ATI RN
Psychological Exam
1. You are taking part in a survey that asks about your attitudes toward physical punishment of children. Even though you believe that spanking is sometimes necessary, you answer that you are opposed to any sort of physical punishment. Which of the following terms best describes why you answered the way you did?
- A. Random responding
- B. Faking bad
- C. Placebo effect
- D. Social desirability
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, social desirability. Social desirability bias occurs when respondents answer questions in a way they think will be viewed favorably by others, rather than according to their true beliefs. In this scenario, the respondent may feel pressured to provide an answer that aligns with societal norms or expectations, even if it contradicts their personal beliefs. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Random responding refers to answering survey questions haphazardly, without consideration. Faking bad is intentionally providing extreme or negative responses. The placebo effect is a phenomenon where a person's belief in a treatment's effectiveness produces a positive outcome, unrelated to the treatment's actual effects.
2. Which of the following statements is not true about selective mutism?
- A. The disturbance is often marked by high social anxiety
- B. It can be diagnosed alongside social anxiety disorder
- C. The person is capable of speaking in some situations
- D. It may lead to academic impairment
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Selective mutism can coexist with social anxiety disorder. The correct answer is B because it is incorrect to say that selective mutism cannot be diagnosed alongside social anxiety disorder. Statement A is true as selective mutism is often associated with high social anxiety. Statement C is true as individuals with selective mutism can speak in some situations. Statement D is true as selective mutism may lead to academic impairment due to difficulties in communication.
3. Why is it particularly useful to study identical twins who were raised in different environments?
- A. Differences in brain function can be easily identified.
- B. Concordance rates tend to be higher.
- C. It is possible that the genetics of twins who have been separated have changed in ways to explain any differences found.
- D. It is possible that high concordance rates between identical twins reared together are due to their being treated more similarly than nonidentical twins.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Studying identical twins raised in different environments allows researchers to understand the impact of genetics versus environmental factors on traits. Choice A is incorrect because differences in brain function can be influenced by a variety of factors and not solely by environmental differences. Choice B is incorrect as concordance rates tend to be higher in identical twins reared together due to shared genetics and environment. Choice C is incorrect because genetics do not change due to being raised in different environments.
4. 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.
5. The site of chemical communication in the brain is the ________.
- A. neuron
- B. synapse
- C. axon
- D. dendrite
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The synapse is the correct answer. It is the site where communication between neurons occurs through the release and reception of neurotransmitters. Choice A, neuron, is incorrect as it is the cell itself rather than a specific site of communication. Choice C, axon, is also incorrect as it is a part of the neuron that transmits signals away from the cell body. Choice D, dendrite, is not the correct answer either, as dendrites receive signals from other neurons but do not release neurotransmitters for communication.
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