PSYC 515 CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ What are the thoughts on early identification of developmental disorders?.
Answer: It is the best route
◍ Describe available interventions for the Autism Spectrum Disorders and the
effectiveness of these interventions..
Answer: Psychosocial "behavioral" treatments- Skill building- Reduction of
problem behaviors- Target communication & language problems- Address
socialization deficitsBiological & medical treatments generally
unsuccessfulIntegrated treatments: The preferred modelFocus on children,
their families, schools & homeBuild in appropriate community & social
support
◍ differences/similarities of diathesis-stress model and the reciprocal
gene-environment model..
Answer: Similarities are genetic disposition and stressors both are
present.Diathesis stress model it is the combination that leads to disorder,
while in reciprocal gene environment model genetic vulnerability leads us to
seek environments that stress and that leads to disorder.
◍ What are common characteristics & treatments for specific phobias?.
Answer: Marked fear or anxiety of a specific object or situationIn kids may
be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing or clingingMost recognize fear &
avoidance are unreasonableFear or anxiety usually immediateActively
avoided or endured with intense fear or anxietyClinically significant distress
or impairment _______________Cognitive-behavior therapies are highly
effectiveExposure exercises
◍ What is the policy for late or missed exams or work?.
Answer: Refer to the syllabus for specific policies.
,◍ What are the main theories in the biological considerations for the etiology
of anxiety disorders?.
Answer: Genetic vulnerabilityAnxiety & brain circuits Depleted levels of
GABA Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) & HPA axis =cortisolLimbic
(amygdala) & the septal-hippocampal systemsBehavioral inhibition system
(BIS) AnxietyFight/flight (FF) systemsFear/panic response
◍ Describe the role of genes in absolute vs relative influence.
Answer: • Genes - long molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at
various locations on chromosomes, within the cell nucleuso Genes seldom
determine our physical development in an absolute way To some extent our
weight and even our height are affected by nutritional, social, and cultural
factors Genes do provide some boundaries to our development, exactly
where we go within these boundaries depends on environmental influences
True for most characteristics, but not all• Some characteristics are strongly
determined by one or more genes (eye color/hair color), rare disorders
(Huntington's disease)
◍ Describe the general presentation, features and treatment of social anxiety
disorder..
Answer: Marked fear or anxiety of 1+ social/performance situations in
which individual exposed to possible scrutiny by othersFears acting in a way
or show anxiety sxs that will be negatively evaluatedSocial situations almost
always provoke fear or anxietySocial situations avoided or endured with
intense fear or anxiety Fear or anxiety out of proportion to actual threat
posed by social situation & to sociocultural contextCauses clinically
significant distress or impairment
Kids________________Cognitive-behavioral therapies highly
effectiveSSRIs Paxil & Zoloft and Effexor - FDA approved Relapse high
with medication discontinuation
◍ What are some topics explored in Personality Psychology?.
Answer: Self, emotion, morality, happiness, culture, decision making,
relationships, attitudes, and beliefs.
, ◍ inverse agonists.
Answer: produce effects opposite to those produced by the
neurotransmitters.
◍ Describe how intelligence and academic functioning are used in diagnosing
a learning disorder..
Answer: difficulties learning & using academic skills by 1+ of following for
6+ mos., despite the provision of interventions that target those
difficulties.academic skills are substantially & quantifiably below those
expected for age & cause significant interference (substantially below
usually 1.5 SD)begin during school-age years but may not become fully
manifest until demands exceed limited capacitiesnot better accounted by
intellectual disabilities..etc.
◍ What are common characteristics & treatments for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)?.
Answer: Excessive anxiety (apprehensive expectation) & worry occurring
more days than not for at least 6 mos about a number of events or
activitiesDifficult to control the worry3+ sxs (kids only 1):Restlessness or
feeling keyed upBeing easily fatiguedDifficulty
concentrationIrritabilityMuscle tensionSleep disturbanceSomatic symptoms
differ from panic Psychological interventions: CBT, meditational
approachBenzodiazapines and SSRI's Combined treatments: short vs.
long-term outcomes
◍ serotonin.
Answer: regulates our behavior, moods, and thought processes. Extremely
low levels of serotonin are associated with less inhibition, with instability,
impulsivity, and a tendency to overreact.
◍ different type of ADHD.
Answer: 314.00 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly
Inattentive presentationSymptoms of inattention 314.01
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly
Hyperactive/Impulsive PresentationSymptoms of hyperactivity &
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ What are the thoughts on early identification of developmental disorders?.
Answer: It is the best route
◍ Describe available interventions for the Autism Spectrum Disorders and the
effectiveness of these interventions..
Answer: Psychosocial "behavioral" treatments- Skill building- Reduction of
problem behaviors- Target communication & language problems- Address
socialization deficitsBiological & medical treatments generally
unsuccessfulIntegrated treatments: The preferred modelFocus on children,
their families, schools & homeBuild in appropriate community & social
support
◍ differences/similarities of diathesis-stress model and the reciprocal
gene-environment model..
Answer: Similarities are genetic disposition and stressors both are
present.Diathesis stress model it is the combination that leads to disorder,
while in reciprocal gene environment model genetic vulnerability leads us to
seek environments that stress and that leads to disorder.
◍ What are common characteristics & treatments for specific phobias?.
Answer: Marked fear or anxiety of a specific object or situationIn kids may
be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing or clingingMost recognize fear &
avoidance are unreasonableFear or anxiety usually immediateActively
avoided or endured with intense fear or anxietyClinically significant distress
or impairment _______________Cognitive-behavior therapies are highly
effectiveExposure exercises
◍ What is the policy for late or missed exams or work?.
Answer: Refer to the syllabus for specific policies.
,◍ What are the main theories in the biological considerations for the etiology
of anxiety disorders?.
Answer: Genetic vulnerabilityAnxiety & brain circuits Depleted levels of
GABA Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) & HPA axis =cortisolLimbic
(amygdala) & the septal-hippocampal systemsBehavioral inhibition system
(BIS) AnxietyFight/flight (FF) systemsFear/panic response
◍ Describe the role of genes in absolute vs relative influence.
Answer: • Genes - long molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at
various locations on chromosomes, within the cell nucleuso Genes seldom
determine our physical development in an absolute way To some extent our
weight and even our height are affected by nutritional, social, and cultural
factors Genes do provide some boundaries to our development, exactly
where we go within these boundaries depends on environmental influences
True for most characteristics, but not all• Some characteristics are strongly
determined by one or more genes (eye color/hair color), rare disorders
(Huntington's disease)
◍ Describe the general presentation, features and treatment of social anxiety
disorder..
Answer: Marked fear or anxiety of 1+ social/performance situations in
which individual exposed to possible scrutiny by othersFears acting in a way
or show anxiety sxs that will be negatively evaluatedSocial situations almost
always provoke fear or anxietySocial situations avoided or endured with
intense fear or anxiety Fear or anxiety out of proportion to actual threat
posed by social situation & to sociocultural contextCauses clinically
significant distress or impairment
Kids________________Cognitive-behavioral therapies highly
effectiveSSRIs Paxil & Zoloft and Effexor - FDA approved Relapse high
with medication discontinuation
◍ What are some topics explored in Personality Psychology?.
Answer: Self, emotion, morality, happiness, culture, decision making,
relationships, attitudes, and beliefs.
, ◍ inverse agonists.
Answer: produce effects opposite to those produced by the
neurotransmitters.
◍ Describe how intelligence and academic functioning are used in diagnosing
a learning disorder..
Answer: difficulties learning & using academic skills by 1+ of following for
6+ mos., despite the provision of interventions that target those
difficulties.academic skills are substantially & quantifiably below those
expected for age & cause significant interference (substantially below
usually 1.5 SD)begin during school-age years but may not become fully
manifest until demands exceed limited capacitiesnot better accounted by
intellectual disabilities..etc.
◍ What are common characteristics & treatments for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)?.
Answer: Excessive anxiety (apprehensive expectation) & worry occurring
more days than not for at least 6 mos about a number of events or
activitiesDifficult to control the worry3+ sxs (kids only 1):Restlessness or
feeling keyed upBeing easily fatiguedDifficulty
concentrationIrritabilityMuscle tensionSleep disturbanceSomatic symptoms
differ from panic Psychological interventions: CBT, meditational
approachBenzodiazapines and SSRI's Combined treatments: short vs.
long-term outcomes
◍ serotonin.
Answer: regulates our behavior, moods, and thought processes. Extremely
low levels of serotonin are associated with less inhibition, with instability,
impulsivity, and a tendency to overreact.
◍ different type of ADHD.
Answer: 314.00 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly
Inattentive presentationSymptoms of inattention 314.01
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly
Hyperactive/Impulsive PresentationSymptoms of hyperactivity &
