how can resilience impact the likelihood of developing a mental disorder

ATI RN

Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test

1. How can resilience impact the likelihood of developing a mental disorder?

A. Resilience has no impact on mental health outcomes.
B. Resilience can help individuals overcome significant stressors.
C. Resilience is irrelevant to mental health.
D. Resilience is the sole factor that determines mental health outcomes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Resilience plays a crucial role in mental health outcomes by enabling individuals to navigate and overcome stressors effectively, thus reducing the probability of developing mental disorders. Choice A is incorrect as resilience does have a positive impact on mental health. Choice C is incorrect as resilience is highly relevant to mental health outcomes. Choice D is incorrect because while resilience is important, it is not the only factor influencing mental health.

2. 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.

3. How do defense mechanisms contribute to psychopathology?

A. They do not contribute to psychopathology as they are healthy coping mechanisms.
B. They contribute to psychopathology by allowing individuals to avoid confronting painful realities.
C. Defense mechanisms have no connection to psychopathology.
D. Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies that can lead to the development of psychopathology.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Defense mechanisms contribute to psychopathology by allowing individuals to avoid confronting painful realities. This avoidance can prevent individuals from dealing with underlying issues, leading to the development or exacerbation of psychopathological conditions. Choice A is incorrect because while defense mechanisms may serve as coping mechanisms, they can also contribute to psychopathology when used excessively or inappropriately. Choice C is incorrect as defense mechanisms are indeed connected to psychopathology. Choice D is incorrect because defense mechanisms, when maladaptive, can contribute to psychopathology rather than being considered healthy coping strategies.

4. Why is it difficult to determine the nature of the relationship between divorce and the psychological functioning of family members?

A. Cause and effect cannot be determined as preexisting behavioral abnormalities in either the parents or the children may make divorce more likely.
B. The findings have been too inconsistent to draw any conclusions.
C. While the effects of divorce are negative on children, the effects on the spouses are generally positive.
D. Due to modern acceptance of divorce, there has been an ongoing decrease in the negative effects of divorce.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it highlights a crucial factor that makes it challenging to establish a clear cause and effect relationship between divorce and the psychological functioning of family members. Preexisting behavioral abnormalities in either the parents or the children may influence both the likelihood of divorce and the psychological functioning of family members. Choice B is incorrect as it generalizes the findings without specifying the key issue of preexisting conditions. Choice C is incorrect as it oversimplifies the effects of divorce on family members. Choice D is incorrect as it presents a broad statement without addressing the complexities involved in determining the effects of divorce.

5. Defense mechanisms ________.

A. make a person feel more anxious and have more problems, as they begin to act defensively.
B. are strategies the id uses to try to achieve its desires.
C. are conscious, intentional attempts to cope effectively with an anxiety-producing event.
D. help a person feel less anxious, but because they usually work by distorting reality, they are not always adaptive.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because defense mechanisms aim to reduce anxiety but can lead to distortion of reality, making them not always beneficial. Choice A is incorrect as defense mechanisms are meant to reduce anxiety, not increase it. Choice B is incorrect because defense mechanisms are not strategies of the id specifically. Choice C is incorrect as defense mechanisms are often unconscious and not always intentional.