ASPPB Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine

Question 1

The biopsychosocial model of health, proposed by George Engel, argues that illness is best understood as:

Accepted Answer

An interaction among biological, psychological, and social factors

Answer

A purely biological phenomenon caused by pathogens or genetic factors

Answer

A psychological manifestation of unconscious conflicts

Answer

A social construction with no objective biological basis

Question 2

Which psychological intervention has the strongest empirical support for managing chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) targeting pain cognitions and coping

Answer

Psychoanalytic therapy focusing on pain as unconscious conflict

Answer

Hypnotherapy as the sole intervention

Answer

Client-centered therapy emphasizing unconditional positive regard

Question 3

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) primarily investigates the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

Psychological states, the nervous system, and immune functioning

Answer

Psychopathology, neurological disorders, and social isolation

Answer

Personality disorders, neurotransmitter levels, and autoimmune diseases

Answer

Psychiatric medications, neural plasticity, and infection resistance

Question 4

According to the Health Belief Model, a person is most likely to engage in a preventive health behavior when they perceive:

Accepted Answer

High severity of the illness and low barriers to taking action

Answer

Low susceptibility to the illness but high benefits of acting

Answer

High susceptibility to the illness and high barriers to taking action

Answer

Equal levels of benefits and barriers with moderate severity

Question 5

The gate control theory of pain, proposed by Melzack and Wall, explains that pain perception can be modulated by:

Accepted Answer

Neural mechanisms in the spinal cord that can open or close to pain signals

Answer

The number of nociceptors activated in peripheral tissues

Answer

The strength of the initial injury and the amount of tissue damage

Answer

Endorphin release exclusively from the hypothalamus during stress

Question 6

Which of the following best characterizes the concept of illness behavior?

Accepted Answer

The ways in which individuals define, monitor, and respond to bodily symptoms

Answer

The objective physiological responses the body mounts against pathogens

Answer

The biological changes that occur when a person contracts a disease

Answer

The process by which viruses and bacteria evade the immune system

Question 7

Research on the Type A behavior pattern has most consistently found that which specific component is most strongly linked to coronary heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Hostility and cynical distrust

Answer

Time urgency and impatience

Answer

Competitive achievement striving

Answer

Job involvement and workaholism