ATI RN
Psychological Exam
1. 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?
- A. Personal distress
- B. Cultural factors
- C. Impaired functioning
- D. Violation of societal norms
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.
2. Skinner would agree with all the following statements except:
- A. All behavior is governed by external consequences.
- B. Individuals have free will.
- C. Organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes.
- D. Organisms tend not to repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Skinner's behaviorist perspective emphasized that behavior is influenced by external factors and reinforcement, rather than individual free will. Therefore, Skinner would not agree with the statement that individuals have free will. Choices A, C, and D align with Skinner's beliefs as he believed that behavior is shaped by external consequences, organisms tend to repeat behaviors leading to positive outcomes, and organisms tend to avoid behaviors leading to neutral or negative outcomes.
3. How does the diathesis-stress model explain the onset of mental disorders?
- A. Stress alone is sufficient to cause mental disorders.
- B. Both genetic vulnerability and environmental stress are needed to trigger a disorder.
- C. Only genetic factors cause mental disorders.
- D. Environmental stressors alone can cause mental disorders.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The diathesis-stress model explains that the onset of mental disorders results from the interaction of genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stress. Choice A is incorrect because stress alone is not sufficient, according to the model. Choice C is incorrect as it oversimplifies by attributing mental disorders solely to genetic factors. Choice D is incorrect because the model emphasizes the joint contribution of genetic predisposition and environmental stress.
4. Emotions, such as pride, shame, and guilt, that depend on both self-awareness and knowledge of socially accepted standards of behavior are known as what?
- A. Self-awareness emotions
- B. Self-evaluative emotions
- C. Self-conscious emotions
- D. Egocentric emotions
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Self-conscious emotions. Self-conscious emotions like pride, shame, and guilt require not only self-awareness but also an understanding of socially accepted behaviors. These emotions involve evaluating oneself in relation to societal norms. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately capture the idea of emotions that rely on both self-awareness and knowledge of socially accepted standards of behavior.
5. The cognitive perspective contends that to fully understand human behavior, psychologists need to focus attention on?
- A. The role of the unconscious.
- B. Internal mental events.
- C. The interrelations among the mind, body, and behavior.
- D. The adaptive value of a behavior.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The cognitive perspective emphasizes understanding human behavior by focusing on internal mental events such as thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions. This helps in explaining how individuals process information, solve problems, and make decisions. Choice A, the role of the unconscious, is associated with psychoanalytic theory rather than the cognitive perspective. Choice C, the interrelations among the mind, body, and behavior, is more aligned with a holistic or biopsychosocial perspective. Choice D, the adaptive value of a behavior, is more related to evolutionary psychology rather than the cognitive perspective.
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