Behavioral Psychology in Abnormal Psychology: Exam on Treatments MCQs
Questions: 30
Questions
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1. Which of the following is the main focus of behavioral therapy in abnormal psychology?
- a) To identify unconscious thoughts
- b) To change problematic behaviors through reinforcement and punishment
- c) To explore past childhood experiences
- d) To focus on the emotional state of the individual
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2. In behavioral therapy, what is used to reduce undesirable behaviors?
- a) Positive reinforcement
- b) Classical conditioning
- c) Punishment
- d) Cognitive restructuring
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3. Which technique is often used in behavior therapy to help a client confront fears?
- a) Systematic desensitization
- b) Free association
- c) Dream analysis
- d) Cognitive restructuring
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4. What is the primary goal of operant conditioning in the treatment of abnormal behavior?
- a) To increase the frequency of positive behaviors
- b) To decrease anxiety levels
- c) To explore the unconscious mind
- d) To achieve insight into past trauma
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5. In the context of abnormal psychology, what is the focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
- a) Using medications to alter brain chemistry
- b) Exploring childhood experiences
- c) Increasing awareness of the unconscious
- d) Changing negative thought patterns and behaviors
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6. Which of the following is an example of positive reinforcement in treating abnormal behavior?
- a) Praising a patient for using coping strategies
- b) Giving a time-out for undesirable behavior
- c) Ignoring a patient’s negative behavior
- d) Offering a punishment for non-compliance
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7. What does systematic desensitization primarily target in treating abnormal psychology?
- a) Eating disorders
- b) Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
- c) Panic attacks and phobias
- d) Depressive thoughts
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8. Which of the following is a key component of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders?
- a) Gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli in a controlled way
- b) Challenging irrational thoughts directly
- c) Reducing anxiety with medication
- d) Focusing on dream analysis
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9. In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), what technique is used to help clients change distorted thinking patterns?
- a) Thought records and cognitive restructuring
- b) Free association
- c) Dream interpretation
- d) Meditation and mindfulness
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10. What is the main principle behind token economies in behavioral therapy?
- a) Focusing on the patient’s emotional insight
- b) Offering tangible rewards for desirable behaviors
- c) Reducing negative emotions through relaxation
- d) Fostering self-awareness through journaling
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11. In treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), what behavioral technique is commonly used?
- a) Exposure and response prevention
- b) Free association
- c) Self-hypnosis
- d) Cognitive restructuring
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12. What is the role of reinforcement in treating addiction through behavioral therapy?
- a) To reward positive behaviors such as sobriety
- b) To increase stress levels for better self-control
- c) To punish the individual for relapsing
- d) To ignore the behaviors entirely
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13. Which of the following is an example of cognitive distortion in abnormal psychology?
- a) Overgeneralization
- b) Exposure to a stressful event
- c) Developing new coping strategies
- d) Gaining emotional insight
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14. How does behavioral therapy aim to treat depression?
- a) By focusing on unconscious conflicts
- b) By exploring childhood trauma
- c) By increasing reinforcement for positive behaviors and reducing avoidance
- d) By using medications to alter brain chemistry
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15. In treating phobias, what is the primary goal of flooding therapy?
- a) To expose the individual to the feared stimulus all at once to reduce anxiety
- b) To gradually expose the individual to feared stimuli in stages
- c) To alter the individual’s cognitive patterns
- d) To provide emotional support through discussion
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16. Which type of reinforcement is most often used in the treatment of abnormal behavior?
- a) Punishment
- b) Negative reinforcement
- c) Positive reinforcement
- d) None of the above
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17. What is the purpose of behavioral contracting in therapy?
- a) To establish clear goals and reinforcement contingencies for clients
- b) To explore the client’s emotions through discussion
- c) To expose the client to traumatic memories
- d) To analyze the client’s dreams
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18. Which of the following is an example of punishment in behavior therapy?
- a) Praising a client for good actions
- b) Giving a reward for good behavior
- c) Ignoring a negative behavior
- d) Giving a time-out for misbehavior
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19. In treating an individual with borderline personality disorder, what behavioral therapy technique is often used?
- a) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- b) Cognitive restructuring
- c) Person-centered therapy
- d) Psychoanalysis
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20. How is behavioral activation used in the treatment of depression?
- a) By increasing engagement in positive, rewarding activities
- b) By focusing on unconscious memories
- c) By using dream interpretation to explore the past
- d) By providing relaxation techniques
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21. Which behavior therapy technique involves reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior?
- a) Modeling
- b) Shaping
- c) Flooding
- d) Systematic desensitization
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22. What is the primary focus of applied behavior analysis (ABA)?
- a) Using reinforcement and punishment to modify behaviors
- b) Exploring the unconscious mind
- c) Enhancing emotional awareness
- d) Providing insight into past experiences
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23. Which of the following is an example of behavioral therapy in treating anxiety?
- a) Taking medication to reduce anxiety
- b) Discussing past trauma with a therapist
- c) Gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing situations to reduce fear
- d) Analyzing dreams to uncover unconscious fears
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24. In behavior therapy, which of the following is considered an “aversive” stimulus?
- a) A loud noise used to discourage an undesirable behavior
- b) A reward used to encourage good behavior
- c) Positive praise for appropriate actions
- d) A comforting environment to reduce stress
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25. What is the goal of contingency management in behavioral therapy?
- a) To explore unconscious thoughts
- b) To provide emotional support through discussion
- c) To reward positive behavior with tangible incentives
- d) To promote self-awareness through reflection
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26. In the treatment of abnormal behavior, what does "response cost" refer to?
- a) Taking away a previously earned reward as a consequence of negative behavior
- b) Giving a reward for positive behavior
- c) Using relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety
- d) Allowing the individual to avoid unpleasant stimuli
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27. What is a key feature of contingency management in treating addiction?
- a) Using cognitive restructuring
- b) Focusing on emotional insight
- c) Exploring unconscious thoughts
- d) Rewarding abstinence from drugs with vouchers or privileges
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28. Which therapy focuses on changing self-defeating behavior patterns by using rewards and punishments?
- a) Behavioral therapy
- b) Psychodynamic therapy
- c) Humanistic therapy
- d) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
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29. Which of the following best describes the use of reinforcement in behavior therapy?
- a) Increasing the likelihood of a behavior by rewarding it
- b) Decreasing the likelihood of a behavior by punishing it
- c) Focusing on understanding the root cause of behavior
- d) Helping the individual process past trauma
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30. In which of the following disorders is exposure therapy most commonly used in behavior therapy?
- a) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- b) Generalized anxiety disorder
- c) Phobias
- d) Depression
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