Introduction to Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents,
Section 1.1 Historical Views and Breakthroughs
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · The Emergence of Social Conscience
Stem: In the 19th century child-saving movement, which
development best reflects the emergence of a social conscience
toward children with mental and behavioral problems?
A. Increased use of corporal punishment in schools
B. Establishment of specialized institutions and reform schools
C. Widespread belief that children’s problems were irreversible
moral failings
D. Mandatory child labor to build resilience
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: The child-saving movement spurred the creation
of specialized institutions and reform schools aimed at care
and remediation rather than simply punishment, reflecting
growing societal responsibility for vulnerable children.
• A (incorrect): Corporal punishment persisted widely but
does not reflect progressive social conscience.
• C (incorrect): The movement moved away from seeing
problems as irreversible moral failings toward treatability.
, • D (incorrect): Mandatory child labor was part of the
problem the movement opposed, not a remedial
development.
Teaching Point: Social reform led to institutions focused on care
and rehabilitation.
2.
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · Early Biological Attributions
Stem: Which historical view most directly exemplifies early
biological attributions for children's behavioral problems?
A. Attributing ADHD-like symptoms to poor parenting discipline
B. Belief that brain lesions or heritable “degeneration” caused
maladaptive behavior
C. Treating anxiety with family therapy interventions
D. Labeling children’s tantrums as spiritual possession
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Early biological theories frequently invoked brain
pathology or hereditary degeneration as primary causes of
maladaptive behavior in children.
• A (incorrect): Attributing behavior to parenting is a
psychosocial attribution, not a biological one.
• C (incorrect): Family therapy is a psychosocial treatment
arising later.
, • D (incorrect): Spiritual explanations are cultural/religious,
not scientific biological attributions.
Teaching Point: Early biological models emphasized brain
pathology and heredity.
3.
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · Early Psychological Attributions
Stem: Freud’s early psychodynamic ideas influenced child
psychopathology by:
A. Emphasizing only biological brain defects
B. Suggesting unconscious processes and early experiences
shape symptoms
C. Promoting exclusively school-based behavioral programs
D. Advocating electroconvulsive therapy for children
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Psychoanalytic theory highlighted unconscious
conflicts and the role of early relationships and
experiences in producing symptoms.
• A (incorrect): Freud focused on psychological, not purely
biological, explanations.
• C (incorrect): School-based behavioral programs stem from
behaviorism, not Freud.
, • D (incorrect): ECT is a biological treatment and not a
hallmark of early psychodynamic theory for children.
Teaching Point: Psychodynamic theory foregrounded early
experience and unconscious processes.
4.
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · Evolving Forms of Treatment
Stem: The “moral treatment” approach of the 19th century
primarily advocated which of the following for children with
emotional disturbance?
A. Harsh confinement and punishment
B. Humane care, routine, and meaningful activity
C. Immediate pharmacologic sedation
D. Intensive laboratory-based neurological testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Moral treatment emphasized humane care,
regular routines, and purposeful activity to promote
recovery.
• A (incorrect): Harsh confinement opposed the principles of
moral treatment.
• C (incorrect): Pharmacologic sedation became common
later with psychotropic drugs.
Section 1.1 Historical Views and Breakthroughs
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · The Emergence of Social Conscience
Stem: In the 19th century child-saving movement, which
development best reflects the emergence of a social conscience
toward children with mental and behavioral problems?
A. Increased use of corporal punishment in schools
B. Establishment of specialized institutions and reform schools
C. Widespread belief that children’s problems were irreversible
moral failings
D. Mandatory child labor to build resilience
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: The child-saving movement spurred the creation
of specialized institutions and reform schools aimed at care
and remediation rather than simply punishment, reflecting
growing societal responsibility for vulnerable children.
• A (incorrect): Corporal punishment persisted widely but
does not reflect progressive social conscience.
• C (incorrect): The movement moved away from seeing
problems as irreversible moral failings toward treatability.
, • D (incorrect): Mandatory child labor was part of the
problem the movement opposed, not a remedial
development.
Teaching Point: Social reform led to institutions focused on care
and rehabilitation.
2.
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · Early Biological Attributions
Stem: Which historical view most directly exemplifies early
biological attributions for children's behavioral problems?
A. Attributing ADHD-like symptoms to poor parenting discipline
B. Belief that brain lesions or heritable “degeneration” caused
maladaptive behavior
C. Treating anxiety with family therapy interventions
D. Labeling children’s tantrums as spiritual possession
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Early biological theories frequently invoked brain
pathology or hereditary degeneration as primary causes of
maladaptive behavior in children.
• A (incorrect): Attributing behavior to parenting is a
psychosocial attribution, not a biological one.
• C (incorrect): Family therapy is a psychosocial treatment
arising later.
, • D (incorrect): Spiritual explanations are cultural/religious,
not scientific biological attributions.
Teaching Point: Early biological models emphasized brain
pathology and heredity.
3.
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · Early Psychological Attributions
Stem: Freud’s early psychodynamic ideas influenced child
psychopathology by:
A. Emphasizing only biological brain defects
B. Suggesting unconscious processes and early experiences
shape symptoms
C. Promoting exclusively school-based behavioral programs
D. Advocating electroconvulsive therapy for children
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Psychoanalytic theory highlighted unconscious
conflicts and the role of early relationships and
experiences in producing symptoms.
• A (incorrect): Freud focused on psychological, not purely
biological, explanations.
• C (incorrect): School-based behavioral programs stem from
behaviorism, not Freud.
, • D (incorrect): ECT is a biological treatment and not a
hallmark of early psychodynamic theory for children.
Teaching Point: Psychodynamic theory foregrounded early
experience and unconscious processes.
4.
Chapter 1 · Section 1.1 · Evolving Forms of Treatment
Stem: The “moral treatment” approach of the 19th century
primarily advocated which of the following for children with
emotional disturbance?
A. Harsh confinement and punishment
B. Humane care, routine, and meaningful activity
C. Immediate pharmacologic sedation
D. Intensive laboratory-based neurological testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Moral treatment emphasized humane care,
regular routines, and purposeful activity to promote
recovery.
• A (incorrect): Harsh confinement opposed the principles of
moral treatment.
• C (incorrect): Pharmacologic sedation became common
later with psychotropic drugs.
