FINAL EXAM NR605 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL
HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN WEEKS 5 8
CERTIFICATION TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE
◉ catharsis. Answer: the process of releasing, and thereby providing
relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
◉ Altruism. Answer: unselfish regard for the welfare of others
◉ Nikki typically pouted through group meetings. When asked about
her silence, she said she felt other members were favored and that
she wanted to quit the group and do therapy on her own. Over time,
she saw that her feelings stemmed from her jealousy of her sister
and was able to address her feelings.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group
Rationale: Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group
helps group members work through unresolved family issues, such
as sibling rivalry. Group therapy helps members process unresolved
family conflicts.
,◉ Kesha told the group that the most important aspect of therapy
was just having a group of people she could talk to, that wouldn't
walk out on her.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Group cohesiveness
Rationale: Group cohesiveness occurs when members feel they
belong and are unconditionally accepted by the other members.
Group cohesion correlates with positive outcomes.
◉ At home, Tuan used communication strategies he observed in
group therapy to try to improve his relationship with his daughter.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Imitative behavior
Rationale: Learning from the therapy of others helps members
experiment or try on new behaviors.
◉ Van recently joined group therapy for sexual abuse survivors and
listened to others talk about their feelings of shame, guilt, rage, and
uncleanliness which mirror his feelings.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Universality
,Rationale: Being part of a group of people who have the same
experiences helps members feel that they are not alone and what
they are going through is universal. A feeling of universality is a
fundamental step in healing for clients burdened by shame, stigma,
and self-blame.
◉ Stasia joined group therapy following the recent death of her
child. Group members helped her to anticipate feelings associated
with significant days in her first year of bereavement, such as
birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Imparting information
Rationale: Group members help one another by sharing information.
Information about the natural cycle of bereavement can help Stasia
realize there is a sequence of pain and a lessening of distress as the
stages are experienced.
◉ Madison told the group how she shoplifts clothes, makeup, and
other items when life feels out of control. She noticed that she felt
better after sharing.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Catharsis
, Rationale: Sharing feelings and experiences with group members
can help relieve pain, guilt, or stress. Group members may benefit
from witnessing a peer in emotional catharsis.
◉ Sindhu is typically withdrawn in group therapy. She developed a
large axillary lymph node and underwent a biopsy. She arrived at the
next meeting animated and wanted to plunge into her feelings of
fear about the implications of her diagnosis.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Existential factors
Rationale: Existential factors include the ultimate concerns of the
human condition—death, isolation, freedom, and
meaninglessness—and may be the basis of psychiatric problems.
Experiencing an existential event such as possible illness may
mobilize awareness that each individual is responsible for their
lives, actions, and choices.
◉ Inmates in group therapy were asked to share one thing they
valued about each of the other group members.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Interpersonal learning
Rationale: Group members gain a deeper understanding of
themselves through interacting with others and receiving feedback.
HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN WEEKS 5 8
CERTIFICATION TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE
◉ catharsis. Answer: the process of releasing, and thereby providing
relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
◉ Altruism. Answer: unselfish regard for the welfare of others
◉ Nikki typically pouted through group meetings. When asked about
her silence, she said she felt other members were favored and that
she wanted to quit the group and do therapy on her own. Over time,
she saw that her feelings stemmed from her jealousy of her sister
and was able to address her feelings.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group
Rationale: Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group
helps group members work through unresolved family issues, such
as sibling rivalry. Group therapy helps members process unresolved
family conflicts.
,◉ Kesha told the group that the most important aspect of therapy
was just having a group of people she could talk to, that wouldn't
walk out on her.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Group cohesiveness
Rationale: Group cohesiveness occurs when members feel they
belong and are unconditionally accepted by the other members.
Group cohesion correlates with positive outcomes.
◉ At home, Tuan used communication strategies he observed in
group therapy to try to improve his relationship with his daughter.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Imitative behavior
Rationale: Learning from the therapy of others helps members
experiment or try on new behaviors.
◉ Van recently joined group therapy for sexual abuse survivors and
listened to others talk about their feelings of shame, guilt, rage, and
uncleanliness which mirror his feelings.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Universality
,Rationale: Being part of a group of people who have the same
experiences helps members feel that they are not alone and what
they are going through is universal. A feeling of universality is a
fundamental step in healing for clients burdened by shame, stigma,
and self-blame.
◉ Stasia joined group therapy following the recent death of her
child. Group members helped her to anticipate feelings associated
with significant days in her first year of bereavement, such as
birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Imparting information
Rationale: Group members help one another by sharing information.
Information about the natural cycle of bereavement can help Stasia
realize there is a sequence of pain and a lessening of distress as the
stages are experienced.
◉ Madison told the group how she shoplifts clothes, makeup, and
other items when life feels out of control. She noticed that she felt
better after sharing.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Catharsis
, Rationale: Sharing feelings and experiences with group members
can help relieve pain, guilt, or stress. Group members may benefit
from witnessing a peer in emotional catharsis.
◉ Sindhu is typically withdrawn in group therapy. She developed a
large axillary lymph node and underwent a biopsy. She arrived at the
next meeting animated and wanted to plunge into her feelings of
fear about the implications of her diagnosis.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Existential factors
Rationale: Existential factors include the ultimate concerns of the
human condition—death, isolation, freedom, and
meaninglessness—and may be the basis of psychiatric problems.
Experiencing an existential event such as possible illness may
mobilize awareness that each individual is responsible for their
lives, actions, and choices.
◉ Inmates in group therapy were asked to share one thing they
valued about each of the other group members.
Which principle of group therapy is this an example of?. Answer:
Interpersonal learning
Rationale: Group members gain a deeper understanding of
themselves through interacting with others and receiving feedback.
