Behavioral Psychology in Abnormal Psychology: Exam on Treatments MCQs

Test your knowledge of behavioral psychology in abnormal psychology. Explore behavioral therapy techniques, treatment strategies and their application in mental health disorders.

Questions (30)


  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
    View Answer
    Correct To change problematic behaviors through reinforcement and punishment
  2. In behavioral therapy, what is used to reduce undesirable behaviors?

    • a) Positive reinforcement
    • b) Classical conditioning
    • c) Punishment
    • d) Cognitive restructuring
    View Answer
    Correct Punishment
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Systematic desensitization
  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
    View Answer
    Correct To increase the frequency of positive behaviors
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Changing negative thought patterns and behaviors
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Praising a patient for using coping strategies
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Panic attacks and phobias
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli in a controlled way
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Thought records and cognitive restructuring
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Offering tangible rewards for desirable behaviors
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Exposure and response prevention
  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
    View Answer
    Correct To reward positive behaviors such as sobriety
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Overgeneralization
  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
    View Answer
    Correct By increasing reinforcement for positive behaviors and reducing avoidance
  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
    View Answer
    Correct To expose the individual to the feared stimulus all at once to reduce anxiety
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Positive reinforcement
  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
    View Answer
    Correct To establish clear goals and reinforcement contingencies for clients
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Giving a time-out for misbehavior
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  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
    View Answer
    Correct By increasing engagement in positive, rewarding activities
  21. Which behavior therapy technique involves reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior?

    • a) Modeling
    • b) Shaping
    • c) Flooding
    • d) Systematic desensitization
    View Answer
    Correct Shaping
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Using reinforcement and punishment to modify behaviors
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing situations to reduce fear
  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
    View Answer
    Correct A loud noise used to discourage an undesirable behavior
  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
    View Answer
    Correct To reward positive behavior with tangible incentives
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Taking away a previously earned reward as a consequence of negative behavior
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Rewarding abstinence from drugs with vouchers or privileges
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Behavioral therapy
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Increasing the likelihood of a behavior by rewarding it
  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
    View Answer
    Correct Phobias

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