PSYC1000
Intro to Psychology
COMPLETED EXAM w/
RATIONALES
2024
,PART A:
1. John is a 25-year-old man who suffers from social
anxiety disorder. He avoids going to parties, meeting new
people, or speaking in public because he fears being
judged or rejected by others. He often feels nervous,
sweaty, and shaky in social situations. He also experiences
negative thoughts about himself and his abilities. Which of
the following psychological treatments is most likely to
help John overcome his social anxiety disorder?
a) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
b) Psychoanalysis
c) Humanistic therapy
d) Gestalt therapy
Answer: A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form
of psychotherapy that aims to change the way people think
and behave in response to their problems. CBT helps
people with social anxiety disorder identify and challenge
their irrational fears, learn coping skills, and gradually
expose themselves to feared situations.
2. Mary is a 40-year-old woman who has been diagnosed
with major depressive disorder. She has been feeling sad,
hopeless, and worthless for the past six months. She has
lost interest in her hobbies, friends, and family. She also
has trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating. She
sometimes thinks about ending her life. Which of the
following biological treatments is most likely to help Mary
reduce her depressive symptoms?
a) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
,b) Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
c) Antidepressant medication
d) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Answer: C. Antidepressant medication is a type of drug
that alters the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the
brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These
neurotransmitters are involved in regulating mood,
motivation, and emotion. Antidepressant medication can
help people with major depressive disorder by restoring the
balance of these chemicals and improving their mood.
3. Sam is a 10-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He has
difficulty paying attention, staying focused, and following
instructions at school and at home. He also acts
impulsively, talks excessively, and interrupts others. He
often gets into trouble with his teachers and peers. Which
of the following developmental factors is most likely to
contribute to Sam's ADHD?
a) Genetic predisposition
b) Environmental toxins
c) Parenting style
d) Brain structure and function
Answer: D. Brain structure and function are related to
ADHD in several ways. People with ADHD tend to have
smaller brain volumes, especially in the regions that
control attention, inhibition, and executive functions. They
also have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that
regulates reward, motivation, and arousal. These brain
, differences may impair their ability to regulate their
attention, impulses, and emotions.
4. Lisa is a 30-year-old woman who has been diagnosed
with borderline personality disorder (BPD). She has a
pattern of unstable and intense relationships, mood swings,
impulsive behavior, and poor self-image. She often feels
empty, lonely, and angry. She also fears being abandoned
by others and reacts strongly to any perceived rejection or
criticism. She sometimes engages in self-harm or suicidal
behavior to cope with her distress. Which of the following
personality theories is most useful for explaining Lisa's
BPD?
a) Trait theory
b) Psychodynamic theory
c) Social-cognitive theory
d) Humanistic theory
Answer: B. Psychodynamic theory is a perspective that
emphasizes the role of unconscious forces, childhood
experiences, and interpersonal conflicts in shaping
personality. Psychodynamic theory can help explain Lisa's
BPD by suggesting that she may have experienced trauma,
abuse, or neglect in her early life that disrupted her
attachment to her caregivers and led her to develop a
distorted sense of self and others.
5. Alex is a 20-year-old man who has been diagnosed with
schizophrenia. He has been experiencing hallucinations,
delusions, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms for
Intro to Psychology
COMPLETED EXAM w/
RATIONALES
2024
,PART A:
1. John is a 25-year-old man who suffers from social
anxiety disorder. He avoids going to parties, meeting new
people, or speaking in public because he fears being
judged or rejected by others. He often feels nervous,
sweaty, and shaky in social situations. He also experiences
negative thoughts about himself and his abilities. Which of
the following psychological treatments is most likely to
help John overcome his social anxiety disorder?
a) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
b) Psychoanalysis
c) Humanistic therapy
d) Gestalt therapy
Answer: A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form
of psychotherapy that aims to change the way people think
and behave in response to their problems. CBT helps
people with social anxiety disorder identify and challenge
their irrational fears, learn coping skills, and gradually
expose themselves to feared situations.
2. Mary is a 40-year-old woman who has been diagnosed
with major depressive disorder. She has been feeling sad,
hopeless, and worthless for the past six months. She has
lost interest in her hobbies, friends, and family. She also
has trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating. She
sometimes thinks about ending her life. Which of the
following biological treatments is most likely to help Mary
reduce her depressive symptoms?
a) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
,b) Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
c) Antidepressant medication
d) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Answer: C. Antidepressant medication is a type of drug
that alters the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the
brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These
neurotransmitters are involved in regulating mood,
motivation, and emotion. Antidepressant medication can
help people with major depressive disorder by restoring the
balance of these chemicals and improving their mood.
3. Sam is a 10-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He has
difficulty paying attention, staying focused, and following
instructions at school and at home. He also acts
impulsively, talks excessively, and interrupts others. He
often gets into trouble with his teachers and peers. Which
of the following developmental factors is most likely to
contribute to Sam's ADHD?
a) Genetic predisposition
b) Environmental toxins
c) Parenting style
d) Brain structure and function
Answer: D. Brain structure and function are related to
ADHD in several ways. People with ADHD tend to have
smaller brain volumes, especially in the regions that
control attention, inhibition, and executive functions. They
also have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that
regulates reward, motivation, and arousal. These brain
, differences may impair their ability to regulate their
attention, impulses, and emotions.
4. Lisa is a 30-year-old woman who has been diagnosed
with borderline personality disorder (BPD). She has a
pattern of unstable and intense relationships, mood swings,
impulsive behavior, and poor self-image. She often feels
empty, lonely, and angry. She also fears being abandoned
by others and reacts strongly to any perceived rejection or
criticism. She sometimes engages in self-harm or suicidal
behavior to cope with her distress. Which of the following
personality theories is most useful for explaining Lisa's
BPD?
a) Trait theory
b) Psychodynamic theory
c) Social-cognitive theory
d) Humanistic theory
Answer: B. Psychodynamic theory is a perspective that
emphasizes the role of unconscious forces, childhood
experiences, and interpersonal conflicts in shaping
personality. Psychodynamic theory can help explain Lisa's
BPD by suggesting that she may have experienced trauma,
abuse, or neglect in her early life that disrupted her
attachment to her caregivers and led her to develop a
distorted sense of self and others.
5. Alex is a 20-year-old man who has been diagnosed with
schizophrenia. He has been experiencing hallucinations,
delusions, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms for
