ATI RN
Psychological Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which approach contends that psychology must study internal mental events to fully understand behavior?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology focuses on studying internal mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving to understand behavior. Behaviorism (choice A) emphasizes observable behavior over internal mental processes. Evolutionary psychology (choice C) examines how evolutionary principles influence behavior, not solely focusing on internal mental events. Humanism (choice D) emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization rather than internal mental events as the primary focus of study.
Question 2 of 5
Which field of psychology studies attitude change and group behavior?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Social psychology. Social psychology specifically focuses on studying topics like attitude change and group behavior. Developmental psychology (Choice A) primarily deals with human growth and development across the lifespan. Psychoanalysis (Choice C) is a theoretical approach to psychology developed by Sigmund Freud focusing on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences. Psychometrics (Choice D) involves the measurement of psychological variables such as intelligence, personality traits, and abilities.
Question 3 of 5
Michael, age 16, has recently gained a considerable amount of weight but has not grown any taller. His father experienced a similar pattern of growth when he was a teenager. Theorists who suggest that Michael's growth pattern was inherited from his father emphasize the ________ side of the nature-nurture debate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: Nature.' In this scenario, the emphasis is on the genetic inheritance of the growth pattern from father to son, highlighting the role of nature in determining physical characteristics. Choice B, 'Nurture,' focuses on environmental influences, which are not the primary factor in this case. Choice C, 'Environmental,' is similar to 'Nurture' and does not address the genetic aspect mentioned. Choice D, 'Experiential,' pertains more to the learning and experiential aspects rather than genetic inheritance, making it an incorrect choice.
Question 4 of 5
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 5 of 5
During which span of months or years is a child particularly responsive to specific forms of experience or influenced by their absence?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Sensitive period.' A sensitive period refers to a specific span of time during development when a child is especially responsive to certain experiences. This period allows for optimal development in specific areas. Nonnormative influences (Choice A) are events that are irregular and unpredictable, while normative age-graded influences (Choice B) are typical events that occur in a similar manner for most people in a specific age group. Normative history-graded influences (Choice C) are events that most people in a specific culture or cohort experience at the same time.