Deck 9: Physical Disorders and Health Psychology

Question 1

Researchers studying baboons found that subordinate animals,unlike dominant animals,continually secrete cortisol,probably because their lives are so stressful.What did the researchers discover about the subordinate males' HPA axis?

A) It is less sensitive to the effects of cortisol and therefore less efficient in turning off the stress response.
B) It is more sensitive to the effects of cortisol and therefore less efficient in turning off the stress response.
C) It is associated with an increased sensitivity of the pituitary gland.
D) It is associated with a decreased sensitivity of the pituitary gland.

Answer 1

It is less sensitive to the effects of cortisol and therefore less efficient in turning off the stress response.

Question 2

What does research suggest is a common characteristic of both mental disorders and physical disorders?

A) Both types of disorders are primarily biological in nature.
B) Most mental and physical disorders involve the perception of pain.
C) Psychological, biological, and social factors all are implicated in the cause and maintenance of each type of disorder.
D) Both types of disorders are best treated with biological interventions.

Answer 2

Psychological, biological, and social factors all are implicated in the cause and maintenance of each type of disorder.

Question 3

If you were to look at the deaths of 100 people who died the same day,how many of those peoples' deaths would be associated with lifestyle factors?

A) 10
B) 35
C) 50
D) 80

Answer 3

50

Question 4

What new field of study reflects the shift in focus from infectious disease to psychological/behavioural factors as causes of illness and death?

A) behavioural medicine
B) medical psychology
C) epidemiology
D) community psychology

Question 5

What happens when the HPA axis is activated?

A) The adrenal glands secrete the stress hormone cortisol.
B) The hippocampus secretes corticotropin releasing factor (CRF).
C) The pituitary gland (via the parasympathetic nervous system) activates the adrenal glands.
D) CRF stimulates the thyroid gland.

Question 6

Eric has a very stressful job.What part of his body may be damaged by increased cortisol released because of the stress?

A) his lungs
B) his stomach
C) his brain
D) his intestines

Question 7

What is the final process in the activation of the HPA axis?

A) stimulation of the pituitary gland by corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)
B) secretion of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) by the hypothalamus
C) secretion of cortisol by the adrenal gland
D) activation of the adrenal gland by the pituitary gland

Question 8

Dr.Thick is observing a troop of baboons and taking regular blood samples from them.The dominant male baboon Dr.Thick calls "Rafiki" has just shown a much greater increase in cortisol than any of the other males in the troop.Dr.Thick is not surprised because of something that happened about half an hour earlier.What might Dr.Thick have seen?

A) Rafiki was challenged.
B) The troop was given less food at their regular feeding that usual.
C) Lightening struck a tree in the habitat and one baboon was injured.
D) Rafiki was bullied by a group of subordinate males.

Question 9

What change in public health led to the shift being referred to as the second revolution?

A) the focus from infectious disease shifted to life-threatening illnesses such as cancer
B) the focus from infectious disease shifted to sexually transmitted infections
C) the focus from infectious disease shifted to psychological and behavioural factors affecting health
D) the focus from infectious disease shifted to the cultural and political context of health issues

Question 10

In 1936,Canadian researcher Hans Selye discovered that giving injections to laboratory rats caused them to develop ulcers.His finding led to a new area of study.What is it called?

A) psychosomatic pathology
B) stress physiology
C) animal psychology
D) stress psychology

Question 11

What do we call the physiological response of an individual to a stressor?

A) stress
B) fight-or-flight reaction
C) resistance
D) adaptation

Question 12

Every year during the finals week in December,Judy would come down with a severe cold.It was the only cold she would get each year.What is the most likely explanation for this pattern of colds?

A) Cold viruses are most prevalent in December.
B) The stress of final exams left Judy more susceptible to colds.
C) Judy's roommate caught a cold every December and gave it to Judy.
D) It is just a random pattern of colds.

Question 13

Which of the following terms suggests the idea that psychological factors affect physical functioning?

A) psychobiological
B) somatoform
C) psychosomatic
D) psychosocial

Question 14

Using the word "psychosomatic" to describe a disorder that has an obvious physical component is considered misleading.Why is this so?

A) It gives the impression that biological disorders are not influenced by psychological factors.
B) It emphasizes the physical symptoms of a disorder instead of the psychological symptoms.
C) It gives the impression that psychological disorders like anxiety or depression do not have a biological component.
D) It emphasizes the psychological symptoms of a disorder instead of the physical symptoms.

Question 15

Tara's HPA axis was activated.Which chemical level just increased in her body?

A) corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)
B) high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
C) adrenal cortisol hormone (ACH)
D) cortisol

Question 16

What did a longitudinal research study of 200 men (Vaillant,1979)discover about individuals who developed psychological disorders or who were highly stressed?

A) They suffered a significantly higher incidence of strokes than those who remained relatively well adjusted.
B) They did not become chronically ill, despite their psychological disorder, if they had a sense of control in their life.
C) They suffered a significantly higher incidence of heart attacks than those who remained relatively well adjusted.
D) They became chronically ill at a higher rate than those who remained relatively well adjusted.

Question 17

According to the principles of health psychology,what is the best protection against acquiring AIDS?

A) choosing sexual abstinence even after years of being sexually active
B) being treated for HIV before it develops into AIDS
C) changing risky behaviours that can lead to disease acquisition
D) getting an injection of the AIDS vaccine

Question 18

Hans Selye described the sequence of stages the body goes through in response to sustained stress.What is this sequence called?

A) the fight-or-flight syndrome
B) the general adaptation syndrome
C) the feedback loop syndrome
D) the mobilized coping syndrome

Question 19

Justin has been under a lot of stress.His body is beginning to shows signs of having too much cortisol. Which symptoms might Justin be showing?

A) impaired immune system functioning
B) muscle tension
C) damage to the amygdala
D) low blood pressure in the cardiovascular system

Question 20

Which of the following may occur as a result of increased cortisol levels in response to chronic stress?

A) liver damage
B) decreased susceptibility to infectious disease
C) compromised hippocampal activity
D) a rise in humoral levels

Question 21

Dr.Frode is studying how nerve endings may be involved in the immune system.What type of tissue could Dr.Frode be studying?

A) blood vessels
B) mucous membranes
C) hair follicles
D) bone marrow

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways psychosocial interventions,such as stress-reduction techniques for chronically ill individuals,are thought to affect the disease process via the immune system?

A) giving patients a greater sense of control
B) changing patients' negative cognitions
C) increasing patients' self-esteem
D) helping patients utilize social support networks

Question 23

According to Bongaarts and Over (2010),when did adult and child deaths from AIDS begin to level off because of aggressive treatment and prevention efforts in some parts of the world?

A) 2000
B) 2004
C) 2006
D) 2008

Question 24

Garrett has HIV and participated in a study of "highly active antiretroviral therapy" (HAART)in 2003 but dropped out of the program.What is the most likely reason he dropped out of the study?

A) because of the expense of the medications
B) because improvement in symptoms was minimal, so he loss interest
C) because of the side effects of the medications
D) because he lacked adequate social support

Question 25

Von Bayer and colleagues (2006)compared the effectiveness of two different strategies to help children manage pain.They found that for younger children,a strategy in which children were prompted to direct their attention toward their internal sensations was less effective than another strategy.What was this other strategy?

A) being directed to engage in progressive relaxation exercises
B) being directed to talk about their pain to a supportive adult
C) being directed to distract themselves and focus their attention externally
D) being directed to engage in slow, deep breathing

Question 26

According to Antoni and colleagues (1991),when men who thought they might be HIV positive became involved in a stress-reduction program,what was the result?

A) no change in the progression of the disease
B) a significantly lower death rate as compared to those in the control group
C) an increase in immune system functioning
D) an increase in antibodies to herpes viruses

Question 27

Which of the following students is most likely to have a suppressed immune system?

A) Beth, who has many friends and is returning from a relaxing vacation
B) Karen, who has few friends and is returning from a relaxing vacation
C) Alison, who has few friends and is finishing final exams
D) Wendy, who has many friends and is finishing final exams

Question 28

Which of the following relationships is NOT reflected in the new medical specialty called "psychoneuroimmunology"?

A) the cardiovascular system
B) the nervous system
C) psychological factors including stress
D) the immune system

Question 29

One of the ways in which the immune system is weakened in AIDS patients is that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)directly attacks certain lymphocytes.Which lymphocytes are these?

A) T4 (helper cells)
B) killer T cells
C) suppressor T cells
D) B cells

Question 30

Marek's parents have high blood pressure.How does Marek's risk of developing high blood pressure compare to that of children whose parents don't have high blood pressure?

A) his risk is marginally higher
B) he has twice the risk
C) he has three times the risk
D) he has four times the risk

Question 31

Which of the following is a known connection between emotion and health?

A) People who are depressed have increased immune system functioning.
B) The evidence suggests that depression lowers immune system functioning.
C) People who are anxious have reduced immune system function.
D) Anger is associated with reduced immune system function.

Question 32

When is a person infected with HIV most likely to receive an AIDS diagnosis?

A) after the infection is discovered
B) upon the development of AIDS-related complex
C) only after the development of one of several serious diseases (e.g., wasting syndrome)
D) when the physician decides that they are psychologically prepared for the diagnosis

Question 33

What is the closest estimate of the total number of people worldwide afflicted with HIV in 2011?

A) more than 14 million
B) more than 24 million
C) more than 34 million
D) more than 44 million

Question 34

Carlson and colleagues (2004)conducted research on the use of "mindfulness-based therapy" with early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients.They found post-intervention improvements in several areas.Which of the following is NOT one of these areas?

A) beneficial changes in biological indices of immune system function
B) increases in problem-solving skills
C) increases in quality of life
D) decreases in stress

Question 35

What type of stress may be more problematic for the immune system than acute stress,because the effects are longer lasting?

A) chronic stress
B) work-related stress
C) psychological stress
D) relationship stress

Question 36

Dr.Beilfus is a researcher specializing in psycho-oncology.What is her area of interest?

A) the psychosocial causes of cancer
B) the psychosocial characteristics of cancer patients
C) the psychosocial treatments for cancer
D) the psychosocial influences on different varieties of cancer

Question 37

You and your friend Bob are both in your late 30s.Bob informs you that he has been diagnosed with the silent killer.What health-related issue does he have?

A) HIV
B) lung cancer
C) diabetes
D) hypertension

Question 38

What did a review of the literature on the effectiveness of group therapy for HIV-positive individuals conclude?

A) Although further study is needed, psychosocial interventions are helpful for enhancing psychosocial functioning but have no effect on physical functioning such as immune system activity.
B) Although further study is needed, there seem to be positive effects in patients with advanced-stage disease, but no effects have been observed in those in a very early, asymptomatic stage of the disease.
C) Although further study is needed, group interventions have produced no noticeable improvements in either physical or psychological functioning of these patients.
D) Although further study is needed, there seem to be positive changes in immune and endocrine activity associated with structured group interventions.

Question 39

What is the focus of psychoneuroimmunology?

A) the study of methods in which damaged or severed neurons can be stimulated to regrow
B) the study of the relationships among stressors, the endocrine system, the nervous system, and the immune system
C) the study of various biochemical approaches to protecting the central nervous system from the ravages of deterioration disorders
D) the study of the psychological side effects of physical illnesses

Question 40

According to your textbook,stressful events can make us feel irritable,excited,anxious,or depressed.Why are so many different reactions possible?

A) Responses to cortisol varies from person to person.
B) They are associated with distinct physiological characteristics.
C) They share a similar underlying physiology.
D) The response to stress depends on the emotional state before the stressful event.

Question 41

In the phenomenon known as "operant control" of pain,what determines the pain behaviours manifested by an individual?

A) the patient's reaction to treatment
B) the association of pain with a conditioned stimulus
C) social consequences
D) a sense of uncontrollability

Question 42

In the mid-19th century,what disorder was thought to cause symptoms of fatigue,vague aches and pains,low-grade fever,and lack of energy?

A) somatic syndrome
B) neurasthenia
C) neurosis
D) hysteria

Question 43

Dr.Kwok runs a pain clinic.He notes that men are much more likely than women to visit his clinic because of:

A) arthritis
B) backache
C) migraine headaches
D) carpal-tunnel syndrome

Question 44

In trying to determine if the type A/type B classifications are reliable and valid as predictors of heart disease,which of the following becomes apparent?

A) Interviews to assess people's personality characteristics are more reliable than questionnaires.
B) Medical tests remain the most valid predictors of heart disease.
C) Not every individual shows distinctively type A or type B characteristics.
D) Women are usually type A, and men are usually type B.

Question 45

Which of the following factors would make a person feel more pain according to the gate control theory of pain?

A) anxiety
B) drug use
C) relaxation
D) a type A personality

Question 46

What theory of pain accommodates both psychological and physical factors?

A) gate control theory of pain
B) psychophysiological pain theory
C) behavioural medicine theory
D) operant maintenance theory

Question 47

Jim is asked to volunteer for a study to determine whether or not he is a "type A personality." He is a keen academic.Based on his knowledge regarding personality types,he already knows he is the least likely man to be classified as type A.Which of the following profiles most likely describes Jim?

A) He is a white European man living in North America and practising the profession he has academically pursued for seven years.
B) He is a North American Japanese man, who speaks Japanese at home and retains traditional Japanese values and behaviours.
C) He is a black North American man, well established in his professional job and university education.
D) He is a married white North American man, well established in his professional job and university education.

Question 48

Changes in the sensory cortex of the brain are thought to contribute to phantom limb pain,in which people who have lost an arm or leg feel excruciating pain in the limb that is no longer there.Which of the following is most likely an additional factor in the intensity of pain and distress experienced?

A) the avoidance of activity that leads to muscular atrophy
B) the chronic experience of negative emotions
C) the belief that pain is disastrous, uncontrollable, or reflective of personal failure
D) the fear of additional injury or disease

Question 49

Hannah just had a rush of endorphins.What are the endorphins doing in her body?

A) They are shutting down the sensation of pain.
B) They are closing the "gate" of the spinal column, inhibiting the transmission of painful stimuli to the brain.
C) They are increasing positive feelings that make the pain seem less important.
D) They are causing a "natural" addiction to pain.

Question 50

Mr.Tam is a pain catastrophizer.Which of the following would he NOT likely report when he is experiencing pain?

A) "There's nothing I can do to stop this pain."
B) "I can't stop thinking of how much it hurts."
C) "I'm worried that something serious might happen."
D) "If I can't deal with this, I'm not strong enough to deal with anything else in my life either."

Question 51

Paul is worried about cardiovascular disease because of a strong family history of heart problems. Paul is already trying a stress-reduction intervention.His friend Mike,a doctor,suggests that something else may be just as effective.What does Mike recommend?

A) a cognitive-behavioural intervention
B) a mindfulness-based intervention
C) a dietary intervention
D) an exercise intervention

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of the phenomenon known as "operant control" of pain behaviour?

A) Kim is recovering from a broken leg. Although she is walking on crutches, she has been trying to be as independent as possible.
B) Janet had to have a finger amputated after it was partially severed in a slicing accident. Since she feels discomfort in the missing finger, she has been diagnosed with phantom limb pain.
C) Kate's family has always been critical and demanding. However, since her accident, family members have become caring and sympathetic.
D) Mary suffers from chronic back pain. However, she rarely complains to others about the pain and tries to keep her facial expressions from showing that she is in pain. Recently, her doctor reduced her pain medication.

Question 53

While Mr.Jones is participating in a clinical research study,he is instructed to imagine a situation in which he is very angry.What will the sensors monitoring his heart most likely reveal?

A) His heart is pumping less efficiently.
B) He is experiencing a mild, undetectable version of a heart attack.
C) His heart is beating faster but pumping more efficiently.
D) The area around his heart is becoming swollen and inflamed.

Question 54

Which type of pain is MORE common in men?

A) migraine headaches
B) arthritic pain
C) wrist and hand pain
D) back pain

Question 55

Studies that have examined neurobiological causes of hypertension have focused on two factors that are central to the regulation of blood pressure.What are these factors?

A) autonomic nervous system activity and the cardiovascular response to stress
B) the cerebellum and the flight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system
C) the limbic system and the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system
D) autonomic nervous system activity and mechanisms regulating sodium in the kidneys

Question 56

Various psychological factors have been implicated in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).For example,in examining the role of cognitive factors in the psychological adjustment to the illness of patients with CFS,researchers found that feelings of helplessness and depression were associated with another factor.What is this other factor?

A) perceiving the cause of CFS as external and believing that there is no cure for CFS
B) believing that CFS is just "in one's head" and believing that there is no cure for CFS
C) perceiving the cause of CFS as external and believing that one has no control over the disorder
D) perceiving the cause of CFS as internal and believing that one has no control over the illness

Question 57

In Sharpe's chronic fatigue syndrome model,key lifestyle attributes were identified.Which of the following was an identified lifestyle?

A) asks for help
B) prefers solitary work projects
C) puts on a brave face
D) poor work ethic

Question 58

Females may have an "extra" pain-regulating pathway focused on relieving pain associated with the reproductive system.What is one implication of this biological gender difference?

A) The psychological experience of pain is different for men and women.
B) Men need more pain relief than women following surgical procedures.
C) Males and females may benefit from different kinds of medications and different kinds of pain management.
D) Men experience more generalized pain than women do.

Question 59

Psychologist Kim Lavoie and her colleagues (2004)noted that coronary heart disease (CHD)and another disorder often co-occur,and CHD patients with this additional disorder suffer greater morbidity and mortality rates than do CHD patients without it.What is the other disorder?

A) obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
B) generalized anxiety disorder
C) paranoid delusional disorder
D) panic disorder

Question 60

Endogenous opioids have been implicated in a variety of psychopathological conditions.Which of the following is one of these conditions?

A) eating disorders
B) personality disorders
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) phobias

Question 61

Harold dies at age six.What is the most likely cause of his death?

A) cancer
B) injury
C) genetic defect
D) infectious disease

Question 62

What is biofeedback?

A) a process by which a person is helped to become aware of his or her negative thoughts
B) a process by which a person is helped to become aware of his or her physiological functions
C) a process by which a person is helped to become aware of his or her physiological and psychological states
D) a process by which a person is helped to become aware of his or her psychological states

Question 63

In the 1970s,Herbert Benson developed a brief relaxation procedure.What did this procedure involve?

A) focusing on a word
B) focusing on an image of a face
C) focusing on a musical note
D) focusing on an image of nature

Question 64

Why do clinicians use physiological monitoring equipment in biofeedback procedures?

A) to help the clinicians track changes in muscular tension
B) to make the responses visible and/or audible to the patient
C) to make the responses tactile to the patient
D) to ensure patients properly interpret the clinician's instructions

Question 65

Paula has chronic pain and does not want to rely on analgesics.Based on current research,what can Paula combine with biofeedback to effectively treat her pain?

A) medication
B) psychotherapy
C) a placebo
D) relaxation procedures

Question 66

What did some experiments with rats reveal about postsurgical pain in rats?

A) It actually kills certain cancer cells.
B) It causes stress but is unrelated to the subsequent progress of the disease.
C) It doubles the rate at which a certain cancer spreads to the lungs.
D) It speeds recovery.

Question 67

According to Scheier and colleagues (1989),how can a person who undergoes coronary artery bypass surgery recover more quickly and achieve a stronger quality of life six months after surgery?

A) by denying the severe pain connected with the condition and the surgery
B) by playing a more aggressive role in the management of the illness
C) by being optimistic
D) by avoiding traditional treatment regimens or rehabilitation programs

Question 68

Hannah is sitting quietly.She is focused on a mantra and softly repeats the sound "om" as her breathing slows and her body relaxes.What is Hannah engaging in?

A) progressive muscle relaxation
B) biofeedback
C) transcendental meditation
D) personal progressive relaxation

Question 69

Jamal is receiving biofeedback.Which of the following physiological functions will biofeedback enable him to monitor?

A) digestion
B) EEG rhythms ("brainwaves")
C) sweating of the hands
D) blood pressure

Question 70

It has been suggested that biofeedback relieves the pain of tension headaches because it "teaches people to relax." What is the more likely reason?

A) The apparent relief of the patient's pain is the result of the sensory adaptation process occurring in the therapeutic session.
B) The biofeedback training gives patients a sense of control over their headache pain.
C) Biofeedback has a "numbing effect" because it affects the nerve endings in the somatic nervous system.
D) Patients experience a placebo effect because the headache pain returns once the biofeedback sessions are completed.

Question 71

In keeping daily records of the stressful events in their lives,patients in pain management programs are taught to be very specific about certain issues.Which of the following is one of these issues?

A) how they attempted to control the stress
B) how others reacted to the stress
C) body temperature changes as a result of the stress
D) what seems to trigger the stress

Question 72

Cognitive therapy is used in stress management programs to help clients learn several techniques.Which of the following is one of these techniques?

A) assessing the role of their current relationships in their experience of stress
B) developing subjective descriptions of experiences
C) recording nonstressful situations
D) identifying unrealistic positive thoughts

Question 73

Jacobson developed the procedure of progressive muscle relaxation in 1938.Compared to today,what is the difference in the time frame for a patient to acquire the skills to master the art of relaxation?

A) Jacobson's original procedure took weeks; today the procedure is taught in a matter of weeks.
B) Jacobson's original procedure took a matter of weeks; today the procedure takes months or even years.
C) Jacobson's original procedure took months or even years; today the procedure is taught in a matter of weeks.
D) Jacobson's original procedure took months or even years; today the procedure is taught in roughly the same time frame.

Question 74

Alan has cancer and is in pain.What treatment is Alan likely receiving?

A) more painkillers than can be safely taken
B) the safe dose of painkillers
C) insufficient amounts of painkillers to eliminate the pain
D) the safe dose of painkillers and mindfulness training

Question 75

What is biofeedback?

A) It is a process of stress reduction requiring subjects to tense muscles in order to facilitate better relaxation.
B) It is a physiological monitoring device made to respond to changes in heart rate.
C) It is a process through which patients monitor their own physiological functions.
D) It is the process through which neurotransmitters are released into synaptic clefts.

Question 76

In the 1960s,Neal Miller produced the first experimental evidence suggesting physiological functions were subject to voluntary control.What did he use?

A) obedience training with animals
B) operant conditioning with animals
C) physical retraining with animals
D) classical conditioning with animals

Question 77

How does the original progressive muscle relaxation technique devised by Edmund Jacobson in 1938 differ from the way the procedure is usually taught in clinics today?

A) The procedure is now used in conjunction with muscle relaxant drugs.
B) The person is now taught to monitor his or her stressful thoughts before, during, and after the relaxation procedure.
C) The focus is now on exercising and thus stimulating the muscles, instead of simply relaxing them.
D) The procedure is usually taught in a much shorter period of time now and is rarely the sole treatment.

Question 78

Jane is a frequent user of pain-relieving medications.Jill uses pain-relieving medications less frequently.How will the two women respond to pain-management programs?

A) both are equally likely to benefit.
B) Jane will be unable to benefit.
C) Jane is more likely to benefit.
D) Jane is less likely to benefit.

Question 79

Some studies indicate that the value of denial as a coping mechanism for illness may depend on one thing more than anything else.What is it?

A) the gender of the patient
B) the type of illness
C) the severity of the illness
D) timing

Question 80

Which of the following is one of the important items in the comprehensive pain management programs' daily stress record?

A) parasympathetic reactions
B) empathetic reactions
C) angry reactions
D) triggers