Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is not a common method for studying genetic influences?

• A. The study of specific gene defects
• B. Twin studies
• C. Adoption studies
• D. Family history (pedigree) studies

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Studying specific gene defects is not a common method for investigating genetic influences. Choices B, C, and D are common methods used in genetic research. Twin studies help determine the heritability of traits, adoption studies compare similarities between adopted individuals and their adoptive families versus biological families, and family history studies track the inheritance patterns of traits within families.

2. What is extinction and how might it be used in treating a disorder?

• A. Extinction strengthens the conditioned response by continuously pairing the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.
• B. Extinction is the process of eliminating a conditioned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.
• C. Extinction is ineffective and is not used in treating disorders.
• D. Extinction is the process of intensifying the conditioned response by pairing the conditioned stimulus with a stronger unconditioned stimulus.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Extinction is the process of eliminating a conditioned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus. This helps in reducing or eliminating undesired behaviors. Choice A is incorrect because extinction does not strengthen the conditioned response but weakens it. Choice C is also incorrect as extinction is a valid technique used in treating disorders by reducing unwanted behaviors. Choice D is incorrect as extinction does not involve intensifying the conditioned response but rather diminishing it.

3. A psychologist who studied the relationship between sociocultural factors and mental disorders would be most likely to study ________.

• A. parenting style and self-schemas.
• B. poverty and racial discrimination.
• C. peer rejection and attributional style.
• D. assimilation and accommodation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A psychologist who studies the relationship between sociocultural factors and mental disorders would focus on factors like poverty and racial discrimination. These factors have a significant impact on mental health outcomes within different populations. Choices A, C, and D are less directly related to sociocultural factors like poverty and racial discrimination and their influence on mental disorders, making them incorrect.

4. Neural plasticity is ________.

• A. the process by which neurotransmitters are broken down in the brain.
• B. the flexibility of the brain—existing neural circuits can change or new ones can be made.
• C. strong evidence of brain damage, leading to the development of a mental disorder.
• D. the best indicator of temperament and its effect on the personality development of a child.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neural plasticity refers to the brain's flexibility to change existing neural circuits or create new ones. Choice A is incorrect as it describes neurotransmitter breakdown, not neural plasticity. Choice C is incorrect because neural plasticity does not necessarily indicate brain damage leading to mental disorders. Choice D is incorrect because neural plasticity is not specifically related to temperament or personality development in children.

5. While having a gene for Parkinson's disease guarantees that Parkinson's disease will develop, this is not the only factor that can lead to Parkinson's disease. In other words, the presence of the gene is a ________, but not a ________.

• A. risk factor; sufficient cause
• B. sufficient cause; necessary cause
• C. necessary cause; risk factor
• D. contributory cause; sufficient cause

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'sufficient cause; necessary cause.' A sufficient cause will inevitably produce the disorder, but it is not the only factor. In this case, having the gene for Parkinson's disease is a sufficient cause, meaning it alone can lead to the development of the disease. However, it is not a necessary cause because Parkinson's disease can still develop without the presence of this gene. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the relationship between the gene and the development of Parkinson's disease as depicted in the question.

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