Question 1

Language is defined as a system of symbols imbued with meaning that permits for communication of innumerable ideas. Which theory regarding the connection between language and culture posits that language structure (concepts and categories) influences or determines cognition?

Accepted Answer

The linguistic relativity principle, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that cultural concepts and categories in different languages affect cognition in such a way that speakers of a specific language think and behave differently than speakers of another language.

Question 2

The APA ethics code has evolved over time to reflect awareness of differences between people. Which of the following terms refers to a view that accounts for cultural background, as opposed to being culturally neutral?

Accepted Answer

Emic refers to a multicultural perspective in relation to psychological approaches and what is considered healthy for individuals. Etic, the previously approved view for psychologists, is culturally neutral-it does not account for cultural differences that affect mental health.

Question 3

Berry's theory of acculturation-the process by which members of one cultural group shift attitudes and behaviors to align with a different cultural group- proposes four strategies. Which of the following is NOT one of those strategies?

Accepted Answer

Enculturation refers to the process of learning about one's own culture. The four strategies of acculturation proposed by Berry are assimilation (giving up own culture and seeking interaction with other cultures), separation (maintaining own culture and avoiding interaction with other cultures), integration (maintaining own culture and seeking interaction with other cultures), and marginalization (giving up own culture while not seeking interaction with other cultures).

Question 4

Cultural differences impact views and diagnoses of mental health. Which of the following disorders is similar in symptomatology and prevalence rate across cultures?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia is similar in symptomatology and prevalence rate across cultures. Depression, Borderline personality disorder, and other disorders and are more culturally specific in both prevalence and associated symptoms.

Question 5

There are a number of theories about the identity development of different ethnic groups. Which of the following models discusses six stages of racial identity development for white people?

Accepted Answer

Helms developed a six-stage white racial identity development model. The stages are: contact, disintegration, reintegration, pseudo-independence, immersion, and autonomy.

Question 6

Margaret Mead studied the development of personality across cultures. She believed that femininity and masculinity were based not on genetic sex, but on which of the following factors?

Accepted Answer

Mead posited that femininity and masculinity are based on cultural environment. Relationships, class, and ethics are all part of that environment, but it is the larger social context that determines how gender traits develop, according to Mead.

Question 7

Which of the following words or phrases would be the best choice for parents to use when answering their children's questions about a classmate with a disability?

Accepted Answer

The best word out of the choice of five for parents to use in answering their young child's questions about a child with a disability is "can." That is the only word in the group that emphasizes what children with disabilities are capable of, even with their disability. Parents should use this opportunity to point out to their children all that they and the child with limitations have in common, like their age, class, and favorite activities. While disabled children do have special needs, using that word here could imply to their child that he or she is not special, so the word "special" is best avoided.

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of the IEP is to combine regular classes and special classes in a way that would enable special needs children to participate in regular school activities and interact with their non-special education classmates. The program is designed neither to exclude these children completely from regular school activities nor force them into situations which they can't handle. The program is in place to give children with disabilities the extra help necessary so they can develop and grow and better adapt to their school environment and the other people in it.

Question 9

What does the educational practice called Mainstreaming entail?

Accepted Answer

Mainstreaming is the practice of placing special needs children not only in regular schools, but in regular classes. While this approach won't work with all special needs children, the idea behind mainstreaming is that unless it is absolutely necessary, it is better for the development of children who need special education not to separate them from other children. Keeping them together in the same classroom with other children fosters their healthy social development, while, for the children who do not have a disability, it is an opportunity to learn tolerance for those with intellectual, physical, or emotional limitations.

Question 10

Large sample size research studies show that there is a substantially higher dropout rate after just one therapy session for minority group clients than for Caucasian clients. This disturbing phenomenon can be primarily traced to what factor?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that the main reason why fewer minority group clients than white clients return for therapy after their first session is poor professional interaction between the therapist and client. The therapist's and client's culturally based beliefs, attitudes, and goals are out of sync and the client picks up on it.

Question 11

What was a major problem with the widespread use of the earlier individual standardized tests of children's intelligence?

Accepted Answer

A major problem with the widespread use of the earlier individual standardized tests of children's intelligence was that the test norms were skewed in favor of certain segments of the population. Subsequent revisions of these tests have addressed this shortcoming and have tried to make the tests fair for non-minority and minority groups alike.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is a probable reason why there is so much more emphasis on culture, ethnicity, and diversity in 21st century psychology than there used to be?

Accepted Answer

All three of the factors have played a contributing role in psychologists recognizing the importance of culture, ethnicity, and diversity to their professional practice. Both the greater diversity of the population they are serving and the greater diversity amongst psychologists themselves necessitate learning about and becoming more sensitive to the myriad ways the associated beliefs, values, and traditions can affect an individual's behavior.

Question 13

What would be the least advisable thing for a clinical psychologist to do when the different ethnicity of the psychologist and the client could be adversely affecting the therapeutic process?

Accepted Answer

The least advisable and potentially most harmful thing for the psychologist to do is to ignore the problem and assume it will go away on its own as the therapy moves forward. The psychologist's own biases could be part of the equation, which either counseling or consulting a culture diversity expert can help bring to the surface. Or the psychologist can let another therapist take over the case. If the psychologist does nothing, not only will the client-therapist relationship not improve; the client will probably quit therapy voluntarily.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about dyslexia is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Dyslexic children frequently have difficulties interacting socially with their peers. This difficulty is not what either causes the dyslexia or makes it worse, but is an obstacle to making friends. These children have trouble finding the right words and may stammer or take too much time to say something. Their inability to communicate effectively leaves them feeling awkward, uncomfortable, and frustrated. Dyslexic children do not necessarily have low intelligence.

Question 15

Jamal Glover is a bright and inquisitive 6-year-old in first grade who, according to his mother, is already reading at a third-grade level. His mother has been trying for some time to get him placed in his school district's Gifted and Talented program, with no success. Jamal is now beginning to display disruptive behavior in school, which his mother blames on his being bored. If she were to file a complaint against the school district, what might be a valid argument supporting her case?

Accepted Answer

Any or all of the above statements could be a factor in why Mrs. Glover failed to get her gifted son accepted for IEP services. Today, however, many school districts are starting to recognize that not only is it important to give underachieving students the necessary help to achieve their potential; very bright students might benefit from special services as well.

Question 16

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) is an organization that works together with both parents and professionals to better serve the needs of gifted children. Which of the following can SENG do for a parent interested in finding more services for a gifted child?

Accepted Answer

SENG provides any interested person with resources such as reading materials, webinars, and conferences to help that person gain a better understanding of what giftedness in children encompasses. The organization has also established a misdiagnosis initiative to help minimize a wrong diagnosis occurrence in gifted children. SENG does not test children or make recommendations or referrals for tests, schools, or therapy.

Question 17

Why might a young therapist in a clinic accepting Medicaid patients and serving an inner city, predominantly black community have a problem implementing psychoanalytic theory?

Accepted Answer

The main reason why a young psychologist in a predominantly black inner city community would have a problem implementing psychoanalytic theory is that the theory's basic principles were derived from research conducted on a non-representative sample in a study that took place back in the nineteenth century. Conclusions drawn on a sample consisting almost exclusively of upper class white Austrian women might be heavily biased and not inferable to the very different population being served by the young Afro-American psychologist at the inner-city clinic.

Question 18

Damian Smith, a 14-year-old Afro-American youth from South Chicago, was referred to a therapist because of poor grades and a poor attitude. The boy had a chip on his shoulder and was annoyed about having to see the psychologist when he much rather be playing basketball. He also thought a lot about how his older brother, Sean, had gotten involved with a bad crowd and wound up being arrested. He felt his brother was bullied by the police and got a raw deal. The clinical psychologist who evaluated Damian, an older white man, reported a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality and Cognitive Behavior Disorder. However, the school guidance counselor disagreed with the diagnosis and arranged to have Damian re-evaluated by a different psychologist. That psychologist concurred with the guidance counselor. What might have led to the first psychologist's incorrect diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The first psychologist probably diagnosed Damian incorrectly because he failed to take cultural attitudes into account. Damian's neighborhood, his brother's experience, and possible run-ins with the police or other authority figures he knew may have all contributed to a distrust of the therapist and unwillingness to cooperate, leading the psychologist to over-diagnose his problem.

Question 19

What area of study is of primary interest in the branch of ethnic psychology called Hispanic psychology?

Accepted Answer

Hispanic psychology is primarily concerned with intracultural group differences. Furthermore, the focus is specifically on Latinos living in the United States or Puerto Rico. In this respect, Hispanic psychology differs from cross-cultural psychology, which compares values, traditions, and behaviors of different cultures.

Question 20

Would it be a good idea, and why, for a non-Hispanic psychologist who is treating a Hispanic child or teenager to meet the other members of the family?

Accepted Answer

It would be a good idea for a non-Hispanic psychologist treating a Hispanic child or teenager to meet the other members of the family. Doing so will help the psychologist learn not only about family interactions and roles, but also the contribution of cultural beliefs and practices to the family dynamics. The result will be a better understanding of the child and what should be the focus of therapy.

Quiz 4: Diversity