children from lower ses families

ATI RN

Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test

1. Children from lower-SES families ________.

A. are more likely to be resilient adults than those from higher-SES families.
B. show no signs of ill effects if there is an increase in SES before age 5.
C. are not affected by SES status unless persistent employment is the reason for the economic hardships of the family.
D. are less likely to show ill effects of SES status if they possess a high IQ and develop healthy attachments to adults and peers.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Children from lower-SES families are less likely to show ill effects of SES status if they possess a high IQ and develop healthy attachments. Choice A is incorrect because children from lower-SES families typically face more challenges and are not inherently more resilient. Choice B is incorrect as an increase in SES may not erase the effects of early socioeconomic disadvantages. Choice C is incorrect as SES status can impact children from lower-SES families regardless of the reason for economic hardships.

2. Neural plasticity is ________.

A. the process by which neurotransmitters are broken down in the brain.
B. the flexibility of the brain—existing neural circuits can change or new ones can be made.
C. strong evidence of brain damage, leading to the development of a mental disorder.
D. the best indicator of temperament and its effect on the personality development of a child.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neural plasticity refers to the brain's flexibility to change existing neural circuits or create new ones. Choice A is incorrect as it describes neurotransmitter breakdown, not neural plasticity. Choice C is incorrect because neural plasticity does not necessarily indicate brain damage leading to mental disorders. Choice D is incorrect because neural plasticity is not specifically related to temperament or personality development in children.

3. 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.

4. How does stress impact brain function?

A. Stress has no effect on brain function.
B. Stress can lead to changes in brain structure and function.
C. Stress can improve brain function.
D. Stress has no long-term impact on brain function.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Stress can lead to changes in brain structure and function, affecting mental health and increasing the risk of disorders. Choice A is incorrect as stress does affect brain function. Choice C is incorrect as stress generally has negative impacts on brain function rather than improving it. Choice D is incorrect because stress can have long-term impacts on brain function through structural and functional changes.

5. In a discussion with your professor, she tells you that she believes that the focus of psychological study should be to break the conscious experience into its basic elements. Which of the following historical schools of thought is your professor's idea most consistent with?

A. Behaviorism
B. Functionalism
C. Structuralism
D. Psychoanalysis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Structuralism. Structuralism, as introduced by Wundt, aimed to break down mental processes into their most basic elements. This aligns with the idea of breaking the conscious experience into its fundamental components. Choice A, Behaviorism, focuses on observable behavior and not on breaking down conscious experience. Choice B, Functionalism, emphasizes the purpose of behavior rather than breaking it down into basic elements. Choice D, Psychoanalysis, delves into unconscious processes and conflicts, which is different from breaking down conscious experiences into basic elements.