Question 1

Lifestyle choices, behaviors, and psychological characteristics are the main focus of ________ psychology.

Accepted Answer

Health psychology focuses on how lifestyle choices, behaviors, and psychological characteristics impact physical health and well-being. Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes such as thinking and perception, behavioral psychology focuses on observable actions and their causes, and social psychology focuses on how individuals interact with others and are influenced by social factors.

Question 2

Your roommate has been engaging in risky sexual behavior all semester, yet she denies that anything is wrong. She is likely in the ________ stage of the stages of change model.

Accepted Answer

In the precontemplation stage of the stages of change model, the individual is not yet considering changing their behavior and may not even recognize that there is a problem. In this case, the roommate is denying that there is anything wrong with her risky sexual behavior, indicating that she is in the precontemplation stage.

Question 3

People who are in the ________ stage of change possess a beginning awareness of their problem behavior but they are not yet ready to change it.

Accepted Answer

The contemplation stage is characterized by a beginning awareness of a problem behavior and a lack of readiness to change it. In the action stage, individuals have already made specific efforts to modify their behavior, while those in the preparation stage are actively planning and preparing to change. The maintenance stage involves successfully maintaining the new behavior over time.

Question 4

Which of the following would NOT be classified under health behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Studying is not a health behavior as it does not directly relate to physical or mental health practices. The other options involve activities that promote health and well-being.

Question 5

Vince is overweight and wants to start an exercise program. According to the theory of reasoned action, which of the following is a critical factor in regards to Vince's chances of effective change?

Accepted Answer

The theory of reasoned action emphasizes the importance of social norms and the influence of others' opinions on an individual's intentions and behaviors. Vince's belief that his friends will approve of his actions can positively influence his motivation and commitment to the exercise program.

Question 6

Sam has a problem with alcohol. He gets drunk at parties four to five nights a week and it is not uncommon for him to experience blackouts. Despite his friends' concerns, Sam does not think he has a problem and believes that he is just being a typical college student. Sam would most likely be classified as being in the ________ stage of change.

Accepted Answer

In the precontemplation stage, individuals do not even recognize that they have a problem and do not have any intention of changing their behavior. Sam's belief that he is just being a typical college student indicates that he is not yet considering changing his behavior.

Question 7

Dr. Saline is testing the water supplies of small villages in a remote region of Africa to ascertain the water's purity. Dr. Saline is interested in

Accepted Answer

Dr. Saline's work testing the water supplies is focused on public health, as ensuring the purity of the water supply is crucial in preventing the spread of waterborne illnesses and promoting the health of the villagers.

Question 8

In the stages of change model, a key factor that differentiates the ________ is awareness that a particular behavior is problematic.

Accepted Answer

The precontemplation stage is characterized by a lack of awareness or denial of a particular behavior being problematic, while the contemplation stage involves awareness and consideration of the need for change. The preparation stage and action stage involve taking concrete steps towards making the change. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 9

Ginny was not really aware of her body odor until one of her friends made a comment about how bad someone in her carpool smelled. According to the stages of change model, Ginny is at the ________ stage.

Accepted Answer

In the precontemplation stage, individuals are not yet aware of their problem or do not recognize the need for change. Ginny was not aware of her body odor until her friend commented, indicating she was in the precontemplation stage.

Question 10

Jack has started a new diet program. He wants to lose thirty pounds. His wife is supporting him and he feels that the weight loss is under his control. His change in behavior reflects the theory of

Accepted Answer

Jack's change in behavior suggests that he has made a conscious decision to lose weight and he believes that he has control over achieving his goal. These are key principles of the theory of planned behavior, which suggests that behavior change is driven by three factors: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. In this case, Jack's attitude towards weight loss is likely positive, as he has made the decision to start a new diet program. He also seems to have the support of his wife, which can influence his subjective norms around weight loss. Finally, his belief that he can control his weight loss (perceived behavioral control) is a key factor in the theory of planned behavior.

Question 11

Shirley is talking to a group of third graders about the importance of drinking plenty of water every day. She is focused on

Accepted Answer

Shirley's focus on the importance of drinking plenty of water aligns with the concept of health promotion, which aims to prevent health problems before they occur through education and behavior change.

Question 12

Pete was surprised how quickly he became short of breath while playing a pick-up game of basketball with his co-workers. He has been smoking for several years and is finally thinking about quitting, but is uncertain as how to go about it. Pete is at which stage in the stages of change model?

Accepted Answer

Pete is aware of the negative effects of smoking on his health and is considering quitting, which indicates he is in the contemplation stage.

Question 13

Lawrence was just told by his doctor that his recent weight gain has placed him at risk for Type II diabetes. Lawrence chooses to ignore his doctor's advice. Lawrence is at which stage in the stages of change model?

Accepted Answer

Lawrence is in the precontemplation stage because he is not even considering making a change in his behavior despite the health risk identified by his doctor.

Question 14

The main difference between health psychology and behavioral medicine is that in addition to behavioral and social influences, health psychology focuses on ________ influences, while behavioral medicine focuses on ________ influences.

Accepted Answer

Health psychology focuses on cognitive influences on health, such as beliefs and attitudes, while behavioral medicine focuses on biomedical influences on health, such as physiological and biochemical factors.

Question 15

How is the theory of planned behavior different from the theory of reasoned action?

Accepted Answer

The theory of planned behavior builds on the theory of reasoned action by including the idea that perceptions of control over the outcome are important. Both theories emphasize the importance of attitudes and subjective norms in predicting behavior, but the theory of planned behavior takes it a step further by adding the component of perceived behavioral control. This includes factors such as self-efficacy and the perception of external barriers to behavior, which can influence whether someone actually carries out the intended behavior. Option A is incorrect because both theories emphasize the importance of planning, but this is not a key difference between the two. Similarly, option B is incorrect because both theories recognize the role of attitudes, but the theory of planned behavior focuses more on the specific beliefs underlying those attitudes. Option C is incorrect because both theories emphasize the importance of specific and measurable goals, but this is not a key difference between the two.

Question 16

Who is NOT engaged in what psychologists refer to as health behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Studying history notes is not a health behavior. A health behavior is any action that individuals take to maintain, enhance, or restore their health, such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and practicing good hygiene, among others.

Question 17

The element of ________ separates the theory of reasoned action from the theory of planned behavior.

Accepted Answer

The element of control is added to the theory of planned behavior, which is an extension of the theory of reasoned action. The theory of planned behavior includes the belief that individuals have control over their behavior and can make deliberate choices, while the theory of reasoned action emphasizes the importance of attitudes and subjective norms.

Question 18

Which of the following is the first stage in the stages of change model?

Accepted Answer

The first stage in the stages of change model is precontemplation, where the individual is not yet considering a change in behavior.

Question 19

Kevin knows that he needs to start an exercise program. He has begun to check the programming offered by a number of the fitness centers in his area. According to the stages of change model, Kevin is at the ________ stage.

Accepted Answer

Kevin is in the contemplation stage as he is actively seeking information and considering starting an exercise program, but has not yet made a commitment to take action.

Question 20

Ryan has started lifting weights so he can try out for the football team next year. He is excited and feels his peers will support him. However, he still does not know if he will make the team. His change in behavior reflects the theory of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ryan has started lifting weights so he...

Quiz 17: Health Psychology