Nursing Elites

1. A group of psychologists is conducting research to determine whether people eat more when they are in the presence of environmental stimuli that increase anxiety, such as loud noises or flashing lights. These scientists most likely follow?

• A. The behavioral perspective.
• B. The psychodynamic perspective.
• C. The humanistic perspective.
• D. The functionalist perspective.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the behavioral perspective. This perspective focuses on how environmental stimuli influence behavior, making it suitable for studying how anxiety-inducing stimuli affect eating behavior. The psychodynamic perspective (choice B) would focus more on unconscious processes and early life experiences. The humanistic perspective (choice C) emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization. The functionalist perspective (choice D) is more related to the study of the purpose of behavior and mental processes in adapting to the environment.

2. How does the concept of neural plasticity relate to recovery from brain injuries?

• A. Neural plasticity means the brain cannot recover from injuries.
• B. Neural plasticity allows the brain to recover and reorganize after injuries.
• C. Neural plasticity refers to the brain's inability to change after injury.
• D. Neural plasticity is a myth.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neural plasticity allows the brain to recover and reorganize after injuries. It is the brain's ability to adapt and change, forming new connections or reorganizing existing ones to compensate for damage. Choice A is incorrect as neural plasticity enables recovery. Choice C is incorrect as neural plasticity involves the brain's capacity to change. Choice D is incorrect as neural plasticity is a well-established phenomenon in neuroscience.

3. 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.

4. Elliot became widowed after nearly 40 years of marriage. He has convinced himself that no one will ever love him again. His irrational thinking has caused him to suffer from depression, and he rarely leaves his house. What perspective might best explain his behavior?

• A. Psychodynamic
• B. Behavioral
• C. Biological
• D. Cognitive

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The cognitive perspective might best explain Elliot's irrational thinking and resulting depression. In this case, Elliot's belief that he will never be loved again is a cognitive distortion, leading to depressive symptoms and social withdrawal. The psychodynamic perspective primarily focuses on unconscious processes and unresolved conflicts from the past, which do not directly address Elliot's current cognitive distortions. The behavioral perspective would focus on observable behaviors and how they are reinforced, which is not the central issue in this scenario. The biological perspective would examine the role of genetics, brain chemistry, and other physiological factors, which are not the primary cause of Elliot's behavior in this context.

5. Which of the following did Freud believe played a causal role in the development of most forms of psychopathology?

• A. Anxiety
• B. Depression
• C. Unresolved conflicts between the ego and the superego
• D. Fixation in the oral stage

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Freud believed that anxiety was a primary causal factor in the development of most forms of psychopathology. Anxiety, according to Freud, arises from conflicts within the mind, particularly conflicts between the id, ego, and superego. This unresolved conflict can lead to various psychological issues. While depression can be a symptom of psychopathology, Freud emphasized anxiety as a more foundational element. Unresolved conflicts between the ego and the superego are related to Freud's structural model of the mind but are not the primary causal factor in psychopathology. Fixation in the oral stage is a concept from Freud's psychosexual stages of development and is not directly linked to the causal role in the development of most forms of psychopathology.

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