Question 1

Receiving social reinforcement for somatic complaints may be referred to as

Accepted Answer

Secondary gain refers to the external benefits that one might receive from having symptoms, such as attention, sympathy, or avoidance of responsibilities.

Question 2

The way people with somatic symptom disorders misperceive internal sensations is similar that of some people with ____.

Accepted Answer

People with panic disorder often misinterpret bodily sensations as signs of a serious medical condition, similar to those with somatic symptom disorders.

Question 3

According to your textbook, key areas of the brain that are related to somatic symptom disorders include all of the following EXCEPT the

Accepted Answer

The medulla and pons are primarily involved in autonomic functions and basic life support, not directly related to somatic symptom disorders.

Question 4

Environmental risk factors are likely to affect people with somatic symptom disorders, especially those preoccupied with

Accepted Answer

People with somatic symptom disorders are often preoccupied with disease, as these disorders involve excessive focus on physical symptoms and health concerns.

Question 5

Youths with somatic symptom disorder are often ____, and their parents are of ____ socioeconomic status and education level.

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorder is more commonly diagnosed in females, and it is often associated with lower socioeconomic status and education levels.

Question 6

Cognitive factors related to somatic symptom disorders include

Accepted Answer

Cognitive factors related to somatic symptom disorders include illness attributions and somatosensory awareness, which involve how individuals perceive and interpret bodily sensations.

Question 7

In people with somatic symptom disorder, decreased blood flow may occur in areas of the ____ and other areas of the brain that are related to loss of sensory and motor functions as seen in conversion disorder.

Accepted Answer

Decreased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and other related brain areas is associated with somatic symptom disorder and conversion disorder, affecting sensory and motor functions.

Question 8

Regarding the prevention of somatic symptom disorders,

Accepted Answer

Identifying and addressing risk factors early on is important in preventing somatic symptom disorders, as early intervention can help mitigate the development of these disorders.

Question 9

Some people may find it easier to concentrate on minor bodily changes than a major life stressor such as

Accepted Answer

People may focus on minor bodily changes as a way to distract themselves from dealing with major life stressors like marital conflict, financial troubles, or academic failure.

Question 10

Changes that occur in the ____ may help explain why many somatic complaints tend to be on the left side of the body.

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for processing sensations and motor control for the left side of the body. Changes or dysfunctions in the right hemisphere may lead to somatic complaints predominantly on the left side.

Question 11

Stressful life events relate closely to the ____ of conversion disorder symptoms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Stressful life events relate closely to the...

Question 12

Biological evidence suggests that people with somatic symptom disorders have brain changes that lead to

Accepted Answer

People with somatic symptom disorders often experience distractibility due to altered brain function, which can affect their ability to focus and process information.

Question 13

Some theorists believe that somatic symptom disorders result from changes in

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorders may involve changes in perception, control, and attention, as these factors can influence how individuals experience and report physical symptoms.

Question 14

Illness behavior is a key concept of somatic symptom disorders. Which of the following is NOT a type of illness behavior as described in the textbook?

Accepted Answer

Practicing la belle indifference is not a type of illness behavior; it refers to a lack of concern about symptoms, often seen in conversion disorder, rather than an active behavior related to illness.

Question 15

Ronda has a somatic symptom disorder. She complains constantly of headaches, but no medical explanation can be found. In fact, Ronda's head does not actually hurt, but she interprets any sensation in her head as a headache and sign of a serious medical problem. This is an example of the role of ____ in causing a somatic symptom disorder. Some people with somatoform disorder misinterpret sensory experiences as real and dangerous symptoms of a serious medical problem.

Accepted Answer

Misperception is when individuals incorrectly interpret normal bodily sensations as symptoms of a serious illness, which is a key factor in somatic symptom disorders.

Question 16

Sylvia enjoys and appreciates the attention and sympathy she receives when she complains of pain and discomfort. As a somatic symptom disorder risk factor, this would be considered an example of

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement refers to the process by which a behavior is strengthened or maintained by its consequences. In this case, Sylvia's behavior of complaining is reinforced by the attention and sympathy she receives, making it more likely she will continue to exhibit this behavior.

Question 17

Genetics likely play a(n) ____ role in explaining somatic symptom disorders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Genetics likely play a(n) ____ role in...

Question 18

Neuroimaging evidence indicates the possibility of ____ related to somatic symptom disorders.

Accepted Answer

Neuroimaging studies have shown blood-flow changes in certain brain areas in individuals with somatic symptom disorders, suggesting altered brain function related to the processing of bodily sensations and emotions.

Question 19

Strategies to prevent the development of somatic symptom disorders may include

Accepted Answer

All of these choices are strategies to prevent the development of somatic symptom disorders.

Question 20

In people with somatic symptom disorders, there is a disruption occurring in communications between the ____ and the ____.

Accepted Answer

In somatic symptom disorders, there is a disruption in communication between the brain and the body, leading to physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.

Quiz 6: Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders