PSYC 304 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
TEST 2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉Vasovagal syncope. Answer: A temporary loss of consciousness
caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, usually
triggered by fear, pain, stress, or long period of standing.
◉Separation Anxiety Disorder. Answer: Developmentally
inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning seperation from
someone to whom the individual is attached.
◉Cary was waiting for the bus when she felt a sudden rush of
anxiety. Within minutes her heart was racing, she was trembling, her
chest felt tight, and she felt dizzy. After about 10 minutes, the
physical symptoms subsided. Even though the symptoms did not last
for a long time, Cary felt terrified while it was happening. Cary most
likely had a?. Answer: Panic Attack
◉Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Answer: Begins with a traumatic
event or the observation of the serious injury or violent death of
another person.
,◉Acute Stress Disorders. Answer: Many of the same symptoms as
PTSD and this diagnosis is assigned if the symptoms last between 3
days and 1 month.
◉What is a valid conclusion based on the number of individuals who
experience traumatic events and the rate of individuals who develop
PTSD?. Answer: Most individuals experiencing trauma do not
develop PTSD.
◉Heritability. Answer: Proportion of variance in the likelihood of
developing the disorder that is accounted for by genetics.
◉Trait anxiety. Answer: What appears to be inherited is a general
vulnerability factor.
◉Behavioral Inhibition. Answer: Describes individual behavioral
differences that are present at a very early age.
◉Fear of Fear Model. Answer: After the first panick attack, the
person becomes sensitive to any bodily symptom and interprets any
change in physiological state as the signal of impending panic attack.
◉Anxiety Sensitivity. Answer: Underlying condition that appears to
fuel the fear of fear and anxiety symptoms.
, ◉Since she was a small child, Enola has always reacted more
strongly and been more anxious in response to stressors, like exams,
compared to her classmates. Once in college, she developed
generalized anxiety disorder. What may be an inherited general
vulnerability factor for Enola?. Answer: Higher Trait Anxiety
◉After hearing about Maggie's history of panic disorder, her
psychologist explains that her disorder likely developed as a result
of the negative catastrophic interpretations she makes in response
to ambiguous bodily symptoms. He explains how this pattern can
lead to increased worry and vigilance about future panic attacks.
Which etiological theory of panic disorder is the psychologist
explaining?. Answer:
◉Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Answer: Medication
thought to correct serotonin imbalances in the manner by increasing
the time that serotonin remains in the synapse.
◉Exposure. Answer: Facing your fears to get over them.
◉Mindfulness. Answer: Being aware of one's experience "in the
moment" and doing so in a nonjudgemental fashion.
◉Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Answer: Teaching
mindfulness skills that allows one to accept and deal with
TEST 2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉Vasovagal syncope. Answer: A temporary loss of consciousness
caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, usually
triggered by fear, pain, stress, or long period of standing.
◉Separation Anxiety Disorder. Answer: Developmentally
inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning seperation from
someone to whom the individual is attached.
◉Cary was waiting for the bus when she felt a sudden rush of
anxiety. Within minutes her heart was racing, she was trembling, her
chest felt tight, and she felt dizzy. After about 10 minutes, the
physical symptoms subsided. Even though the symptoms did not last
for a long time, Cary felt terrified while it was happening. Cary most
likely had a?. Answer: Panic Attack
◉Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Answer: Begins with a traumatic
event or the observation of the serious injury or violent death of
another person.
,◉Acute Stress Disorders. Answer: Many of the same symptoms as
PTSD and this diagnosis is assigned if the symptoms last between 3
days and 1 month.
◉What is a valid conclusion based on the number of individuals who
experience traumatic events and the rate of individuals who develop
PTSD?. Answer: Most individuals experiencing trauma do not
develop PTSD.
◉Heritability. Answer: Proportion of variance in the likelihood of
developing the disorder that is accounted for by genetics.
◉Trait anxiety. Answer: What appears to be inherited is a general
vulnerability factor.
◉Behavioral Inhibition. Answer: Describes individual behavioral
differences that are present at a very early age.
◉Fear of Fear Model. Answer: After the first panick attack, the
person becomes sensitive to any bodily symptom and interprets any
change in physiological state as the signal of impending panic attack.
◉Anxiety Sensitivity. Answer: Underlying condition that appears to
fuel the fear of fear and anxiety symptoms.
, ◉Since she was a small child, Enola has always reacted more
strongly and been more anxious in response to stressors, like exams,
compared to her classmates. Once in college, she developed
generalized anxiety disorder. What may be an inherited general
vulnerability factor for Enola?. Answer: Higher Trait Anxiety
◉After hearing about Maggie's history of panic disorder, her
psychologist explains that her disorder likely developed as a result
of the negative catastrophic interpretations she makes in response
to ambiguous bodily symptoms. He explains how this pattern can
lead to increased worry and vigilance about future panic attacks.
Which etiological theory of panic disorder is the psychologist
explaining?. Answer:
◉Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Answer: Medication
thought to correct serotonin imbalances in the manner by increasing
the time that serotonin remains in the synapse.
◉Exposure. Answer: Facing your fears to get over them.
◉Mindfulness. Answer: Being aware of one's experience "in the
moment" and doing so in a nonjudgemental fashion.
◉Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Answer: Teaching
mindfulness skills that allows one to accept and deal with
