ATI RN
Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test
1. How do neurotransmitters affect behavior and mental processes?
- A. Neurotransmitters have little effect on behavior.
- B. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that influence mood, thought, and behavior.
- C. Neurotransmitters have a minor role in mental health.
- D. Neurotransmitters determine intelligence levels.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemicals that influence mood, thought, and behavior, playing a significant role in mental health. Choice A is incorrect as neurotransmitters do have a notable effect on behavior. Choice C is incorrect as neurotransmitters have a major role in mental health. Choice D is incorrect as neurotransmitters do not solely determine intelligence levels.
2. 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.
3. What role do hormones play in mental health and behavior?
- A. Hormones only affect physical processes, not mental health.
- B. Hormones play a critical role in regulating mood, behavior, and mental health.
- C. Hormones have no effect on behavior.
- D. Hormones are only involved in reproductive processes.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hormones play a critical role in regulating mood, behavior, and mental health, influencing everything from stress response to emotional stability. Choice A is incorrect because hormones have a significant impact on mental health in addition to physical processes. Choice C is incorrect as hormones do have a notable effect on behavior. Choice D is incorrect as hormones have broad functions beyond just reproductive processes.
4. What does the genetic study of identical twins reared apart help to clarify?
- A. Differences in brain function
- B. Genetic influence on behavior
- C. Interaction between genetics and environment
- D. The role of environmental factors alone
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Interaction between genetics and environment.' The genetic study of identical twins reared apart helps in understanding how both genetics and environment play a role in shaping an individual's traits and behaviors. This type of study allows researchers to tease apart the effects of genetic inheritance from those of environmental influences. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the study of identical twins reared apart specifically focuses on the interplay between genetics and environment, rather than solely on differences in brain function, genetic influence on behavior, or the role of environmental factors alone.
5. Distinguish between necessary, sufficient, and contributory causes of abnormal behavior.
- A. Necessary causes are required for a disorder to develop but do not guarantee it.
- B. Sufficient causes guarantee a disorder will develop, but they are not required.
- C. Contributory causes increase the likelihood of a disorder but are neither necessary nor sufficient.
- D. Contributory causes are conditions that guarantee the occurrence of a disorder.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In understanding abnormal behavior, it is crucial to differentiate between necessary, sufficient, and contributory causes. Necessary causes are those that are required for a disorder to develop, meaning that without them, the disorder would not occur. However, their presence does not guarantee the occurrence of the disorder. Sufficient causes, on the other hand, are those that alone can guarantee the development of a disorder, but they are not the only factors that can lead to it. Contributory causes are factors that increase the likelihood of a disorder but are not essential on their own nor do they guarantee the disorder. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer as it accurately describes the role of necessary causes in the development of abnormal behavior. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they misrepresent the definitions and roles of sufficient and contributory causes in causing abnormal behavior.
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