PSYCH257 - Term Test 2 Trouble Areas

What is one reason that we can expect rapid increases in our understanding of the genetic influences of psychopathology over the next several years?

the new brain-scanning technology

the discovery of the double helix

the recent availability of fast, high-tech computers

the progress of the human genome project

the progress of the human genome project

anhedonia vs avolition

Avolition is a lack of motivation and drive, making it difficult to initiate or complete goal-oriented tasks (e.g., doing laundry, working). Anhedonia is an inability to experience pleasure or joy, causing a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Both are primary negative symptoms of conditions like schizophrenia and depression.

The Triple Vulnerability Model

1. Generalized Biological Vulnerability: Your genetic inheritance and neurobiology (e.g., a genetic predisposition to a reactive fight-or-flight system or higher trait neuroticism).

2. Generalized Psychological Vulnerability: The learned belief that the world is unsafe and you do not have control over it. This often stems from unpredictable or uncontrollable early life experiences.

3. Disorder-Specific Psychological Vulnerability: The specific focus of your anxiety (e.g., believing that physical sensations are dangerous, or an intolerance of uncertainty, which commonly fuels conditions like panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder).

Single-case experimental designs use several strategies to improve their internal validity. Which of the following is one of these strategies?

repeated measures

random assignment

process measures

placebo controls

repeated measures

repeated measures

involves testing the exact same subjects multiple times under different conditions or at various time points.

Which of the following is an example of a cohort effect?

the confounding of age and experience

the confounding of age and cultural difference

the confounding of age and environmental influence

the confounding of age and genetic influence

the confounding of age and experience

cohort effect

occurs when differences in behavior, health, or attitudes across a population result from a group's shared historical and cultural experiences, rather than true aging.

For example, a group of individuals born in the same era (like Millennials) often share unique values and technological fluency due to their specific upbringing

When conducting research with adults who have been diagnosed with a psychological disorder, which of the following is essential regarding consent?

You need to ensure that the psychological disorder they have would not impair their ability to give free and informed consent.

Informed consent must be given by a mentally competent family member or guardian.

Informed consent is not necessary.

It is necessary to have the research procedures approved by the Canadian Psychological Association.

You need to ensure that the psychological disorder they have would not impair their ability to give free and informed consent.

Which of the following is a problem in understanding variations in behaviour among individuals from different cultural groups?

The differences may be due to environmental factors.

The differences may be due to genetic or cultural factors or a combination of both.

Different cultural research methods are used to study and define psychopathology.

Different research methods are used to study psychopathology across cultures.

The differences may be due to genetic or cultural factors or a combination of both.

One of the problems with longitudinal research is that it may be difficult to generalize the findings to other cohorts whose life experiences are very different from those of the study participants. What is this phenomenon known as?

the cross-generational effect

the cross-cultural effect

the peer effect

the cohort effect

the cross-generational effect

Dr. Ishmael wants to use a case study design. Which of the following is a possible problem with this chosen method?

It has high internal validity but external validity is frequently compromised.
It includes the use of the experimental method.

The results may be unique to the particular person(s) being studied.

The characteristics of one individual can rarely tell you anything meaningful about a disorder.

The results may be unique to the particular person(s) being studied.

One of the major problems with the case study method is that it is too easy to make false conclusions based on which of the following?

statistical significance

poorly defined dependent variables

correlations

coincidences

coincidences

What is a hypothesis?

a theory that is based on available information

an educated guess about the world, often informed by previous research

a research question formulated through observation of daily occurrence
a research question tested through experimentation

an educated guess about the world, often informed by previous research

What type of research compares people with a specific disorder to those without the disorder and then identifies markers that occur significantly more often in people with the disorder?

a family study

a heritability analysis

an association study
a genetic linkage study

an association study

Which term refers to the prevention-based interventions that may help avert later problems?

outcome-focused strategies
selective prevention strategies

process-focused strategies
preintervention strategies

selective prevention strategies

Regarding research ethics and informed consent, are researchers allowed to use deception in a study?

Yes, if the participants are debriefed.

No, deception defies the principle of informed consent.

No, because deception causes psychological harm.
Yes, if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Yes, if the participants are debriefed.

Which of the following makes it difficult to determine the genetic components of psychological disorders by using family studies?

shared genes

the same socioeconomic conditions

the fact that family members live together
physical similarities

the fact that family members live together

A researcher interested in understanding the relationship between panic attacks and alcohol misuse might choose to study the effects of anxiety induction in the lab on how much alcohol research participants choose to drink. Which statement would be most accurate, given this information?

The level of anxiety induced is the dependent variable.
The amount of alcohol participants choose to drink is the independent variable.

The amount of alcohol participants choose to drink is the dependent variable.

The number of panic attacks is the independent variable.

The amount of alcohol participants choose to drink is the dependent variable.

Family studies are often used to help determine whether a psychological disorder has a genetic component. Which of the following patterns is typical for a disorder that is influenced by genetics?

Siblings of the person with the disorder will almost always have the same or similar disorders, and cousins are more likely than the general public to have the disorders.

Siblings of the person with the disorder are more likely than cousins to have the disorder, and cousins are more likely to have the disorder than the general public.

Siblings of the person with the disorder will almost always have the same or similar disorders, and cousins are more likely than the general public to have the disorders.
Siblings will almost always have the same or similar disorders, while cousins may have a similar rate of the disorder as the general public.

Siblings of the person with the disorder are more likely than cousins to have the disorder, and cousins are more likely to have the disorder than the general public.

Why is it important to use a double-blind procedure in some research studies?

to prevent the participants' expectations from biasing the expectations of the researcher

to prevent the independent variable from influencing the dependent variable

to prevent the confusion of correlation with causation
to prevent the investigator from biasing the outcome

to prevent the investigator from biasing the outcome

There are four basic components of informed consent; competence and voluntarism are two of these. What are the other two?

anonymity and full information

full information and comprehension

knowledge of results and anonymity

comprehension and knowledge of results

full information and comprehension

There are four basic components of informed consent

information disclosure, competence, comprehension, and voluntariness

Dr. Ahmed, an epidemiological researcher, is studying the psychological experiences of the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta, following the devastating fire that engulfed the town. What research method is Dr. Ahmed most likely using?

the repeated measures study

the experiment

the case study
the correlational model

the correlational model

the correlational model

a non-experimental research design and statistical framework used to measure the relationship between two or more variables. It identifies whether, and how strongly, pairs of variables are associated, without the researcher manipulating any of them.

Mandeep had a panic attack while he was asleep last night. What sleep event was Mandeep most likely experiencing when the attack occurred?

a dream
a nightmare

REM sleep

deep sleep

deep sleep

the behavioural inhibition system

What it is: A cognitive and emotional mechanism that alerts you to potential punishment, novelty, or conflict. It acts as a "brake" on your behavior to prevent you from making a hasty, risky decision.

the fight/flight system

What it is: An automatic, primal bodily reaction that mobilizes your nervous system to either fight off a threat or run away to safety.

The term agoraphobia is derived from the Greek word agora. What does agora mean?

marketplace

Wendy usually says, “It’s all my fault,” when anything goes wrong. Which dimension of the depressive attributional style is she reflecting?

stable

hopeless

global
internal

internal

Sapida realizes after she has already turned in her paper that she forgot to make a title page. She feels worthless and expects to receive a poor grade. This is an example of which of the following cognitive distortions?

Arbitrary inference

Arbitrary inference

is a cognitive distortion—a flaw in logic and thinking—where a person draws a definitive conclusion without any factual evidence, or in direct contradiction to the evidence at hand. Also known as "jumping to conclusions," it frequently drives anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.

Which of the following is false about bipolar disorder?

One cannot experience delusions and have MDD
One cannot experience delusions or hallucinations 

One can feel high and low within a day 

One can experience delusions or hallucinations 

One cannot experience delusions or hallucinations 

bipolar 1 vs 2

Bipolar 1 requires at least one full manic episode (which can cause psychosis or require hospitalization), while Bipolar 2 requires at least one hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode, never experiencing full mania.

Which of the following is NOT listed in the text as a risk factor for suicide?

low self-esteem

upward vs downward comparison

Upward comparison evaluates the self against someone perceived as superior or more successful, primarily driving self-improvement and inspiration, though it can sometimes trigger envy or inadequacy.

Downward comparison evaluates the self against someone perceived as worse off, which generally boosts self-esteem and comfort, but risks breeding complacency.

Jim constantly feels responsible for his failures. He sees himself as helpless yet still blames himself for the way in which he is feeling. This is a common problem in depression and is referred to as the:

Depressive paradox

Depressive paradox

The "depressive paradox" is the clinical phenomenon where an individual simultaneously feels a total lack of control over their life (helplessness) while also blaming themselves for negative outcomes (self-blame). In psychology, this presents a cognitive contradiction—a person feels powerless, yet believes they are personally responsible for the things happening to them.

What is the cause of nocturnal panic?

The change to slow-wave sleep produces physical sensations of "letting go" that are frightening to the individual.