What are protective factors? Give an example of one and explain how it can impact a person's later functioning.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Protective factors are influences that modify a person's response to environmental stressors, reducing the likelihood of adverse outcomes. An example of a protective factor is having a warm and caring parent, which can foster resilience in individuals. Resilience allows individuals to adapt successfully to stressful situations. Choice A is incorrect as protective factors do not always prevent adverse consequences but reduce their likelihood. Choice C is incorrect as resilience is the outcome of protective factors, not the other way around. Choice D is incorrect as while protective factors can reduce the risk of psychopathology, they do not always prevent its development.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'less cortical gray matter than those raised by their parents.' Studies have shown that children raised in orphanages tend to have less cortical gray matter compared to those raised by their parents. This is due to the lack of individualized care, attention, and stimulation that can negatively impact brain development. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because there is no direct correlation between cortical gray matter and the number of friendships when comparing children raised in orphanages and those raised by their parents.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Studying identical twins raised in different environments allows researchers to understand the impact of genetics versus environmental factors on traits. Choice A is incorrect because differences in brain function can be influenced by a variety of factors and not solely by environmental differences. Choice B is incorrect as concordance rates tend to be higher in identical twins reared together due to shared genetics and environment. Choice C is incorrect because genetics do not change due to being raised in different environments.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because defense mechanisms aim to reduce anxiety but can lead to distortion of reality, making them not always beneficial. Choice A is incorrect as defense mechanisms are meant to reduce anxiety, not increase it. Choice B is incorrect because defense mechanisms are not strategies of the id specifically. Choice C is incorrect as defense mechanisms are often unconscious and not always intentional.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it highlights a crucial factor that makes it challenging to establish a clear cause and effect relationship between divorce and the psychological functioning of family members. Preexisting behavioral abnormalities in either the parents or the children may influence both the likelihood of divorce and the psychological functioning of family members. Choice B is incorrect as it generalizes the findings without specifying the key issue of preexisting conditions. Choice C is incorrect as it oversimplifies the effects of divorce on family members. Choice D is incorrect as it presents a broad statement without addressing the complexities involved in determining the effects of divorce.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is reinforcement. Reinforcement involves providing a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Operant conditioning (Choice A) refers to learning through consequences for behavior, which includes reinforcement and punishment. Classical conditioning (Choice C) involves forming associations between stimuli and involuntary responses. Punishment (Choice D) involves providing a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. In this context, the question specifically asks about a process that increases the probability of a behavior occurring, aligning with the concept of reinforcement.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Down syndrome is caused by possessing an extra chromosome in chromosome 21, not by a chemical imbalance (choice A), a gene on the X chromosome (choice B), or possessing an extra X chromosome (choice C). The presence of an additional chromosome 21 disrupts the normal course of development and leads to the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Socioeconomic factors like income and education levels are key determinants of mental health. They influence access to resources such as healthcare, housing, and social support systems, which can impact an individual's mental well-being. Additionally, socioeconomic factors can contribute to stress levels and overall quality of life, which in turn affect mental health. Choice A is incorrect because socioeconomic factors do play a significant role in mental health outcomes. Choice C is incorrect as socioeconomic factors have a broad impact on mental health beyond extreme cases. Choice D is also incorrect as numerous studies have shown the clear impact of socioeconomic factors on mental health.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Neglectful/uninvolved. This parenting style is associated with a lack of social skills, poor school performance, and moodiness due to the lack of parental involvement and emotional support. Authoritarian parenting (choice A) is characterized by strict rules and high demands, not necessarily linked to these issues. Permissive/indulgent parenting (choice B) involves few rules and high responsiveness, which may not directly lead to these problems. Authoritative parenting (choice C) combines high demands with emotional support and is actually linked to positive outcomes such as good school performance and social skills.