Psychology Proctored Exam 2024 Summer Class Q&A

Learn about effective treatment approaches, therapeutic techniques, and essential concepts to ensure your success in this year’s psychology exam. We assist students with Psychology proctored exams like the one below. Reach out to us today for expert assistance and pass your exams.

A woman is sitting on a bench. She is sweating profusely, is short of breath, has numbness in her feet and hands, and feels as though she is dying. The woman is most likely experiencing:

• a panic attack.
• obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• generalized anxiety disorder.
• a specific phobia.

The most likely answer is a panic attack. These symptoms are characteristic of a panic attack.

When Marcus rides the elevator at work, he always stands facing the back of the elevator car. Although this goes against standard social practice and makes his coworkers uncomfortable, it is more likely to be psychopathology if it is:

• caused by a stressor.
• odd, but not maladaptive.
• impairing good daily functioning.
• acceptable in different cultures.

The most likely answer is impairing good daily functioning. Psychopathology is generally considered when behavior significantly impairs an individual’s ability to function in daily life.

Some theorist’s posit that suicidal thoughts and desires for death arise when the fundamental needs of ______ and ______ are unmet.

• success; romance
• health; acceptance
• belonging; competence
• financial security; emotional security

The most likely answer is belonging; competence. This aligns with theories that emphasize the importance of social connections and a sense of efficacy in preventing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Juan has extreme difficulty using his math skills when compared with other students his age. However, his performance in other subject areas is above average. If Juan has a neurodevelopmental disorder, he is most likely to be diagnosed with a(n):

• specific learning disorder.
• autism spectrum disorder.
• communication disorder.
• intellectual disability.

The most likely answer is specific learning disorder. This diagnosis is given when a person has difficulty in a specific academic area, such as math, while performing at or above average in other areas.

Klaus has schizophrenia and believes that the ketchup dispenser at McDonald’s sends him messages every Tuesday. Klaus’s belief about this object being particularly special to him is an example of which type of delusion?

• referential
• identity
• control
• grandiose

The most likely answer is referential. Referential delusions involve the belief that ordinary events, objects, or behaviors of others have particular and unusual significance specifically for the person.

All of the following disorders are part of the anxious cluster (cluster C) EXCEPT:

• obsessive-compulsive disorders
• dependent disorders
• paranoid disorders
• avoidant disorders

The most likely answer is paranoid disorders.

The two types of depressive disorders are:

• major and persistent depressive disorders.
• major depressive disorder and anxiety.
• persistent depressive disorder and mania.
• persistent and dysthymic depressive disorders.

The most likely answer is major and persistent depressive disorders.

Fernando cannot stop worrying that a thief is going to break into his apartment, so he keeps checking the doors to make sure they are locked. Fernando’s worrisome thoughts about a break-in are a(n) ______. The fact that Fernando checks the locks over and over is a(n) ______.

• phobia; ritual
• compulsion; obsession
• obsession; compulsion
• ritual; phobia

The most likely answer is obsession; compulsion.

Borderline personality disorder is primarily associated with:

• a lack of empathy
• a genetic predisposition
• a history of trauma
• a reduced physical response to anxiety

The most likely answer is a history of trauma.

In order to meet the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5, people with bipolar I disorder must experience:

• a major depressive episode.
• both mania and a major depressive episode.
• either mania or a major depressive episode.
• mania only.

The most likely answer is mania only.

Malcolm worries that shaking hands with strangers will infect him with germs. Therefore, he washes his hands after every time he meets someone new. Malcolm is displaying signs of:

• agoraphobia.
• obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• panic attacks.
• social phobia.

The most likely answer is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

When Valerie leaves her house, she experiences unwelcome thoughts that make her nervous, so she engages in repetitive behaviors that make her feel calmer so she can get into her car. Based on this, Valerie is most likely to be diagnosed with:

• obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• social phobia.
• panic attacks.
• generalized anxiety disorder.

The most likely answer is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dwight is very apathetic toward others. He does not show much outward emotion, his speech is slow, and he speaks in a monotone. If Dwight has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, then what he is displaying are ______ symptoms.

• positive
• negative
• delusional
• disorganized

The most likely answer is negative.

Simon is certain that every time he unlocks his front door, he is actually being tricked into opening up his mind to allow aliens to spy on his thoughts. Simon is most likely experiencing which type of delusion?

• guilt
• referential
• control
• persecution

The most likely answer is control.

The most likely reason for the dramatic increase in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is:

• greater awareness of symptoms and broader application of the diagnosis to a wider array of behaviors.
• chemicals used in the processing and delivery of vaccinations given to children.
• couples having their first child are older now than in past generations.
• lead contamination in municipal water supplies in many locales.

The most likely answer is greater awareness of symptoms and broader application of the diagnosis to a wider array of behaviors.

Impetigo is caused by _______.

• both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• Staphylococcus aureus

The most likely answer is both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

The question asks about the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for bipolar disorder, despite it being generally not as effective as psychotropic medications. The options provided are:

1. Prevent derealization as a result of mania.
2. Diagnose bipolar disorder and rule out other disorders.
3. Educate the family of a person with bipolar disorder.
4. Help clients stay on their medication.

The correct answer is help clients stay on their medication.

The question describes a friend using a fear hierarchy in a therapy session. The options provided are:

1. Learning how to relax gradually when exposed to a fearful stimulus.
2. Intentionally exposing himself to his greatest fears all at once.
3. Encouraging others to face their biggest fears.
4. Making a list of fearful situations in ascending order.

The correct answer is making a list of fearful situations in ascending order.

The question asks about the most effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The options provided are:

1. Behavioral modification through the use of modeling appropriate relationships.
2. Therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques with a mindfulness approach.
3. Controlled operant procedures that help by rewarding adaptive behaviors.
4. Prescription of antipsychotic medications.

The correct answer is most likely therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques with a mindfulness approach.

The question asks about the therapy being used for a patient with borderline personality disorder who is focused on reducing radical behaviors, discussing past traumatic experiences, and helping to develop a sense of independence and self-respect. The options provided are:

1. Phototherapy.
2. Dialectical behavior therapy.
3. Operant procedures.
4. Psychotropic therapy.

The correct answer is dialectical behavior therapy.

The question asks about an advantage of group therapy, aside from low cost. The options provided are:

1. It deals exclusively with physical problems.
2. It ignores cultural differences between participants.
3. Participants can learn from each other.
4. Low cost is the only advantage of group therapy.

The correct answer is participants can learn from each other.

The question asks about Johanna, a therapist who works with clients to help them understand their problems and work toward a solution by changing their behavior. The options provided are:

1. Free association.
2. Psychotherapy.
3. Unconditional positive regard.
4. Psychoanalysis.

The correct answer is psychotherapy.

The question asks about a psychological disorder that has an optimal treatment. The options provided are:

1. Bipolar disorder.
2. Schizophrenia.
3. PTSD.
4. Autism spectrum disorder.

The correct answer is PTSD.

The question describes Garrett’s behavior, indicating possible psychotic symptoms such as thinking his neighbor’s dog is sending him coded messages. The options for treatment are:

1. Cognitive therapy.
2. Lithium.
3. Antipsychotic medication.
4. Phototherapy.

The correct answer is antipsychotic medication.

The question asks about how Olga knows her therapist is using client-centered therapy. The options provided are:

1. Interprets Olga’s dreams to understand her unconscious conflicts.
2. Uses direct suggestions for how Olga could behave in more adaptive ways.
3. Gets Olga to understand the perspective of others so she can be more empathetic.
4. Helps Olga understand herself better by listening to and clarifying Olga’s feelings.

The correct answer is helps Olga understand herself better by listening to and clarifying Olga’s feelings.

The question asks about the most suitable treatment for Dallas, who believes he will never be successful or likable enough and needs to exchange his negative and unrealistic beliefs for more realistic ones. The options provided are:

1. Unconditional positive regard.
2. Psychoanalysis.
3. Cognitive restructuring.
4. A systems approach.

The correct answer is cognitive restructuring.

The question asks how Zac’s therapist will modify his behavior during treatment to reduce his hyperactivity and increase his ability to pay attention. The options provided are:

1. Eliciting his undesirable behavior to understand his thought processes.
2. Getting him to model correct behavior.
3. Helping him to recognize and understand the motives for his bad behavior.
4. Reinforcing his desirable behavior.

The correct answer is reinforcing his desirable behavior.

The question asks about how psychological treatments need to be validated. The options provided are:

1. Faith and tradition.
2. Empirical research.
3. “Fringe” therapies.
4. Trial and error.

The correct answer is empirical research.

The question asks about the therapeutic approach being used by Jenny’s therapist, who is warm and empathetic, encourages Jenny to express her thoughts and feelings about her eating issues, and does not judge or criticize anything she says. The options provided are:

1. Cognitive-behavioral.
2. Psychoanalytic.
3. Rational-emotive.
4. Client-centered.

The correct answer is client-centered.

The question asks which action Fabricio, who has a PhD in clinical psychology, cannot perform in most states. The options provided are:

1. Work in a hospital setting.
2. Own a private practice.
3. Prescribe drugs for mental health problems.
4. Conduct research on his therapy techniques.

The correct answer is prescribe drugs for mental health problems.

The question asks about the effectiveness of psychotherapy treatments for adolescent depression. The options provided are:

1. Quite effective on their own, but they are time-consuming.
2. Ineffective.
3. Seldom effective unless used in combination with drugs.
4. About three times more effective as a treatment than drugs alone.

The correct answer is quite effective on their own, but they are time-consuming.