A male college student begins feeling sad and lonely. Although still able to go to classes and work at his job, he finds himself feeling down much of the time and worrying about what is happening to him. Which part of the definition of abnormality applies to his situation?

Questions 47

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Psychological Exam Questions

Question 1 of 9

A male college student begins feeling sad and lonely. Although still able to go to classes and work at his job, he finds himself feeling down much of the time and worrying about what is happening to him. Which part of the definition of abnormality applies to his situation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Personal distress. In this scenario, the student is experiencing personal distress as he feels sad and lonely, despite being able to function in his daily life. Personal distress is a key criterion for determining abnormality as it signifies significant emotional discomfort. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as cultural factors, impaired functioning, and violation of societal norms are not the primary factors highlighted in the student's situation.

Question 2 of 9

Which of the following psychologists would be most likely to stress that each person has a drive to grow and fulfill his or her potential?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Abraham Maslow. He was a leading humanist psychologist who introduced the concept of the hierarchy of needs. Maslow emphasized the human drive for self-actualization, which involves fulfilling one's potential and striving for personal growth. Sigmund Freud (choice A) focused on psychoanalysis and the unconscious mind. B.F. Skinner (choice B) was a behaviorist who studied operant conditioning. G. Stanley Hall (choice C) was a pioneering psychologist in the field of child development.

Question 3 of 9

William James, who was a pioneer in the development of functionalism, was most heavily influenced by?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: William James was heavily influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which shaped his functionalist views on psychology. This influence is evident in James's emphasis on adaptation, survival, and the functional purposes of behavior. Choice B, Sigmund Freud, is incorrect because Freud's psychoanalytic theory focused on unconscious processes and childhood experiences, which differ significantly from James's functionalism. Choice C, John Watson, is incorrect as Watson was a behaviorist who emphasized observable behavior and rejected mental processes, which contrasts with James's focus on mental processes. Choice D, B.F. Skinner, is also incorrect as Skinner was a behaviorist known for his work on operant conditioning, which is not directly aligned with James's functionalist perspective.

Question 4 of 9

Why is it discouraged to use terms such as 'schizophrenic', 'autistic', and 'retarded' when referring to people with mental illness?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: It is discouraged to use terms like 'schizophrenic', 'autistic', and 'retarded' when referring to people with mental illness because people with mental illness should not be defined solely by their condition. Using such labels can reduce individuals to just their diagnosis, overlooking their individuality and other aspects of their identity. It is essential to treat individuals with mental illness with respect and dignity, focusing on their humanity rather than reducing them to a label. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the main reason for discouraging these terms lies in not defining individuals by their conditions, rather than the terms being in or out of the DSM, the number of diagnosed individuals, or the perception of whether there is anything wrong with using such terms.

Question 5 of 9

What major departure did Freud's position have from prevailing viewpoints around the early 1900s?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Freud's major departure from prevailing viewpoints around the early 1900s was that he viewed people as not fully aware of the forces that control their behavior. This is reflected in his emphasis on unconscious forces influencing behavior. Choice A is incorrect as Freud focused on psychological rather than solely biological causes. Choice C is incorrect as Freud's theory did not emphasize free will but rather unconscious drives. Choice D is incorrect as Freud emphasized internal psychological forces over external environmental factors.

Question 6 of 9

Alicia, 5 years old, knows that she will take a bath at 6:05, change clothes at 6:15, eat breakfast at 6:20, commute to school at 6:40, and join the assembly at 7:00. A child's awareness of his or her scripts or daily routine is classified under which type of memory?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memory refers to the memory of a person's life events, such as daily routines and personal experiences. In this scenario, Alicia's awareness of her daily routine falls under autobiographical memory as she remembers specific events related to her own life. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Semantic memory is related to general knowledge about the world, nondeclarative memory involves memories that are not consciously recalled, and generic memory is not a recognized memory classification.

Question 7 of 9

What is the sequence in which growth starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Proximodistal pattern. This pattern describes growth starting at the center of the body and moving towards the extremities. Choice A, Cephalocaudal pattern, refers to growth starting from the head and moving downwards, which is not the sequence described in the question. Choice D, Gene-environment correlation, does not relate to the sequential pattern of growth described in the question, making it incorrect.

Question 8 of 9

Which term refers to events that typically happen to everyone at certain times of life?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Normative age-graded influence. Normative age-graded influences are events that typically happen to everyone at certain life stages, such as marriage, parenthood, puberty, and menopause. Choice B, 'Social clock,' refers to the culturally preferred timing of social events. Choice C, 'Sensitive period,' represents a time when a particular development occurs most easily. Choice D, 'Normative history-graded influences,' are common to people of a particular generation due to historical circumstances.

Question 9 of 9

A psychological disorder is said to have an acute onset if the symptoms develop ______, while it has an insidious onset if the symptoms develop ______.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: An acute onset refers to the sudden development of symptoms, whereas an insidious onset indicates a gradual progression of symptoms. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Suddenly;gradually.' The other choices are incorrect because 'atypically' does not accurately describe the onset of symptoms in this context.

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