Question 1

Current estimates on the prevalence of depression indicate that the proportion of North Americans currently suffering from this disorder is

Accepted Answer

The answer of Current estimates on the prevalence of depression...

Question 2

An explanation for the causes of depression that focuses on how people have become too individualistic and have overemphasized the need for personal control is most likely derived from the

Accepted Answer

The answer of An explanation for the causes of depression...

Question 3

Twin studies suggest that the variation in clinical depression can be accounted for by genetic factors approximately ________ of the time.

Accepted Answer

Twin studies have shown that genetic factors account for about 67% of the variation in clinical depression.

Question 4

The psychodynamic perspective would most likely emphasize which of the following causal factors of depression?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The psychodynamic perspective would most likely emphasize...

Question 5

Marilynn and Maggie are identical twins. At the age of thirty, Maggie is diagnosed with clinical depression. According to research, genetic factors have been linked to depression. In the case of identical twins, the likelihood of Marilynn also developing depression is about

Accepted Answer

Identical twins share the same genes, and studies have shown that if one twin has depression, the likelihood of the other twin also developing depression is about 60-70%. This high percentage reflects the significant role of genetic factors in the risk of developing depression.

Question 6

Research studies of depressed individuals have indicated that they tend to attribute

Accepted Answer

Research on depression has shown that depressed individuals often exhibit a cognitive bias where they attribute negative outcomes to internal, personal factors (believing it's their own fault) and positive outcomes to external factors (believing they had little to do with the success), which can perpetuate feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem.

Question 7

A study by Brown and Harris found that women who had lost their mothers prior to age 11 and had been exposed recently to a severe loss were more likely to develop

Accepted Answer

The study by Brown and Harris specifically linked the loss of a mother before age 11 and recent exposure to severe loss to an increased risk of developing clinical depression. This research highlighted the impact of early and significant life stressors on mental health, particularly in relation to depressive disorders.

Question 8

Underactivity of all of the following neurotransmitters have been linked to depression EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is primarily involved in inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain. While alterations in GABAergic systems have been observed in depression, the classic neurotransmitter systems most consistently linked to depression through underactivity are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. GABA's role in depression is more complex and not simply associated with underactivity in the same way as these other neurotransmitters.

Question 9

A person with a euphoric mood, a decreased need for sleep, and grandiose or exaggerated cognitions would most likely be diagnosed as having

Accepted Answer

These symptoms are characteristic of mania, which is a period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and increased energy or activity, often seen in bipolar disorder. Dissociative fugue, schizophrenia, and major depression have different primary symptoms.

Question 10

According to researcher Beck, the depressive cognitive triad consists of negative views of

Accepted Answer

The depressive cognitive triad, as proposed by Aaron Beck, includes negative views about the world, oneself, and the future. This concept is central to his cognitive theory of depression.

Question 11

The fact that women who had lost their mothers prior to age 11 were significantly more likely to become depressed as adults when exposed to a recent severe stressor, is most readily explained by

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic perspective, originating from Freudian theory, emphasizes the impact of early childhood experiences on the unconscious mind and subsequent behavior and emotions. Losing a mother at a young age could lead to unresolved emotional conflicts or attachment issues, which might predispose an individual to depression when faced with stressors later in life.

Question 12

Humanistic psychologist Seligman has speculated that the dramatic increase in depression that has occurred since 1960 is due to

Accepted Answer

Seligman, a prominent psychologist known for his work on positive psychology and well-being, has suggested that the rise in depression rates since the 1960s can be attributed to an overemphasis on individuality and personal control. This focus can lead to feelings of isolation and pressure, contributing to increased depression.

Question 13

If left untreated, the typical depressive episode lasts for approximately _____________.

Accepted Answer

A typical untreated depressive episode can last for about 5 to 10 months.

Question 14

Steve has just done poorly on an algebra exam. He has been feeling depressed for several weeks and he attributes his poor performance to the fact that he is a lousy math student. Characteristic of the depressive cognitive triad, Steve is specifically displaying negative views of __________.

Accepted Answer

Steve's attribution of his poor performance to being a lousy math student reflects a negative view of himself, which is a characteristic of the depressive cognitive triad. This triad includes negative views of oneself, the world, and the future.

Question 15

Jane has recently managed to earn a spot on her highly competitive high-school basketball team. Despite her innate basketball skills, research on psychological disorders suggests that if Jane is depressed, she will attribute her success to _________.

Accepted Answer

Depressed individuals tend to attribute their successes to external factors rather than their own abilities or efforts. This is part of a broader pattern of negative thinking and low self-esteem often observed in depression, where individuals may not recognize or acknowledge their own role in their achievements.

Question 16

Seligman has theorized that an increased focus on individuality and personal control, and a loss of interest in traditional family and religious values have combined to produce a dramatic increase in _____________ since 1960.

Accepted Answer

Seligman's theory suggests that the shift towards individuality and away from traditional values has contributed to a rise in depression, as people may feel more isolated and less supported by community structures.

Question 17

The same neurotransmitters that appear to be underactive in depression may be overactive in producing the symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters that are typically underactive in depression, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, are often found to be overactive in mania, a state characterized by elevated mood, energy, and activity levels, which is a key feature of bipolar disorder.

Question 18

The underactivity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine has been found to be associated with _____________.

Accepted Answer

Depression has been linked to the underactivity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which play key roles in regulating mood and emotion.

Question 19

John has been having difficulty falling and staying asleep for the past few months. He has lost some of his appetite, lost some weight, and feels physically fatigued a great deal of the time. These are all examples typically associated with major depression, called ________ symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptoms are physical symptoms that can occur with mental health conditions like depression. In the context of major depression, somatic symptoms include difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite or weight, and physical fatigue.

Question 20

The speculation that gender roles and social expectations may be responsible for the greater prevalence of depression in women is proposed by _______________ theories.

Accepted Answer

Environmental theories suggest that external factors, such as societal expectations and gender roles, contribute to the higher rates of depression in women. These theories focus on how the environment and social context influence mental health.

Quiz 16: Psychological Disorders