distinguish between necessary sufficient and contributory causes of abnormal behavior
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Psychology 101 Exam 3 Test

1. Distinguish between necessary, sufficient, and contributory causes of abnormal behavior.

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.

2. Which approach contends that psychology must study internal mental events to fully understand behavior?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology focuses on studying internal mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving to understand behavior. Behaviorism (choice A) emphasizes observable behavior over internal mental processes. Evolutionary psychology (choice C) examines how evolutionary principles influence behavior, not solely focusing on internal mental events. Humanism (choice D) emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization rather than internal mental events as the primary focus of study.

3. Nearly all adults who were children living in Saigon when the U.S. armed forces left Vietnam in 1975 report that their lives were changed by those events. This exemplifies which of the following?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. This scenario exemplifies a critical period in development. Critical periods are specific times in an individual's life when certain events have a profound impact on their development. In this case, the events surrounding the departure of the U.S. armed forces from Saigon in 1975 had a lasting influence on the children living there at that time. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Normative age-graded influence refers to events that are common to people of a particular age group, the social clock relates to the culturally preferred timing of social events, and a sensitive period is a time when an individual is more susceptible to environmental influences but does not result in lifelong consequences as with critical periods.

4. Which term describes the conditions that guarantee the occurrence of a disorder?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Sufficient causes.' Sufficient causes are conditions that alone are enough to guarantee the occurrence of a disorder. Necessary causes refer to factors that must be present for the disorder to occur but are not enough on their own. Contributory causes increase the likelihood of a disorder but are not enough to cause it by themselves. Protective factors are conditions that reduce the likelihood of a disorder occurring.

5. Who is credited with establishing psychology as a distinct scientific field, separate from other disciplines?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt is the correct answer as he is credited with establishing psychology as a distinct scientific field. Wundt founded the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology in 1879, which marked the beginning of psychology as a separate discipline. While the other individuals mentioned in the choices have made significant contributions to the field of psychology, Wilhelm Wundt is specifically known for his pioneering work in establishing psychology as a unique and independent discipline.

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