Question 1

A factor to be considered in discriminating normal anxiety from abnormal anxiety is

Accepted Answer

Functional impairment is a key factor in discriminating normal anxiety from abnormal anxiety. Normal anxiety does not interfere with a person's daily functioning, while abnormal anxiety can cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. The other options, such as the type of object feared or genetic component, may be relevant in specific anxiety disorders, but they do not necessarily differentiate normal from abnormal anxiety. The patient's response to medication may also be useful in identifying a specific anxiety disorder, but it is not a helpful criterion for determining the abnormality of anxiety in general.

Question 2

Your professor announces a quiz on this chapter. As you hear the news, your mind begins to conjure up images of failure and the impact of your poor performance on your chosen career as a psychologist. These thoughts persist despite your overall record of academic success. In the context of an anxiety-related response, what would you label your reaction to the announcement?

Accepted Answer

The reaction described is more in line with worry, which is a form of anxiety characterized by persistent negative thoughts or concerns about future events. Panic is a more intense, sudden reaction involving physical symptoms, whereas concern implies a more mild level of apprehension. Obsession typically involves persistent, intrusive thoughts about a particular subject or fear.

Question 3

Roshanda is a good-natured four-year-old who typically enjoys her 7:30 PM bedtime ritual. After the first day of preschool, Roshanda cries and refuses to stay in bed following her mother's goodnight kiss and demands to sleep in her parents' bed. After three unsuccessful attempts to entice Roshanda to sleep in her own bed, her mother gives in. This pattern is repeated every night. Which statement most appropriately applies to this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Roshanda's behavior of crying and refusing to stay in her own bed has been reinforced by her mother giving in and allowing her to sleep in their bed. This is an example of negative reinforcement, where the removal of an aversive stimulus (staying in her own bed) is reinforcing the behavior (crying and demanding to sleep with her parents).

Question 4

Which of the following is TRUE regarding anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety is a common emotion in new or unfamiliar situations, as it is a natural response to perceived threats or danger.

Question 5

Approximately what percent of people diagnosed with an anxiety disorder are comorbid for another anxiety disorder or for depression?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 57% of those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder are also diagnosed with another anxiety disorder or depression, highlighting the high rate of comorbidity among these conditions.

Question 6

Which of the following IS NOT one of the three factors listed in the text that differentiates normal anxiety from abnormal anxiety?Kadence is 8. At this age, children sometimes fear:

Accepted Answer

The three factors listed in the text that differentiate normal anxiety from abnormal anxiety are: sociodemographic factors (age, gender, culture), the degree of functional impairment, and the type of feared object or situation. The fear of school is a common fear among children and does not necessarily indicate abnormal anxiety.

Question 7

In children, ______ may be the first sign of fear.

Accepted Answer

Unusual behaviors such as clinging to a caregiver, excessive crying, or avoidance may be an indication that a child is experiencing fear or anxiety. Refusal to eat or early morning awakenings may also be signs of anxiety, but they are not necessarily the first signs. A bedtime ritual may actually be a comforting routine that helps alleviate fear or anxiety.

Question 8

According to your text, anxiety is a response oriented toward the

Accepted Answer

Anxiety is a response oriented toward the future. It involves worrying about potential situations and outcomes that may or may not occur. People with anxiety disorders often experience excessive and unrealistic fears about the future, which can interfere with their daily functioning.

Question 9

As a patient describes his symptoms to a clinician, she begins to suspect that he is suffering from an anxiety disorder. When he mentions fearing class presentations and dropping classes to avoid them, she knows that he

Accepted Answer

The patient's fear of class presentations and avoidance of classes are two classic behavioral symptoms of anxiety, which suggest that the patient may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Option A is not the best choice because medication is not always necessary for anxiety disorders and may not be appropriate for everyone. Option C is not likely because the patient did not mention any symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Option D is not supported by the information given in the scenario.

Question 10

A child's developmental hierarchy of fear depends on the child's chronological age and

Accepted Answer

A child's level of cognitive development is the most important factor in determining their developmental hierarchy of fear. As children grow and their cognitive abilities develop, they become more aware of the world around them and are able to conceptualize more complex fears. For example, a two-year-old may only be afraid of loud noises, while a six-year-old may also be afraid of getting lost or being separated from their parents.

Question 11

Females are ____ times more likely than males to report symptoms of an anxiety disorder.

Accepted Answer

Females are three times more likely than males to report symptoms of an anxiety disorder. This statistic is supported by numerous studies and reports on mental health, which consistently find that women are disproportionately affected by anxiety disorders compared to men.

Question 12

Until recently, Jerry had always enjoyed being on his high school debate team, which had won several awards. But yesterday, as Jerry prepared for next week's event, he began to experience a heightened sense of nervousness. He noticed tightness in his chest and he felt dizzy. He had difficulty controlling his rapid breathing and began to feel an intense need to go outside for air. It is most likely that Jerry was experiencing symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Jerry's sudden onset of nervousness, chest tightness, dizziness, rapid breathing, and desire to go outside for air are indicative of a panic attack. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder may also involve anxiety symptoms, but panic attacks are characterized by an acute and intense onset of physical and psychological symptoms.

Question 13

Select the statement below about worry that is TRUE.

Accepted Answer

The cognitive symptom of worry is the ability to recognize and prioritize potential threats, which requires a level of metacognition. Young children have not yet fully developed this skill, so they are less likely to experience this symptom of worry.

Question 14

Select the statement below that best illustrates the concept of functional impairment.

Accepted Answer

Functional impairment refers to a significant limitation or disruption in an individual's ability to engage in important life activities, such as work, socializing, or personal care. The man's fear of flying is preventing him from attending an important family event, which is a clear example of functional impairment. The other statements do not demonstrate significant limitations or disruptions in important life activities.

Question 15

Cognitive symptoms that accompany anxiety are also referred to as

Accepted Answer

Cognitive symptoms of anxiety often manifest as subjective distress, which includes excessive worry, fear, or a feeling of being overwhelmed, rather than compulsions, delusions, or flight reactions. These latter terms describe different psychological or behavioral phenomena.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the three componentsThe most common behavioral expression of anxiety is?

Accepted Answer

The three components of anxiety are physical symptoms (such as panic attacks), escape or avoidance behavior, and negative cognitions/subjective distress. Developmental fears or worries may be a common manifestation of anxiety, but they are not one of the three components.

Question 17

An intense fear reaction resembling sheer terror is called

Accepted Answer

A panic attack is characterized by an intense fear reaction, often with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing. It typically occurs suddenly and without obvious cause, and can be very distressing for the person experiencing it.

Question 18

Gwen is preparing for her Psychology of Learning midterm exam. Although she has read all of the material and been active in class discussions, she has recurring thoughts of failing the exam. Her thoughts persist even though she is an honors student and has never failed a test. Gwen is experiencing

Accepted Answer

Gwen is experiencing anxiety, which is characterized by persistent thoughts and worries about a situation or event. Panic attacks involve sudden onset of intense fear, while delusions and suicidal ideation involve more severe and specific symptoms.

Question 19

In behavioral terms, the goal of psychotherapy in treating an anxiety disorder is to

Accepted Answer

The goal of psychotherapy in treating an anxiety disorder is to reverse the pattern of negative reinforcement, where the individual learns to engage in avoidance behaviors to reduce anxiety, which reinforces the behavior and maintains the anxiety. By helping the individual to confront their feared situations and develop coping strategies, the therapist can help them break this pattern of negative reinforcement. A and C identify specific tasks that may be involved in the therapy, but they do not reflect the overarching goal. D is a possible aspect of identifying the function of the behavior, but it is not the primary goal of the therapy.

Question 20

Which of the following are components of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system is composed of two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The peripheral nervous system and brain are part of the larger nervous system, which includes both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems. The somatic sensory system is not part of the autonomic nervous system. The brain and spinal cord are also part of the larger nervous system, but not specific to the autonomic nervous system.

Quiz 4: Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders