clinical flashcards

Question 1

What is the most effective treatment for smoking cessation?

Answer 1

Nicotine replacement therapy AND Behavioral intervention

Question 2

What clinical test was developed on the basis of empirical
criterion keying? What is empirical criterion keying?

Answer 2

MMPI-2; Empirical criterion keying is a method of choosing
items for a test on the basis of the items ability to distinguish
between groups (i.e., depressed vs. nondepressed)

Question 3

Diagnostic Overshadowing

Answer 3

Therapist tendency to attribute all of pt’s problems to
diagnosis

Question 4

What is the greatest risk factor for childhood depression?

Answer 4

Parental depression

Question 5

Directed Awareness

Answer 5

From Perls, the technique emphasizing increasing the client’s
awareness of psychological needs, feelings, and physical
processes. Awareness in and of itself is therapeutic

Question 6

Health Belief Model

Answer 6

Health s are influenced by: 1. Readiness to take action =
perceived susceptibility to the illness & perceived severity of
the consequences; 2. Evaluation of costs and benefits of
making a response; 3. Internal & external cues to action that
trigger response

Question 7

Double-Bind Communication

Answer 7

Communication characterized by contradictory aspects of the
same message; e.g., a contradiction between verbal
communication and body language.

Question 8

What is the most effective way for the police to deal with
domestic violence?

Answer 8

Arresting the perpetrator results in the lowest rate of
recidivism

Question 9

4 stages of Homosexual Identity Development Model
(Troiden

Answer 9

4 Stages: 1. Sensitization 2. Identity Confusion 3. Identity
Assumption 4. Identity Commitment

Question 10

Relationship of psychology to cancer onset and recovery

Answer 10

Unrelated to onset but positively related to recovery and
quality of life

Question 11

Effects of Psychotherapy Stages (Howard et al)

Answer 11

1. Remoralization 2. Remediation 3. Rehabilitation

Question 12

Dose Dependent Effect (Howard et al)

Answer 12

26 sessions = 75% show improvement 52 sessions = 85%

Question 13

Dose Dependent Effect (Howard et al

Answer 13

26 sessions = 75% show improvement 52 sessions = 85%

Question 14

Stages of change

Answer 14

1.) Precontemplation - no change considered; 2.)
Contemplation - aware of need but not committed; 3.)
Preparation - clear intent to take action; 4.) Action
Maintenance

Question 15

Dose Dependent Effect (Howard et al)

Answer 15

26 sessions = 75% show improvement 52 sessions = 85%

Question 16

Stages of change

Answer 16

1.) Precontemplation - no change considered; 2.)
Contemplation - aware of need but not committed; 3.)
Preparation - clear intent to take action; 4.) Action
Maintenance

Question 17

CBT approach to panic disorder

Answer 17

Identifying and modifying interpretation of attacks and
associated physical symptoms

Question 18

Relationship between therapy and outcome

Answer 18

Moderate overall, but stronger when the symptoms are
severe

Question 19

White Racial Identity Development Model (Helms)

Answer 19

6 Stages: 1. Contact 2. Disintegration 3. Reintegration 4.
Pseudo-independence 5. Immersion-Emersion 6. Autonomy

Question 20

Sexual Prejudice & Heterosexism (Herek

Answer 20

Sometimes referred to as the “third force,” humanistic
schools of psychology emphasize the individual’s inherent
capacity for growth, creativity, and self-actualization. The
focus is usually on the person’s here-and-now state.

Question 21

Parallel Process

Answer 21

Parallel process is a phenomenon in clinical supervision
where the therapist in training behaves toward the
supervising therapist in ways that mirror how the client is
behaving toward the therapist in training.

Question 22

Use: CPI (California Psychological Inventory

Answer 22

Broad personality test for non-pathologic individual

Question 23

reaction formation

Answer 23

Defense in which an anxiety provoking impulse is replaced
by its opposite. Ex: hatred by oversolicitude. Typical of
obsessive disorders

Question 24

In the symmetrical pattern of communication

Answer 24

there is equality between the two parties (which can result in
competition and conflict

Question 25

Existential Therapy

Answer 25

Struggle between individual and “ultimate concerns” of
existence (death, meaninglessness, etc.) Two types of
anxiety: normal (existential) anxiety and neurotic anxiety

Question 26

Primary Prevention

Answer 26

Interventions, usually on a community-wide scale, aimed at
preventing disorders by reducing the incidence of new cases.

Question 27

Projection

Answer 27

Defense attributing unacceptable wishes to another. Includes
prejudice and hypervigilance: the other person carries the
guilt

Question 28

In the complimentary pattern of communication…

Answer 28

In the complimentary pattern of communication…

Question 29

In the complimentary pattern of communication…

Answer 29

Interventions, usually on a community-wide scale, aimed at
preventing disorders by reducing the incidence of new cases.

Question 30

Fixation

Answer 30

Defense: Return to an earlier stage of development under
stress

Question 31

projective identification

Answer 31

efense: projection of unwanted aspects of self onto another
creating a sense of onenes

Question 32

Transactional Analysis: Who, What, How

Answer 32

WHO = Eric Berne. WHAT = Ego States: child, parent,
adult. Interactions (transactions) are primarily between ego
states. Strokes: positive or negative recognition from others.
Scripts: person’s life plan, characteristic pattern of giving and
receiving strokes. 4 Life Positions: 1) I’m OK - You’re OK;
2) I’m OK - You’re not OK, etc. All children begin in 1st life
position, then modified by parenting. Transactions:
Complementary, Crossed (adult:child), Ulterior (dual
message) Games: Ulterior transactions (“Now I’ve Got You,
You SOB”). HOW = Alter maladaptive life positions and life
scripts and integrate three ego states

Question 33

According to psychotherapy outcome research, what
percentage of therapy clients shows measurable
improvement?

Answer 33

75%

Question 34

The incidence of OCD is: A.) The same for males and
females across all ages. B.) About twice as common in males
than females. C.) Higher among boys but about equal among
adult males and females. D.) Higher among girls but about
equal among adult males and females.

Answer 34

C: Males: peak onset is between ages 6-15 Females: peak
onset is between 20-29.

Question 35

A man is referred for psychotherapy by his physician after
ruling out sleep apnea and other medical conditions. The
patient reports having vivid frightening dreams, restless
sleep, chronic fatigue, and a history of alcohol abuse. His
diagnosis is likely: A.) Narcolepsy, B.) Insomnia, C.)
Alcohol-induced sleep disorder, D.) Persistent
alcohol-induced sleep disorder

Answer 35

C: Sleep can be disturbed as a result of both alcohol
intoxification and alcohol withdrawal. Initially, alcohol
produces a sedative effect with increased sleepiness.
However, after 3-4 hours of sleep, there is an increase in
wakefulness, restless sleep, and REM, often accompanied by
a vivid anxiety-laden dream for the remainder of the sleep
period. Primary insomnia is not due to the direct effects of a
substance and is not typically associated with vivid
frightening dreams. Choice D is not a DSM-IV diagnosis.

Question 36

Although considered to be an effective treatment for severe
and treatment-resistant depression, ECT often produces
adverse side effects including: A.) temporary retrograde
amnesia B.) permanent retrograde amnesia C.) patchy
anterograde amnesia D.) patchy anterograde amnesia and
temporary retrograde amnesia

Answer 36

D: the anterograde amnesia can last up to 6 months and the
retrograde amnesia is usually limited to the events that
occurred several months prior to the ECT.

Question 37

Research on Asians show the best predictor of higher
achievement is:

Answer 37

fear of failure

Question 38

What do most psychotherapists report as the primary source
of stress from their work

Answer 38

lack of therapeutic success

Question 39

According to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development,
individuals who reach stage 5 base their moral judgments on:
A.) Empathy, B.) Autonomous morality, C.) Democratic
laws, D.) Universal ethical principles

Answer 39

C: Stage 5 begins the post-conventional level of moral devt.
A person in this stage seeks to uphold
democratically-determined laws, but recognizes that laws
can be ignored or changed for a valid reason. Choice D is
more characteristic of Stage 6 in Kohlberg’s model in which
morality transcends legal standards. Choice B (Autonomous
morality) is used by Piaget denoting the stage when children
recognize that rules are determined by agreement and are
alterable

Question 40

Kernberg’s account of BPD

Answer 40

Results from failure to develop appropriate introjects as a
result of parental psychopathology or abuse. Characterized
by splitting, aggression and unstable self-image

Question 41

Types of Self-Control Techniques

Answer 41

1.) Self-Monitoring = (minor and short-term effects) & 2.)
Stimulus Control = modifying existing S-R relationship, or
creating a new one; examples: narrowing, cue strengthening,
competing responses. Most useful when implemented at the
beginning of a response chain.

Question 42

Research shows that new immigrants to the US are most
likely to experience symptoms of psychiatric disorders at
what point:

Answer 42

About one or two years after they arrive in the US (related to
the “social displacement syndrome”)

Question 43

Symmetrical vs. Complimentary Communication

Answer 43

Communication patterns can be characterized as either
symmetrical or complimentary. In symmetrical
communication there is equality between the partners,
however, this can result in competition and conflict. In the
complimentary communication pattern there is inequality,
with one partner taking a dominant role and the other a
subordinate role.

Question 44

What are the 3 factors involved in Hypnotherapy?

Answer 44

Three factors involved: 1) absorption, 2) dissociation, 3)
suggestibility. Individuals have greater confidence in
memories retrieved under hypnosis, but memories are likely
to be distorted. Used for: dissociative disorders, PTSD, habit
or self control disorders (smoking, overeating, substance
use), phobias, and generalized anxiety. Contraindicated for:
psychotic disorders, paranoid and suspicious patients, OCD
traits. Also, severely depressed and manic patients are hard
to hypnotize. Few studies comparing with other treatments.

Question 45

When is Biofeedback most successful?

Answer 45

Used for psychophysiological disorders (e.g., hypertension,
headaches, ulcers). For many problems, not much more
effective than relaxation training. However, it’s the treatment
of choice for fecal incontinence and Raynaud’s disease. EMG
biofeedback for tension headaches. Skin Temperature
biofeedback for migraines.

Question 46

Tertiary Prevention

Answer 46

Elimination or amelioration of the residual disability after
the onset of the illness.

Question 47

CBT techniques: Paradoxical Intention

Answer 47

Instructing clients to do or wish for the things they fear.
Prescribing the symptom. Purpose is to circumvent
anticipatory anxiety. Most commonly used to treat insomnia.
Results are mixed.

Question 48

Therapy Outcome Studies

Answer 48

Research on the differences among various treatments for
specific disorders, and the interactive variables which predict
therapy success, such as the necessity for a working alliance,
therapist variables, patient variables, and the patient-therapy
interaction.

Question 49

Weitz found in his research on therapy outcomes for children
& adolescents:

Answer 49

therapy is more beneficial for adolescents than children,
especially among girls

Question 50

During an initial session with an adult client, you realize that
you are already treating her mother. The primary problem
with continuing to see this new client has to do with: A.)
Confidentiality, B.) Multiple relationships, C.) Conflict of
interest, D.) Countertransference

Answer 50

C: Conflict of interest. Multiple relationships refers to having
more than one type of relationship with the same person, for
example, if a psychologist were to see one of his current
students in psychotherapy.

Question 51

Stages in Prochaska and DeClemente’s Transtheoretical
Model of Change

Answer 51

1) Precontemplation: little insight of need for change 2)
Contemplation: considering change (in the next 6 months)
but not committed to it. 3) Preparation: clear intent to take
action within the next month; may have begun taking small
steps. 4) Action: considerable time and energy devoted to
change; obvious to others 5) Maintenance: change has lasted
6 months, person consolidating change and taking steps to
prevent relapse. May last as long as a lifetime.

Question 52

A couple comes to therapy complaining that all their
conversations end in arguments. This is characteristic of
which pattern of communication? Symmetrical
Complimentary Pseudohostility Mystification

Answer 52

A: Symmetrical. Communication patterns can be
characterized as either symmetrical or complimentary. In
symmetrical comm. there is equality between the partners,
however, this can result in competition and conflict. In
complimentary comm. there is inequality and one partner
takes the dominant role and the other a subordinate role.
Pseudohostility presents as superficial bickering in order to
avoid real conflicts. In mystification, the person uses denial
to mask what is really going on

Question 53

Biofeedback exerts its relaxing effect on which system

Answer 53

parasympathetic nervous system

Question 54

Goal: Bowen’s extended systems therapy

Answer 54

Differentiation of self

Question 55

Motivational Interviewin

Answer 55

Miller and Rollnick Based on Prochaska and DeClemente’s
Transtheoretical Model of Change Goal: help individuals
move from precontemplation stage through contemplation,
toward commitment to change. Five basic principles: express
empathy, develop discrepancy, avoid argumentation and
direct confrontation, roll with resistance, and support
self-efficacy for change.

Question 56

A candidate for the psychology licensing exam wants to
maximize his long-term memory of all the study materials.
The most effective strategy would be to use: A.) Spaced
Practice, B.) Massed Practice, C.) Elaborative Rehearsal, D.)
Maintenance Rehearsal

Answer 56

C: Elaborative rehearsal, in which a person thinks about the
meaning of new information and its relation to information
already in memory, resulting in deeper learning and is
considered superior to all forms of mindless repetition.
Spaced practice is also generally more effective than massed
practice.

Question 57

A high school student, interested in an acting career, is afraid
of disappointing his father who always wanted his son to
follow in his footsteps by becoming a doctor. After little
deliberation, the young man announces to his family that he
will become a doctor. According to Marcia, his decision is
an example of: A.) Identity diffusion, B.) Identity
foreclosure, C.) Identity moratorium, D.) Identity placation

Answer 57

B: Identity foreclosure: a commitment to an identity that is
not a result of an identity crisis, but rather, the suggestions of
a parent or another person is called identity foreclosure.
Identity diffusion describes young people who have not
undergone an identity crisis nor have committed to an
identity. Identity moratorium occurs when a person is
confused, having an identity crisis, and actively exploring
different options

Question 58

From a humanistic perspective, pathology is due to

Answer 58

defenses that interfere with one’s natural tendency toward
personal growth

Question 59

Research on therapists who became sexually involved with
their clients showed that:

Answer 59

The therapist violated other boundaries before the sexual
involvement began.

Question 60

A shortcoming of most curriculum-based suicide prevention
programs for adolescents is that: A.) They are based on a
stress model of suicide. B.) They are based on a mental
illness model of suicide. C.) They tend to stigmatize suicide.
D.) They minimize the extent of the problem.

Answer 60

A: Most curriculum-based suicide programs for adolescents
tend try to reduce the stigmatization of suicide by attributing
it to stressful life events rather than (more correctly) to
mental illness.

Question 61

Locke and Latham’s goal-setting theory focuses primarily on:
A.) Ability and effort, B.) Perceived effort and performance,
C.) Expectations and effort, D.) Intentions and effort

Answer 61

D: Intentions and effort: goal-setting theory proposes that
when people accept goals, they intend to achieve them and,
therefore, are willing to put forth effort to do so.

Question 62

Multiple aptitude batteries such as the DAT & GATB asses

Answer 62

skills, abilities, or aptitudes, and allows a counselor to help a
client choose an educational or vocational course of act

Question 63

Research using a “dismantling” strategy suggests that the
most critical component of systematic desensitization is: A.)
Counter-conditioning, B.) Gradual exposure, C.) Classical
extinction, D.) Operant extinction

Answer 63

C: Classical extinction: repeated exposure to the CS without
the presence of the US is responsible for systematic
desensitization’s positive effects.

Question 64

Research using a “dismantling” strategy suggests that the
most critical component of systematic desensitization is: A.)
Counter-conditioning, B.) Gradual exposure, C.) Classical
extinction, D.) Operant extinction

Answer 64

C: Classical extinction: repeated exposure to the CS without
the presence of the US is responsible for systematic
desensitization’s positive effects.

Question 65

Deficits on the Stroop test indicate

Answer 65

Loss of rsponse inhibition following frontal lobe damage

Question 66

Stages of crisis intervention

Answer 66

1.) Formulation: crisis identification, 2.) Implementation:
assessment of prior life, setting of short term goals, and
implementation of goals, & 3.) Termination: progress
assessment, discussion of termination, and beyond

Question 67

How was the MMPI developed

Answer 67

empirical criterion keying: retention of items differentiating
psychiatric from non-psychiatric populations

Question 68

Research suggests that __________is the single best
treatment for Agoraphobia.

Answer 68

Research suggests that __________is the single best
treatment for Agoraphobia.

Question 69

Therapies for the elderly

Answer 69

Validation therapy: acknowledges feelings whether or not
they are reality-based; 2.) Reminiscence Therapy: reviewing
important life events with client; 3.) Reality Orientation:
reversing/preventing cognitive impairments & maximizing
remaining capabilities

Question 70

Thermal biofeedback for migraine headaches is mediated by
the _____________nervous system. Biofeedback to induce
relaxation is mediated by the ______________nervous
system

Answer 70

Thermal biofeedback for migraine headaches is mediated by
the sympathetic nervous system. Biofeedback to induce
relaxation is mediated by the parasympathetic nervous
system

Question 71

Research comparing patients with schizophrenia from
non-Western developing countries to those from Western
industrialized countries has found that they differ in terms of:
A.) Symptoms, B.) Age and gender, C.) Gender and
prognosis, D.) Course and outcome

Answer 71

D: Course and outcome: patients from developing countries
more often exhibit acute onset of sx, shorter clinical course,
and a complete remission of sx. No differences were found
in regards to age, gender, or type of sx.

Question 72

What is parallel process?

Answer 72

A phenomenon in clinical supervision where the therapist in
training behaves toward the supervising therapist in ways
that mirror how the client is behaving toward the therapist in
training.

Question 73

Cognex & Aricept are used to treat Alzheimer’s by:

Answer 73

increasing ACh levels

Question 74

Which is more pronounced in aggressive children in regards
to social interactions: the primacy or recency effect?

Answer 74

Recency effect: aggressive children are likely to focus on
cues that occur at the end of the social interaction than the
beginning.

Question 75

A therapist is most likely to exert _________ type of power
over a client.

Answer 75

Referent: based on the person’s attraction to or desire to be
like the holder of power. (Expert power is another good
answer)

Question 76

Individuals who retrieve memories under hypnosis,
compared to non-hypnotized individuals:

Answer 76

Tend to have more confidence in their memories, but be less
accurate in recalling memories

Question 77

Reciprocity hypothesis

Answer 77

people tend to like others who like them

Question 78

Matching hypothesi

Answer 78

Proposes that people of approximately equal physical
attractiveness are likely to select each other

Question 79

In psychotherapy outcome research, factors that appear most
responsible for lack of improvement are:

Answer 79

Client factors

Question 80

The police inform you that they have a warrant out on one of
your clients who is suspected of several felony charges of
grand theft auto. They want you to provide them with the
client’s address and phone number. You should:

Answer 80

Refuse to provide them with info and notify your client since
there is no indication that your client is in imminent danger
to self or others. However, you should notify the client of
this info and discuss the option of turning himself in to the
police

Question 81

A quiet, lonely, introverted, overly sensitive teenager with
few friends is at high risk for suicide, with this risk
increasing when these characteristics are combined with: A.)
Physical health problems, B.) Phobic anxiety, C.) Antisocial
behavior, D.) Academic underachievement

Answer 81

C: suicide risk is increased in adolescents who are depressed,
hostile, aggressive, or exhibit other antisocial behaviors,
and/or substance abuse.

Question 82

Stages of the minority development model (MID)

Answer 82

1.) Contact: lack of; 2.) Disintegration: confusing racial
awareness; 3.) Reintegration: prejudice; 4.)
Pseudo-independence: thoughtful revisiting of prejudice; 5.)
Immersion-emersion: separate and equal, racially proud but
not racist; 6.) Autonomy: integration; non-racist identity;
seek interaction. Model designed to help therapists
understand inter-racial tension

Question 83

Masters and Johnson found that their version of sex therapy,
which incorporates education about sexuality, training in
communication skills, and the technique known as sensate
focus, is most effective for treating: A.) Premature
ejaculation, B.) Impotence, C.) Sexual aversion, D.)
Orgasmic disorder

Answer 83

A: Premature ejaculation

Question 84

Considerations in treating Hispanic clients

Answer 84

er an active goal-orientation. Stress personal contact and
attention. Consider family

Question 85

Considerations in treating Native American clients

Answer 85

Importance of tribe and family. Approach: non-directive,
history-oriented, accepting, cooperative. Goals: happiness,
wisdom, peace with nature. Therapist attitude: reserved,
open, accepting, listening

Question 86

Considerations in treating Asian clients

Answer 86

Approach: direct, structured, short-term; address problem as
academic or vocational. Education about therapy process

Question 87

What is the method of loci?

Answer 87

A mnemonic device where you visualize names or objects to
be remembered in familiar locations.

Question 88

MMPI 1990 revision

Answer 88

Updated norms Addition of new content scales Change of
cutoff from 70 to 65 Clinical scales unchanged

Question 89

Research comparing the relationship between age and
therapy outcome has produced mixed results. However, in
their most recent meta-analysis, Weisz and his colleagues
found:

Answer 89

Therapy is more beneficial for adolescents than children,
especially among girls and when the counselor is a
professional or student (not a paraprofessional).

Question 90

om the perspective of Bandura’s social learning theory,
“functional value” refers to

Answer 90

Anticipated consequences.

Question 91

According to Theodore Millan, people with Narcissistic
Personality Disorder rely primarily on which of the defense
mechanisms

Answer 91

When narcisstic people experience personal failure and
public humiliation, they first rely on: REPRESSION and if
that doesn’t work: RATIONALIZATION PROJECTION

Question 92

In implosive therapy, a client is: A: Gradually exposed,
though the imagination, to a feared stimulus, one step at a
time. B: Immediately exposed, through the imagination, to a
feared stimulus at its maximum intensity. C: Gradually
exposed, in vivo, to a feared stimulus, one step at a time. D:
Immediately exposed, in vivo, to a feared stimulus at its
maximum intensity

Answer 92

B

Question 93

Regarding the relationship between bipolar disorder and
environmental factors, environmental factors are likely to
have a ________ impact during the early stages of the
disorder

Answer 93

Regarding the relationship between bipolar disorder and
environmental factors, environmental factors are likely to
have a ________ impact during the early stages of the
disorder

Question 94

Desc: SCL-90

Answer 94

Symptom CheckList is a self report measure of general
psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety,
somatization, obsessive-compulsiveness and hostility
Question rated on a scale of 1-5

Question 95

Risk factors for adolescent suicide

Answer 95

Depression, use of drugs and alcohol, anti-social behavior

Question 96

semantic paralexia

Answer 96

Dyslexic reading error in which the child responds with
something semantically similar to the stimulus (eg dog in
response to cat)

Question 97

According to research on sex-role determinants, the
characteristic that is most related to genetics as opposed to
socialization is: A.) Sociability, B.) Dependency, C.)
Aggression, D.) Anxiety

Answer 97

C

Question 98

state dependence

Answer 98

Memory is maximized if we are in the same emotional state
during learning and recall

Question 99

Self instruction is most useful for:

Answer 99

Hyperactive/impulsive children (form of CBT which
encourages focusing on their self statements & altering their
self-defeating statements)

Question 100

Based on Schachter’s work, one would treat a client with
obesity by: A.) Manipulating the external cues. B.) Changing
the client’s self-attributions. C.) Changing the social
reinforcers for food consumption. D.) Manipulating the
internal cues.

Answer 100

A

Question 101

Individuals with antisocial personality are most influenced
by:

Answer 101

Money

Question 102

Treatment of choice for agoraphobia

Answer 102

Flooding, with 75% long term improvement