how do defense mechanisms contribute to psychopathology

ATI RN

Psychology 2301 Exam 1

1. 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.

2. Nearly all adults who were children living in Saigon when the U.S. armed forces left Vietnam in 1975 report that their lives were changed by those events. This exemplifies which of the following?

A. Normative age-graded influence
B. Social clock
C. Critical period
D. Sensitive period

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. This scenario exemplifies a critical period in development. Critical periods are specific times in an individual's life when certain events have a profound impact on their development. In this case, the events surrounding the departure of the U.S. armed forces from Saigon in 1975 had a lasting influence on the children living there at that time. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Normative age-graded influence refers to events that are common to people of a particular age group, the social clock relates to the culturally preferred timing of social events, and a sensitive period is a time when an individual is more susceptible to environmental influences but does not result in lifelong consequences as with critical periods.

3. Children raised in orphanages tend to have ________.

A. more cortical gray matter than those raised by their parents.
B. less cortical gray matter than those raised by their parents.
C. more friendships than those raised by their parents.
D. fewer friendships than those raised by their parents.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'less cortical gray matter than those raised by their parents.' Studies have shown that children raised in orphanages tend to have less cortical gray matter compared to those raised by their parents. This is due to the lack of individualized care, attention, and stimulation that can negatively impact brain development. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because there is no direct correlation between cortical gray matter and the number of friendships when comparing children raised in orphanages and those raised by their parents.

4. What impact do parenting styles have on child development?

A. Authoritarian parenting leads to positive developmental outcomes.
B. Permissive parenting is associated with positive developmental outcomes.
C. Neglectful parenting is associated with positive developmental outcomes.
D. All parenting styles produce similar developmental outcomes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Permissive parenting is associated with positive developmental outcomes because it involves warmth and a lack of strict control. Authoritarian parenting, as mentioned in choice A, is characterized by strict rules and harsh discipline, which may not lead to the best developmental outcomes. Neglectful parenting, as in choice C, involves a lack of responsiveness and support, which can have detrimental effects on a child's development. Choice D is incorrect because different parenting styles can have varying impacts on child development.

5. According to the diathesis-stress model, having a predisposition towards mental illness...

A. Means that a person will surely develop a mental disorder in the future
B. Does not affect the chances of developing a mental disorder
C. Increases the chance that a person would have a mental disorder
D. None of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: According to the diathesis-stress model, having a predisposition towards mental illness increases the risk but does not guarantee the development of a mental disorder. Choice A is incorrect as the model does not imply certainty. Choice B is incorrect as having a predisposition does affect the chances. Choice D is incorrect as the model does have an impact on the likelihood of developing a mental disorder.