john watson argued that psychologists should

ATI RN

Exam 4 Psychology 101

1. John Watson argued that psychologists should?

A. Use the method of introspection to establish the structural aspects of consciousness.
B. Be concerned with the purposiveness (function) of behavior.
C. Confine their work to people who are diagnosed as mentally ill.
D. Abandon the study of consciousness.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: John Watson was a key figure in the development of behaviorism, which advocated for focusing on observable behavior rather than the study of consciousness. Choice D is the correct answer because Watson believed that psychology should abandon the study of consciousness. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because Watson's approach emphasized behavior and rejected the importance of consciousness, introspection, or confining psychology to only mentally ill individuals.

2. What is extinction and how might it be used in treating a disorder?

A. Extinction strengthens the conditioned response by continuously pairing the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.
B. Extinction is the process of eliminating a conditioned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.
C. Extinction is ineffective and is not used in treating disorders.
D. Extinction is the process of intensifying the conditioned response by pairing the conditioned stimulus with a stronger unconditioned stimulus.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Extinction is the process of eliminating a conditioned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus. This helps in reducing or eliminating undesired behaviors. Choice A is incorrect because extinction does not strengthen the conditioned response but weakens it. Choice C is also incorrect as extinction is a valid technique used in treating disorders by reducing unwanted behaviors. Choice D is incorrect as extinction does not involve intensifying the conditioned response but rather diminishing it.

3. A group of psychologists is conducting research to determine whether people eat more when they are in the presence of environmental stimuli that increase anxiety, such as loud noises or flashing lights. These scientists most likely follow?

A. The behavioral perspective.
B. The psychodynamic perspective.
C. The humanistic perspective.
D. The functionalist perspective.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the behavioral perspective. This perspective focuses on how environmental stimuli influence behavior, making it suitable for studying how anxiety-inducing stimuli affect eating behavior. The psychodynamic perspective (choice B) would focus more on unconscious processes and early life experiences. The humanistic perspective (choice C) emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization. The functionalist perspective (choice D) is more related to the study of the purpose of behavior and mental processes in adapting to the environment.

4. 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.

5. How does the environment interact with genetic predispositions to influence mental health?

A. The environment has no influence on mental health.
B. The environment interacts with genetic predispositions to either enhance or mitigate mental health risks.
C. The environment can only influence physical health, not mental health.
D. The environment has a minimal effect on mental health outcomes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The environment interacts with genetic predispositions to either enhance or mitigate mental health risks. This highlights the intricate relationship between one's genetic makeup and the environmental factors they are exposed to, both contributing significantly to mental health outcomes. Choice A is incorrect as numerous studies show that the environment plays a crucial role in mental health. Choice C is incorrect as the environment can influence both physical and mental health. Choice D is incorrect as research indicates that the environment can have a substantial impact on mental health outcomes.