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. The genetic influences that determine behavior may never be fully understood due to ________
- A. the ease of researching to differentiate between the effects of the environment and the effects of genes.
- B. the likelihood that most behaviors are determined by the interaction of many genes and the environment.
- C. the tendency to rely on twin studies in genetic research.
- D. our significant understanding of how genes impact brain chemistry.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because most behaviors are influenced by a complex interaction of many genes and the environment. Choice A is incorrect because it states that it is easy to differentiate between the effects of the environment and genes, which is not the case. Choice C is incorrect because although twin studies are commonly used in genetic research, this alone does not hinder the full understanding of genetic influences on behavior. Choice D is incorrect because even though we have some understanding of how genes impact brain chemistry, this does not mean that we fully understand the genetic influences on behavior.
3. Strict behaviorists would be most sympathetic to which one of the following statements?
- A. Human behavior is primarily caused by inherited factors.
- B. Human behavior is primarily caused by environmental factors.
- C. Human behavior is primarily caused by equal contributions of inherited and environmental factors.
- D. No one really knows the primary causes for human behavior.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Strict behaviorists, who adhere to behaviorism, believe that human behavior is primarily influenced by environmental factors. This perspective asserts that individuals' actions and responses are shaped by their interactions with the environment, learning experiences, and external stimuli. Choice A is incorrect because strict behaviorists do not focus on inherited factors but on how behavior is learned and shaped through environmental influences. Choice C is also incorrect as behaviorists do not believe in equal contributions of inherited and environmental factors; they emphasize environmental determinants. Choice D is incorrect as behaviorists have a clear stance that behavior is influenced by environmental stimuli and learning experiences.
4. The understanding of genetic influences on behavior may never be fully achieved due to ________.
- A. the ease of researching to differentiate between the effects of the environment and genes.
- B. the likelihood that most behaviors are determined by the interaction of many genes and the environment.
- C. the reliance on twin studies in genetic research.
- D. our significant understanding of how genes impact brain chemistry.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because most behaviors are influenced by the interaction of multiple genes and the environment. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests that researching the effects of the environment and genes is easy, which is not the case. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on a specific method (twin studies) rather than the broader concept of gene-environment interaction. Choice D is incorrect as the statement implies a high level of understanding that contradicts the idea that genetic influences on behavior may never be fully understood.
5. Who took the position that organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and tend not to repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes?
- A. Sigmund Freud
- B. B.F. Skinner
- C. Carl Rogers
- D. Abraham Maslow
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B.F. Skinner. Skinner proposed the theory of operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped by its consequences. Positive outcomes increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, while neutral or negative outcomes decrease it. Sigmund Freud (choice A) is known for his psychoanalytic theory, Carl Rogers (choice C) for person-centered therapy, and Abraham Maslow (choice D) for the hierarchy of needs.
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