the ability to adapt successfully to even very difficult circumstances is called

ATI RN

Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test

1. The ability to adapt successfully to even very difficult circumstances is called ________.

A. resilience
B. hardiness
C. perseverance
D. a challenge orientation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Resilience is indeed the correct term for the ability to adapt successfully to difficult circumstances. Resilience involves bouncing back from setbacks, handling stress, and persevering in the face of adversity. Choice B, 'hardiness,' refers more to toughness or durability rather than adapting to difficult circumstances. Choice C, 'perseverance,' is about persistence and determination rather than adaptability. Choice D, 'a challenge orientation,' does not directly relate to the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances, making it an incorrect choice.

2. Most behavioral disorders are determined primarily by ________.

A. genetics
B. upbringing
C. diet
D. environment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Genetics play a significant role in the development of behavioral disorders. While upbringing, diet, and environment can also influence behavior, genetics are often the primary factor in determining behavioral disorders. Choice B (upbringing) can contribute to behavior but is not the sole determinant of behavioral disorders. Choice C (diet) can impact behavior but is not the primary factor in behavioral disorders. Choice D (environment) can also influence behavior, but genetics typically play a more significant role in determining behavioral disorders.

3. One of Freud's major contributions to current perspectives of mental disorders is ________.

A. the concept of the Oedipal complex.
B. the concept of the unconscious and how it can affect behavior.
C. the concept of the Electra complex.
D. the understanding of the three structures of personality.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Freud's major contribution to current perspectives of mental disorders is the concept of the unconscious and its influence on behavior. While the Oedipal complex (Choice A) and Electra complex (Choice C) are important psychoanalytic concepts introduced by Freud, they are more focused on childhood psychosexual development rather than mental disorders. The understanding of the three structures of personality (Choice D) refers to Freud's id, ego, and superego model, which is essential in psychoanalytic theory but not specifically related to mental disorders.

4. Distinguish between assimilation and accommodation.

A. Assimilation refers to adjusting our mental frameworks to incorporate new information.
B. Assimilation is when new experiences are interpreted in terms of existing schemas.
C. Assimilation is adapting our behaviors to match societal norms.
D. Assimilation and accommodation are unrelated to cognitive development.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Assimilation is when new experiences are interpreted in terms of existing schemas, meaning individuals try to fit new information into their pre-existing understanding of the world. Accommodation, on the other hand, involves adjusting our schemas to fit new information, which means changing our existing mental frameworks when new information doesn't fit. Choice A is incorrect because it describes accommodation rather than assimilation. Choice C is incorrect as it confuses assimilation with social adaptation. Choice D is incorrect as assimilation and accommodation are fundamental processes in cognitive development, as described by Piaget.

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.