Question 1

When Kenneth was a young boy he went to a dentist who treated him uncaringly and inflicted a good deal of pain. Even years later, he has an uncontrollable and intense fear of not only dentists but physicians, too. This best illustrates how phobias might be the result of

Accepted Answer

Kenneth's phobia of both dentists and physicians is likely due to the process of generalization in classical conditioning. His negative experience with the dentist as a child has become associated with all healthcare professionals, leading to an uncontrollable and intense fear. Observational conditioning involves learning through observing others' behavior, which does not apply to Kenneth's situation. Secondary gain refers to a person benefiting from their phobia, which is not evident in this scenario. The inflation effect pertains to the exaggeration of the perceived frequency of negative events, which is also not applicable to Kenneth's situation.

Question 2

Nicole's mother is terribly afraid of snakes. Although Nicole has never actually seen a snake, her mother has told her time and again to be careful to look for them when she is walking. Now Nicole has an intense fear of snakes and refuses to walk in the grass. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

vicarious conditioning of a phobia.

Question 3

Which of the following explanations for Diana's scissors phobia would Freud be most likely to offer?

Accepted Answer

Diana's mother is a seamstress and Diana unconsciously wants to kill her.

Question 4

Why do people with phobias continue to avoid the thing they fear?

Accepted Answer

People with phobias continue to avoid the thing they fear because avoidance is reinforced by anxiety reduction. Avoiding the object or situation reduces anxiety in the short term, but it also maintains the phobia in the long term.

Question 5

Which of the following is a typical symptom of panic attacks?

Accepted Answer

Fear of dying is a common symptom of panic attacks. Hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia are not typically associated with panic attacks.

Question 6

Martin is afraid to fly. He knows his boss wants him to take a trip for the business. Martin feels miserable, because he wants to keep his job but cannot even imagine getting on a plane. The most likely diagnosis for Martin is

Accepted Answer

Martin's fear specifically pertains to flying, indicating a specific phobia. Additionally, there is no mention of panic attacks, which rules out panic disorder. Finally, there is no indication that Martin has a fear of being in public places or situations, ruling out agoraphobia and social phobia.

Question 7

Which of the following phobias is a 10-year-old boy most likely to suffer from?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following phobias is a...

Question 8

Which of the following is associated with a unique physiological response pattern?

Accepted Answer

Blood-injection-injury phobia is associated with a unique physiological response pattern known as a vasovagal response, which involves a drop in blood pressure and heart rate. This response is not seen in other phobias or anxiety disorders.

Question 9

When Charissa was a young child, she stepped on a bee and was stung. Since that time, she has been terrified of flying insects and runs away if she sees any. According to the classical conditioning model, the bee was

Accepted Answer

The bee was initially an unconditioned stimulus because it naturally produced the unconditioned response of pain from the sting. However, after being paired with the experience of pain, the bee became a conditioned stimulus that triggered the conditioned response of fear and running away from flying insects. Therefore, the best choice is D) a conditioned stimulus.

Question 10

Gradual exposure to feared cues is

Accepted Answer

Gradual exposure to feared cues is a common component of treatment for all anxiety disorders. It is often used in cognitive-behavioral therapy and has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and fear levels.

Question 11

Individuals who suffer from phobias

Accepted Answer

Individuals with phobias typically experience a strong desire to avoid the feared stimulus or situation, which in turn can result in significant disruption to their daily lives. Choices A and B are not necessarily true for all individuals with phobias, as some individuals recognize their fear as irrational but still find it difficult to overcome, and not all phobias lead to panic attacks. Choice C is also not necessarily true, as individuals with phobias can also experience other psychological diagnoses such as anxiety or depression.

Question 12

Which of the following is one of the seven primary types of anxiety disorders recognized in the DSM-IV-TR?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of the seven primary types of anxiety disorders recognized in the DSM-IV-TR. Hypochondriasis is a separate disorder classified as a somatoform disorder, dissociative fugue is classified as a dissociative disorder, and bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder.

Question 13

Fear is a basic emotion that involves

Accepted Answer

Fear activates the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to either confront the threat or run away from it. This physiological response includes increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, among other changes. Fear is an adaptive emotion that helps humans and animals respond effectively to potential danger.

Question 14

An evolutionary psychologist might say, "The unique physiological response in this disorder, involving fainting at the sight of the feared object, may have evolved because fainting might inhibit further attack from a predator." What disorder is being discussed?

Accepted Answer

The unique physiological response described (fainting at the sight of the feared object) is a characteristic of blood-injection-injury phobia. The evolutionary psychologist is suggesting that this response may have evolved as a protective mechanism, as fainting could potentially deter or inhibit further attack from a predator.

Question 15

The new DSM classification, which omits the concept of neurosis, is an improvement because

Accepted Answer

The omission of neurosis and the revised DSM classification system is an improvement because diagnostic criteria are now based on observable symptoms and are more clearly defined, making it easier to identify and treat specific disorders.

Question 16

Neurotic behavior

Accepted Answer

Neurotic behavior is maladaptive, but it does not necessarily mean that a person is out of touch with reality. Rather, it is characterized by excessive anxiety, stress, or worry that impairs a person's ability to function in daily life. Neurosis is not a current term in the DSM-IV-TR, and it is not equivalent to what was referred to as "hysteria" in the past.

Question 17

What is one of the major ways the anxiety disorders differ from each other?

Accepted Answer

One of the major ways that anxiety disorders differ from each other is in the specific symptoms experienced. Some disorders, like panic disorder, are characterized by sudden and intense fear or panic symptoms, while others, like generalized anxiety disorder, have more general and persistent anxiety symptoms. This differentiation in symptoms is a key factor in diagnosing and treating different types of anxiety disorders.

Question 18

The main way to tell someone is having an uncued panic attack rather than is in a state of fear is

Accepted Answer

if he or she has a subjective belief that something awful is about to happen.

Question 19

Which of the following would be an example of anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Dread is a feeling of apprehension or fear about something that may happen. This is an example of anxiety.

Question 20

Neuroticism

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism is defined as a personality trait that involves a tendency to experience negative mood states such as anxiety, depression, and stress. It is not simply another term for anxiety, as it encompasses a broader range of negative emotions. It is also not necessarily about believing negative things about oneself, although this can be a part of it for some individuals.

Quiz 6: Panic, Anxiety, and Their Disorders