Q&A Hero

Q: Denise Kandel is most likely to argue that: A. a predisposition toward deviance may be inherited. B. biologically based differences account for differences in arousal and sensation-seeking. C. defiance develops in deviance-prone children who are reared in hostile environments. D. involvement in a given problem behavior may lead to involvement in other problem behaviors.

Q: According to social control theory, delinquency is caused by: A. unconventionality in the adolescent's personality. B. an inherited predisposition toward deviance. C. biologically based differences in arousal and sensation-seeking. D. a lack of bonds to the family, the school, or the workplace.

Q: What would a social control theorist say about an adolescent who engages in risk-taking behavior? A. They have a biological predisposition toward risky behavior. B. They are inherently unconventional. C. They have a weak attachment to society. D. They have authoritarian parents.

Q: Alice has a substance abuse problem. Which of the following problems is she also likely to have? A. internalizing disorder B. externalizing disorder C. Both of the above D. None of the above

Q: Christi suffers from depression. She also gets in fights at school to express her anger and sadness. Christi's problems fall into which category? A. internalizing disorder B. externalizing disorder C. comorbidity D. substance abuse

Q: Since 1991, a survey assessing 8th graders', 10th graders', and high school seniors' use and abuse of a variety of drugs has been distributed to a nationwide sample every year. The name of this survey is: A. Examining the Future. B. Monitoring Tomorrow. C. Monitoring the Future. D. Focus on the Future.

Q: Denise has just been caught vandalizing for the fourth time this year. What is probably true of her early home and school life? A. Her problems have emerged only during adolescence. B. Her early home and school life were average. C. She probably had problems at home and school at an early age. D. Home and school life have not been shown to be connected to delinquency.

Q: Which of the following adolescent problems is likely to be resolved by adulthood? A. substance abuse B. delinquency C. unemployment D. All of the above

Q: Peter's parents are worried that their son is drinking too much. They think his alcohol use might turn into a long-term problem. Which theory best illustrates the nature of adolescent drug use? A. Many problems experienced by adolescents are relatively transitory in nature. B. Adolescent alcohol use is the first sign of long-term problems with drugs. C. Adolescent alcohol use is a clear indication of permissive parenting techniques. D. None of the above are true.

Q: Carol has just learned that her son, Mike, has been caught shoplifting for the fifth time. Carol told the police that Mike is just reacting to the stress of going through puberty. How accurate is Carol's idea? A. Carol is probably correct; adolescence is a very confusing time. B. Adolescent stress can only be part of the problem. There must be some problems at home as well. C. Carol is incorrect. Problem behavior is virtually never a direct consequence of going through the normative adolescent changes. D. Mike's problem behavior is difficult to trace to just one cause.

Q: Which of the following is the best explanation of problem behavior during adolescence? A. Problem behavior is the result of the hormonal changes that accompany puberty. B. Problem behavior is a manifestation of an inherent need to rebel against authority that is common during adolescence. C. Problem behavior results from having an identity crisis. D. Problem behavior is likely to be a sign that something is wrong.

Q: Dara suffers from depression. What type of disorder does depression reflect? A. an externalizing disorder B. a psychosomatic disorder C. an internalizing disorder D. a personality disorder

Q: Theodore has been referred to as an "acting-out" adolescent. He engages in delinquent behavior. Theodore is most likely exhibiting: A. externalizing symptomatology. B. psychosomatic symptomatology. C. internalizing symptomatology. D. psychopathological symptomatology.

Q: _______________ is an example of an internalizing disorder; _______________ is an example of an externalizing disorder. A. Depression; psychosomatic disturbance B. Anxiety; delinquency C. Drug and alcohol abuse; delinquency D. Truancy; psychosomatic disturbance

Q: Bobbie Jo's employer has been sexually harassing her. Bobby Jo has decided to find a new job, which she will start next week, and she also has filed sexual harassment charges against her current employer. Bobbie Jo is using ______ strategies to deal with her stress. A. primary control B. secondary control C. emotion-focused D. scapegoating

Q: ______ strategies are more effective in situations that are clearly uncontrollable; ______ strategies generally result in better adjustment, less depression, and fewer behavior problems. A. Primary; primary B. Primary; secondary C. Secondary; secondary D. Secondary; primary

Q: Discuss several points of confusion that often surface in discussions of adolescent problem behavior and that lead to exaggerations of its prevalence and seriousness.

Q: Why might females be at an increased risk for depression during adolescence?

Q: Which scenario best represents adolescent alcohol use in today's society? A. Dahlia started using alcohol at age 17 and by age 19 had stopped drinking completely. B. Brian first tried alcohol as an early adolescent and now, at 17, uses it only occasionally. C. Julia, a high school senior, has never tried alcohol. D. Michael, a 13-year-old, drinks alcohol almost every day with his friends.

Q: You are a school counselor. One day, an early adolescent is brought into your office by his concerned parents because he has been acting up. They want to know if this problem behavior will progress into adulthood. What can you tell them about Moffitt's (2006) two types of adolescent offenders to answer their questions?

Q: You have been asked to address a group of parents, teachers, and high school administrators concerning the prevention and treatment of substance use and abuse. They want to discuss what attempts have not worked (so they can avoid them), as well as what has been effective in preventing what they see as an epidemic of drug use. What will you tell them?

Q: You've gone to a friend's house for a study session and, when you come into the living room, you hear some of your classmates arguing about how minorities are "ruining" our country. They claim that most crimes are committed by ethnic minorities and that non-minorities end up being the victims of their violence. How can you set them straight?

Q: You overhear two of your classmates talking about Mona, another classmate that has been diagnosed with depression. One of your classmates contends that the root of Mona's depression is biological, since her mother is also clinically depressed. However, your other classmate argues that Mona is depressed because her parents are going through a divorce. With whom do you agree? How can research inform this debate?

Q: According to the textbook, all of the following are factors that affect an individual's vulnerability to the negative effects of stress, except: A. number of stressors. B. internal or external resources. C. emotional reactivity. D. coping strategies.

Q: Both Yvette and Becky have parents who are currently getting divorced. Yvette also has to move into a different house. Which adolescent is at higher risk for developing psychological problems? A. Becky. B. Yvette. C. Both girls have high risk. D. This cannot be predicted.

Q: One explanation for girls' greater susceptibility to internalizing problems such as depression emphasizes their greater orientation toward and sensitivity to interpersonal relationships. Specifically, gender differences in the level of the hormone ________ may play a role in making females both more invested in close relationships, and more vulnerable to adverse consequences of interpersonal problems. A. dopamine B. serotonin C. oxytocin D. leptin

Q: Many experts endorse a model of depression that suggests individuals who are predisposed toward internalizing problems will develop depression when they are exposed to chronic or acute stressors. This is called: A. emotion-focused coping. B. the diathesis-stress model. C. epidemiology. D. problem behavior theory.

Q: Research has identified all but which of the following as risk factors for suicide attempts during adolescence: A. experiencing extensive family conflict. B. being under stress. C. having a psychiatric problem. D. All of the above.

Q: To treat depression, anxiety disorders, and social phobia in adolescence, a class of drugs known as ________ has been shown to be effective. A. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) B. selective dopamine blockers (SDBs) C. selective norephinephric inhibitors (SNEIs) D. selective melatonin reuptake inhibitors (SMRIs)

Q: Antisocial behavior in adolescence can take all but which of the following forms? A. overt antisocial behavior B. covert antisocial behavior C. authority conflict behavior D. implicit antisocial behavior

Q: Which of the following would be considered the least effective method for treating depression? A. behavioral psychotherapy B. insight-oriented psychotherapy C. cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy D. use of medications such as SSRIs

Q: Depression is the most common internalizing disorder of adolescence and afflicts approximately: A. 25% of individuals B. 10% of individuals C. 50% of individuals D. 65% of individuals

Q: Margaret has been able to withstand many stressors in her life without showing negative effects. It is likely that Margaret is: A. resilient. B. internalizing. C. externalizing. D. using withdrawal strategies.

Q: While Alan is waiting in line for tickets to the show, the man behind him bumps into him. Even though the man apologizes, Alan becomes extremely upset and pushes him back. Alan is probably suffering from: A. attention deficit disorder. B. negative affectivity disorder. C. hostile attributional bias. D. status offense syndrome.

Q: Which of the following is a stable trait over childhood? A. aggressiveness B. impulsivity C. hyperactivity D. all of the above are stable traits over childhood

Q: Which type of treatment program has been most effective for serious chronic juvenile offenders? A. psychotherapy and group therapy B. diversion programs C. boot camps that group antisocial youth together D. evidence-based practices

Q: Which type of intervention has been effective for adolescent-limited offenders? A. teaching them how to resist peer pressure and settle conflict without resorting to aggression B. training parents to monitor their children effectively C. making sure adolescents know that misbehavior has serious consequences D. a combination of all of the above

Q: Which would be considered a cognitive symptom of depression? A. dejection B. apathy C. pessimism D. fatigue

Q: Which of the following is not one of the problems in diagnosing depression in adolescence? A. depression during adolescence is often accompanied by other psychosocial or behavioral problems, including anxiety, phobias, psychosomatic complaints, and substance abuse B. many professionals have been tempted to attribute nearly all observable difficulties in adolescence to unseen depression C. the popular stereotype of adolescents as normally disturbed leads many parents and teachers to fail to recognize genuine psychological problems when they appear D. depression is a complex disorder that requires blood tests to fully diagnose the disorder.

Q: According to recent research, what percent of adolescents have attempted suicide? A. fewer than 1% of both males and females B. approximately 10% of females and 5% of males C. approximately 5% of females and 10% of males D. approximately 20% of females and 25% of males

Q: Which of the following statements about suicide is false? A. suicide is a much more common cause of death among adults than young people because very few suicide attempts by adolescents are successful. B. the rate of attempted suicide is higher among females than males. C. the suicide rate among 15 to 19-year-olds increased alarmingly between 1950 and 1990. D. Suicide is a much more common cause of death among adolescents than adults.

Q: As a child, Carlos had a hard time sitting still and was highly aggressive. As an adolescent, he is extremely impulsive and is more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. Carlos probably suffers from: A. antisocial nervosa. B. obsessive/compulsive disorder. C. attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. D. oppositional defiant disorder.

Q: Professor Farr is studying the individual characteristics of young children that may predict development of delinquency in adolescence. The best predictors of later delinquency that Professor Farr will find include all of the following, except: A. a history of aggressive and antisocial behavior. B. problems in self-regulation. C. high scores on standardized intelligence tests. D. a history of poor relations with peers.

Q: The tendency to interpret ambiguous interactions with others as deliberately antagonistic is called: A. attention deficit disorder. B. negative affectivity. C. hostile attributional bias. D. oppositional defiant disorder.

Q: A look at the commission of violent crimes by adolescents in the United States shows all of the following, except: A. from 1965 to 1988, arrests for the most serious violent crimes increased substantially. B. from 1965 to 1988, the average age at which individuals were arrested for violent crimes fell. C. from 1993 to the present, youth violence has increased dramatically. D. almost one-third of arrests for serious crimes involves suspects under 18.

Q: Kristin has just been the victim of a mugging. Her parents are concerned about how she will react to the crime. What problem(s) is(are) Kristin likely to report? A. sleep deprivation. B. depressed mood. C. academic problems. D. All of the above.

Q: Who is the most likely to be a victim of a violent crime? A. Jeffrey, a Black adolescent living in the suburbs B. Rose, an elderly White woman living in a large city C. Elaine, a White adolescent living in the country D. Mitch, a Hispanic adolescent living in the inner city

Q: Which of the following is not a category of externalizing problems during adolescence? A. conduct disorder B. delinquency C. substance use D. aggression

Q: Confidential surveys of adolescents suggest all of the following, except: A. between 60 and 80% of adolescents have engaged in delinquent behavior at one time or another. B. ethnic differences in the prevalence of delinquent and criminal activity are greater than what would be expected from information in official records. C. one-third of adolescents in high socioeconomic neighborhoods report involvement in violence and serious delinquency. D. nearly half of all males report being responsible for an assault sometime during adolescence.

Q: In general, the earlier an adolescent's criminal career begins: A. the easier it is for that person to be treated. B. the more likely the adolescent is to stop the criminal behavior on his or her own. C. the less likely he or she is to be arrested. D. the more likely he or she is to become a chronic offender.

Q: Vince engaged in delinquency as an adolescent and has continued to be in trouble with the law ever since. Vince would be characterized as a _____ offender. A. life-course-persistent B. comorbid C. externalizing D. adolescent limited

Q: Some people who are delinquent as adolescents grow up to be law-abiding adults. What type of pattern is this? A. transitory delinquency B. negative affectivity C. diathesis-stress model D. adolescent limited offender

Q: When contrasting life-course-persistent offenders with adolescent-limited offenders, researchers agree that: A. both types of offenders have similar antecedents but different outcomes. B. the causes and consequences of the two are very different. C. although males and females are equally as likely to be adolescent-limited offenders, males are more likely to be life-course-persistent offenders. D. the risk factors for life-course-persistent offenders differ for males and females.

Q: The main antecedents of chronic delinquency appear to be rooted in: A. relations with peers during childhood. B. relations with parents during childhood. C. academic failure in junior high school. D. pessimistic attitudes about employment prospects.

Q: The biologically based psychological disorder characterized by impulsiveness, inattentiveness, restlessness, and inappropriately high levels of activity is called: A. schizophrenia. B. nervosa. C. attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. D. oppositional defiant disorder.

Q: Which of the following would be considered a status offense? A. using cocaine B. truancy C. vandalizing property D. All of the above

Q: Individuals under the age of 18 account for approximately _____ of violent crime in the United States. A. one-quarter B. one-sixth C. one-half D. two-thirds

Q: Cliff is 16 years old, is truant from school, drinks alcohol regularly, and has run away from home. Legally speaking, Cliff is a(n): A. ADHD child. B. habitual criminal. C. sociopath. D. status offender.

Q: Ricky is 16 years old, yet he is just a freshman in high school because he was held back a grade in elementary school. Recently, Ricky has decided to drop out of school. Discuss the likely origins of his decision and the general factors that lead students to drop out, and give your thoughts on what may be done to keep students like Ricky in school.

Q: You have been approached by the head of a relatively poor (lower socioeconomic status) school district to help them understand why their students are not performing as well as students from other, more affluent communities. The goal, of course, would be to overcome the problems and help these students become more successful. What information can you share to both explain the tendency of more affluent children to have greater educational achievement, and to offer suggestions for how to combat this disparity in the lower SES school district?

Q: Mathew is calm during exams and works hard on all school assignmentseven when assignments are not going to be graded. However, his girlfriend, Maria, tends to have high feelings of anxiety in evaluative situations (especially when dealing with new information) and often performs poorly because of this anxiety. Discuss the underlying issues you think are most likely causing these two behavioral profiles and how these issues are related. Additionally, why do you think Mathew and Maria have developed these idiosyncrasies?

Q: Which of the following is a likely reason that Black youngsters have a lower rate of drinking than their White counterparts? A. They don't have money to purchase alcohol. B. They are biologically unable to process alcohol. C. Their parents are less likely to drink and tolerate drinking. D. Their celebrity role models do not drink.

Q: Which of the following methods has been found to be effective in reducing adolescent drug and alcohol use? A. drug and alcohol education B. raising the price of alcohol and cigarettes C. scare tactics D. laws restricting the sale of these items to minors

Q: Which factor is not focused on in the prevention of substance use and abuse among teenagers? A. the supply of drugs B. the environment in which teenagers may be exposed to drugs C. characteristics of the potential drug user D. family characteristics

Q: Evaluations of drug prevention programs have found that: A. these programs are largely ineffective. B. these programs are more effective for changing adolescents' sexual behaviors than their drug use. C. scare tactics are more effective in changing behavior than rational information. D. random drug testing in schools has been the only effective strategy for reducing adolescents' use of drugs.

Q: Young people who abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are more likely to experience all of the following, except: A. increased popularity B. suffer from psychological distress C. become involved in dangerous or deviant activities D. engage in unprotected sexual activities

Q: Which prevention program is most likely to be successful? A. one that focuses on community-wide intervention aimed at adolescents B. one that focuses on social competence training C. one that focuses on community-wide intervention aimed at parents and teachers D. one that focuses on all of the above-mentioned components

Q: Evaluations of adolescent treatment programs suggest: A. placing adolescents who experiment with drugs into treatment programs has been effective in preventing escalation to drug abuse. B. drug treatment programs for adolescent substance abuse are more effective when the adolescent's family is involved in therapy with the adolescent. C. the most effective programs are those that deal with substance abusing adolescents in a private setting, away from their families and friends. D. most substance abuse treatment programs for adolescents have strict admission guidelines so they only accept adolescents who are seriously abusing drugs.

Q: According to the textbook, young people who abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are more likely as adults to experience all of the following except: A. physical health problems B. unemployment C. out-of-wedlock childbearing D. increases in externalizing behaviors

Q: According to the textbook, which of the following is the main reason experts advise against applying the term "psychopath" to people under 18? A. most young people who engage in antisocial behavior as teenagers do no continue to do so after their mid-20s. B. those with a "psychopath" label are likely to receive lesser sentences. C. it is very rare for youths to exhibit any psychopathic traits. D. none of the aboveexperts encourage the use of psychopaths as another dimension of antisociality.

Q: As you come into the campus cafeteria you join your friends who are discussing how occupational choices are made. One friend believes that we choose our careers based on the importance we place on various work rewards, a second says we are pushed into our jobs through the social influence of parents and peers, and a third says there are much more potent forces in the broader social environment that affect where we end up occupationally. They ask you what you thinkhow do you respond?

Q: Which work values are most likely to remain strong over the course of young adulthood, as other work values decline? A. extrinsic B. altruistic C. intrinsic D. social rewards of the job

Q: Which work values decline most dramatically with age? A. extrinsic, altruistic, and social rewards B. intrinsic, leisure, and job security C. extrinsic, social rewards, job security D. altruistic, influence, and intrinsic

Q: According to the textbook, which of the following is not a limitation to theories of career choice that are based solely on reward preference assessed in adolescence? A. interests and abilities are not fixed during adolescence. B. they may underestimate the importance of other factors that influence and shape vocational decisions (e.g., the social context). C. many career decisions are influenced more by individuals' beliefs about what sorts of jobs are accessible or "appropriate" for them than by their interests and preferences. D. all of the above are important limitations to theories of career choice that are based solely on reward preference assessed in adolescence.

Q: Which statement represents an important goal of career educators helping adolescents with their future plans? A. Help adolescents find a job right after high school. B. Help adolescents achieve the highest score possible on the SATs. C. Help adolescents make informed choices about their career and free them from stereotypes that constrain their choices. D. Help adolescents form lasting relationships with teachers and administrators.

Q: According to the textbook, which of the following is a reason that career counselors (especially on college campuses) have come to play an increasingly important role individuals' career decision-making? A. the labor market is changing so quickly that it is difficult for adolescents to obtain accurate information about careers from their families. B. new government subsidized programs that require career counselors to do so. C. adolescents have become apathetic about career choices and want others to decide their careers for them. D. none of the above. According to the textbook, career counselors are useless.

Q: As a guidance counselor at a large public high school, you notice that achievement test scores are very low. From your knowledge of the recent research, suggest the four main reasons for this disturbing fact.

Q: Michael and Selma are the parents of 13-year-old Luisa. They understand that the home environment they create can affect their daughter's achievement. What steps can they take to positively influence Luisa's achievement?

Q: According to the textbook, all of the following are reasons that adolescents' ambitions are consonant with the socioeconomic status of those around them, except: A. occupational attainment depends strongly on educational attainment and educational attainment is greatly influenced by socioeconomic status B. middle-class parents are more likely to raise their children in ways that foster the development of strong achievement orientation and career exploration C. parents, siblings, and other important sources of influence serve as models for adolescents' occupational choices D. many employers won't higher people from certain SES groups

Q: High school dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to do all of the following, except: A. experience poverty and unemployment. B. become pregnant. C. begin working earlier. D. be involved in criminal activity.