AP Psychology Practice Quiz: Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 16 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 16

According to research on the treatment of psychological disorders, what is the general conclusion regarding the effectiveness of psychotherapies?

A)Psychotherapies are generally effective, and many practitioners use evidence-based interventions.B)Only biological interventions have been proven effective in treating psychological disorders.C)Psychotherapies are only effective when combined with psychoactive medications.D)The effectiveness of psychotherapy is highly questionable and lacks empirical support.

All Questions (16)

According to research on the treatment of psychological disorders, what is the general conclusion regarding the effectiveness of psychotherapies?

A) Psychotherapies are generally effective, and many practitioners use evidence-based interventions.

B) Only biological interventions have been proven effective in treating psychological disorders.

C) Psychotherapies are only effective when combined with psychoactive medications.

D) The effectiveness of psychotherapy is highly questionable and lacks empirical support.

Correct Answer: A

The provided content explicitly states, 'Research concludes that psychotherapies are generally effective; many psychologists use evidence-based interventions.'

The historical trend of deinstitutionalization, moving patients from long-term hospital care to community-based settings, was largely made possible by what development?

A) The rise of humanistic therapies.

B) The development of effective psychoactive medications.

C) The widespread adoption of psychosurgery.

D) The discovery of hypnosis for memory retrieval.

Correct Answer: B

The content states, 'Due to effective medication, deinstitutionalization occurred.' This indicates that the ability to manage symptoms with medication was a key factor in this trend.

A psychologist ensures that their treatment methods are based on sound research and will not harm the client. This adherence to the principle of 'do no harm' is best described as which APA ethical principle?

A) Integrity

B) Fidelity

C) Respect

D) Nonmaleficence

Correct Answer: D

The content lists several APA ethical principles, including nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the principle of avoiding harm to others, which directly aligns with the scenario described.

A therapist asks a client to relax and say whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing. This technique, aimed at uncovering unconscious conflicts, is known as:

A) Active listening

B) Cognitive restructuring

C) Free association

D) Token economy

Correct Answer: C

The content specifies that 'Psychodynamic therapies use free association and dream interpretation to uncover the unconscious.' The technique described in the question is a direct definition of free association.

A client believes, 'If I don't get a perfect score on this exam, I am a complete failure.' A cognitive therapist would likely challenge this maladaptive thought process using a technique called:

A) Exposure therapy

B) Cognitive restructuring

C) Dream interpretation

D) Unconditional positive regard

Correct Answer: B

The content states that 'Cognitive therapies may use cognitive restructuring to combat maladaptive thinking.' The client's all-or-nothing belief is a classic example of maladaptive thinking that would be addressed through cognitive restructuring.

A therapist is helping a client overcome a phobia of spiders by gradually exposing them to spider-related stimuli, starting with a picture and moving towards a real spider. This technique is a form of:

A) Aversion therapy

B) Exposure therapy

C) Psychosurgery

D) Free association

Correct Answer: B

The content lists 'exposure therapies' as an example of a technique derived from applied behavior analysis, which uses conditioning principles. The scenario describes a form of exposure therapy.

Therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) are categorized as cognitive-behavioral therapies because they:

A) Focus exclusively on uncovering unconscious desires through dream analysis.

B) Use psychoactive medications as their primary intervention.

C) Combine techniques for changing maladaptive thoughts with techniques for changing problematic behaviors.

D) Rely solely on providing unconditional positive regard and active listening.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that 'Cognitive-behavioral therapies (e.g., DBT, REBT) combine cognitive and behavioral techniques.' This means they address both thinking patterns (cognitive) and actions (behavioral).

A therapist practicing person-centered therapy creates a safe, non-judgmental environment by expressing genuine acceptance of the client. This core component of humanistic therapy is known as:

A) Cognitive restructuring

B) Aversion therapy

C) Unconditional positive regard

D) Dream interpretation

Correct Answer: C

The content specifies that 'Humanistic therapy (person-centered) employs active listening and unconditional positive regard.' Unconditional positive regard is the therapist's complete acceptance of the client.

Based on research findings, in which of the following scenarios would hypnosis be considered an effective intervention?

A) Helping a witness accurately retrieve a forgotten license plate number from a crime scene.

B) Uncovering repressed memories of early childhood trauma.

C) Managing chronic pain for a patient with arthritis.

D) Curing a patient's schizophrenia.

Correct Answer: C

The content clearly states that 'Hypnosis has shown effectiveness in treating pain and anxiety but is not supported for memory retrieval.' Therefore, using it for pain management is an effective application.

Antidepressants and antipsychotics are types of psychoactive medications that primarily work by:

A) Restructuring a patient's maladaptive thought patterns.

B) Creating a conditioned aversion to harmful behaviors.

C) Interacting with neurotransmitters to address biochemical imbalances.

D) Inducing a hypnotic state to access the unconscious mind.

Correct Answer: C

The content explains that 'Psychoactive medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics) interact with neurotransmitters to address biochemical causes of disorders.'

Which of the following is an example of a surgical or invasive intervention used for treating psychological disorders?

A) Applied behavior analysis

B) Person-centered therapy

C) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

D) Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

Correct Answer: C

The content lists 'psychosurgery, TMS, or electroconvulsive therapy' as examples of surgical or invasive interventions. The other options are forms of psychotherapy.

A primary distinction between group therapy and individual therapy is that group therapy:

A) Is always led by a psychodynamic therapist.

B) Allows clients to receive feedback and support from peers with similar issues.

C) Is exclusively used for treating substance abuse disorders.

D) Relies entirely on the use of psychoactive medication.

Correct Answer: B

The content asks to 'Explain how group therapy is different from individual therapy.' The core difference is the presence of other clients, which provides a social context for therapy and allows for peer interaction, feedback, and shared experiences not available in individual therapy.

To help a client stop smoking, a therapist pairs the act of smoking with an unpleasant stimulus, such as a mild electric shock or a nausea-inducing substance. This behavioral technique is known as:

A) Token economy

B) Exposure therapy

C) Aversion therapy

D) Cognitive restructuring

Correct Answer: C

The content lists 'aversion therapies' as a technique derived from applied behavior analysis. Aversion therapy works by creating a negative association with an undesirable behavior, as described in the scenario.

A psychologist is conducting a research study on a new therapy. They are transparent with participants about the procedures, potential risks, and benefits, ensuring the participants' trust. This behavior best exemplifies which APA ethical principle?

A) Nonmaleficence

B) Integrity

C) Fidelity

D) Respect

Correct Answer: B

The content lists 'integrity' as an APA ethical principle. Integrity involves promoting accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology. Being transparent with research participants is a core aspect of integrity.

A modern, common approach to treating a disorder like major depression often involves a psychiatrist prescribing an antidepressant while the patient also sees a psychologist for weekly therapy sessions. This approach reflects which trend in treatment?

A) A shift back towards institutionalization.

B) The exclusive use of psychodynamic techniques.

C) A reliance on hypnosis for all mood disorders.

D) The combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Correct Answer: D

The content states that post-deinstitutionalization, 'treatment is now often a combination of medication and therapy.' The scenario described is a direct example of this trend.

When a psychologist chooses a therapeutic technique that has been shown to be effective for a specific disorder in rigorously controlled scientific studies, they are using:

A) Free association

B) An evidence-based intervention

C) Unconditional positive regard

D) A purely biological approach

Correct Answer: B

The content states that 'many psychologists use evidence-based interventions.' This term refers to the practice of using treatments that have strong empirical support from scientific research, as described in the question.