Psychotherapies — MCQs

Psychotherapies Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 91: Who gave the concept of unconscious part of mind?

A. Erikson
B. Lorenz
C. Freud (Correct Answer)
D. Piaget

Explanation: ***Freud*** - **Sigmund Freud** is widely recognized as the founder of psychoanalysis and the theorist who extensively explored the concept of the **unconscious mind**. - He proposed that the unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are outside of conscious awareness but still influence behavior. *Erikson* - **Erik Erikson** developed a theory of **psychosocial development**, focusing on the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan. - While he was a psychoanalyst and influenced by Freud, his primary contribution was not the original concept of the unconscious mind. *Lorenz* - **Konrad Lorenz** was an **ethologist**, known for his studies on animal behavior, particularly **imprinting** in geese. - His work focused on innate behavioral patterns and had little to do with the human unconscious mind. *Piaget* - **Jean Piaget** was a developmental psychologist known for his theory of **cognitive development** in children. - His work explored how children construct their understanding of the world, focusing on conscious thought processes rather than the unconscious.

Question 92: The concept of extinction in operant conditioning was extensively described by

A. Skinner (Correct Answer)
B. Bleuler
C. Morel
D. Schneider

Explanation: ***Skinner*** - **B.F. Skinner** extensively studied **operant conditioning**, where behaviors are modified by their consequences, and comprehensively described **extinction** as the gradual weakening and disappearance of a learned behavior when reinforcement is withdrawn. - His systematic research on schedules of reinforcement and the principles of operant learning provides the comprehensive framework for understanding how operant behaviors are learned, maintained, and ultimately extinguished. - While Pavlov first described extinction in classical conditioning, Skinner's work definitively established extinction principles in operant conditioning. *Bleuler* - **Eugen Bleuler** was a Swiss psychiatrist who introduced the term **schizophrenia** and described its fundamental symptoms (the "four A's": associations, affect, ambivalence, autism). - His primary focus was on severe mental illnesses and their conceptualization, not on basic behavioral learning processes like extinction. *Morel* - **Bénédict Morel** was a French psychiatrist who coined the term **dementia praecox**, an earlier concept related to what would later be called schizophrenia. - His contributions were primarily in the early classification and understanding of psychotic disorders, not in the field of behavioral psychology or learning theory. *Schneider* - **Kurt Schneider** was a German psychiatrist known for his list of **first-rank symptoms of schizophrenia**, which include specific types of hallucinations and delusions. - While his work is significant in clinical psychiatry, it does not involve the study of behavioral principles like extinction.

Question 93: Joseph Wolpe developed the following behaviour management technique -

A. Flooding
B. Aversion therapy
C. Desensitization (Correct Answer)
D. Modeling

Explanation: ***Desensitization*** - **Joseph Wolpe** is credited with developing **systematic desensitization** in the 1950s, a behavior therapy technique used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders. - This technique involves **gradually exposing** an individual to a feared object or situation in a **hierarchical manner** while teaching them **relaxation techniques** (such as progressive muscle relaxation) to overcome anxiety responses. - Based on the principle of **reciprocal inhibition** - the idea that relaxation and anxiety are incompatible responses. *Flooding* - **Flooding** is an exposure-based behavioral technique where the patient is exposed to the **most feared stimulus immediately** at full intensity, rather than gradually. - While also an exposure therapy, it differs from Wolpe's systematic desensitization as it involves **intense, prolonged exposure** without gradual progression. - Associated with **Thomas Stampfl** and is also called **implosion therapy** when done imaginally. *Aversion therapy* - **Aversion therapy** is a behavioral technique that pairs an **undesirable behavior with an unpleasant stimulus** to reduce that behavior. - Used historically for conditions like alcoholism and smoking cessation, but not developed by Wolpe. - Based on **classical conditioning** principles but uses punishment rather than gradual exposure and relaxation. *Modeling* - **Modeling** (observational learning or vicarious learning) is a behavior management technique where an individual learns by observing others. - Extensively studied by **Albert Bandura** through his social learning theory and famous Bobo doll experiments. - Often used to teach new behaviors or reduce fears by observing a fearless peer or model, but this is not Wolpe's primary contribution.

Question 94: In which therapeutic approach do both the patient and psychotherapist actively participate?

A. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Psychodynamic psychotherapy (Correct Answer)
D. All of the options

Explanation: ***Psychodynamic psychotherapy*** - This approach involves **active, collaborative participation** from both the patient and the therapist in exploring emotional conflicts and interpersonal patterns. - The therapy is conducted **face-to-face** with bidirectional dialogue, where both parties actively engage in the therapeutic process. - The therapist takes an **active role** in questioning, clarifying, and interpreting, while the patient actively participates in discussions about their experiences. *Psychoanalytic psychotherapy* - This is also an **interactive approach** where both patient and therapist actively participate, distinguishing it from classical psychoanalysis. - It involves **face-to-face sessions** with active dialogue and collaboration between patient and therapist. - **Note:** In modern practice, the distinction between psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy has become blurred, and both involve active participation. *Psychoanalysis* - This is the **classical Freudian approach** where the patient lies on a couch and free associates, with the analyst maintaining a position of **neutrality and anonymity**. - The analyst offers **infrequent interpretations** and maintains minimal interaction, making it less actively collaborative compared to psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy. - This represents the **least interactive** of the psychoanalytically-oriented therapies. *All of the options* - While psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy both involve active participation, **classical psychoanalysis** does not emphasize active bidirectional collaboration in the same way. - The key distinction is that psychoanalysis maintains therapist neutrality with minimal active engagement, whereas psychodynamic psychotherapy specifically emphasizes **mutual, active participation** in the therapeutic process.

Question 95: Cognitive behavior therapy deals with:

A. Only maladaptive thoughts
B. Thoughts and behaviors (Correct Answer)
C. Only problematic behaviors
D. Unconscious conflicts and past experiences

Explanation: ***Thoughts and behaviors*** - **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** specifically targets and modifies both **maladaptive thought patterns** and **unhelpful behaviors**. - The core principle is that feelings and behaviors are significantly influenced by how an individual thinks about themselves, others, and the world. *Only maladaptive thoughts* - While CBT heavily focuses on **maladaptive thoughts** (cognitions), it also directly addresses **behaviors**. - Changing thoughts alone without addressing associated behaviors would be an incomplete therapeutic approach within CBT. *Only problematic behaviors* - Focusing solely on **problematic behaviors** would align more with traditional behavioral therapy. - CBT integrates cognitive restructuring with behavioral techniques, recognizing the interplay between thoughts and actions. *Unconscious conflicts and past experiences* - This description is characteristic of **psychodynamic therapy** or psychoanalysis, which delve into **unconscious conflicts** and the impact of past experiences on current functioning. - CBT is primarily present-focused and deals with conscious thought processes and current behaviors, rather than deep exploration of the unconscious.

Question 96: A patient with contamination phobia was asked by the therapist to follow behind and touch everything he touches in the patient's house. The therapist kept talking quietly and calmly all the time. The patient was asked to repeat the procedure twice daily. What is the procedure?

A. Flooding
B. Positive reinforcement
C. Aversion therapy
D. Modelling (Correct Answer)

Explanation: *** Modelling*** - **Modelling** involves a therapist demonstrating a desired behavior, which the patient then imitates, as seen when the patient is asked to follow and touch what the therapist touches. - The therapist's **calm demeanor** and **quiet talking** during the procedure further illustrate the therapist modeling calm behavior in the face of the patient's phobia. *Flooding* - **Flooding** involves exposing the patient to a feared object or situation all at once and preventing an escape or avoidance response until the anxiety subsides. - This scenario involves observing and imitating the therapist rather than direct, prolonged, and inescapable exposure to the feared stimulus. *Positive reinforcement* - **Positive reinforcement** involves adding a desirable stimulus after a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. - While the procedure aims to change behavior, the description does not mention any reward being given for touching objects. *Aversion therapy* - **Aversion therapy** pairs an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant stimulus to reduce the frequency of that behavior. - This technique is focused on increasing a desired behavior (touching objects) through imitation, rather than reducing an undesirable one through punishment.

Question 97: Many of our bad habits of day to day life can be removed by:

A. Using biofeedback techniques
B. Applying learned behaviors to new contexts
C. Reinforcing good behaviors with rewards
D. Associating bad habits with unpleasant outcomes (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Associating bad habits with unpleasant outcomes*** - This technique, known as **aversion therapy**, directly links the undesirable habit with negative consequences, making the habit less appealing to the individual. - By creating an unpleasant association, the brain starts to avoid the habit to prevent the expected negative outcome. *Using biofeedback techniques* - **Biofeedback** involves monitoring physiological responses to gain conscious control over involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate or muscle tension. - While helpful for stress reduction or managing certain physical conditions, it is not a primary method for directly removing behavioral bad habits. *Applying learned behaviors to new contexts* - This describes **generalization**, where skills learned in one situation are transferred to another. - While important for skill development, it does not directly address the mechanism for *removing* bad habits; rather, it extends good habits or coping strategies. *Reinforcing good behaviors with rewards* - **Positive reinforcement** strengthens desired behaviors by providing rewards, encouraging their repetition. - While effective for building good habits, it doesn't directly dismantle existing *bad* habits, though it can indirectly replace them over time.

Question 98: Expression and consequent release of previously repressed emotion is called as:-

A. Abreaction (Correct Answer)
B. Regression
C. Dissociation
D. All of the options

Explanation: ***Abreaction*** - **Abreaction** is the process of reliving a past traumatic experience and expressing the emotions associated with it, which were previously repressed. - This emotional release is considered a **cathartic experience** and is often therapeutic, helping to alleviate psychological symptoms. *Regression* - **Regression** is a defense mechanism characterized by returning to an earlier stage of development or a more primitive mode of functioning in response to stress. - It does not specifically involve the release of **repressed emotions**, but rather a retreat to earlier behavioral patterns. *Dissociation* - **Dissociation** involves a disruption of the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, and behavior. - While it can involve detachment from trauma, it is not primarily about the **expression and release** of previously repressed emotions. *All of the options* - This option is incorrect because while dissociation and regression are psychological phenomena, only **abreaction** specifically describes the expression and release of previously repressed emotions.

Question 99: All of the following are done in behavior therapy to increase a behavior except:

A. Negative reinforcement
B. Reward
C. Punishment (Correct Answer)
D. Positive reinforcement

Explanation: ***Punishment*** - **Punishment** is designed to **decrease** an unwanted behavior by adding an aversive stimulus (positive punishment) or removing a desirable one (negative punishment). - Unlike reinforcement, which aims to strengthen a behavior, punishment attempts to **suppress** or eliminate a behavior. - This is the only technique listed that does NOT increase behavior. *Negative reinforcement* - **Negative reinforcement** involves the **removal** of an aversive stimulus to **increase** a desired behavior. - For example, if a child cleans their room to stop their parent's nagging, cleaning is increased by the removal of the unpleasant nagging. - Despite the word "negative," this technique **increases** behavior frequency. *Positive reinforcement* - **Positive reinforcement** involves **adding** a desirable stimulus after a behavior to **increase** its future occurrence. - This is one of the most effective techniques in behavior therapy for strengthening desired behaviors. - Examples include praise, privileges, or tangible rewards following appropriate behavior. *Reward* - A **reward** is essentially a type of **positive reinforcement**, where a desirable stimulus is added after a behavior to **increase** its occurrence. - This directly incentivizes the repetition of the behavior. - The terms "reward" and "positive reinforcement" are often used interchangeably in clinical practice.

Question 100: In which of the following patients would supportive therapy be most challenging to implement effectively?

A. Patient who is severely ill and has significant ego dysfunction
B. Person who is motivated and has good self-control
C. Person with good cognitive and functional abilities
D. Patient who is severely ill and uncooperative (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Patient who is severely ill and uncooperative*** - A **severely ill** patient who is **uncooperative** presents the most **immediate and direct barrier** to implementing supportive therapy effectively. Their **active resistance** to therapeutic interventions (refusing medication, declining to engage, missing appointments) makes it practically impossible to deliver care. - **Uncooperativeness** represents active opposition to treatment, requiring resolution before any therapeutic work can proceed. Without patient engagement, even the most basic supportive interventions cannot be implemented. - While other patients may have limitations, an uncooperative patient fundamentally blocks the therapeutic alliance necessary for any psychotherapy. *Patient who is severely ill and has significant ego dysfunction* - **Ego dysfunction** (impaired reality testing, poor impulse control, weak sense of self) is indeed challenging and represents a relative contraindication to insight-oriented therapies. - However, patients with ego dysfunction may still **passively participate** in supportive therapy, especially when the therapy is structured and focused on basic stabilization rather than insight. - The key difference: ego dysfunction is a **structural limitation** requiring adaptation of technique, whereas uncooperativeness is an **active barrier** preventing any intervention. A patient with ego dysfunction can still potentially benefit from modified supportive approaches, but an uncooperative patient cannot be engaged at all. *Person who is motivated and has good self-control* - This patient would be the **easiest to treat** with supportive therapy due to their intrinsic motivation and ability to manage their own behavior. - Their **motivation** and **self-control** would facilitate adherence to treatment plans and active participation in their care, making implementation straightforward. *Person with good cognitive and functional abilities* - This patient would be **highly amenable to supportive therapy** as their cognitive and functional capacities allow them to understand and participate in treatment. - Good cognitive and functional abilities enable them to comprehend instructions, manage their own care, and engage effectively with healthcare providers, presenting minimal implementation challenges.

Practice by Chapter

Principles of Psychotherapy

Practice Questions

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Practice Questions

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Practice Questions

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Practice Questions

Supportive Psychotherapy

Practice Questions

Group Psychotherapy

Practice Questions

Family Therapy

Practice Questions

Couple Therapy

Practice Questions

Brief Psychotherapies

Practice Questions

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Practice Questions

Integration of Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy

Practice Questions

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Practices

Practice Questions

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