Nursing Elites

1. Colleen found herself attracted to her psychology instructor. She would frequently go by his office just to be near him. When he didn't respond to her advances, Colleen eventually told him that she had thoughts of killing herself so that he would spend time trying to counsel her. What personality disorder best describes Colleen's thinking and behavior?

• A. Borderline personality disorder
• B. Schizoid personality disorder
• C. Schizotypal personality disorder
• D. Antisocial personality disorder

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Colleen's behavior of seeking attention and manipulating others by threatening self-harm to elicit a response from her psychology instructor aligns with the characteristics of borderline personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by unstable relationships, impulsive actions, and efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not match Colleen's behavior as described in the scenario. Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, Schizotypal personality disorder involves social anxiety and odd behavior, and Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for others' feelings and violating their rights.

2. Which of the following statements is least likely to be made by a humanist?

• A. Humans are unique.
• B. The behavior of humans tends to be influenced by environmental circumstances.
• C. Humans have a basic need to fulfill their potentials.
• D. Research on animals has little relevance to understanding human behavior.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The corrected question assesses the least likely statement made by a humanist. Choice B, 'The behavior of humans tends to be influenced by environmental circumstances,' is least likely to be made by a humanist. Humanists believe that human behavior is not simply dictated by environmental circumstances but is influenced by a combination of factors, including personal experiences, emotions, and conscious decisions. Choices A, C, and D are more aligned with humanist perspectives. Choice A acknowledges the uniqueness of humans, which is a common theme in humanistic psychology. Choice C reflects the humanistic belief that individuals strive to reach their full potential and self-actualization. Choice D contrasts with humanist views as humanists often consider research on animals to be relevant in understanding human behavior due to shared basic psychological processes.

3. 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.

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. An elementary school principal wants to know the best predictors of juvenile delinquency and dropping out of school in high school so she can provide preventive interventions. Your best advice is ________.

• A. Look for kids who are very popular because they are class clowns.
• B. Silent, depressed, loners tend to be dropouts because they are often depressed.
• C. There is no way to predict juvenile delinquency as early as elementary school.
• D. The best predictor is aggression toward peers, which leads to peer rejection.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The best advice is to look for aggression toward peers as the best predictor of juvenile delinquency and dropping out of school. Option A is incorrect because being popular or a class clown doesn't necessarily indicate delinquency. Option B is incorrect as not all silent, depressed loners end up as dropouts. Option C is incorrect as research shows that early signs of aggression can predict future delinquent behavior and school dropout rates, making it feasible to intervene early.

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