Question 1

Dr. Fried believes that it is easier for humans to learn fears for which we are physiologically predisposed, such as fear of heights or snakes. She accepts which view of the development of fear reactions?
A) inactive amygdala
B) preparedness
C) psychodynamic
D) disgust

Accepted Answer

Dr. Fried's belief aligns with the concept of preparedness, which suggests that humans are more likely to develop fears to stimuli that have historically posed a threat to survival, such as heights or snakes. This concept is part of evolutionary psychology and indicates that certain fears are easier to acquire because they have been adaptive for survival.

Question 2

Which explanation for panic disorder would most likely be offered by a cognitive-behavioral theorist?
A) "A malfunction in the receptors monitoring oxygen in the blood causes the patient to feel that he or she is suffocating when, in fact, he or she isn't."
B) "Abnormalities of benzodiazepine receptors in the brain cause a person to feel mounting anxiety that leads to a panic attack."
C) "When ego defenses have weakened because of overuse, forbidden sexual impulses threaten to break into consciousness, causing an attack."
D) "When small changes in the body are misinterpreted as dreadful events, these beliefs start a positive-feedback loop that brings on an attack."

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral theorists focus on how thoughts and beliefs can influence emotions and behaviors. The explanation that panic disorder arises from misinterpreting bodily sensations as catastrophic events aligns with this perspective, as it emphasizes the role of negative thought patterns in triggering panic attacks.

Question 3

According to the cognitive-behavioral perspective, panic attacks are due to a feedback loop involving ____.
A) bodily sensations and thoughts
B) id impulses and ego defenses
C) neurotransmitters and receptors
D) the amygdala and the hippocampus

Accepted Answer

The cognitive-behavioral perspective suggests that panic attacks result from a feedback loop between bodily sensations and thoughts. This perspective emphasizes how individuals interpret physical sensations in a catastrophic manner, leading to increased anxiety and further physical symptoms, thus creating a cycle.

Question 4

Dr. Swensen says this about treating phobias: "Treatment should involve positive coping statements. It should also involve convincing clients to avoid medication, and to instead, rely on the psychodynamic approach of systematic desensitization. These types of approaches like this have higher success rates than treatments that rely on antidepressants." What portion of Dr. Swensen's statement is accurate ?
A) That treatment should involve systematic desensitization
B) That clients should be wary of antidepressants
C) That systematic desensitization is a psychodynamic approach
D) That medication is largely ineffective as a treatment

Accepted Answer

Systematic desensitization is a cognitive-behavioral technique used to treat phobias by gradually exposing the patient to the anxiety-producing object or situation in a controlled environment, which is considered effective. It is not a psychodynamic approach, which focuses on unconscious processes and past conflicts. The effectiveness of medication can vary, and it is not accurate to broadly claim it is largely ineffective.

Question 5

What is the only consistently validated treatment for GAD?
A) medication
B) psychoanalysis
C) cognitive behavioral therapy
D) behavioral therapy

Accepted Answer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the only consistently validated treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), with strong evidence supporting its effectiveness.

Question 6

According to the model developed by Wells (2005), the roots of GAD lie in ____.
A) beliefs regarding the function of the actual worrying itself
B) beliefs that worry can provide effective ways to cope with aversive situations
C) beliefs that worry can provide solutions to a client's challenges
D) ineffective methods for dealing with difficult situations

Accepted Answer

Wells (2005) proposed that the roots of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) lie in metacognitive beliefs about the function of worrying itself, suggesting that individuals with GAD believe that worrying is beneficial or necessary.

Question 7

Which of the following is a cultural factor that contributes to anxiety disorders?
A) early childhood experiences
B) genetic predispositions
C) cognitive distortions
D) exposure to discrimination and prejudice

Accepted Answer

Exposure to discrimination and prejudice is a cultural factor that can contribute to anxiety disorders by creating environments of stress, fear, and insecurity, which can exacerbate or trigger anxiety in individuals.

Question 8

Dr. Mahoney is a cognitive-behavioral therapist. When treating a client with panic disorder, she is most likely to focus on the client's ____.
A) thoughts before and during fearful episodes
B) family history of panic disorder
C) response to sodium lactate
D) early childhood experiences with sexuality

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In the case of panic disorder, a CBT therapist like Dr. Mahoney would concentrate on the client's thoughts before and during fearful episodes to help them manage and reduce their symptoms.

Question 9

What is the first step in treating phobias and anxiety disorders?
A) getting the client to relax
B) teaching the client some simple cognitive strategies
C) ruling out possible medical or physical causes
D) explaining various perspectives about the disorders to the client

Accepted Answer

Ruling out possible medical or physical causes is crucial as the first step in treating phobias and anxiety disorders to ensure that the symptoms are not due to an underlying medical condition. This approach helps in accurately diagnosing and treating the disorder.

Question 10

Which area of the brain alerts the other brain structures when a threat is present?
A) the amygdala
B) the hippocampus
C) the prefrontal cortex
D) the hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions and is particularly involved in the response to perceived threats, alerting other brain structures to prepare the body for a fight-or-flight response.

Question 11

Research by Fox (2005) suggests that which child would be most likely to display behavioral inhibition (i.e., shyness)?
A) a child who has a long allele 5-HTTLPR and whose parents provided low levels of social support
B) a child who has a long allele 5-HTTLPR and whose parents provided excessive levels of social support
C) a child who has a short allele 5-HTTLPR and whose parents provided low levels of social support
D) a child who has a short allele 5-HTTLPR and whose parents provided excessive levels of social support

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that children with a short allele of the 5-HTTLPR gene who also experience low levels of social support from their parents are more likely to display behavioral inhibition, including traits like shyness. This is because the short allele may increase sensitivity to environmental conditions, making supportive parenting more crucial for these children.

Question 12

What role does inheritance play in the development of anxiety disorders?
A) Inheritance plays only a very weak role.
B) Inheritance plays a very strong role.
C) Inheritance plays only a modest role.
D) Although inheritance plays a role in developing anxiety disorders, it is much stronger in GAD than other anxiety disorders.

Accepted Answer

Inheritance plays a modest role in the development of anxiety disorders, indicating that while genetics can contribute to the risk, environmental factors also play a significant part.

Question 13

Which disorder is most common in the United States?
A) posttraumatic stress disorder
B) phobias
C) generalized anxiety disorder
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder

Accepted Answer

Phobias are the most common type of anxiety disorder in the United States, affecting a significant portion of the population at some point in their lives.

Question 14

A strong, persistent, and unwarranted fear of some specific object or situation is referred to as ____.
A) a phobia
B) generalized anxiety
C) agoraphobia
D) panic disorder

Accepted Answer

A phobia is defined as a strong, persistent, and unwarranted fear of a specific object or situation.

Question 15

Most people who suffer from social anxiety disorder ____.
A) were overindulged by their parents as children
B) are less likely than other people to suffer from other psychological disorders
C) also are likely to have anxiety, mood, or substance disorders
D) also suffer from dissociative identity disorder (DID)

Accepted Answer

Social anxiety disorder often co-occurs with other psychological disorders, including other anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders, indicating a higher likelihood of comorbidity rather than being an isolated condition.

Question 16

Current research on the influence of genes on anxiety disorders suggests that ____.
A) the disorders are present in people who inherit the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR
B) the disorders are absent in people who inherit the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR
C) while genes may predispose a person to develop an anxiety disorder, expression of the disorder depends on epigenetic interactions
D) little, if any, relationship has been found that links genes with the development of anxiety disorders

Accepted Answer

Current research indicates that while genetic factors, such as inheriting specific genes, may predispose an individual to anxiety disorders, the actual expression of these disorders is influenced by epigenetic interactions. This means that environmental factors and individual experiences can affect how these genetic predispositions manifest, suggesting a complex interplay between genes and environment in the development of anxiety disorders.

Question 17

There are three subcategories of phobias: ____.
A) cognitive, behavioral, and somatic
B) agoraphobic, panic, and social anxiety disorder
C) general, specific, and situational
D) specific, social anxiety disorder, and agoraphobic

Accepted Answer

The three subcategories of phobias are specific phobias (fear of specific objects or situations), social anxiety disorder (fear of social situations), and agoraphobia (fear of places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event of a panic attack).

Question 18

Larry is so afraid of being alone in public places that he cannot bring himself to leave his house. The mere thought of leaving produces overwhelming panic. Larry probably suffers from ____.
A) obsessive-compulsive disorder
B) generalized anxiety disorder
C) social phobia
D) agoraphobia

Accepted Answer

Larry's symptoms align with agoraphobia, which is characterized by an intense fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help might not be available, especially when alone. This fear can be so overwhelming that it confines individuals to their homes.

Question 19

Tiffany is typical of many children who suffer from phobias. Karen is typical of adults with phobias. How aware would each of them be that their fears are excessive?
A) Both would realize that their fears are excessive.
B) Neither would realize that their fears are excessive.
C) Tiffany, but not Karen, would realize that they are excessive.
D) Karen, but not Tiffany, would realize that they are excessive.

Accepted Answer

Adults, like Karen, are more likely to recognize that their fears are excessive or irrational compared to children, like Tiffany, who may not have the cognitive ability to assess the rationality of their fears.

Question 20

Which anxiety disorder is equally common in both men and women?
A) phobias
B) panic disorder
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
D) agoraphobia

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is known to occur at similar rates in both men and women, unlike some other anxiety disorders which may have a higher prevalence in one gender.

Quiz 5: Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Dr. Fried believes that it is easier for humans to learn fears for which we are physiologically predisposed, such as fear of heights or snakes. She accepts which view of the development of fear reactions?

Which explanation for panic disorder would most likely be offered by a cognitive-behavioral theorist?

According to the cognitive-behavioral perspective, panic attacks are due to a feedback loop involving ____.

What is the only consistently validated treatment for GAD?

According to the model developed by Wells (2005) , the roots of GAD lie in ____.

Which of the following is a cultural factor that contributes to anxiety disorders?

Dr. Mahoney is a cognitive-behavioral therapist. When treating a client with panic disorder, she is most likely to focus on the client's ____.

What is the first step in treating phobias and anxiety disorders?

Which area of the brain alerts the other brain structures when a threat is present?

Research by Fox (2005) suggests that which child would be most likely to display behavioral inhibition (i.e., shyness) ?

What role does inheritance play in the development of anxiety disorders?

Which disorder is most common in the United States?

A strong, persistent, and unwarranted fear of some specific object or situation is referred to as ____.

Most people who suffer from social anxiety disorder ____.

Current research on the influence of genes on anxiety disorders suggests that ____.

There are three subcategories of phobias: ____.

Larry is so afraid of being alone in public places that he cannot bring himself to leave his house. The mere thought of leaving produces overwhelming panic. Larry probably suffers from ____.

Tiffany is typical of many children who suffer from phobias. Karen is typical of adults with phobias. How aware would each of them be that their fears are excessive?

Which anxiety disorder is equally common in both men and women?