GRE Subject Test: Psychology : Clinical & Abnormal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Treatment Of Disorders

Which of the following therapies is associated with concepts such as “free association,” “resistance,” and “transference”?

Possible Answers:

Behavioral therapy 

Biomedical therapy

Psychoanalysis 

Cognitive therapy

Correct answer:

Psychoanalysis 

Explanation:

While some of these terms may sound medical, they belong to the techniques and concepts of psychoanalytic therapy.  The founder of psychoanalytic therapy, Sigmund Freud, was a physician. These terms express an unawareness of mental processes. Since cognitive approaches focus on what is immediately conscious and behavioral approaches avoid focusing on thoughts, they can be eliminated as possible answers.

Example Question #2 : Treatment Of Disorders

Which of the following is not one of the “necessary and specific” conditions in Person-Centered Therapy?

Possible Answers:

Empathy

Genuineness

Unconditional positive regard

Comfort

Correct answer:

Comfort

Explanation:

Carl Rogers who is the founder of Person-Centered (sometimes called Client-Centered) therapy took a humanistic approach. Humanism stresses the importance of freedom, autonomy, and the potential to grow healthily. Rogers believed only three ingredients were needed for these goals of self-actualization to be achieved. Namely, they are unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy.

Example Question #41 : Clinical & Abnormal

Which of the following treatments has been extensively researched and found to effectively treat borderline personality disorder?

Possible Answers:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Logotherapy

Feminist therapy

Rational emotive behavior therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy

Correct answer:

Dialectical behavior therapy

Explanation:

“Dialectical behavior therapy” is the most widely researched treatment for borderline personality disorder. It was developed by Marsha Linehan and includes 4 core components: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. On the other hand, “logotherapy” is an existential therapy developed by Viktor Frankl and focuses on finding meaning in life. “Cognitive behavioral therapy” is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, and looks at the impact of one's thoughts on emotions and behaviors. “Rational emotive behavior therapy” was developed by Albert Ellis and focuses on modifying irrational thoughts. “Feminist therapy” emphasizes the impact of women's social roles and includes an equal relationship between therapist and client, therapist self-disclosure, and advocating for socio-political change. 

Example Question #5 : Treatment Of Disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is least related to which of the following therapy approaches?

Possible Answers:

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Psychoanalysis

Stress inoculation training

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Relapse Prevention

Correct answer:

Psychoanalysis

Explanation:

CBT is a form of therapy that combines Aaron Beck's cognitive therapy and techniques taken from traditional behavioral approaches, like classical and operant conditioning. On the other hand, “rational emotive behavior therapy” (REBT) was developed by Albert Ellis and focuses on changing cognitions and behaviors by focusing on irrational thoughts. “Dialectical behavior therapy” (DBT) is a behavioral approach that was developed by Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder. “Relapse prevention” is an approach to addiction developed by Marlatt that views addiction as an overlearned habit. “Stress inoculation training” is an effective behavioral treatment for PTSD that focuses on cognitions, coping skills, and practice. Of all the treatments listed, “psychoanalysis” is the most unrelated. It focuses on the interactions between the id, ego, and superego, with the goal being to increase insight into the unconscious. 

Example Question #1 : Treatment Of Disorders

Cognitive behavior therapy is to changing cognition as psychoanalysis is to __________?

Possible Answers:

increasing insight

resolving a crisis

increasing repression

modifying behavior

increasing resistance

Correct answer:

increasing insight

Explanation:

The goal of cognitive behavior therapy is to modify maladaptive cognitions (thoughts). The goal of traditional psychoanalysis is to "increase insight" into the unconscious. Psychoanalysis may also work to reduce resistance to treatment, and sees resistance as an inevitable part of the process. Psychoanalysis attempts to decrease, rather than increase, the use of defense mechanisms like repression. Psychoanalysis does not directly modify behavior. Crisis intervention focuses on resolving a crisis and restoring previous functioning. 

Example Question #2 : Treatment Of Disorders

Tom has bipolar disorder, type I, with severe manic episodes. His psychiatrist is most likely to prescribe him which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Antabuse

Lithium

Focalin

Seroquel

Lexapro

Correct answer:

Lithium

Explanation:

Lithium helps treat manic episodes, which the question mentioned Tom is struggling with. It is the most common medication for mania. Antabuse is medication for alcoholism, Focalin treats ADHD, Seroquel addresses psychosis, and Lexapro deals with anxiety.

Example Question #11 : Treatment Of Disorders

Which psychotherapy was initially created as a way to treat clients with borderline personality disorder?

Possible Answers:

Person-Centered Therapy

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Cognitive Therapy (CT)

Correct answer:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Explanation:

DBT was created initially to treat BPD. This theory works best when the therapist works as part of a team so he/she can get his/her own therapy as time goes on. DBT focuses on ares where someone with BPD would struggle- building an emotional skin, regulating emotional responses, and learning good interpersonal relationship strategies.

Example Question #12 : Treatment Of Disorders

Which mode of therapy was initially created to treat depression?

Possible Answers:

Person-Centered Therapy

Existential Therapy

Cognitive Therapy 

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Correct answer:

Cognitive Therapy 

Explanation:

All of these therapies can be used to treat depression and many have research to support the effectiveness of the use; however, only one of these therapies was created intentionally to treat depression. Beck's cognitive therapy was created specifically to work with depression.

Example Question #13 : Treatment Of Disorders

Which of the following are not criteria of Roger's theory associated with therapeutic relationships?

Possible Answers:

Confrontation

Empathic understanding

Unconditional positive regard

Congruence

Correct answer:

Confrontation

Explanation:

Rogers believed therapists needed to be congruent, empathic, and should show unconditional positive regard towards clients in order for therapeutic change to occur. Rogers did not believe in confrontation. He thought this was too abrasive and would negatively impact the relationship with the client, which could drastically decrease the effectiveness of therapy.

Example Question #14 : Treatment Of Disorders

In traditional psychoanalysis, therapists must be aware of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Transference

Defense mechanisms

Countertransference

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Psychoanalytic therapists must worry about all of these. Transference is when a client transfers feelings they have for someone to the therapist (e.g. treating the therapist like they would their parent). Countertransference is when a therapist experiences feelings in reaction to the client, or when they over relate to something a client is saying. Defense mechanisms are unconscious ways of reacting to trauma or stress.

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