are not reported, so the actual number of suicides is likely underestimated. This is a concern for researchers because accurate data is necessary to develop effective prevention strategies. Option A is incorrect because the suicide rate among adolescents has been increasing in recent years. Option B is incorrect because while some data may be outdated, suicide statistics are regularly collected and reported by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Option C is incorrect because the number of suicides is likely underestimated rather than overestimated.

Question 15

Suppose that Owen has recently attempted to take his own life, but did not complete the suicide. You would most probably predict that he will be ________ to make a future suicide attempt.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose that Owen has recently attempted to...

Question 16

One suggested cause of bipolar disorder is an increase in brain structures related to emotions, including the amygdala. Additionally, some research has suggested that unusually high levels of norepinephrine activity are also responsible for the symptoms of this illness. On the contrary, it is possible that the illness causes these changes in brain areas and neurotransmitters. This uncertain direction of effect demonstrates which of the six principles mentioned in your chapter?

Accepted Answer

The principle in question is correlation versus causation, which refers to the need to determine directionality in a relationship between two variables (i.e., which variable is causing the other, or are they both causing each other?). In this case, it is unclear whether the brain changes and neurotransmitter activity are causing bipolar disorder, or if the disorder is causing these changes. Therefore, we cannot make causal claims about the relationship between these variables without further investigation.

Question 17

Unlike many other psychological disorders, manic episodes may be triggered by ________.

Accepted Answer

Manic episodes may be triggered by positive life events, such as a major accomplishment, receiving good news, or falling in love. This is in contrast to other psychological disorders, which are often triggered by negative or stressful life events.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding suicide?

Accepted Answer

More women than men attempt suicide, although men are more likely to die by suicide.

Question 19

Identify and discuss two important myths as well as the reality of suicide and important risk factors that predict suicide attempts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify and discuss two important myths as...

Question 20

According to the cognitive model of depression, one's negative beliefs develop as the result of

Accepted Answer

According to the cognitive model of depression, negative beliefs develop as a result of experiences of loss, failure, and rejection.

Quiz 16: Psychological Disorders