Nursing Elites

1. Skinner would agree with all the following statements except:

• A. All behavior is governed by external consequences.
• B. Individuals have free will.
• C. Organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes.
• D. Organisms tend not to repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Skinner's behaviorist perspective emphasized that behavior is influenced by external factors and reinforcement, rather than individual free will. Therefore, Skinner would not agree with the statement that individuals have free will. Choices A, C, and D align with Skinner's beliefs as he believed that behavior is shaped by external consequences, organisms tend to repeat behaviors leading to positive outcomes, and organisms tend to avoid behaviors leading to neutral or negative outcomes.

2. Understanding the causes of mental disorders is important because ________

• A. effective treatment is not possible without such an understanding.
• B. classification of disorders cannot be done without such information.
• C. such knowledge might make both the prevention and cure of mental disorders possible.
• D. disagreements about the causes of psychopathology have long limited the advancements made in the study of abnormal psychology.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Understanding the causes of mental disorders is crucial because it can potentially lead to both prevention and cure. By identifying the root causes, strategies can be developed to prevent the onset of disorders, and effective treatments can be tailored to address these causes directly. This approach can make treatments more efficient, as addressing the underlying factors contributing to the disorder can result in better outcomes for individuals. Choices A and B are incorrect because while understanding causes is important for effective treatment and classification, the primary focus is on prevention and cure. Choice D, while highlighting the impact of disagreements on advancements in abnormal psychology, does not directly address the importance of understanding causes for prevention and cure.

3. Unlike other types of anxiety disorders, this one is not triggered by anything specific, hence the name free-floating anxiety.

• A. Social anxiety disorder
• B. Generalized anxiety disorder
• C. Panic disorder
• D. Specific phobia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry or anxiety that is not triggered by specific situations or objects, hence the term 'free-floating anxiety.' Social anxiety disorder (A) is characterized by fear and anxiety about social situations, panic disorder (C) involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks, and specific phobia (D) is an intense fear of a specific object or situation. Therefore, B is the most appropriate choice in the context of anxiety not being triggered by specific stimuli.

4. David believes that characters in a popular science fiction show are secretly sending him messages. This would be an example of a delusion of?

• A. Persecution
• B. Influence
• C. Reference
• D. Grandeur

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Reference. A delusion of reference is when an individual believes that external events or characters are sending them personal messages. In this scenario, David's belief that characters from the science fiction show are sending him messages aligns with a delusion of reference. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because persecution delusions involve feeling targeted or harassed, influence delusions involve believing external forces are controlling one's thoughts or actions, and grandeur delusions involve an exaggerated sense of importance or power.

5. 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: Extinction is the process of eliminating a conditioned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus. This process helps in reducing or eliminating undesired behaviors or responses. Choice A is incorrect because extinction weakens the conditioned response by breaking the association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. Choice C is incorrect as extinction is a widely used technique in behavioral therapies for treating disorders. Choice D is incorrect as extinction aims to reduce the conditioned response, not intensify it.

Similar Questions