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NSG 527 FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | ADVANCED
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY & CLINICAL MODALITIES – WILKES |
EXPERT VERIFIED | 75 QUESTIONS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY & ATTACHMENT THEORY (Questions 1-15)
Q1: Who is considered the founder of psychoanalysis?
A. Carl Jung
B. Sigmund Freud
C. Alfred Adler
D. Melanie Klein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sigmund Freud is the founder of psychoanalysis. He developed the theories of the unconscious
mind, defense mechanisms, psychosexual development, and the structural model of the psyche (id, ego,
superego). Jung (A) founded analytical psychology; Adler (C) founded individual psychology; Klein (D)
developed object relations theory within the psychoanalytic tradition. Key teaching point: Sigmund Freud is
the father of psychoanalysis, establishing the foundational concepts of unconscious conflict and defense
mechanisms.
Q2: In psychodynamic therapy, which of the following is a primary focus of treatment?
A. Behavioral modification
B. Unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms
C. Cognitive restructuring
D. Symptom reduction only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, and how past
experiences shape present behavior. The goal is to bring unconscious material into conscious awareness,
allowing the patient to understand and resolve internal conflicts. Behavioral modification (A) is the focus of
behaviorism; cognitive restructuring (C) is central to CBT; symptom reduction only (D) is not the primary
goal of psychodynamic therapy, though symptom relief often follows insight. Key teaching point:
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms to achieve insight and
lasting change.
,2
Q3: The concept of the "therapeutic alliance" in psychodynamic therapy refers to:
A. The patient's agreement with the therapist's interpretations
B. The collaborative, trusting relationship between therapist and patient
C. The therapist's authority over the patient
D. The patient's compliance with treatment recommendations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic alliance is the collaborative, trusting relationship between therapist and patient. It
is considered the foundation of effective psychodynamic therapy and is essential for exploring unconscious
material. The alliance is characterized by mutual respect, empathy, and a shared commitment to the
therapeutic work. It is not about agreement (A), authority (C), or compliance (D). Key teaching point: The
therapeutic alliance is the collaborative, trusting relationship that forms the foundation of psychodynamic
therapy.
Q4: Attachment theory was developed by:
A. Sigmund Freud
B. John Bowlby
C. Mary Ainsworth
D. Harry Harlow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: John Bowlby is credited with developing attachment theory, which describes the importance of
early caregiver-child relationships in shaping emotional development and later relational patterns. Mary
Ainsworth (C) expanded upon Bowlby's work with the "Strange Situation" experiment, identifying attachment
styles. Harlow (D) conducted research on attachment in monkeys. Freud (A) developed psychoanalysis. Key
teaching point: John Bowlby developed attachment theory, emphasizing the lifelong impact of early
caregiver relationships.
Q5: Mary Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" experiment identified which attachment styles? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Secure attachment
B. Anxious-ambivalent attachment
C. Avoidant attachment
D. Disorganized attachment
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
, 3
Rationale: Ainsworth initially identified three attachment styles: secure (A), anxious-ambivalent (B), and
avoidant (C). Later, Main and Solomon added a fourth category: disorganized attachment (D). These styles
describe patterns of infant behavior when separated from and reunited with the caregiver. Secure attachment
is characterized by distress upon separation and comfort upon reunion. Anxious-ambivalent involves clingy
behavior. Avoidant involves indifference to the caregiver. Disorganized is characterized by contradictory or
disoriented behaviors. Key teaching point: The four attachment styles—secure, anxious-ambivalent,
avoidant, and disorganized—describe patterns of emotional connection formed in early childhood.
Q6: The concept of "transference" in psychodynamic therapy refers to:
A. The therapist's feelings toward the patient
B. The patient's unconscious projection of feelings from past relationships onto the therapist
C. The patient's conscious feelings about therapy
D. The therapist's countertransference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transference is the unconscious projection of feelings, desires, and expectations from past
relationships onto the therapist in the present. The patient's past experiences shape how they perceive and
relate to the therapist. The therapist analyzes transference patterns to help the patient gain insight into
unresolved conflicts. The therapist's feelings toward the patient (A) is countertransference. Conscious feelings
(C) are not transference. Key teaching point: Transference involves the patient's unconscious projection of
past relationship patterns onto the therapist.
Q7: In psychodynamic therapy, "countertransference" refers to:
A. The patient's feelings toward the therapist
B. The therapist's emotional responses to the patient, influenced by the therapist's own unconscious conflicts
C. The patient's resistance to therapy
D. The therapist's theoretical orientation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Countertransference is the therapist's emotional responses to the patient, influenced by the
therapist's own unconscious conflicts and personal history. These responses can provide valuable information
about the therapeutic relationship and the patient's internal world. The therapist uses countertransference as a
tool for understanding the patient's relational patterns. The patient's feelings (A) are transference; resistance
(C) and theoretical orientation (D) are separate concepts. Key teaching point: Countertransference is the
therapist's emotional responses to the patient, shaped by the therapist's own unconscious conflicts.
Q8: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of secure attachment in adulthood?
NSG 527 FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | ADVANCED
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY & CLINICAL MODALITIES – WILKES |
EXPERT VERIFIED | 75 QUESTIONS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY & ATTACHMENT THEORY (Questions 1-15)
Q1: Who is considered the founder of psychoanalysis?
A. Carl Jung
B. Sigmund Freud
C. Alfred Adler
D. Melanie Klein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sigmund Freud is the founder of psychoanalysis. He developed the theories of the unconscious
mind, defense mechanisms, psychosexual development, and the structural model of the psyche (id, ego,
superego). Jung (A) founded analytical psychology; Adler (C) founded individual psychology; Klein (D)
developed object relations theory within the psychoanalytic tradition. Key teaching point: Sigmund Freud is
the father of psychoanalysis, establishing the foundational concepts of unconscious conflict and defense
mechanisms.
Q2: In psychodynamic therapy, which of the following is a primary focus of treatment?
A. Behavioral modification
B. Unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms
C. Cognitive restructuring
D. Symptom reduction only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, and how past
experiences shape present behavior. The goal is to bring unconscious material into conscious awareness,
allowing the patient to understand and resolve internal conflicts. Behavioral modification (A) is the focus of
behaviorism; cognitive restructuring (C) is central to CBT; symptom reduction only (D) is not the primary
goal of psychodynamic therapy, though symptom relief often follows insight. Key teaching point:
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms to achieve insight and
lasting change.
,2
Q3: The concept of the "therapeutic alliance" in psychodynamic therapy refers to:
A. The patient's agreement with the therapist's interpretations
B. The collaborative, trusting relationship between therapist and patient
C. The therapist's authority over the patient
D. The patient's compliance with treatment recommendations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic alliance is the collaborative, trusting relationship between therapist and patient. It
is considered the foundation of effective psychodynamic therapy and is essential for exploring unconscious
material. The alliance is characterized by mutual respect, empathy, and a shared commitment to the
therapeutic work. It is not about agreement (A), authority (C), or compliance (D). Key teaching point: The
therapeutic alliance is the collaborative, trusting relationship that forms the foundation of psychodynamic
therapy.
Q4: Attachment theory was developed by:
A. Sigmund Freud
B. John Bowlby
C. Mary Ainsworth
D. Harry Harlow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: John Bowlby is credited with developing attachment theory, which describes the importance of
early caregiver-child relationships in shaping emotional development and later relational patterns. Mary
Ainsworth (C) expanded upon Bowlby's work with the "Strange Situation" experiment, identifying attachment
styles. Harlow (D) conducted research on attachment in monkeys. Freud (A) developed psychoanalysis. Key
teaching point: John Bowlby developed attachment theory, emphasizing the lifelong impact of early
caregiver relationships.
Q5: Mary Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" experiment identified which attachment styles? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Secure attachment
B. Anxious-ambivalent attachment
C. Avoidant attachment
D. Disorganized attachment
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
, 3
Rationale: Ainsworth initially identified three attachment styles: secure (A), anxious-ambivalent (B), and
avoidant (C). Later, Main and Solomon added a fourth category: disorganized attachment (D). These styles
describe patterns of infant behavior when separated from and reunited with the caregiver. Secure attachment
is characterized by distress upon separation and comfort upon reunion. Anxious-ambivalent involves clingy
behavior. Avoidant involves indifference to the caregiver. Disorganized is characterized by contradictory or
disoriented behaviors. Key teaching point: The four attachment styles—secure, anxious-ambivalent,
avoidant, and disorganized—describe patterns of emotional connection formed in early childhood.
Q6: The concept of "transference" in psychodynamic therapy refers to:
A. The therapist's feelings toward the patient
B. The patient's unconscious projection of feelings from past relationships onto the therapist
C. The patient's conscious feelings about therapy
D. The therapist's countertransference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transference is the unconscious projection of feelings, desires, and expectations from past
relationships onto the therapist in the present. The patient's past experiences shape how they perceive and
relate to the therapist. The therapist analyzes transference patterns to help the patient gain insight into
unresolved conflicts. The therapist's feelings toward the patient (A) is countertransference. Conscious feelings
(C) are not transference. Key teaching point: Transference involves the patient's unconscious projection of
past relationship patterns onto the therapist.
Q7: In psychodynamic therapy, "countertransference" refers to:
A. The patient's feelings toward the therapist
B. The therapist's emotional responses to the patient, influenced by the therapist's own unconscious conflicts
C. The patient's resistance to therapy
D. The therapist's theoretical orientation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Countertransference is the therapist's emotional responses to the patient, influenced by the
therapist's own unconscious conflicts and personal history. These responses can provide valuable information
about the therapeutic relationship and the patient's internal world. The therapist uses countertransference as a
tool for understanding the patient's relational patterns. The patient's feelings (A) are transference; resistance
(C) and theoretical orientation (D) are separate concepts. Key teaching point: Countertransference is the
therapist's emotional responses to the patient, shaped by the therapist's own unconscious conflicts.
Q8: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of secure attachment in adulthood?
