Psychology Quiz: Psychotherapy Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary objective of interpreting conflicts, defences, and compromise-formations in psychodynamic technique?

To identify the underlying causes of psychological distress (correct)

To develop a therapeutic relationship with the patient

To provide emotional support to the patient

To prescribe medication for the patient's symptoms

What is the advantage of a therapist making psychological inferences in interpretation?

The therapist is more empathetic towards the patient

The therapist is trained in making psychological inferences (correct)

The therapist is less likely to be personally biased

The therapist is more likely to prescribe medication

What is the process of systematic desensitisation designed to address?

Phobias developed through social learning

Classical conditioning of emotional responses (correct)

Unconscious conflicts and defences

Cognitive distortions and negative self-talk

What is the primary assumption behind the technique of systematic desensitisation?

That phobias can be learned through classical conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'A' refer to in Albert Ellis's ABC theory of psychopathology?

Activating conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which antidepressant medications alter mood?

By increasing the amount of serotonin and/or norepinephrine in brain synapses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of tricyclic antidepressants in treating depression?

To block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine into the presynaptic membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a situation that may involve transference?

A patient having unconscious feelings towards their therapist Signup and view all the answers

What does a patient bring to new relationships, according to psychodynamic theory?

Thoughts, feelings, fears, wishes, and conflicts from past relationships Signup and view all the answers

During a typical therapy session, what is the position of the patient and therapist?

The patient lies on the couch, and the therapist sits in a chair Signup and view all the answers

How often do patients typically see their therapist in psychodynamic therapy?

Twice a week Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the technique used in psychodynamic therapy to explore associational networks and unconscious processes involved in symptom formation?

Free association Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process whereby people experience similar thoughts, feelings, fears, wishes, and conflicts in new relationships as they did in past relationships?

Transference Signup and view all the answers

What are the three techniques used in psychodynamic psychotherapies to bring about therapeutic change?

Free association, interpretation, and analysis of transference Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the therapist in psychodynamic therapy?

To help the patient understand their experiences in a new light Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of multiple sessions in psychodynamic therapy?

To allow more time to explore associational networks Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of helping the person understand their experiences in a new light?

Interpretation Signup and view all the answers

What is the technique of exploring associational networks and unconscious processes involved in symptom formation also known as?

Detective work Signup and view all the answers

According to the psychodynamic approach, what is the term for barriers to free association or treatment that the patient creates?

resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process whereby people experience similar thoughts and feelings in new relationships as they did in past relationships?

transference Signup and view all the answers

What type of therapy involves the patient meeting with the therapist three to five times a week, lying on a couch, and using free association, interpretation, and transference?

psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

How do cognitive-behavioural therapies differ from psychodynamic therapies?

all of the options listed are differences between the two approaches Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the cognitive-behavioural technique that involves the patient gradually confronting a phobic stimulus mentally?

systematic desensitisation Signup and view all the answers

What is the assumption behind systematic desensitisation?

through classical conditioning people have associated fear with previously neutral stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between systematic desensitisation and exposure techniques?

the use of imagery versus actual stimuli Signup and view all the answers

According to the psychodynamic approach, why do patients try to avoid uncovering the event that causes their anxiety?

because it adds anxiety to their life Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of transference in psychodynamic therapy?

to allow the patient and therapist to practice working through the dynamics of an important relationship in a non-judgemental setting Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic therapies?

cognitive-behavioural therapies are not concerned with exploring underlying personality patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of flooding?

To prevent the individual from escaping the phobic stimulus until the symptoms have subsided Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using virtual reality exposure therapy?

It goes beyond simply asking the patient to visualise the phobic stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is participatory modelling?

A procedure in which the therapist demonstrates a behaviour and then encourages the patient to engage in the same behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'C' in Ellis' ABC theory of psychopathology refer to?

Emotional consequences Signup and view all the answers

What is collaborative empiricism?

A process of working together like scientists testing hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

What are automatic thoughts?

Things that people say spontaneously to themselves that can lead to irrational thoughts and feelings Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of rational-emotive behaviour therapy?

To eliminate symptoms through increased rationality Signup and view all the answers

What is the principle aim of systematic desensitisation?

To extinguish irrational fear Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between flooding and systematic desensitisation?

Systematic desensitisation involves gradual exposure to the phobic stimulus, while flooding involves immediate exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the main similarity between rational-emotive behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy?

Both propose that patients can rid themselves of most psychological problems by maximising their rational and minimising their irrational thinking Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying assumption of the technique that involves a patient gradually confronting a phobic stimulus mentally?

Through classical conditioning, phobics have learned to fear a previously neutral stimulus Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is commonly treated using both psychotherapy and a referral to a self-help group?

Alcohol dependence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the therapist in Rogerian therapy?

To demonstrate empathy and create a supportive atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy aims to help individuals get in touch with their feelings and true selves?

Humanistic therapy Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Gestalt therapy from psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Gestalt therapy does not try to explain the behaviour of a patient Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following therapies involves confronting a phobic stimulus while in a state that inhibits anxiety?

Exposure therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of therapies based on operant conditioning?

Reinforcement and punishment to modify unwanted behaviours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of the therapy devised by Albert Ellis?

Maximizing rational thinking and minimizing irrational thinking Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the therapist in Gestalt therapy?

To help the patient get in touch with their feelings and true selves Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disorders might be effectively treated using one of the exposure techniques?

Fear of flying Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for a therapist to create a supportive environment?

unconditional positive regard for the client Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic that distinguishes self-help groups from other forms of group therapy?

are generally not guided by a professional Signup and view all the answers

What type of therapy groups work on individualistic or personal problems?

heterogeneous Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between group therapy and a self-help group?

the group is often larger and not guided by a professional therapist Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of family therapy?

on both content and process Signup and view all the answers

When understanding how psychotropic medications work, what needs to be considered?

all of the above Signup and view all the answers

What do antipsychotic medications do?

all of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a serious irreversible side effect of antipsychotic drugs?

tardive dyskinesia Signup and view all the answers

What is a noteworthy side effect of SSRIs?

sexual dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What is the most noteworthy side effect of ECT?

memory loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the main side effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?

Memory loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the concept that people's fears and expectations create self-reinforcing behaviors that often lead them to get precisely what they fear?

Cyclical psychodynamics Signup and view all the answers

What type of approach to psychotherapy involves skills training?

Cognitive-behavioral Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for medications that are used to restore normal mental processes by acting on the function of the brain?

Psychotropic Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the effectiveness of therapy in the real world?

Effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the side effect of antipsychotic medications characterized by involuntary twitching?

Tardive dyskinesia Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the technique that uses real stimuli to treat patients with phobias?

Graded exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the type of therapy where the patient lies on a couch and the analyst sits behind?

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of therapy that Paula might be a good candidate for, given her difficulty coping with the death of her father?

Short-term dynamic psychotherapy Signup and view all the answers

What determines the concept of what is abnormal and what is functional behavior in any society?

The cultural context Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychodynamic Techniques

The central element of psychodynamic technique is the interpretation of conflicts, defences, and compromise-formations.
The two distinct advantages of interpretation are:
- The therapist is trained in making psychological inferences.
- The therapist is not personally embroiled in the patient's conflicts and ways of seeing reality.
Psychodynamic therapy relies on three techniques:
- Free association.
- Interpretation.
- Analysis of transference.

Cognitive-Behavioural Techniques

Systematic desensitisation is a technique that involves the patient gradually confronting a phobic stimulus mentally while in a state that inhibits anxiety.
The assumption behind desensitisation is that through classical conditioning, phobics have learned to fear what should be a neutral stimulus.
The ABC theory of psychopathology proposes that:
- A (Activating Conditions) leads to B (Belief Systems) which in turn leads to C (Emotional Consequences).
Cognitive-behavioural therapies differ from psychodynamic therapies in that:
- They are not concerned with exploring underlying personality patterns.
- They are concerned with the individual's present behaviour and not childhood experiences.
- They are more directive than psychodynamic therapies.

Transference

Transference refers to the process whereby people experience similar thoughts, feelings, fears, wishes, and conflicts in new relationships as they did in past relationships.
Transference is useful in psychodynamic therapy because it allows the patient and therapist to practice working through the dynamics of an important relationship in a non-judgemental setting.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychoanalysis is the first kind of psychotherapy developed.
Psychoanalysis involves the patient lying on a couch and normally attending three to five sessions a week.
The therapeutic process in psychoanalysis involves:
- Free association.
- Interpretation.
- Transference.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy involves the patient and therapist working together to identify and change negative thought patterns.
The goal of rational-emotive behaviour therapy is to eliminate symptoms through increased rationality.
Participatory modelling is a technique where the therapist models the desired behaviour and gradually induces the patient to participate in it.

Exposure Techniques

Systematic desensitisation involves the patient gradually confronting a phobic stimulus mentally while in a state that inhibits anxiety.
Exposure techniques present patients with the actual phobic stimulus in real life.
Flooding involves the patient confronting the phobic stimulus all at once and cannot escape the stimulus until the symptoms have abated.

Other Therapies

Gestalt therapy does not try to explain the behaviour of a patient, focusing on the present moment.
Humanistic therapy aims to help people get in touch with their feelings, with their true selves.
Self-help groups are not guided by a professional and often have many more members than therapist-guided groups.

Medications

Antidepressant medications alter mood by increasing the amount of serotonin and/or norepinephrine in brain synapses.
Tricyclic antidepressants block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine into the presynaptic membrane.
SSRIs target serotonin by preventing the reuptake into the presynaptic neuron and thereby keeping the neurotransmitter active at the synapse longer.### Family Therapy
Focus is on process as well as content
Therapist assigns tasks to carry out between sessions

Psychotropic Medications

Act at neurotransmitter sites
Some bind with postsynaptic receptors, others with presynaptic, and others at the intracellular level
Antipsychotic medications:
- Also called major tranquillisers
- Inhibit dopamine, affecting positive symptoms
- Can lead to tardive dyskinesia
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors):
- Noteworthy side effect: sexual dysfunction
ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy):
- Main side effect: memory loss

Abnormal and Functional Behavior

Determined by cultural context
Therapist must acknowledge their own cultural beliefs and attitudes in assessment

Therapy Effectiveness

Effectiveness refers to treatment outcome in the real world
Integrative approach: combines different therapeutic techniques
Cyclical psychodynamics: people's fears and expectations create self-reinforcing behaviors
Graded exposure technique: modification of flooding technique, gradually exposes patient to phobic stimulus
Skills training: cognitive-behavioral approach, draws on theories of problem-solving and self-regulation