ASPPB Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine

Question 1

The biopsychosocial model of health, proposed by George Engel, argues that illness is best understood as:

Accepted Answer

An interaction among biological, psychological, and social factors

Answer

Engel's biopsychosocial model posits that health and illness result from the interplay of biological (genetics, physiology), psychological (thoughts, emotions, behaviors), and social (culture, relationships, socioeconomic status) factors.

Question 2

Which psychological intervention has the strongest empirical support for managing chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) targeting pain cognitions and coping

Answer

CBT for chronic pain is the most empirically validated psychological approach, targeting catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, activity pacing, and coping self-efficacy to reduce pain-related disability.

Question 3

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) primarily investigates the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

Psychological states, the nervous system, and immune functioning

Answer

PNI examines bidirectional communication between psychological processes (stress, emotions, cognitions), the central nervous system, and the immune system, revealing how mental states can modulate immune responses.

Question 4

According to the Health Belief Model, a person is most likely to engage in a preventive health behavior when they perceive:

Accepted Answer

High severity of the illness and low barriers to taking action

Answer

The Health Belief Model predicts preventive action when perceived severity and susceptibility are high, perceived benefits outweigh perceived barriers, and appropriate cues to action are present.

Question 5

The gate control theory of pain, proposed by Melzack and Wall, explains that pain perception can be modulated by:

Accepted Answer

Neural mechanisms in the spinal cord that can open or close to pain signals

Answer

Melzack and Wall's gate control theory proposes that a neural 'gate' in the spinal cord's dorsal horn can be opened or closed by large-fiber activity, small-fiber activity, and descending signals from the brain, explaining why psychological factors influence pain.

(ASPPB) Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Practice Test

(ASPPB) Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Practice Test

ASPPB Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine