Question 1

Dr. Alcott makes the following statement about Janet's depression: "Your depression may be due to your misperception of this unfortunate situation and your tendency to blame yourself for events that are beyond your control. What we need to do is help you to recognize and modify your irrational beliefs." Dr. Alcott's comments are characteristic of the ____.
A) behavioral model
B) cognitive-behavioral model
C) humanistic model
D) psychodynamic model

Accepted Answer

Dr. Alcott's statement focuses on modifying irrational beliefs, which is a key component of the cognitive-behavioral model. The behavioral model would primarily focus on changing observable behavior, the humanistic model would prioritize self-awareness and personal growth, and the psychodynamic model would explore unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences.

Question 2

Erin has an exaggerated fear of flying. She refuses to board an airplane and avoids airports altogether. A behavioral therapist would be most likely to use ____ in treating her fear
A) cognitive restructuring
B) systematic desensitization
C) Gestalt approaches
D) psychodynamic processing

Accepted Answer

Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique used to help individuals overcome phobias by gradually exposing them to the feared object or situation in a controlled manner while teaching relaxation techniques.

Question 3

A kindergarten teacher wants to reduce the amount of aggressiveness children display in her class and on the playground. Using operant conditioning principles, the teacher should ____.
A) use negative reinforcers to decrease the behavior
B) pair aggressiveness with some pleasant stimulus
C) eliminate the reinforcement associated with aggressiveness
D) encourage the children to get the aggressiveness out of their systems

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves changing behavior by altering the consequences that follow it. In this case, aggressiveness is a behavior that is being reinforced in some way. To reduce the behavior, the teacher should eliminate the reinforcement associated with it. This can be done by not rewarding or responding to aggressive behavior, or by providing rewards for alternative behaviors that are more positive and cooperative. Using negative reinforcers or pairing aggressiveness with a pleasant stimulus may actually increase the behavior, while encouraging the children to get the aggressiveness out of their systems is not a specific or effective strategy for behavior change.

Question 4

Cognitive-behavioral theorists emphasize that disturbed individuals ____.
A) come from disturbed families
B) live in stressful environments
C) have irrational and maladaptive thoughts
D) are deficient in interpersonal skills

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral theorists believe that disturbed individuals have irrational and maladaptive thoughts that lead to negative emotions and behaviors. This approach focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns to improve mental health. While family dynamics and environmental factors may play a role in a person's mental health, they are not considered the primary factor in cognitive-behavioral theory. Deficiencies in interpersonal skills are also not the primary focus of this approach.

Question 5

Which scenario best illustrates operant conditioning?
A) A man gets sick when he smells the same kind of food that caused him food poisoning.
B) A man asks for a raise because, in the past, his requests have been successful.
C) A woman has been frightened by thunderstorms all her life and her fears are getting worse.
D) A child watches a friend steal from a store, so he thinks he might steal in the future.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior, such as rewards or punishments. In scenario B, the man asks for a raise because he has been rewarded in the past, illustrating operant conditioning.

Question 6

Unlike behaviors in classical conditioning, operant behaviors are ____.
A) learned by observing others
B) unconscious
C) voluntary and controllable
D) instinctive

Accepted Answer

Operant behaviors are voluntary and controllable, meaning that they are under our conscious control and can be modified through consequences. This is in contrast to classical conditioning, where behaviors are elicited automatically and are not under our conscious control. Observational learning refers to learning by observing others, and while it is a type of learning, it is not necessarily a defining characteristic of operant behaviors. Instinctive behaviors are innate and not learned through conditioning.

Question 7

Dr. Danvers is a firm believer in Ellis's REBT theory. Given that, what can we expect Dr. Danvers to say?
A) "People are less troubled by their thoughts regarding the events in their lives than the actual events themselves."
B) "Belief that an event is unfortunate leads to a healthier consequence than belief that an event is a catastrophe."
C) "Our reactions are due to our learned associations and there is little we can do about them."
D) "Depression is something you are most likely born with and can never really escape."

Accepted Answer

Dr. Danvers, as a believer in Ellis's Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), would emphasize that it is not the events themselves that disturb people, but rather their beliefs about these events. REBT focuses on changing irrational beliefs to more rational ones, such as viewing an event as unfortunate rather than catastrophic, to lead to healthier emotional consequences.

Question 8

In classical conditioning, behaviors are controlled by events that ____ the response, whereas in operant conditioning, they are controlled by events that ____ the response.
A) intensify; reduce
B) follow; precede
C) precede; follow
D) increase; decrease

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning involves associating a previously neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus) with an automatic response (conditioned response). The conditioned stimulus precedes the conditioned response, leading to a learned response to the previously neutral stimulus. Operant conditioning involves associating a behavior with a consequence. The consequence follows (or comes after) the behavior, leading to an increase or decrease in the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as classical conditioning is about events that precede the response, while operant conditioning is about events that follow the response.

Question 9

One strength of the behavioral model is that it ____.
A) emphasizes the impact of environment on behavior
B) is applied to explain intrapsychic conflict
C) is not restricted by adherence to scientific methodology
D) highlights the subjective life of the individual

Accepted Answer

The behavioral model places a strong emphasis on the impact of the environment on behavior, suggesting that behavior is learned through interactions with and consequences from the environment.

Question 10

Which technique increases the frequency of a behavior because it removes or reduces an aversive (punishing) event?
A) positive reinforcement
B) vicarious conditioning
C) negative reinforcement
D) modeling

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement increases the frequency of a behavior by removing or reducing an aversive (punishing) event. It is important to note that negative reinforcement is not the same as punishment, which aims to decrease the frequency of a behavior.

Question 11

Unlike operant or classical conditioning, in observational learning, ____.
A) direct reinforcement is necessary to establish behavior
B) new behaviors can be learned solely by watching others
C) reinforcement must precede the person's action
D) reinforcers are not necessary to maintain a behavior

Accepted Answer

In observational learning, individuals can acquire new behaviors simply by observing others, without the need for direct reinforcement or personal experience.

Question 12

Dr. Ansorg believes that her clients can acquire appropriate social skills by watching her interact with other people in a social setting. Dr. Ansorg assumes which paradigm of learning?
A) classical conditioning
B) observational learning
C) operant conditioning
D) psychodynamic

Accepted Answer

Observational learning, also known as modeling or social learning, occurs when individuals learn by observing the behaviors of others and the consequences of those behaviors. In this case, Dr. Ansorg is assuming that her clients will acquire social skills by observing her behavior in a social setting.

Question 13

When Stanley is afraid of meeting a woman, he finds an excuse to run off by himself. The immediate effect of running away is to make him feel less anxious and more at ease. Stanley's behavior illustrates the ____.
A) role of negative reinforcers in avoidance behavior
B) fact that shaping can result in maladjusted behavior
C) role of partial reinforcement in abnormal behavior
D) power of positive reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Stanley's behavior is a clear example of avoidance behavior, and his running away serves as negative reinforcement because it removes the anxiety-provoking stimulus (meeting the woman) and helps him feel more at ease. Therefore, the correct answer is A) the role of negative reinforcers in avoidance behavior.

Question 14

When John was growing up, he saw his older brother severely beaten by their father after the brother was caught drinking a beer. Since then, John has never had a beer in his life. What form of learning does this best illustrate?
A) classical conditioning
B) instrumental learning
C) observational learning
D) operant conditioning

Accepted Answer

This best illustrates observational learning, where John learned from observing the consequences of his brother's behavior and chose to avoid drinking beer as a result.

Question 15

From an operant conditioning point of view, self-injurious behavior may be learned through the use of ____.
A) reinforcement
B) personalization
C) implosion
D) modeling

Accepted Answer

Self-injurious behavior can be learned through reinforcement, where the behavior is followed by a consequence that increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

Question 16

Mykael's therapist says: "Your interpretation of the events in your life brings on your behaviors. If you can see yourself as less of a failure and more of a success, your behaviors will change." The therapist probably supports which approach to abnormal behavior?
A) cognitive-behavioral
B) operant conditioning
C) psychodynamic
D) family systems

Accepted Answer

The therapist's focus on changing Mykael's interpretation of events to alter behavior aligns with the cognitive-behavioral approach, which emphasizes the role of thoughts and perceptions in influencing behavior.

Question 17

Who developed the REBT theory of personality and irrational beliefs?
A) Ellis
B) Minuchin
C) Beck
D) Satir

Accepted Answer

REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) was developed by Albert Ellis, a renowned psychologist and pioneer of cognitive behavioral therapy. He developed the theory in the 1950s and 60s and continued to refine it throughout his career. The theory emphasizes the role of irrational beliefs in causing emotional distress and advocates for the use of rational thinking to challenge and change these beliefs.

Question 18

The term irrational thoughts plays an important role in which model of psychopathology?
A) family systems
B) behavioral
C) cognitive-behavioral
D) multicultural

Accepted Answer

The cognitive-behavioral model emphasizes the role of irrational thoughts and beliefs in the development and maintenance of psychological disorders.

Question 19

Patty knows that if she cries, she will get her way. Paul knows that if he cries, he will be ignored. Which model of behavior suggests that Patty will increase her crying and Paul will decrease his crying?
A) classical conditioning
B) operant conditioning
C) psychodynamic theory
D) observational learning

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning suggests that behaviors are more likely to be repeated if they are reinforced or rewarded, and less likely to be repeated if they are punished or ignored. In this scenario, Patty's crying is reinforced by getting her way, while Paul's crying is punished by being ignored. Therefore, Patty is likely to increase her crying behavior while Paul is likely to decrease his crying behavior.

Question 20

Which quote is most similar to the theory of operant conditioning?
A) "Emotions are a function of beliefs, not events."
B) "Emotions are the outgrowth of passive associations."
C) "Most of our behavior is motivated by unconscious factors."
D) "We do more of whatever behavior pays off."

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is a learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment, aligning with the idea that behaviors are repeated if they are rewarded.

Quiz 2: Understanding and Treating Mental Disorders

Erin has an exaggerated fear of flying. She refuses to board an airplane and avoids airports altogether. A behavioral therapist would be most likely to use ____ in treating her fear

A kindergarten teacher wants to reduce the amount of aggressiveness children display in her class and on the playground. Using operant conditioning principles, the teacher should ____.

Cognitive-behavioral theorists emphasize that disturbed individuals ____.

Which scenario best illustrates operant conditioning?

Unlike behaviors in classical conditioning, operant behaviors are ____.

Dr. Danvers is a firm believer in Ellis's REBT theory. Given that, what can we expect Dr. Danvers to say?

In classical conditioning, behaviors are controlled by events that the response, whereas in operant conditioning, they are controlled by events that the response.

One strength of the behavioral model is that it ____.

Which technique increases the frequency of a behavior because it removes or reduces an aversive (punishing) event?

Unlike operant or classical conditioning, in observational learning, ____.

Dr. Ansorg believes that her clients can acquire appropriate social skills by watching her interact with other people in a social setting. Dr. Ansorg assumes which paradigm of learning?

When Stanley is afraid of meeting a woman, he finds an excuse to run off by himself. The immediate effect of running away is to make him feel less anxious and more at ease. Stanley's behavior illustrates the ____.

When John was growing up, he saw his older brother severely beaten by their father after the brother was caught drinking a beer. Since then, John has never had a beer in his life. What form of learning does this best illustrate?

From an operant conditioning point of view, self-injurious behavior may be learned through the use of ____.

Mykael's therapist says: "Your interpretation of the events in your life brings on your behaviors. If you can see yourself as less of a failure and more of a success, your behaviors will change." The therapist probably supports which approach to abnormal behavior?

Who developed the REBT theory of personality and irrational beliefs?

The term irrational thoughts plays an important role in which model of psychopathology?

Patty knows that if she cries, she will get her way. Paul knows that if he cries, he will be ignored. Which model of behavior suggests that Patty will increase her crying and Paul will decrease his crying?

Which quote is most similar to the theory of operant conditioning?