50 Exam Questions: Health and Medical Psychology - Leiden University
(the answer key is in the end)
1. What is the primary reason for the differences in average life expectancy between
countries?
a) Genetic predispositions
b) Political and environmental factors
c) Access to education
d) Urbanization
2. According to the biopsychosocial model, which of the following factors influence
health?
a) Biology, psychology, and social interactions
b) Political and environmental contexts
c) Only physiological processes
d) Genetic and hereditary factors
3. The biomedical model of illness primarily focuses on:
a) Psychological and emotional well-being
b) Interactions between social, environmental, and biological factors
c) Underlying physiological explanations for diseases
d) Holistic treatments involving the community
4. In the development of cognitive frameworks, which age group is characterized by
symbolic thought and egocentric reasoning?
a) Sensorimotor (0-2 years)
b) Preoperational (2-7 years)
c) Concrete operational (7-11 years)
d) Formal operational (12-adulthood)
5. What is one of the key criticisms of the WHO's definition of health as "a state of
complete physical, mental, and social well-being"?
a) It neglects chronic illnesses.
b) The term "complete" is seen as unrealistic.
c) It does not address the role of genetic disorders.
d) It overemphasizes cultural differences.
6. According to Piaget's stages of cognitive development, children begin to think
logically about concrete events at which stage?
a) Preoperational
b) Sensorimotor
c) Concrete operational
d) Formal operational
, 7. Which personality traits are linked to better health outcomes, according to McCrae and
Costa’s five-factor model?
a) High neuroticism and extroversion
b) Low agreeableness and openness
c) High conscientiousness and agreeableness
d) High openness and psychoticism
8. What is the difference between prevalence and incidence in medical statistics?
a) Prevalence measures new cases; incidence measures total cases.
b) Incidence measures new cases; prevalence measures total cases.
c) Both measure the same aspects of a disease.
d) Incidence includes mortality rates, while prevalence does not.
9. According to the Alameda 7 health-protective behaviors, which of the following is NOT
included?
a) Sleeping 7-8 hours per night
b) Avoiding smoking
c) Drinking at least 2 liters of water per day
d) Exercising regularly
10. What health condition is associated with prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide
from smoking?
a) Liver disease
b) Cardiovascular disease
c) Muscular atrophy
d) Osteoporosis
11. Which model states that diseases and symptoms have an underlying physiological
explanation?
a) Biopsychosocial model
b) Biomedical model
c) Psychosomatic model
d) Humanistic model
12. Freud contributed to health psychology by emphasizing the role of:
a) Diet and exercise
b) Social influences
c) The mind in disease development
d) Genetic predispositions
13. What is the main difference between compliance and adherence?
a) Compliance is voluntary, and adherence is mandatory.
b) Adherence is broader and includes following health advice willingly.
c) Compliance focuses on societal norms, and adherence focuses on laws.
d) Adherence only applies to exercise habits.
(the answer key is in the end)
1. What is the primary reason for the differences in average life expectancy between
countries?
a) Genetic predispositions
b) Political and environmental factors
c) Access to education
d) Urbanization
2. According to the biopsychosocial model, which of the following factors influence
health?
a) Biology, psychology, and social interactions
b) Political and environmental contexts
c) Only physiological processes
d) Genetic and hereditary factors
3. The biomedical model of illness primarily focuses on:
a) Psychological and emotional well-being
b) Interactions between social, environmental, and biological factors
c) Underlying physiological explanations for diseases
d) Holistic treatments involving the community
4. In the development of cognitive frameworks, which age group is characterized by
symbolic thought and egocentric reasoning?
a) Sensorimotor (0-2 years)
b) Preoperational (2-7 years)
c) Concrete operational (7-11 years)
d) Formal operational (12-adulthood)
5. What is one of the key criticisms of the WHO's definition of health as "a state of
complete physical, mental, and social well-being"?
a) It neglects chronic illnesses.
b) The term "complete" is seen as unrealistic.
c) It does not address the role of genetic disorders.
d) It overemphasizes cultural differences.
6. According to Piaget's stages of cognitive development, children begin to think
logically about concrete events at which stage?
a) Preoperational
b) Sensorimotor
c) Concrete operational
d) Formal operational
, 7. Which personality traits are linked to better health outcomes, according to McCrae and
Costa’s five-factor model?
a) High neuroticism and extroversion
b) Low agreeableness and openness
c) High conscientiousness and agreeableness
d) High openness and psychoticism
8. What is the difference between prevalence and incidence in medical statistics?
a) Prevalence measures new cases; incidence measures total cases.
b) Incidence measures new cases; prevalence measures total cases.
c) Both measure the same aspects of a disease.
d) Incidence includes mortality rates, while prevalence does not.
9. According to the Alameda 7 health-protective behaviors, which of the following is NOT
included?
a) Sleeping 7-8 hours per night
b) Avoiding smoking
c) Drinking at least 2 liters of water per day
d) Exercising regularly
10. What health condition is associated with prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide
from smoking?
a) Liver disease
b) Cardiovascular disease
c) Muscular atrophy
d) Osteoporosis
11. Which model states that diseases and symptoms have an underlying physiological
explanation?
a) Biopsychosocial model
b) Biomedical model
c) Psychosomatic model
d) Humanistic model
12. Freud contributed to health psychology by emphasizing the role of:
a) Diet and exercise
b) Social influences
c) The mind in disease development
d) Genetic predispositions
13. What is the main difference between compliance and adherence?
a) Compliance is voluntary, and adherence is mandatory.
b) Adherence is broader and includes following health advice willingly.
c) Compliance focuses on societal norms, and adherence focuses on laws.
d) Adherence only applies to exercise habits.
