Intro to Psychology Flashcards
According to psychodynamic psychology, what is depression the result of?
Suppressed aggressive drives
Who are the key figures in the development of the behaviorists school of psychological thought?
Ivan Pavlov
John Watson
B.F. Skinner
Who was a key figure in the development of psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud
Author of Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow
Abraham Maslow - what type of psychology?
Humanistic psychology
Hierarchy of Needs exact order
- Physiological needs - water, food,air
- Safety Needs - shelter, protection
- Belongingness - sense of belonging and love
- Esteem needs - Mastery and feeling appreciated by others
- Cognitive needs - understand the world, creating curiosity
- Aesthetic needs - Harmony and order
- Self Actualization needs -be all that you are capable of becoming
Suppose there is a positive correlation between age and life satisfaction.
What conclusion does the correlation support?
As age increases, the level of life satisfaction also increases.
How can psychological researchers reduce the impact of their own biases?
By collecting all the data from experiments before running the
statistics
descriptions of Gage before and after the accident provided evidence that the frontal lobe is involved in executive functioning.
Which research method does the study of Gage represent?
Case study
Experiment or Experimental research
**provide the strongest way to test a hypothesis **
changes in one variable cause changes in another.
the investigator **manipulates the value of independent variable **(it can be changed independently of anything else), **and measures the dependent variable
**
the investigator is looking to see whether the values of this variable depend on those of the independent variable.
ex. Researchers want to see if a new drug decreases depression symptoms in patients. They create an experimental group and a control group.
Meta-analysis
A meta-analysis is a statistical method that combines results from multiple studies on the same topic to get a more precise and reliable overall conclusion. It increases the sample size and reduces bias by pooling data.
Factor analysis
statistical technique
identify underlying patterns with
large set of variables.
simplifies data by grouping related variables into factors,
In the development of a personality test, researchers may collect responses on 100 different items. Factor analysis might reveal that these 100 items can be reduced to five underlying factors (e.g., the Big Five personality traits), allowing researchers to summarize personality in terms of these five broad dimensions instead of many individual items.
Overall, factor analysis is a powerful tool for uncovering hidden patterns in data, reducing complexity, and revealing the structure behind large sets of variables.
Which principle should be established in any psychological study?
Participants should be protected from needless harm.
Which part of the brain is responsible for memory?
Hippocampus
What does the hypothalamus influence?
Pleasure
What does the cerebellum influence?
Balance and fine motor movement
What is the function of the neurotransmitter serotonin?
It affects mood.
Which neurotransmitter enables muscle action?
Acetylcholine
What is the function of Dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter essential for:
Reward and Pleasure: It reinforces pleasurable behaviors, encouraging repetition.
Motivation: Drives goal pursuit and focus.
Movement: Regulates motor control; its deficiency causes movement issues like in Parkinson’s disease.
Cognition: Supports attention, learning, and memory, especially when tied to rewards.
Mood Regulation: Influences emotional responses; low levels are linked to depression.
Hormone Regulation: Affects hormone release, such as prolactin for reproductive health.
Overall, dopamine is crucial for motivation, mood, movement, and cognitive function.
What is the function of Norepinephrine?
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a key role in:
Fight-or-Flight Response: It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to muscles during stress or danger.
Alertness and Focus: Enhances attention, arousal, and concentration.
Mood Regulation: Influences mood and energy levels, with low levels linked to depression.
Blood Vessel Constriction: Helps maintain blood pressure by causing blood vessels to tighten.
In short, norepinephrine boosts alertness, energy, and physical readiness in stressful situations.
The nervous system integral in activating the body’s fight-or-flight response?
Sympathetic nervous system
To allow us to function in the world, the brain needs both to receive information from the body and the outside world and be able to act on such information. The part of the PNS that receives such information and enables you to act on it is the…
Somatic nervous system
The SNS includes (a) the neurons in the sensory organs (such as the eyes and ears) that convey information to the brain and (b) neurons that trigger muscles and glands.
Clark Hull
behaviorism
Drive Reduction Theory
human behavior is motivated by biological drives,
contributed to the study of learning and motivation
Clark Hull was an American psychologist known for his influential work in behaviorism. He developed the Drive Reduction Theory, which proposed that human behavior is motivated by biological drives, such as hunger or thirst, and that individuals act to reduce these drives and maintain homeostasis. Hull’s theories contributed significantly to the study of learning and motivation in psychology.
Carl Rogers
humanistic psychology
person-centered therapy approach, which emphasizes the importance of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and a non-directive stance in therapy.
impacted counseling, education, and psychotherapy.
Rogers believed that people have an inherent tendency toward personal growth and self-actualization, and his work focused on creating an environment where individuals can explore and fulfill their potential.
Pavlov’s original demonstration of classical conditioning - the dog’s salivation to the ringing of the bell
Conditioned response
continuous reinforcement schedule
can produce rapid learning
partial reinforcement schedule
behavior is not reinforced every time it occurs but only intermittently.
This creates a stronger and more persistent behavior because the individual doesn’t know when the next reward will come, making the behavior more resistant to extinction compared to continuous reinforcement.
Example:
A classic example is a slot machine in a casino. Players are not rewarded every time they pull the lever, but occasionally, they receive a payout. This unpredictability keeps them engaged and makes the behavior of playing more resistant to stopping, even without a win for a while.
A 50-year-old person who has not ridden a bicycle since childhood gets on a bicycle and rides
effortlessly without even thinking about it.
What type of memory is being used in this situation?
Implicit memory
Which type of memory holds information until it can be encoded?
Short-term memory
A type of memory that helps us perceive our surroundings continuously and seamlessly. brief, initial storage of information from the environment, lasting only a few seconds or less. It allows the brain to retain an exact copy of—– input (such as sights, sounds, or smells) just long enough for the information to be transferred to short-term memory for further processing. There are different types of this memory, such as iconic memory (visual) and echoic memory (auditory).
Sensory memory
Explicit memory
declarative memory, is the type of long-term memory that involves the conscious recall of facts and events.
It requires intentional effort to retrieve information, such as remembering names, dates, or specific experiences. Explicit memory is divided into two categories:
1.** Episodic memory**: Memories of personal experiences or events (e.g., your last birthday party).
2. Semantic memory: Knowledge of facts, concepts, and general information (e.g., knowing the capital of France).
Explicit memory allows us to recall information intentionally and is essential for learning and reasoning.
A teenager asks a parent for help with calculus homework. The parent has not solved calculus
problems in more than 20 years and remembers very little about it.
Which concept corresponds to this situation?
Storage decay
Encoding failure
the inability to store information in long-term memory because it was never properly encoded or processed during the learning stage.
when attention is not fully focused on the information, or when the information is not rehearsed enough to be stored.
For example, if you meet someone briefly but don’t actively focus on remembering their name, you might forget it soon after because it wasn’t encoded into your memory.
Interference
Interference is a common cause of forgetting and memory errors.
the retrieval of information is disrupted by the presence of other, competing information.
Proactive interference: Older information interferes with the ability to remember new information.
Retroactive interference: New information disrupts the recall of previously learned information.
Motivated forgetting
concept where people unconsciously block or actively suppressmemories,
Repression: An unconscious process where the brain blocks memories of traumatic events to reduce anxiety
Suppression: A conscious effort to forget or push away distressing memories or thoughts.
Franco has been away from his hometown in Italy for more than 30 years, but he can still paint it
from memory with impressive accuracy.
Which memory is Franco using?
Long-term memory
Working memory
cognitive system that temporarily holds and processes information needed for complex tasks such as reasoning, learning, and decision-making.
** It allows us to hold and manipulate information in our minds over short periods** while performing mental activities. For example, working memory helps you keep a phone number in your mind long enough to dial it or perform mental math.
It is often described as the** “mental workspace”** where information is actively processed and used, playing a crucial role in attention, problem-solving, and planning. Working memory has limited capacity and typically can only hold a few pieces of information at a time.
Which theorist claims that personality derives from sexually charged subconscious forces?
Sigmund Freud
Albert Bandura
**known for his Social Learning Theory and his concept of observational learning.
He demonstrated that people can learn behaviors, attitudes, and emotional responses by watching others, rather than through direct experience alone.
His famous **Bobo doll **experiment showed that children could learn aggression simply by observing an adult model being aggressive.
Bandura also introduced the concept of self-efficacy, which refers to a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations. His work greatly influenced the fields of education, psychology, and behavioral therapy.
Albert Bandura is most closely associated with the social-cognitive school of thought (also referred to as social learning theory). This approach emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others, blending aspects of both behaviorism and cognitive psychology.
Who was behind personality theory and intelligence research
Psychoticism: Associated with aggressiveness and interpersonal hostility.
Extraversion-Introversion: Describes how outgoing or reserved a person is.
Neuroticism-Stability: Refers to emotional instability versus calmness.
conducted research on intelligence, arguing that intelligence was largely inherited.
While his focus on traits placed him within trait theory, his emphasis on biological underpinnings of personality aligns him with biological psychology as well.
…behaviorism, cognitive psychology, and biological approaches to understanding behavior and personality, all of which influenced Eysenck’s work.
Hans Eysenck
Researcher Abraham Maslow claims that people strive to satisfy certain needs as they approach self-
actualization.
Which perspective is most closely associated with this view?
Humanistic
Neo-Freudian
Neo-Freudians are a group of psychologists and psychoanalysts who expanded upon and modified Sigmund Freud’s original psychoanalytic theories. While they agreed with many of Freud’s ideas, particularly regarding the importance of the unconscious and early childhood experiences, they disagreed with his heavy focus on sexual drives as the primary motivators of human behavior.
Neo-Freudians emphasized the role of social, cultural, and interpersonal factors in personality development. Some well-known Neo-Freudians include Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, and Erik Erikson, each contributing their unique perspectives on human development and psychological health.
In which situation is a participant most likely to conform, according to the results of Asch’s study of
conformity?
When everyone else in the group expresses the same opinion
According to Freud, which concept is a component of the id?
Pleasure principle
What did Carl Rogers say was necessary for a growth-promoting environment?
Unconditional positive regard
What would a learning theorist characterize as an operantly conditioned behavior?
Using oven mitts after burning a hand on a hot stove
What is an Eysenck personality dimension that is characterized by one’s emotional response to
stimuli?
Neuroticism
Extraversion
Extraversion in psychology refers to a personality trait characterized by a tendency to be outgoing, sociable, and energetic. People high in extraversion typically enjoy interacting with others, seek excitement and stimulation, and feel energized by social activities. They are often assertive, talkative, and expressive in social situations.
Extraversion is one of the core traits in the Big Five personality model and is often contrasted with introversion, where individuals prefer solitary activities and feel more energized by time alone.
Psychoticism
Psychoticism is a personality trait that was proposed by psychologist Hans Eysenck as part of his model of personality. It refers to a dimension of personality characterized by aggressiveness, impulsivity, and a tendency toward anti-social behavior. People who score high in psychoticism may exhibit traits such as hostility, egocentricity, and a lack of empathy.
Psychoticism is distinct from mental illness but is related to more extreme forms of personality traits that could predispose someone to psychological disorders, such as psychopathy or schizophrenia. It is one of the three main dimensions in Eysenck’s model, alongside extraversion and neuroticism.
Aggression
Aggression is defined as behavior intended to cause harm, injury, or discomfort to another person, whether physically or psychologically. It can be driven by frustration, anger, or a desire to assert dominance.
How would a learning theorist characterize having the desire to take part in highly stimulating
activities because of past reinforcement?
As an operantly conditioned behavior
is a learned response that occurs when a neutral stimulus (e.g., a bell) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., food) that naturally triggers a response (e.g., salivation). After repeated pairing, the neutral stimulus alone can trigger the same response.
Classically conditioned behavior
kinesthetically learned behavior
Kinesthetically learned behavior refers to learning through physical movement, body awareness, and hands-on experiences. It involves using the body’s sense of motion, position, and muscle coordination to acquire new skills or knowledge. People who learn kinesthetically often retain information better by actively doing tasks rather than just observing or listening.
For example, learning to ride a bike, play a sport, or perform a dance involves kinesthetic learning, as it requires physical practice and muscle memory to master the skill.
How would a learning theorist characterize a child not saying a curse word after witnessing a
sibling’s severe punishment for saying the curse word?
As an observationally learned behavior
occurs when someone attributes a person’s behavior to external factors or circumstances rather than to internal traits or dispositions
situational attribution
During a college’s spirit week, students are arbitrarily assigned to two teams for a series of competitive activities. Two friends are placed on separate teams and find their friendship strains during the competition.
Which phenomenon accounts for this strain?
Outgroup bias
Fundamental attribution error
The Fundamental Attribution Error is a common cognitive bias in which people tend to overemphasize personal characteristics (disposition) and underestimate situational factors when explaining someone else’s behavior. In other words, we often assume that someone’s actions are due to their personality rather than the context they’re in.
For example, if someone cuts you off in traffic, you might think, “That person is rude,” instead of considering that they might be in a rush or facing an emergency.
This bias often leads to misunderstandings and misjudgments about others’ behavior.
Outgroup bias
Outgroup bias is the tendency to view individuals who are not part of one’s own group (the “outgroup”) more negatively or less favorably than those in one’s own group (the “ingroup”). People often perceive outgroup members as being more homogeneous and may stereotype or harbor prejudice against them, while showing favoritism toward their own group.
For example, a sports fan may believe that their team’s fans are more passionate and loyal, while viewing rival team fans as less favorable or even hostile. This bias can contribute to social divisions and conflict.
Scapegoat theory
Scapegoat theory is a psychological concept that suggests people may blame a person or group (the “scapegoat”) for problems or negative events, even when they are not the true cause. This often occurs in times of frustration or difficulty, where assigning blame to an external target helps individuals or groups release pent-up anger and avoid facing the real causes of their issues.
For example, during economic downturns, minority groups may be unfairly blamed for job losses or social problems, even though they are not responsible for the larger economic factors at play. Scapegoating can lead to prejudice and discrimination.
Group pressure
Group pressure, also known as peer pressure, refers to the influence exerted by a group on an individual to conform to the group’s behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs. This pressure can be explicit (e.g., direct requests) or implicit (e.g., unspoken expectations) and can lead individuals to change their behavior, sometimes against their own preferences, to fit in or be accepted by the group.
For example, a person might adopt a group’s opinions, dress style, or actions to avoid feeling isolated or rejected. Group pressure can be positive or negative, depending on the group’s norms and values.
A person makes a donation to a charity because it feels good. The person also receives a thank-you gift and positive attention from peers.
What explains this person’s decision to donate?
Social exchange theory
Social exchange theory
Social Exchange Theory is a psychological and sociological concept that explains human relationships and interactions as a series of exchanges where people seek to maximize benefits and minimize costs. According to this theory, individuals assess their relationships based on perceived rewards (e.g., support, companionship) and costs (e.g., time, effort, conflict).
The theory suggests that people are more likely to stay in relationships where the perceived benefits outweigh the costs, and may leave or avoid relationships where the costs are too high relative to the rewards. This cost-benefit analysis shapes decisions in social interactions.
Self-serving bias
Self-serving bias is a cognitive tendency where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors, such as their abilities or effort, while blaming external factors, like luck or circumstances, for their failures. This bias helps protect self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image.
For example, if someone gets a promotion, they might credit their hard work and skills. However, if they don’t get the promotion, they may blame external factors like unfair management rather than considering their own shortcomings. This bias can distort self-perception and influence behavior.
Just-world effect
The Just-World Effect (or Just-World Hypothesis) is the cognitive bias that leads people to believe that the world is inherently fair, and that individuals get what they deserve. This belief often results in the assumption that good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people.
As a consequence, people may blame victims for their misfortunes, assuming that they must have done something to “deserve” their situation, rather than acknowledging external or uncontrollable factors. This bias helps individuals maintain a sense of order and predictability in life, even though it may distort their perception of reality.
Bystander effect
The Bystander Effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help someone in need when other people are present. The more bystanders there are, the less likely any one person is to take action. This effect is often attributed to diffusion of responsibility, where individuals assume that someone else will intervene, and thus feel less personal responsibility to act.
For example, in a crowded area, a person in distress may not receive immediate help because everyone assumes someone else will step in. The Bystander Effect can prevent timely assistance in emergencies.
Loto has been approached by a member of his social club to volunteer one day a week at the local food bank, a charity that the club has decided to support. Loto is busy with his home and family but realizes that helping will increase his feelings of giving to the community and enhance how members of the club may view him. He decides to make the time in his schedule for this volunteer effort.
What is this an example of, in terms of altruism?
Social exchange theory
Codependence theory
explains relationships where one person excessively relies on another for emotional or psychological needs. The codependent person often prioritizes caregiving or enabling over their own well-being, while the other may be dependent or struggling with issues like addiction. This creates an unhealthy dynamic, with blurred boundaries and neglect of self-care.
Group polarization
is the tendency for a group to make decisions or adopt opinions that are more extreme than the initial inclinations of its individual members. This occurs because group discussions often reinforce and amplify shared beliefs, leading to more extreme positions. For example, after discussing a topic, a group might become more conservative or more liberal than the average opinion of the individuals before the discussion.
Social norms
the unwritten rules and expectations that guide behavior in a society or group. They define what is considered acceptable, appropriate, or typical behavior in specific social situations. Social norms help maintain order and predictability in interactions by shaping how people act, dress, communicate, and relate to one another within a community or culture.
A group of individuals who are moderately opposed to the death penalty meet to discuss the issue. After two hours of discussion, most find themselves more strongly opposed to the death penalty than they were before the meeting.
Which concept is this scenario an example of?
Group polarization
In-group bias
the tendency to favor and show preferential treatment toward members of one’s own group (the “in-group”) over those from other groups (the “out-group”). This bias leads to more positive attitudes, judgments, and behavior toward in-group members, often at the expense of out-group members, even when the groups are formed arbitrarily. It can contribute to group cohesion but also to discrimination and prejudice against others.
A company’s research department is under strong pressure to solve an urgent problem with one of
the company’s products. In their urgency, the department’s executives decide to focus on one
possible solution and refuse to consider alternatives.
Which dynamic does this scenario best illustrate?
Groupthink
Social facilitation
the phenomenon where an individual’s performance improves on simple or well-practiced tasks when in the presence of others. Conversely, performance on more complex or unfamiliar tasks may worsen. This effect occurs because the presence of an audience or co-actors increases arousal, enhancing dominant responses (either success or difficulty depending on task familiarity). For example, a runner might perform better in a race with spectators but may struggle more with a complex task under observation.
Groupthink
occurs when group members prioritize harmony over critical thinking, leading to poor decisions. Individuals suppress doubts to avoid conflict, resulting in flawed choices as alternatives aren’t fully considered. This can lead to risky or suboptimal outcomes due to a lack of diverse perspectives.
Diffusion of responsibility
the phenomenon where individuals feel less personal responsibility to take action in a situation because they believe others will step in. It commonly occurs in group settings, leading to inaction, as people assume someone else will handle the problem.
Altruism
the selfless concern for the well-being of others, often involving actions taken to help others without expecting any personal benefit in return.
Which term arose from research seeking to understand why a group of strangers are unlikely to help
another person in a moment of need?
Bystander effect
Reciprocity norms
social expectations that people will respond to others’ kindness or help with similar positive actions. In other words, if someone does something for you, there’s a norm that you should return the favor.
Social responsibility norms
societal expectations that individuals should help others in need or contribute to the well-being of others, especially when the other person is dependent or unable to help themselves, without expecting anything in return.
Attraction includes three psychological determinants
Physical attractiveness,repeated
contact, Similarity
A patient regularly hears two voices conversing with each other.The patient’s speech has grown increasingly irrelevant to the situation. The
patient bathes infrequently and demonstrates a reduced range of emotional expressiveness.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
severe mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, and interact with others. It is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning.
Social phobia
Is classified as an anxiety disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
is classified as an anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. These are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a sense of impending doom. Panic disorder can lead to persistent worry about future attacks and changes in behavior to avoid triggers.
A patient reports experiencing intense periods of discomfort over the past month. These incidents
developed abruptly and generally persist for approximately 15 minutes. The patient notes an
accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, intense chest pain, and a fear of dying during
such episodes. The patient was examined by a physician, who determined that a heart attack was not
the cause of these symptoms. The patient now experiences persistent concern about having
additional episodes.
Which mental disorder is the patient most likely suffering from?
Panic disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions). Individuals with OCD feel compelled to perform these behaviors to reduce anxiety or prevent perceived harm, even if the actions are irrational or excessive. Common examples include excessive cleaning, checking, or counting.
Bipolar disorder
Mood disorder
Anxiety disorders
group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of worry, fear, or anxiety that interfere with daily activities. These disorders often involve physical symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, or restlessness. Common types of anxiety disorders include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic worry about everyday matters.
Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks and fear of future episodes.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations.
Phobias: Extreme fear of specific objects or situations (e.g., heights or flying).
Anxiety disorders can range from mild to severe, but they are treatable with therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.
Dissociative disorders
mental health conditions where a person experiences disruptions in memory, identity, or perception, often triggered by trauma. Examples include Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder. These disorders can affect daily life but are treatable with therapy.
Alzheimer’s disease
a progressive neurological disorder that leads to memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia, affecting the brain’s ability to function properly over time. Symptoms worsen gradually, impacting tasks like thinking, reasoning, and remembering. While there is no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms and slow progression.
Psychotic disorder
mental health conditions characterized by a disconnection from reality, often involving symptoms like hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) and delusions (false beliefs). Individuals with psychotic disorders may also experience disorganized thinking and behavior. Schizophrenia is one of the most well-known psychotic disorders. These conditions can significantly impact daily functioning but are treatable with therapy and medication.
Personality disorder
mental health conditions characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions that deviate significantly from societal expectations. These patterns are inflexible, lead to difficulties in personal relationships, and cause distress or impairment in daily functioning. Common types include Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Treatment often involves therapy and, in some cases, medication.
Which type of therapy is based on the belief that an individual’s interpretation of events is what
causes unhappiness, rather than unhappiness being caused by the actual events?
Rational-emotive therapy
Rational-emotive therapy (RET)
**developed by **Albert Ellis, is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy **
that focuses on identifying and challenging irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions. The therapy aims to help individuals recognize how their thoughts influence their emotions and behaviors, leading to healthier emotional responses. By replacing negative or irrational beliefs with more rational ones, individuals can reduce emotional distress and improve their overall well-being.
Client-centered therapy
also known as person-centered therapy, is a therapeutic approach developed by Carl Rogers. It emphasizes creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their feelings and thoughts. The therapist adopts an empathetic, active listening stance and provides unconditional positive regard, allowing clients to develop greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. The goal is to empower individuals to find their own solutions and achieve personal growth.
Exposure therapy
is a psychological treatment used to help individuals confront and reduce their fear or anxiety related to specific objects, situations, or memories. The therapy involves gradual and controlled exposure to the feared stimulus in a safe environment, helping clients learn that their anxiety decreases over time and that the feared outcome is unlikely to occur. This approach is commonly used for anxiety disorders, including phobias, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and aims to help individuals develop coping skills and reduce avoidance behaviors.
A therapist seeks to increase a client’s self-awareness and self-acceptance, also known as person-
centered therapy based on Carl Roger’s theory.
Which theoretical orientation is this?
Humanistic
Cognitive therapy
a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress and behavioral issues. Developed by Aaron Beck, this therapy aims to help individuals recognize how their thoughts influence their feelings and actions. By challenging irrational or distorted thinking, clients can develop healthier thought processes, improve emotional regulation, and adopt more adaptive behaviors. Cognitive therapy is often used to treat various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders.
Behavioral therapy
is a type of psychotherapy focused on modifying harmful behaviors through techniques based on behaviorism. It involves strategies like operant conditioning (reinforcing desired behaviors), classical conditioning (associating positive responses with neutral stimuli), and exposure therapy (confronting fears). Developed by psychologists like B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson, and Joseph Wolpe, this therapy is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, phobias, and addiction by helping individuals develop healthier behaviors and coping strategies.
Using Aaron Beck’s theory, a therapist focuses on how patterns of thinking influence the feelings a
client experiences in reaction to an event in the client’s life. The therapist seeks to help the client
understand how the emotional response results from the client’s interpretation of the event.
Which theoretical orientation is this?
Cognitive
Mindfulness
is the practice of being fully present and aware of the current moment, without judgment. It involves paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise, fostering a greater sense of awareness and acceptance. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and focused breathing, are often used to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.
mindfulness has its roots in ancient Buddhist meditation traditions, but it was popularized in the West by Jon Kabat-Zinn in the late 20th century. He developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, integrating mindfulness meditation with modern psychology to help individuals manage stress and improve mental health.
A therapist is helping clients become more aware of patterns of irrational negative thinking. The
therapist is encouraging the clients to replace negative thoughts with a more balanced perspective
and asks them to practice this new approach between treatment sessions.
Which theoretical orientation does this approach represent?
Cognitive-behavioral
Cognitive-behavioral (orientation)
is a psychological approach that combines cognitive and behavioral theories to address psychological issues. It focuses on how negative thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to help individuals identify and challenge these thoughts, promoting healthier behaviors and emotional well-being.
Interpersonal (orientation)
a psychological approach that emphasizes the importance of relationships and social interactions in shaping an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This orientation focuses on understanding how interpersonal dynamics, such as communication patterns and social support, influence mental health and personal development. It is often used in therapies that address relationship issues and promote better communication and emotional connection between individuals.
Which therapeutic approach is effectively a laboratory for improving social relationships?
Group therapy
Humanistic therapy
Humanistic therapy is a client-centered approach emphasizing personal growth, self-awareness, and the potential for self-actualization. Rooted in the work of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, it focuses on the belief that people are inherently good and capable of positive change. Key principles include empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity in the therapist-client relationship. It emphasizes the present moment and personal responsibility rather than dwelling on the past. Forms of humanistic therapy include Gestalt and Existential therapy, both of which focus on personal meaning and growth.
Which type of therapeutic drug is bipolar disorder commonly treated with?
Mood stabilizer
Mood stabilizer drug
a class of medications primarily used to treat mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, where they help manage extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression
Mood stabilizers work by balancing neurotransmitter activity in the brain, particularly chemicals like glutamate, GABA, and serotonin, which regulate mood
Antidepressant drug
Prozac
Prozac is commonly prescribed for conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder.
Antipsychotic drug
Risperdal, Clozaril