ATI RN
Psychobiological Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
What kind of paradigm used to study infant cognition involves showing a baby a stimulus until he or she becomes bored?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) Habituation paradigm. In infant cognition research, the habituation paradigm is commonly used to study how infants process and learn about the world around them. This method involves presenting a stimulus repeatedly until the baby becomes familiar with it or bored, which is indicated by a decrease in attention or response. This allows researchers to measure how infants discriminate between familiar and novel stimuli, providing insights into their cognitive abilities. Option B) Operant conditioning paradigm is focused on how behavior is influenced by consequences, like rewards or punishments, and is not specifically used to study infant cognition through stimulus presentation and habituation. Option C) Impulsivity paradigm is not a common method used in infant cognition research. Impulsivity typically refers to a tendency to act without thinking, which is not directly related to studying infant cognition through habituation. Option D) Visual cliff paradigm is used to assess depth perception in infants by creating an illusion of a drop-off, rather than studying cognitive processes through habituation of stimuli. Understanding the different paradigms used in studying infant cognition is essential for educators and researchers to design appropriate experiments and draw accurate conclusions about infant development. The habituation paradigm, in particular, helps us understand how infants process and learn from their environment, laying a foundation for further research in developmental psychology and neuroscience.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following people would probably not be diagnosed as psychotic?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of psychobiological disorders, the correct answer is D) A devout church-goer who hears 'the voice of God' in his head and believes it to be real. This individual is less likely to be diagnosed as psychotic because their experience aligns with their cultural or religious beliefs, and it does not significantly impair their functioning or cause distress. Option A is likely to be diagnosed as psychotic because the belief in space aliens monitoring thoughts is not culturally or religiously sanctioned and is a common delusion associated with psychotic disorders. Option B demonstrates paranoid ideation and potential delusions, which are indicative of a psychotic disorder. Option C presents a similar scenario to B but with a religious context, which could still be indicative of a psychotic disorder if it causes distress or impairs functioning. In an educational context, understanding the cultural and religious background of individuals is essential when assessing for psychotic disorders. It is crucial to differentiate between beliefs that are culturally accepted versus those that are indicative of a mental health condition. This question highlights the importance of considering the individual's cultural context and the impact of their beliefs on their daily life when making diagnostic decisions in the field of psychobiological disorders.
Question 3 of 5
Which best explains the relationship between attributional style and depression?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In understanding the relationship between attributional style and depression, option C is the correct choice. This is because research in psychology has consistently shown that individuals who tend to attribute blame to themselves after a negative life event, regardless of the accuracy of their attribution, are more likely to experience depression. This attributional style is known as internal, stable, and global, and it can lead to a sense of helplessness and hopelessness, which are common characteristics of depression. Option A is incorrect because the accuracy of the attribution does not necessarily determine the likelihood of depression. It is the self-blame aspect that is more closely linked to depressive symptoms. Option B is also incorrect as attributing blame to others is not typically associated with an increased risk of depression; in fact, external attributions may serve as protective factors against depression. Educationally, understanding the impact of attributional styles on mental health is crucial for both students and practitioners in the field of psychology. By recognizing the role of self-blame in depression, individuals can develop strategies to challenge maladaptive attributions and cultivate more adaptive coping mechanisms. This knowledge can also inform therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing and modifying negative attributional styles in individuals experiencing depression.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following behavior therapy techniques would best be used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of treating phobias and anxiety disorders, the most effective behavior therapy technique is exposure therapy, which is represented by option C. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing individuals to the feared object or situation in a safe and controlled environment. This exposure helps them confront their fears and learn that the feared stimulus is not as threatening as perceived, leading to a reduction in anxiety over time. Option A, free association, and option B, interpretation, are techniques commonly associated with psychoanalytic therapy, specifically Freudian psychoanalysis. These techniques focus on exploring unconscious thoughts and emotions rather than directly addressing and treating phobias and anxiety disorders through behavioral interventions like exposure therapy. Option D, dream analysis, is also a technique aligned with psychoanalytic theory and is used to uncover unconscious conflicts and desires through the analysis of dreams. While dream analysis can provide insights into underlying psychological issues, it is not the most effective approach for directly treating phobias and anxiety disorders, which are better addressed through evidence-based behavior therapy techniques like exposure therapy. In an educational context, understanding the rationale behind choosing exposure therapy over other therapeutic techniques is crucial for psychology students and practitioners. It helps them differentiate between various therapeutic approaches and select the most appropriate intervention based on the specific needs of clients with phobias and anxiety disorders. Mastery of this concept enhances their ability to provide effective and evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with these psychological conditions.
Question 5 of 5
Consider the classic experiment where male and female participants (who have never met) were placed in separate rooms. Before they spoke to each other over a telephone, the men were shown pictures of either an attractive woman (group 1) or an unattractive woman (group 2). Importantly, the pictures that the men were shown bore no resemblance to the woman to which they were actually talking. When judges listened to the woman's side of the phone conversation (without hearing anything that the men said to them), they found that women who talked to men from the first group tended to sound more warm, friendly and flirtatious than women who had spoken to men from the second group. In this study, which people were most likely to have created a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) The men. In this scenario, the men who were shown pictures of either an attractive or unattractive woman created a self-fulfilling prophecy by influencing their behavior during the phone conversation with the women. By perceiving the woman they were speaking to as either attractive or unattractive based on the pictures they saw, the men likely adjusted their tone, mannerisms, and level of engagement, which in turn affected how the women responded. Option A) The women who talked to men from group 1 and Option B) The women who talked to men from group 2 were not the ones creating the self-fulfilling prophecy in this experiment. They were reacting to the cues and behaviors exhibited by the men during the conversation. Option D) The judges were also not creating the self-fulfilling prophecy. They were simply observing and evaluating the interactions between the men and women without any direct influence on the outcome. This experiment highlights the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies, where expectations or beliefs about a situation can lead to behaviors that elicit responses confirming those expectations. It is crucial in psychology to understand how perceptions, biases, and expectations can shape interpersonal interactions and influence outcomes. This knowledge is essential for both mental health professionals and individuals to navigate social situations more consciously and effectively.