Domain 12 Module: Psychosocial Implications (8 test questions)

Question 1

A crisis precipitated by the consciousness of a significant change or irreconcilable discrepancy which introduces an overwhelming threat to self or the self-concept (sudden loss of sight)

Answer 1

Trauma

Question 2

The breakdown in thoughts and feelings which may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks and may make the person feel like she is frozen in time. Denial is a psychic response in the shock phase and can be seen as disbelief or a failure to admit the trauma has happened

Answer 2

Shock and denial

Question 3

Occurs after the shock phase, accompanied by a feeling of sadness where the person has lost her self-esteem and self-belonging; happens when shock wears off, which may lead to isolation

Answer 3

Mourning and withdrawal

Question 4

When the person has mourned and is now reconciling with her losses; helps a person adjust to the losses, but extensive depression should prompt medical help, especially if suicidal.

Answer 4

Succumbing and depression

Question 5

When the person begins to accept her new self and sees her life is not over. when the person identifies with perceived limitations and assets

Answer 5

Reassessment and reaffirmation

Question 6

The emphasis is on what the person can do and person figures out ways to manage what the she can/cannot do using new skills, techniques, and aids such as a long cane; helps the person adjust: physical, cognitive, effective adjustment

Answer 6

Coping and mobilization

Question 7

Reconciling with the fact that you cannot change the situation you are in, but you can work to adjust and improve your quality of life.

Answer 7

Self-acceptance and self-esteem

Question 8

What impact does the onset of vision loss have for learners with visual impairment?

Answer 8

People who are born blind (congenital) know nothing else so they can accept this slightly easier. People who lose it later in life (adventitious) have more trouble adjusting to this loss.

Question 9

Define the concept of self-efficacy?

Answer 9

Self-efficacy is defined as a person’s judgement of capabilities to organize & execute courses of action required to attain designated types of performance.

One’s belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. One’s sense of self-efficacy can play a major role in how one approaches goals, tasks, and challenges

Question 10

What are the four sources of self-efficacy?

Answer 10

1. Performance accomplishment: person experiences success
2. Vicarious experience: observation of someone else having success
3. Verbal persuasion: verbal praise that is genuine
4. Monitor physiological feedback: this is the fear response a client may have when learning a new skill

Question 11

What are the four theories that relate to cognitive motivators?

Answer 11

Attribution Theory: Retrospective judgements about the causes of one’s performance. People who attribute past failures to not working hard enough are likely to strive harder; people who believe they failed in the past because they lack the necessary ability are likely to decrease their efforts and become discouraged.

Expectancy-Value Theory: the person’s assessment of how likely a particular behavior is to produce a particular outcome; people are more likely to pursue a goal that, in their view, they can accomplish, and, once accomplished, have a high probability of leading to a desired outcome. Outcomes are the consequences of a performance, and not the measured performance itself.

Goal Theory: the ability to challenge oneself but setting a certain standard and evaluating one’s own performance against that goal. You must have a personal goal and a knowledge of your own performance level in relation to that goal. The combined influence of goals with knowledge of performance heightens motivation.

Learned Helplessness: attitude that demonstrates the beliefs that events in one’s environment are uncontrollable, leaving individual unmotivated and unwilling to try new things or solve problems or achieve certain outcomes.

Question 12

What is the definition of “passing” and how does this impact a learner with visual impairment.

Answer 12

Passing is defined as behavior designed to conceal an aspect of one’s identity. This impacts a VI learner by decreasing academic performance, mobility, self-sufficiency, and self-esteem

Question 13

How do the attitudes and behaviors of family members impact the effects on O&M instruction?

Answer 13

The attitudes & behaviors of family members impact O&M instruction by motivation, self-reliance, and emotional support

If there is no support from family, independence, self-esteem, and motivation are nonexistent

Question 14

How do family’s attitudes towards blindness impact the learner’s progress in the
achievement of O&M skills?

Answer 14

A supportive family will support and advocate for the student to receive O&M skills instruction. They will help set up appointments with role models.

Family attitudes toward blindness affect how the learner sees themselves and their potential to achieve O&M skills by influencing self-concept and expectations of capability

Question 15

What are key elements in a helping relationship? How are these elements applied in O&M instruction?

Answer 15

Communication
Encouragement
Flexibility
foster a positive frame of mind focused on strengths.

They are applied in O&M instruction by incorporating flexibility, focus on strengths, communication with family members

The O&M specialist has to understand how to develop & maintain an appropriate and effective helping relationship and how to use the power of this relationship to enable students to accomplish their goals

Question 16

How can O&M instruction build self-efficacy in the learner?

Answer 16

O&M instruction can build self-efficacy in the learner by encouraging the use of adaptations toward independence within multiple environments.

Successful completion of goals breeds confidence, which breeds the desire to push oneself further than once imagined.

Question 17

How do interactions with the public have an impact on independent travel both positively and negatively?

Answer 17

Negative:
o Offers of help- the visually impaired person may be less likely to solicit assistance when necessary because of the uncertainty of how people are going to respond
o Expressions of sympathy or curiosity - can produce anxiety and frustration if the visually impaired person is not prepared for it to occur
o illicit pity or fear, so may increase feelings of helplessness or extreme dependence.
o Passing also has possible negative implications.

Positive:
o Increased respect for the blind person and a greater likelihood of the observer seeing the blind person as being more like herself.
o This may lead to a change in attitude that may also lead to a change in behavior toward the blind person
o Increasing awareness of people with VI and their capabilities