Psychology Concepts: Learned Helplessness & Credentialing

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary focus of clinical psychologists when examining diagnostic issues?

Studying patient satisfaction with treatment

Evaluating the effectiveness of various therapies

Assessing the economic impact of psychological disorders

Exploring the reliability of diagnostic constructs (correct)

Which journal would likely publish research related to the practices of clinical psychologists?

Journal of Clinical Psychology (correct)

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Journal of Experimental Psychology

Psychological Science

Which of the following best describes the role of clinical psychologists in the context of professional development?

They analyze psychologists' beliefs and training practices. (correct)

They have qualifications equivalent to psychiatrists.

They primarily educate the public about psychology.

They focus exclusively on clinical practice without research.

What research method involves comparing different groups to assess psychological outcomes?

Between group design Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is a focus of research pertaining to teaching and training in clinical psychology?

Effectiveness of various training philosophies Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a psychiatrist from a clinical psychologist?

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication; psychologists cannot. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method commonly employed in psychological research?

Structural equation modeling Signup and view all the answers

In what way do clinical psychologists contribute to the evolution of clinical psychology?

By validating or challenging existing diagnostic constructs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept developed from Seligman's research on learned helplessness in dogs?

A model for understanding the development of clinical depression in humans. Signup and view all the answers

What internal attribution tends to predispose individuals to depression, as discussed in Seligman's work?

Internal and stable attributions. Signup and view all the answers

What major development in the certification of psychologists occurred after World War II in the U.S.?

Every state passed legislation certifying or licensing psychologists. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary difference between a PhD in Psychology and a PsyD?

A PhD is oriented toward academic and research careers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of licensing in the context of clinical psychology?

To protect the practice of psychology itself. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the typical career paths available for those with a PsyD?

They focus on direct patient care and practical applications. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the APA's early attempts to certify individuals as consulting psychologists?

Only a limited number of psychologists received certification before the program was discontinued. Signup and view all the answers

How is certification in psychology primarily viewed in professional contexts?

As a means to protect the title 'psychologist'. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the development of the PsyD degree in the late 1960s?

To support those interested in direct clinical practice. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the training focus of a PsyD program compared to a PhD program?

PsyD programs prioritize clinical skills over research-oriented training. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following described the effect of making global attributions for failure?

It contributes to a sense of helplessness and potential depression. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors, while psychologists typically are not. Signup and view all the answers

In what setting is a PhD in Psychology most beneficial?

Academic environments focused on research and teaching. Signup and view all the answers

How do the coursework requirements typically differ between PhD and PsyD programs?

PsyD involves significantly fewer research courses than PhD. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT commonly associated with a PsyD program?

Intensive training in statistical analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What primary skill set do both PhD and PsyD programs aim to develop in students?

Clinical practice across diverse psychological settings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learned Helplessness and Depression

Seligman’s research on learned helplessness in dogs offers insights into clinical depression in humans.
Dogs in a shuttle apparatus learn that they cannot avoid electric shocks, paralleling human feelings of failure and hopelessness.
A human may develop a habit of internal, stable, and global attributions for failure, leading to a predisposition towards depression.

Credentialing in Clinical Psychology

Credentialing of practitioners is crucial in clinical psychology to ensure qualified individuals provide services and protect the public.
In 1919, the American Psychological Association initiated a certification plan for consulting psychologists, but it was not successful, leading to only 25 certifications.
Post-World War II, every U.S. state enacted legislation for the licensing of psychologists, requiring a doctoral degree and supervised experience.
Certification protects the title "psychologist," while licensing pertains to the practice of psychology itself.

PhD vs. PsyD

PhD in Psychology
- Focuses on academia and research, preparing students for diverse clinical roles.
- It requires strong research methodologies and substantial coursework in research and statistics.
PsyD (Doctor of Psychology)
- Developed in the late 1960s for those interested in clinical practice without a strong research focus.
- Requires fewer research-related courses and typically takes less time to complete.
- Prepares students for a wide range of clinical settings with an emphasis on hands-on practice.

Diagnostic Issues

Clinical psychologists investigate the validity and reliability of diagnostic constructs for psychological disorders.
Research examines disorder relationships, prevalence, and courses of disorders, often published in relevant psychology journals.

Professional Issues

Empirical research examining psychologists' beliefs, practices, and professional life aspects is conducted within the field.
Journals like Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and Journal of Clinical Psychology publish findings on these matters.

Teaching and Training Issues

Research addresses educational approaches for training future psychologists, including training philosophies and coursework effectiveness.
Key journals focus on training issues, such as Training and Education in Professional Psychology and Teaching of Psychology.

Research Methods in Psychology

Psychologists employ various research methods such as:
- Experimental Method
- Quasi-Experiments
- Between-group and within-group designs
- Analogue Design
- Correlational Methods
- Case Studies
- Meta-Analysis

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in psychology, focusing on learned helplessness as presented by Martin Seligman and the history of credentialing in clinical psychology. It discusses the implications of these concepts on mental health and the establishment of professional standards in the field.