Nursing Elites

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. Which of the following statements is true?

• A. Most behavioral disorders are determined exclusively by genes.
• B. Genes play a role in most mental disorders.
• C. Genes do not affect biochemical processes.
• D. The genes that will be expressed in an individual are not affected by experience.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Genes play a role in most mental disorders.' This statement is true as genes do play a significant role in the development of various mental disorders. Choice A is incorrect because most behavioral disorders are influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and other factors, not exclusively genes. Choice C is incorrect as genes do affect biochemical processes. Choice D is incorrect because the expression of genes in an individual can be influenced by experiences and environmental factors, a concept known as gene-environment interaction.

3. Elliot became widowed after nearly 40 years of marriage. He has convinced himself that no one will ever love him again. His irrational thinking has caused him to suffer from depression, and he rarely leaves his house. What perspective might best explain his behavior?

• A. Psychodynamic
• B. Behavioral
• C. Biological
• D. Cognitive

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The cognitive perspective might best explain Elliot's irrational thinking and resulting depression. In this case, Elliot's belief that he will never be loved again is a cognitive distortion, leading to depressive symptoms and social withdrawal. The psychodynamic perspective primarily focuses on unconscious processes and unresolved conflicts from the past, which do not directly address Elliot's current cognitive distortions. The behavioral perspective would focus on observable behaviors and how they are reinforced, which is not the central issue in this scenario. The biological perspective would examine the role of genetics, brain chemistry, and other physiological factors, which are not the primary cause of Elliot's behavior in this context.

4. Which part of your brain is active when you get cues about being hungry, thirsty, or sleepy?

• A. Hippocampus
• B. Thalamus
• C. Hypothalamus
• D. Amygdala

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is the Hypothalamus (Choice C). The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating basic bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, and sleep. It receives cues related to these needs and helps to maintain homeostasis in the body. The Hippocampus (Choice A) is primarily involved in memory formation and spatial navigation, not in regulating physiological needs. The Thalamus (Choice B) acts as a relay station for sensory information but is not the main center for hunger, thirst, or sleep regulation. The Amygdala (Choice D) is more associated with emotions, particularly fear and pleasure, rather than physiological needs like hunger, thirst, or sleep.

5. From the cognitive-behavioral perspective, an important limitation with the behavioral perspective is that ________.

• A. Behaviorists went too far in attacking the psychoanalytic perspective.
• B. Behaviorists failed to attend to the importance of mental processes.
• C. Behaviorists were too focused on explaining how abnormal behavior is acquired.
• D. Behaviorists underestimated the role of reinforcement.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because behaviorists, from the cognitive-behavioral perspective, are criticized for not considering the significance of mental processes. This limitation is a key point in the cognitive-behavioral perspective, which emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the specific limitation of failing to account for mental processes in the behavioral perspective.

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