understanding the causes of mental disorders is important because

ATI RN

Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test

1. Understanding the causes of mental disorders is important because ________

A. effective treatment is not possible without such an understanding.
B. classification of disorders cannot be done without such information.
C. such knowledge might make both the prevention and cure of mental disorders possible.
D. disagreements about the causes of psychopathology have long limited the advancements made in the study of abnormal psychology.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Understanding the causes of mental disorders is crucial because it can potentially lead to both prevention and cure. By identifying the root causes, strategies can be developed to prevent the onset of disorders, and effective treatments can be tailored to address these causes directly. This approach can make treatments more efficient, as addressing the underlying factors contributing to the disorder can result in better outcomes for individuals. Choices A and B are incorrect because while understanding causes is important for effective treatment and classification, the primary focus is on prevention and cure. Choice D, while highlighting the impact of disagreements on advancements in abnormal psychology, does not directly address the importance of understanding causes for prevention and cure.

2. Children from lower-SES families ________.

A. are more likely to be resilient adults than those from higher-SES families.
B. show no signs of ill effects if there is an increase in SES before age 5.
C. are not affected by SES status unless persistent employment is the reason for the economic hardships of the family.
D. are less likely to show ill effects of SES status if they possess a high IQ and develop healthy attachments to adults and peers.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Children from lower-SES families are less likely to show ill effects of SES status if they possess a high IQ and develop healthy attachments. Choice A is incorrect because children from lower-SES families typically face more challenges and are not inherently more resilient. Choice B is incorrect as an increase in SES may not erase the effects of early socioeconomic disadvantages. Choice C is incorrect as SES status can impact children from lower-SES families regardless of the reason for economic hardships.

3. What is the branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders called?

A. Industrial psychology.
B. Social psychology.
C. Developmental psychology.
D. Clinical psychology.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Clinical psychology. Clinical psychology specifically deals with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Industrial psychology (choice A) focuses on behavior in the workplace, social psychology (choice B) studies how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others, and developmental psychology (choice C) is the study of how and why people change over time.

4. Who took the position that organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and tend not to repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes?

A. Sigmund Freud
B. B.F. Skinner
C. Carl Rogers
D. Abraham Maslow

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B.F. Skinner. Skinner proposed the theory of operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped by its consequences. Positive outcomes increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, while neutral or negative outcomes decrease it. Sigmund Freud (choice A) is known for his psychoanalytic theory, Carl Rogers (choice C) for person-centered therapy, and Abraham Maslow (choice D) for the hierarchy of needs.

5. Finding meaning in life and dealing with death form core values in which of the following perspectives?

A. Existential
B. Humanistic
C. Behavioral
D. Object Relations

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Existential. Existentialism is a philosophical perspective that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It focuses on finding meaning in life and dealing with fundamental issues such as death. This perspective is characterized by concepts like authenticity, responsibility, and the search for purpose. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while they may address certain aspects of human behavior or relationships, they do not specifically emphasize the search for meaning and the confrontation with death as core values.