ATI RN
Psychological Exam
1. The child might see an orange and say 'apple' because both objects are round. This is known as ____?
- A. Accommodation
- B. Assimilation
- C. A detailed description of a single culture or context
- D. A study that tests a causal hypothesis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assimilation. Assimilation occurs when a child applies an existing schema (like 'apple' for round objects) to new objects. In this scenario, the child sees the round orange and calls it an 'apple' because they are both round. Choice A, Accommodation, involves modifying an existing schema to fit a new object or situation, which is not the case in the given scenario. Choices C and D are unrelated to the concept being tested in this question.
2. Elliot became widowed after nearly 40 years of marriage. He has convinced himself that no one will ever love him again. His irrational thinking has caused him to suffer from depression, and he rarely leaves his house. What perspective might best explain his behavior?
- A. Psychodynamic
- B. Behavioral
- C. Biological
- D. Cognitive
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The cognitive perspective might best explain Elliot's irrational thinking and resulting depression. In this case, Elliot's belief that he will never be loved again is a cognitive distortion, leading to depressive symptoms and social withdrawal. The psychodynamic perspective primarily focuses on unconscious processes and unresolved conflicts from the past, which do not directly address Elliot's current cognitive distortions. The behavioral perspective would focus on observable behaviors and how they are reinforced, which is not the central issue in this scenario. The biological perspective would examine the role of genetics, brain chemistry, and other physiological factors, which are not the primary cause of Elliot's behavior in this context.
3. 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.
4. Which of the following is a common criticism against Piaget's theory of cognitive development?
- A. The sequence of stages is not fixed.
- B. Research has not supported the existence of the preoperational stage.
- C. Piaget put a heavy emphasis on the environment, ignoring the importance of mental processes.
- D. Children develop abilities earlier than Piaget theorized.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because one common criticism of Piaget's theory is that children often acquire cognitive abilities earlier than Piaget proposed. This criticism suggests that Piaget's stages might not be as fixed or rigid as he believed. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect: A is a characteristic of Piaget's theory; B is not a common criticism, as research generally supports the existence of Piaget's stages; and C is inaccurate, as Piaget actually emphasized the importance of mental processes in cognitive development.
5. A predisposition toward developing a disorder is termed a ________.
- A. diathesis
- B. comorbidity
- C. genotype
- D. phenotype
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A diathesis is indeed the correct term for a predisposition toward developing a disorder. A diathesis refers to an underlying vulnerability or predisposition to a particular condition. Choice B, 'comorbidity,' refers to the presence of two or more disorders in the same individual. Choice C, 'genotype,' relates to an individual's genetic makeup. Choice D, 'phenotype,' refers to the observable characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. Therefore, A is the most appropriate term for describing a predisposition toward developing a disorder.
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