EPPP General 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In classical conditioning, 'extinction' occurs when:
- The conditioned stimulus is paired with a new unconditioned stimulus
- The conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus (Correct answer)
- A generalized response is shaped into a more specific response
- The unconditioned response weakens due to habituation
Correct answer: The conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus
Extinction in classical conditioning results from repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus alone, without the unconditioned stimulus, until the conditioned response diminishes.
Question 2: Which neurotransmitter system is MOST directly implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, as supported by the dopamine hypothesis?
- Serotonin excess in the limbic system
- Dopamine hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway (Correct answer)
- GABA deficiency in the prefrontal cortex
- Norepinephrine dysregulation in the locus coeruleus
Correct answer: Dopamine hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway
The dopamine hypothesis proposes that positive symptoms of schizophrenia arise from excess dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic pathway.
Question 3: A psychologist who believes that psychological disorders result from distorted, maladaptive thinking patterns is MOST likely practicing from which theoretical orientation?
- Psychodynamic
- Humanistic
- Cognitive-behavioral (Correct answer)
- Existential
Correct answer: Cognitive-behavioral
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is founded on the premise that distorted cognitive schemas and automatic thoughts drive emotional and behavioral problems.
Question 4: Under the APA Ethics Code, a psychologist may disclose confidential client information without consent in which of the following situations?
- A colleague informally asks about the client's progress
- The client is an adult who is gravely suicidal and refusing voluntary hospitalization (Correct answer)
- A family member requests information to support the client
- The client is involved in a civil lawsuit unrelated to their treatment
Correct answer: The client is an adult who is gravely suicidal and refusing voluntary hospitalization
Imminent danger to self or others is a recognized ethical and legal exception to confidentiality, permitting disclosure to protect the client or others.
Question 5: The heritability coefficient estimates the proportion of phenotypic variance in a trait attributable to genetic factors in a specific population. A heritability of .80 for intelligence means:
- 80% of an individual's intelligence is determined by genes
- 80% of the variation in intelligence scores in that population is associated with genetic differences (Correct answer)
- The trait will be transmitted to 80% of offspring
- Environmental factors account for only 20% of intelligence
Correct answer: 80% of the variation in intelligence scores in that population is associated with genetic differences
Heritability is a population-level statistic describing how much of the observed variation in a trait within a given population can be attributed to genetic differences.
Question 6: A client diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder repeatedly idealizes then devalues their therapist. This pattern is MOST associated with the defense mechanism of:
- Projection
- Rationalization
- Splitting (Correct answer)
- Reaction formation
Correct answer: Splitting
Splitting involves viewing people as all good or all bad, unable to integrate both positive and negative qualities, and is a hallmark feature of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Question 7: Which of the following correctly describes the difference between a norm-referenced and a criterion-referenced assessment?
- Norm-referenced tests measure mastery of specific objectives; criterion-referenced tests compare performance to peers
- Norm-referenced tests compare performance to a standardization sample; criterion-referenced tests evaluate mastery of defined content standards (Correct answer)
- Norm-referenced tests are used only in clinical settings; criterion-referenced tests are used only in educational settings
- Norm-referenced tests have higher reliability than criterion-referenced tests
Correct answer: Norm-referenced tests compare performance to a standardization sample; criterion-referenced tests evaluate mastery of defined content standards
Norm-referenced assessments rank an individual relative to a normative group, while criterion-referenced assessments determine whether a person has mastered specific knowledge or skills.
EPPP General 4
In classical conditioning, 'extinction' occurs when: