Question 1

In Seligman's studies of learned helplessness in animals, which neurotransmitter was found to be depleted?

Accepted Answer

In Seligman's studies of learned helplessness, norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) was found to be depleted in animals that had experienced uncontrollable stress.

Question 2

According to Alloy, Abramson, and colleagues, helplessness becomes hopelessness when the afflicted person develops a sense of:

Accepted Answer

According to the researchers, helplessness becomes hopelessness when the person begins to have a belief that their circumstances are unlikely to change, which is known as depressive predictive certainty. This sense of hopelessness can then lead to the development of clinical depression.

Question 3

Jill is seeking treatment for depression, which started after she ended a long-term relationship. Which of the following would be a global depressive attribution she might make?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jill is seeking treatment for depression, which...

Question 4

A criticism in the current formulations of helplessness/hopelessness depression theories is that:

Accepted Answer

All of the above statements are criticisms of the current formulations of helplessness/hopelessness depression theories. The use of circular reasoning is evident in the suggestion that hopelessness depression is caused by hopelessness. The findings may not be specific to depression as similar patterns have been observed in other disorders. The depressive attributional style tends to disappear when depression remits, indicating that it may be a byproduct of depression rather than a causal factor.

Question 5

According to studies about reassurance seeking in depression (e.g., Joiner & Schmidt, 1998; Carnelley, Pietromonaco, & Jaffe, 1994), which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals with depression often engage in reassurance seeking as a way to validate their negative self-concept. This behavior can paradoxically lead to a decrease in support from others over time, as it can be draining and frustrating for those providing the reassurance.

Question 6

In the latest version of helplessness/hopelessness theory, depression results from inescapable aversive situations only

Accepted Answer

According to the latest version of helplessness/hopelessness theory, depression results from inescapable aversive situations only if the individual makes depressive attributions during or following the aversive situation. In other words, if the individual believes that the aversive situation is their fault, is likely to happen again, and will have negative consequences that are long-lasting and widespread, they are more likely to experience depression. This is consistent with the cognitive model of depression, which emphasizes the role of negative thoughts and beliefs in the development and maintenance of depression.

Question 7

Which of the following childhood experiences has been linked to a depressive attributional style?

Accepted Answer

Childhood sexual abuse has been linked to a depressive attributional style, as it can lead to negative self-perceptions and a tendency to attribute negative events to internal, stable, and global causes.

Question 8

An unresolved research problem facing the cognitive theory is

Accepted Answer

While all of the choices are relevant to the cognitive theory, the best choice is B because it directly addresses an unresolved problem with the theory. Specifically, it remains unclear whether negative thinking causes depression, or if mood states influence negative thinking. This is an important unresolved issue because it has implications for understanding the causal pathways of depression and developing effective treatments.

Question 9

Learned helplessness was originally formulated as a theory of depression to explain

Accepted Answer

The answer of Learned helplessness was originally formulated as a...

Question 10

The learned helplessness theory of depression was formulated by

Accepted Answer

The learned helplessness theory of depression was formulated by Martin Seligman.

Question 11

Katherine was presented with a difficult puzzle to solve that was, in fact, unsolvable. When she was later given a very simple puzzle, she was unable to solve it. This is an example in support of which theory of depression?

Accepted Answer

This example supports the learned helplessness theory of depression, which suggests that individuals who have experienced previous uncontrollable negative events will develop a belief that they are unable to control their environment, even in situations where control is possible. In this case, Katherine's inability to solve the unsolvable puzzle created a sense of helplessness which then transferred to the simple puzzle, leading to her inability to solve it as well.

Question 12

According to interpersonal theories, people with depression:

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal theories suggest that people with depression often engage in behaviors that can lead to rejection from others, such as excessive reassurance seeking or negative social interactions.

Question 13

In comparison to non-depressed individuals, Canadian research examining the link between depression and cognition has found all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The Canadian research found that depressed individuals actually have better recall of adjectives with depressive content compared to non-depressed individuals.

Question 14

Which of the following is suggested by an interpersonal theory of depression?

Accepted Answer

An interpersonal theory of depression suggests that poor social skills both lead to and result from depression. Individuals with poor social skills may have difficulty building and maintaining relationships, which can lead to social isolation and increased risk for depression. Furthermore, depression can affect one's ability to effectively communicate and engage in social interactions, perpetuating a cycle of poor social skills and depression.

Question 15

The hopelessness theory of depression is predicated on

Accepted Answer

The hopelessness theory of depression posits that cognitive diatheses (such as negative attributions) lead to the development of depression. Specifically, the theory asserts that individuals who experience negative life events and attribute them to stable, global, and internal causes are more likely to feel a sense of hopelessness and develop symptoms of depression.

Question 16

Jim constantly feels responsible for his failures. He sees himself as helpless yet still blames himself for the way in which he is feeling. This is a common problem in depression and is referred to as the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jim constantly feels responsible for his failures....

Question 17

Interactions with depressed individuals typically result in

Accepted Answer

Interactions with depressed individuals often result in the individuals eliciting negative feedback due to their negative outlook and tendency to focus on negative aspects of life. This can lead to a cycle of negative interactions and further exacerbate the individual's depression.

Question 18

According to Marlene Moretti of Simon Frasier University, how do depressed and non-depressed people differ in terms of cognitive processing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Marlene Moretti of Simon Frasier...

Question 19

According to learned helplessness theory, following a failure on an important exam, which of the following explanations for the failure is most likely to lead to depression?

Accepted Answer

According to learned helplessness theory, individuals who attribute their failures to internal, stable, and global factors (such as their own incompetence) are more likely to develop feelings of helplessness and depression than those who attribute failures to external, unstable, and specific factors (such as a one-time bad mood or lack of preparation for a particular exam). Option B ("I am stupid") is an example of an internal, stable, and global attribution, and therefore the most likely to lead to depression.

Question 20

Beck (2008)speaks of a "depressive mode." What does this concept comprise?

Accepted Answer

The concept of a "depressive mode" comprises all of the above - it is a network of cognitive, affective, motivational, behavioural and physiological schemas that take control of the person's information processing and reflect increased negative appraisals and rumination.

Quiz 8: Mood Disorders and Suicide