Psych Quiz #5

What was Piaget’s opinion on post formal reasoning?

Piaget thought that development basically ended at formal operations

How does post formal reasoning change with experience?

Younger people tend to show dualistic thinking, where facts are right or wrong and are universal across contexts.

How can one encourage relativistic thinking?

Exposure to different viewpoints and having their beliefs challenged will help them realize multiple perspectives are possible, and that beliefs are subjective and can be defended

What is reflective judgement?

The ability to understand that multiple viewpoints are possible, but some things are not a matter of opinion and evidence should be used to determine the most accurate view

Reflective judgement and regulating emotions: Cognitive-affective complexity

The ability to effectively integrate emotions into decision making, considering feelings and perspectives of others, regulating strong emotions that might interfere with decision making and maintaining positive relations despite conflict

Reflective judgement and regulating emotions: Pragmatic thought

Our reasoning may need to adapt to different circumstances and goals

What are barriers to reflective judgement?

Lack of experience: Lack of exposure to different viewpoints and education around critical thinking and understanding evidence

Failure of metacognition

What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?

People who are less competent are more likely to overrate their own abilities and failure of metacognition

How is motivated reasoning a barrier to reflective judgement?

We are motivated to confirm our own beliefs, tend to ignore counterpoints, interpret situations in a way that supports our beliefs and seek out people who share our viewpoints

What is motivated reasoning?

People’s stronger beliefs are less likely to change, while they are more likely to change beliefs about less strong and nonpolitical items

How does child maltreatment take form?

Neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse; the percentages add up to more than 100% because cases often have more than one form of abuse

What leads to abuse?

Mostly committed by parents, more likely to commit abuse if they have a psychological disorder, substance abuse issues, insufficient knowledge of child development and parenting techniques, lacking support, stress and are victims themselves

Why does abuse go unreported?

Children are still attached to their parents and don’t want to see family broken up, young children may not even realize what is happening to them is not normal and may be afraid of not being believed

What happens when children are abused?

Emotional difficulties like impaired self regulations, low self esteem, depression, anxiety and aggression; difficulties forming positive social relationships; academic failure, substance abuse, criminal activity; delayed development; nervous system damage

How can abuse be stopped or prevented?

Educating parents, social programs, campaigns to increase awareness, Megan’s Law, background checks, training laws and mandated reports

What are the warning signs of child abuse?

Withdrawal from friends and activities, sudden change in behavior, regression in developmental stages, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, school absences, self- harm, aggressive behavior, unexplained injury, inappropriate sexual behavior or knowledge

When do eating disorders usually occur?

They often emerge in adolescence as body changes rapidly with puberty, and includes intense body image dissatisfaction

What are the characteristics of anorexia nervosa?

Restricting food intake to the point of extreme weight loss, intense fear or anxiety about gaining weight, often involving body dysmorphia and preoccupation with food and weight

Characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa?

Recurrent episodes of binge eating and compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain, as well as distorted view of self, self esteem influenced by weight

Characteristics of binge eating disorder?

Frequent binge eating episodes without the compensatory behaviors, can be triggered by negative emotions and is most common, but less well known

What are some other types of eating disorders?

ARFID and OSFED: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorders

What are the health risks associated with eating disorders?

Irregular menstruation, organ failure, heart problems and death; nutritional deficiencies, damage to mouth and esophagus from stomach acid

Causes of eating disorders?

• Weight stigma

• Diet culture

• Thin ideal

• Anxiety and depression comorbidity

• High stress reactivity, negative emotionality, harm avoidance, perfectionism

• Higher among family members

• Different reactions to negative energy balance

How do eating disorders manifest in men?

• 20% of people with eating disorders are men

• May manifest later, in 20s

• More likely exercise as a purging behavior

Treatment of eating disorders?

• Difficult to treat because of persistent risk factors

• Hospitalization to treat physical effects

• Anti-anxiety or anti-depression meds

• Therapy to counteract thought distortions and maintain healthy eating

What are some warning signs of eating disorders?

• Withdrawing from family and friends

• Chang in eating habits or exercise habits

• Body insecurity

• Increased focus on weight or body shape

• Changes in appearance

How is depression prevalent in adolescence?

13% of adolescents meet the criteria, more likely in girls, rates risen over time

What are the risk factors for depression?

• Genetic susceptibility

• Environmental factors

• ACEs: Adverse childhood experiences

• Chronic stress

• Traumatic events

• Protective factors: Positive relationships and parental support

How does suicide manifest?

One of the top 3 causes of death in teenagers, girls are more likely to report thoughts of suicide, while boys are more likely to die by suicide

What are some methods for suicide prevention?

• Training for teachers and staff

• Education for students

• Screenings for risk factors

• Suicide hotline