how does the diathesis stress model explain the onset of mental disorders

ATI RN

Psychology 101 Final Exam

1. How does the diathesis-stress model explain the onset of mental disorders?

A. Stress alone is sufficient to cause mental disorders.
B. Both genetic vulnerability and environmental stress are needed to trigger a disorder.
C. Only genetic factors cause mental disorders.
D. Environmental stressors alone can cause mental disorders.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The diathesis-stress model explains that the onset of mental disorders results from the interaction of genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stress. Choice A is incorrect because stress alone is not sufficient, according to the model. Choice C is incorrect as it oversimplifies by attributing mental disorders solely to genetic factors. Choice D is incorrect because the model emphasizes the joint contribution of genetic predisposition and environmental stress.

2. 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.

3. Genes ________

A. determine how a person will behave.
B. cause people to develop mental disorders.
C. determine what characteristics a person will have.
D. determine the range of characteristics a person has.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Genes determine the range of characteristics a person has. Choice A is incorrect because genes do not solely determine behavior, as behavior is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Choice B is incorrect because while genes can contribute to the risk of developing mental disorders, they do not directly cause them. Choice C is incorrect as genes contribute to but do not solely determine all characteristics a person will have.

4. Which of the following statements about brain dysfunction and psychiatric disorders is correct?

A. Identifiable brain damage is often the cause of psychiatric disorders.
B. Brain damage may decrease the risk of developing a psychiatric condition.
C. Changes in brain function appear to play a role in many psychiatric disorders.
D. Brain development can be altered by experience, always leading to changes in the brain that decrease the risk of developing a psychiatric condition.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct statement is C: 'Changes in brain function appear to play a role in many psychiatric disorders.' This statement is accurate as research suggests that alterations in brain function are associated with various psychiatric disorders. Option A is incorrect because while brain damage can contribute to some psychiatric conditions, it is not always the primary cause. Option B is incorrect as brain damage typically increases the risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Option D is incorrect because while brain development can be influenced by experiences, it does not always decrease the risk of psychiatric conditions.

5. John Watson argued that psychologists should?

A. Use the method of introspection to establish the structural aspects of consciousness.
B. Be concerned with the purposiveness (function) of behavior.
C. Confine their work to people who are diagnosed as mentally ill.
D. Abandon the study of consciousness.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: John Watson was a key figure in the development of behaviorism, which advocated for focusing on observable behavior rather than the study of consciousness. Choice D is the correct answer because Watson believed that psychology should abandon the study of consciousness. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because Watson's approach emphasized behavior and rejected the importance of consciousness, introspection, or confining psychology to only mentally ill individuals.