ATI RN
Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test
1. Dana's mother suffers from serious depressive episodes. Dana is likely to ________.
- A. be at risk for depression herself.
- B. become a happy-go-lucky child due to having to cope with so much.
- C. act in an aggressive, criminal manner.
- D. have intense attachments to her mother.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a family member, especially a parent, suffers from serious depressive episodes, it can increase the risk of depression in other family members, including children. Therefore, in this situation, Dana is likely to be at risk for depression herself. Choice B is incorrect because experiencing a parent's depression does not necessarily lead to becoming a happy-go-lucky child; it can have serious emotional implications. Choice C is incorrect as there is no direct link between a parent's depression and a child acting in an aggressive, criminal manner. Choice D may seem plausible, but it is not the most likely outcome in this scenario.
2. Newer psychodynamic perspectives ________.
- A. disregard most elements of Freud's theories.
- B. emphasize the role of the id.
- C. do not view the libido as a primary determinant of behavior.
- D. recognize intrapsychic conflicts as a primary determinant of behavior.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Newer psychodynamic perspectives do not view the libido as a primary determinant of behavior. While Freud's theories focused heavily on the libido as a driving force, newer perspectives have evolved to consider a broader range of factors influencing behavior. Choice A is incorrect as newer perspectives still build upon some elements of Freud's theories. Choice B is incorrect as newer perspectives may not solely emphasize the role of the id. Choice D is incorrect as while intrapsychic conflicts are considered important, they are not always viewed as the sole primary determinant of behavior in newer psychodynamic perspectives.
3. Which of the following is not a common method for studying genetic influences?
- A. The study of specific gene defects
- B. Twin studies
- C. Adoption studies
- D. Family history (pedigree) studies
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Studying specific gene defects is not a common method for investigating genetic influences. Choices B, C, and D are common methods used in genetic research. Twin studies help determine the heritability of traits, adoption studies compare similarities between adopted individuals and their adoptive families versus biological families, and family history studies track the inheritance patterns of traits within families.
4. Biological discoveries ________.
- A. have lessened the subjectivity of definitions of abnormality.
- B. demonstrate that the environment plays only a minimal role in the development of psychopathology.
- C. make it clear that mental disorders are diseases and should be dealt with by the medical profession.
- D. have led to a recognition of the role that genetic factors and other biological influences play in the development of many disorders.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Biological discoveries have indeed led to a recognition of the role that genetic factors and other biological influences play in the development of many disorders. This understanding has shifted the focus from purely environmental explanations to acknowledging the significant impact of genetics and biology on mental health. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because biological discoveries have not specifically addressed the subjectivity of definitions of abnormality, minimized the role of the environment in psychopathology, or definitively classified mental disorders as diseases that should only be handled by the medical profession.
5. What does the diathesis-stress model entail?
- A. The diathesis-stress model suggests that stress alone is sufficient to cause a mental disorder.
- B. The diathesis-stress model involves a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental stressors.
- C. The diathesis-stress model suggests that genetic factors alone cause mental disorders.
- D. The diathesis-stress model suggests that stressors in the environment do not affect the onset of mental disorders.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The diathesis-stress model proposes that mental disorders develop from a combination of genetic vulnerability (the diathesis) and environmental stressors. Choice A is incorrect because it states that stress alone can cause mental disorders, which is not in line with the model. Choice C is incorrect as it simplifies the model to genetic factors alone causing mental disorders. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests that environmental stressors do not play a role in the onset of mental disorders, which contradicts the essence of the diathesis-stress model.
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