PSYCH 111: Introduction to Psychology: Week 4 Quiz: Therapy and Treatments

The Correct Answer is:

B. Medieval priests

Medieval priests often viewed mental illness through a spiritual or supernatural lens, believing it was caused by evil spirits or demonic possession. As a result, treatment during the medieval period frequently involved harsh and inhumane practices, such as exorcisms, isolation, and punishment, rather than compassionate care.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Philippe Pinel

This is incorrect because Philippe Pinel, an 18th-century French physician, is known for reforming mental health care by promoting humane treatment, unchaining patients, and advocating for dignity and respect in asylums.

Dorothea Dix

This is incorrect because Dorothea Dix was a 19th-century American activist who fought for better treatment of individuals with mental illness and helped establish state-funded hospitals to provide humane care.

All of the above

This is incorrect because not everyone listed opposed humane treatment. While medieval priests often used outdated practices, both Pinel and Dix supported significant reforms in mental health care.

The Correct Answer is:

C. Bipolar disorder

Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, are primarily used to treat bipolar disorder, a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. These medications help regulate mood, prevent severe highs and lows, and reduce the frequency and intensity of mood episodes.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Anxiety disorders

This is incorrect because anxiety disorders are typically treated with anti-anxiety medications or certain antidepressants, not mood stabilizers like lithium.

Depression

This is incorrect because depression is commonly treated with antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. While mood stabilizers may sometimes be used alongside other medications, they are not the primary treatment for depression alone.

ADHD

This is incorrect because ADHD is primarily treated with stimulant medications such as methylphenidate or amphetamine-based drugs, as well as behavioral therapy. Mood stabilizers like lithium are not typically used for ADHD treatment.

The Correct Answer is:

D. Being a member of the ethnic majority

Being part of the ethnic majority is not typically a barrier to accessing mental health care. In many cases, individuals from majority groups often have greater access to services and face fewer cultural or systemic challenges when seeking treatment compared to minority groups.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Fears about treatment

This is incorrect because many people avoid therapy due to stigma, fear of judgment, or misconceptions about mental health treatment, making it a significant barrier.

Language

This is incorrect because language differences can make it difficult to understand diagnoses, communicate effectively, or find therapists who speak the same language, limiting access to care.

Transportation

This is incorrect because lack of reliable transportation is a major barrier, especially in rural or underserved areas where mental health facilities may be far away.

The Correct Answer is:

B. The specific therapeutic approach or method used

A treatment modality refers to the specific therapeutic approach, method, or intervention used to treat psychological disorders or improve mental health. Examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, group therapy, family therapy, and biomedical treatments like medication. The choice of modality depends on the individual’s symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment goals, and therapists often tailor approaches to best meet a client’s needs.

Why the other options are incorrect:

The number of therapy sessions

This is incorrect because the frequency or quantity of therapy sessions is part of a treatment plan but does not define the modality itself. The modality refers to how treatment is delivered, not how often.

The total cost of treatment

This is incorrect because cost is a financial factor, not a therapeutic one. While affordability can influence treatment choices, it does not define what a treatment modality is.

The location where therapy occurs

This is incorrect because the setting—such as a hospital, private practice, or online platform—relates to the delivery format, not the therapeutic approach. A single treatment modality can be applied across multiple locations.

The Correct Answer is:

A. Involuntary

Involuntary treatment occurs when an individual is legally required to participate in therapy or other mental health services, often by a court order or legal mandate. In Joey’s case, attending anger management therapy is not his choice but a condition of his sentence, making it involuntary.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Voluntary

This is incorrect because voluntary treatment occurs when an individual chooses to seek therapy on their own, which does not apply here since the court ordered Joey to attend.

Forced

This is incorrect because while “forced” might sound similar, it is not the appropriate clinical or legal term. The correct terminology used in psychology and law is involuntary treatment.

Mandatory

This is incorrect because although the treatment is court-ordered, “mandatory” is not the precise psychological term. Involuntary is the recognized term used to describe therapy required by law or authority rather than personal choice.

The Correct Answer is:

B. The therapist cannot disclose client information unless legally required or permitted

In therapy, confidentiality means that a therapist must protect the privacy of all client communications and cannot share personal information with third parties without the client’s consent. However, there are exceptions where disclosure is mandated or permitted by law, such as when there is a risk of harm to self or others, cases of child or elder abuse, or court orders requiring release of records.

Why the other options are incorrect:

The therapist can share client information freely with family members

This is incorrect because therapists cannot disclose information without the client’s written consent, unless legally required to protect safety.

Confidentiality applies only when the client requests it

This is incorrect because confidentiality is automatic and ethical, not dependent on a request. It is a fundamental part of the therapeutic relationship from the start.

Confidentiality prevents the therapist from keeping any written records

This is incorrect because therapists are allowed—and often required—to keep records for treatment and legal purposes. Confidentiality governs who can access the information, not whether records exist.

The Correct Answer is:

A. Lack of awareness about mental health services

A major limitation to therapy utilization in many communities is a lack of awareness about available mental health services and treatment options. Many individuals do not seek therapy because they are unfamiliar with where to go, what services exist, or how therapy can help. This issue is often compounded by stigma, cultural barriers, financial constraints, and limited accessibility, all of which reduce the likelihood of receiving proper care.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Too many therapy options

This is incorrect because having multiple therapy approaches—such as CBT, psychoanalysis, and group therapy—actually increases accessibility and allows treatments to be tailored to individual needs. The challenge is usually lack of options, not an overwhelming number.

Excessive advertising of treatments

This is incorrect because over-advertising is not a widespread barrier to therapy access. In fact, increased public education and awareness campaigns typically encourage more people to seek help rather than limit utilization.

Overfunded public mental health programs

This is incorrect because most communities face the opposite problem—underfunding of mental health resources, not overfunding. Limited budgets often result in fewer clinics, longer wait times, and restricted access to qualified professionals, especially in underserved areas.

The Correct Answer is:

B. To gain insight into unconscious conflicts causing current problems

Psychodynamic therapies emphasize exploring the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and unresolved conflicts that influence current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By bringing hidden issues to awareness, individuals can better understand the root causes of their struggles and work toward emotional healing. While these therapies originated from Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, modern psychodynamic approaches often adapt and simplify traditional Freudian techniques.

Why the other options are incorrect:

To modify learned behaviors through conditioning

This is incorrect because modifying learned behaviors through reinforcement and conditioning is the focus of behavioral therapy, not psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic approaches deal more with unconscious conflicts than observable behaviors.

To focus exclusively on present-day thought patterns

This is incorrect because focusing mainly on present thoughts and restructuring them is central to cognitive therapy, particularly in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Psychodynamic therapy, in contrast, places significant emphasis on past experiences and their impact on current functioning.

To eliminate the need for therapist involvement

This is incorrect because psychodynamic therapy heavily depends on the therapist-client relationship. Therapists provide interpretations, explore unconscious material, and guide clients toward insight, making therapist involvement essential for treatment success.

The Correct Answer is:

B. Antidepressant medication

Antidepressant medication is an example of a biomedical treatment because it involves using medical interventions to manage symptoms of psychological disorders. Biomedical treatments include medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety drugs, as well as procedures like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). These approaches target biological factors, such as brain chemistry and neurotransmitter imbalances, to improve mental health.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Mindfulness-based therapy

This is incorrect because mindfulness-based therapy is a psychological treatment that focuses on self-awareness, relaxation, and emotional regulation rather than biological interventions.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

This is incorrect because CBT is a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It does not involve the use of medications or direct biological interventions.

Exposure therapy

This is incorrect because exposure therapy, a form of behavioral therapy, helps individuals confront fears or phobias in a controlled environment. While effective, it is a psychological technique, not a biomedical treatment.