defense mechanisms

ATI RN

Psychology 101 Final Exam

1. Defense mechanisms ________.

A. make a person feel more anxious and have more problems, as they begin to act defensively.
B. are strategies the id uses to try to achieve its desires.
C. are conscious, intentional attempts to cope effectively with an anxiety-producing event.
D. help a person feel less anxious, but because they usually work by distorting reality, they are not always adaptive.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because defense mechanisms aim to reduce anxiety but can lead to distortion of reality, making them not always beneficial. Choice A is incorrect as defense mechanisms are meant to reduce anxiety, not increase it. Choice B is incorrect because defense mechanisms are not strategies of the id specifically. Choice C is incorrect as defense mechanisms are often unconscious and not always intentional.

2. What would a humanist most likely say about Manny's passivity?

A. Manny will find it difficult to change because he probably has deep-seated feelings of inferiority.
B. Manny can become more assertive once he begins to feel better about himself and recognizes that he has the ability to fulfill his potential.
C. Manny simply needs to take an assertiveness training class in which he can learn and practice assertive behaviors.
D. Manny should undergo analysis so that he can begin to resolve whatever unconscious conflict is at the root of his passivity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Humanists believe in the inherent goodness and potential of individuals. They would most likely say that Manny can become more assertive by improving his self-esteem and recognizing his abilities. Choice A is incorrect because humanists focus on self-actualization rather than deep-seated feelings of inferiority. Choice C is incorrect as it oversimplifies the issue by suggesting a training class can solve the problem without addressing underlying beliefs. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests a psychoanalytic approach, while humanists usually emphasize personal growth and self-improvement.

3. A newspaper article reported a study by a psychologist in which the attitudes of men and women toward traditional sex roles were studied. Most likely, the researcher was?

A. A cognitive psychologist.
B. A counseling psychologist.
C. A developmental psychologist.
D. A social psychologist.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, a social psychologist. Social psychologists focus on how societal factors, including norms and expectations, influence behaviors and attitudes. In this case, studying the attitudes of men and women toward traditional sex roles aligns with the research domain of social psychology. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because cognitive psychologists focus on mental processes, counseling psychologists on helping individuals with personal and interpersonal issues, and developmental psychologists on human growth and development, respectively, which are not directly related to studying attitudes towards traditional sex roles influenced by societal factors.

4. Which part of the superego develops from our experiences with rewards for proper behavior and tells us what we should do?

A. Conscience
B. Ego-ideal
C. Regressing back to the anal stage
D. Regressing back to the oral stage

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, the Ego-ideal. The Ego-ideal is a subsystem of the superego that develops from experiences with rewards for proper behavior. It guides individuals on what they should do, setting standards and ideals for behavior. Choice A, Conscience, represents the part of the superego that focuses on what one should not do, based on experiences with punishment for improper behavior. Choices C and D, regressing back to the anal and oral stages respectively, are irrelevant to the development of the superego's components and are not related to experiences with rewards for proper behavior.

5. What research method involves researchers using interviews and/or questionnaires to collect data about attitudes, interests, values, and various kinds of behaviors?

A. Case study
B. Survey
C. Naturalistic observation
D. Correlational study

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Survey. A survey is a research method where data is collected through interviews or questionnaires about various behaviors and attitudes. In a case study (choice A), researchers closely examine a particular individual or group. Naturalistic observation (choice C) involves observing subjects in their natural environment. Correlational study (choice D) examines the relationship between two variables but does not involve collecting data through interviews or questionnaires.