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Weiten and Lloyd Chapter Discussion Questions forPsy 328 Culture and Mental Health in Argentina |
Below is a list of discussion questions for each of the required chapters in the Weiten & Lloyd book. Choose only two of these questions for each chapter and write a response that includes both the information in the chapters and relevant in-class and out-of-class experiences (e.g. a discussion question on psychotherapy would include a discussion of healing methods based on our excursion to the Music Therapy Center). Due dates will be negotiated to allow inclusion of excursion and other out-of-class activity information.
Some care in answering these questions is requred. Answers should show evidence of careful reflection not only on the concepts of the class, but also on your own assumptions and premises concerning both the academic concepts and related experiences.
CHAPTER ONE
1. Evaluate the degree to which technology has improved the quality of our lives by doing a “cost-benefit analysis” (weigh what society has gained against what you believe it has lost).
2. Why do you think unorthodox religious groups (i.e., cults) are so popular? Do you think people with certain kinds of personality characteristics tend to be attracted to such groups?
3. According to the codependency literature, women are more likely to be codependent than men because their socialization typically places more emphasis on taking care of others. To what extent do you believe this is true? Do you think recent historical trends in gender equality have changed this tendency at all?
4. Why are self-help books so popular? List any self-help books that you have read in the past ten years. How helpful did you find these books to be?
5. Has anyone you know been enthusiastic about a self-improvement program that you felt was worthless? Do you think this person might have experienced a placebo effect?
6. What variables do you think have been influential in determining your happiness? Is your answer to this question consistent with the empirical findings discussed in the textbook?
7. Have you tried any of the study techniques suggested in the textbook? If so, did these techniques seem to work for you? Do you use study techniques other than those discussed in the textbook?
8. Why do you think it is that so many students fail to use effective study techniques?
CHAPTER TWO
1. To what extent do you think that our behavior is largely influenced by desires and urges of which we are unaware?
2. You are now aware that psychology is a science, committed to the empirical study of behavior. Do you think it’s possible to apply this scientific approach to the study of unconscious desires and urges, as postulated by Freud’s theory of personality?
3. Which of your own mild anxieties or fears (e.g., an aversion to a situation) if any that you think might have developed as a result of classical conditioning?
4. What level of the Maslow Hierarchy do you think most people in our society are concerned with satisfying? How might this compare with individuals in other societies? 5. Do you know of individuals whom you would consider to be self-actualized? Describe the qualities of these persons that reflect their achievement of this state.
6. To what extent, do you think are narcissistic, self-centered attitudes found in American society? What factors do you think promote these attitudes?
7. Recent research in behavioral genetics has provided convincing evidence that biological factors help shape our personality. As science continues to progress do you think that researchers will someday be able to explain all of our behavior in terms of biological or genetic factors? Support your opinion with evidence from the textbook or recent scientific innovations (such as the Human Genome Project.)
8. Which theoretical orientation (psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, biological) do you think does the best job of explaining personality? Why?
9. What do you think of Maslow's idea that healthy people have a good sense of humor and peak experiences? Do you think these are essential characteristics of a well-adjusted individual? Can you think of any others that Maslow did not mention in his theory?
CHAPTER THREE
1. Do you think modern lifestyles create more stress than the lifestyles of your parents' or grandparents' generation? Why or why not?
2. Can you think of some ways that you create stress for yourself? If so, what might you do differently to minimize the potential for self-imposed stress?
3. Discuss the contributions of culture to the experience of stress. Have you or anyone you know well experienced any stressors related to cultural factors?
4. What changes could be made in our society to make it less stressful? What kinds of changes could you make in your own life to make it less stressful?
5. What are some of the main stressors in your life? Can you identify the key factors that cause these events to be stressful? Can you identify the kind of stress involved?
6. Do you think there might be gender differences in the tolerance for stress? Why or why not?
7. Can you think of some stressors that are unique to college students? What kinds of steps could be taken by college administrators to alleviate stress in their students?
8. Which specific type of conflict (i.e., approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, approach-avoidance) do you think is likely to be the most stressful? Why?
9. What was it about the Vietnam War in particular (i.e., as opposed to World War II, Korean War, Gulf Coast War) that seemingly resulted in so many cases of posttraumatic stress disorder?
10. Can you think of major life events from your own experience that would have both positive and negative effects on your psychological well-being?
11. Some people, particularly those who tend to procrastinate, claim that they perform best under pressure. Do you think this is a valid claim, or is it more likely to be a way to rationalize the tendency to procrastinate?
12. Do you think it’s possible for college students to suffer from academic burnout? What are some of the factors that might be involved in the development of burnout in students?
CHAPTER FOUR
1. What are the pros and cons of giving up as a coping strategy? Indulging oneself?
2. Some psychologists believe that the concept of learned helplessness can be used to explain some of the behavior patterns that are frequently seen in victims of chronic spouse abuse. What might be the basis for this conclusion?
3. Why do you think it is that “road rage” is seemingly becoming increasingly common? Can you think of any strategies described in the textbook that could be used to reduce the potential for these kinds of incidents to occur?
4. Do you know anyone who shows signs of being addicted to the Internet? Why do you think it is so easy for someone to develop this syndrome?
5. Under what conditions can defensive behavior be healthy? When is the use of defense mechanisms considered unhealthy?
6. Do you think humor is an effective stress reducer? Can you think of instances in which someone you know used humor as a way to deal with a particularly stressful situation?
7. Many people believe that suicide represents the ultimate failure to cope with stress, whereas some people think that suicide itself is a coping response. Which view do you support, and why? Why do you think the suicide rate is so high among adolescents?
8. Some people who are unfamiliar with behavior modification techniques nevertheless use some of the principles of behavior modification as a matter of "common sense" when they try to change their behaviors. Why do you think this is the case?
9. Some people who have extraordinary demands on their time (e.g., classes, work, family) seem to use their time very effectively. Do you think that perhaps it's easier for a person like this to make more effective use of time than someone who has an abundance of free time?
CHAPTER FIVE
1. Ingratiation involves a conscious effort to "butter somebody up." Do you think this is a good way to get somebody to like you? Do you think it's possible for this strategy to backfire?
2. Leon Festinger's social comparison theory suggests that we compare ourselves to members of a reference group in order to assess our own behavior. In thinking about your own tendencies to engage in social comparison, can you identify different reference groups that you use to assess distinct kinds of behavior (e.g., academic performance, athletic performance, etc.)? What does your choice of reference groups tell you about the concept of social comparison?
3. Your textbook describes two distinct, cultural orientations: individualism and collectivism. Given America's tradition as a "melting pot" for different cultural and ethnic groups, what do you think are the implications of having groups with distinct cultural perspectives living together within the same society?
4. If you have ever been in a play, do you think your experience as an actor altered your self-concept at all? Do you think successful actors in general would tend to have strong self-concepts? Why or why not?
5. Can you think of an instance in which you may have engaged in BIRGing behavior? Do you think this kind of behavior occurs on a conscious level (i.e., Were you aware of it at the time?), or do you think it operates more on an unconscious level?
6. Why do you think men are more likely to engage in self-handicapping than are women? Do you think men in general are more likely than women to use other cognitive strategies for self-enhancement? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think people tend to engage in self-presentation even in circumstances in which the consequences might be dangerous (e.g., engaging in unprotected sex with a relative stranger)?
8. Do you think people with highly developed self-presentation skills tend to gravitate toward certain kinds of occupations (e.g., actors, politicians)?
9. Do you think there are certain ages or stages of life during which people tend to be particularly sensitive to the impressions they give to others? If so, why do you think this is the case?
10. Discuss the differences between healthy self-esteem and narcissism. How easy is it to tell the difference between the two? What qualities would help you make the distinction?
CHAPTER SIX
1. Our perceptions of other people are influenced by their physical appearance, including the clothes they wear. Can you think of some examples of how your perceptions are affected by the way people dress? How do you think your attire affects others' perceptions of you?
2. In the textbook, the authors suggest that because people know that verbal behavior is more easily manipulated than nonverbal behavior, they often rely on nonverbal cues to determine the truth of what others say. Do you find yourself relying on nonverbal cues in social situations? What specific nonverbal cues do you think are “dead giveaways” for certain thoughts or attitudes?
3. Do you think there may be gender differences in the ability to identify and make use of information from nonverbal behavior? Can you cite an example or two to support your answer?
4. Evidence indicates that actors tend to attribute their behavior to situational (external) causes and observers tend to attribute the same actions to the actors' dispositional (internal) qualities. Can you think of some explanations for these tendencies?
5. Do you tend to think of attractive people as more competent and better adjusted than those who are less attractive? Why do you think this is the case?
6. Given that perceptual inaccuracies promote racial prejudice, what do you think could be done to reduce problems that occur as a result of racial prejudice, particularly in the schools?
7. Some researchers suggest that elections are determined mainly by the public's impressions of the candidates rather than the candidates' views on important issues. Do you think this is the case? If so, what are some possible explanations for this behavior on the part of voters?
8. Can you think of any specific advertisements that you think would be particularly effective in getting people to purchase products? Describe the qualities these ads that make them so effective referring to the list of persuasive techniques from the applications section of the textbook. 9. Have you ever tried listening to a tape that supposedly used subliminal persuasion to get you to relax, lose weight, etc.? Do you think listening to the tape had any effect on your behavior? Why or why not?
10. Why do you think it is that certain people seem to be drawn to cults such as Heaven’s Gate? Under what conditions, if any, do you think you might be tempted to join such a group?
11. In your opinion, what are the main ethical problems with Stanley Milgram's study of obedience to authority? Do you think the scientific contributions of the study outweigh the ethical concerns?
CHAPTER SEVEN
1. How does the physical place in which a conversation takes place influence the kind of communication that occurs? How would a conversation with a close friend be different if it took place in the privacy of an apartment in contrast to a public place such as fast food restaurant or a shopping mall?
2. A form of interpersonal communication that generally includes nonverbal aspects is flirting behavior. Can you think of some examples of nonverbal behaviors you've engaged in to communicate to someone that you find him or her attractive?
3. Look around the classroom. Can you identify any examples of people marking off their personal space? In general, how does territorial behavior in humans compare to that in other animals?
4. Do you think it’s possible for people to exert conscious control over the facial expressions that are used to convey basic emotions (e.g., anger, disgust, fear)? What kinds of people are likely to be particularly skillful at manipulating their facial expressions?
5. Have you ever been in a situation in which someone you didn’t know very well showed a tendency to engage in prolonged eye contact with you? What was your reaction?
6. Do you tend to touch other people during conversations with them? What kinds of reactions does this behavior tend to elicit?
7. In the discussion of polygraphs, your textbook mentions that some people can lie without experiencing physiological arousal. What other kinds of personality traits might such people exhibit?
8. Some people seem to be prone to revealing their innermost secrets to people who are not interested. Have you ever been the receiver of self-disclosure that you felt was inappropriate? What kind of impression did you form of the other person in this case?
9. Research findings suggest that women are generally more likely to engage in self-disclosure than men. Is this consistent with your own experiences? Can you think of any possible explanations for this gender difference?
10. The textbook discusses self-disclosure in verbal communication, but it is also possible to self-disclose in written form (i.e., in a letter) or through electronic mail. Do you think people may be more willing to self-disclose in situations other than face-to-face interactions? Why or why not?
11. With our increased reliance on technology and computer networks, a lot of interpersonal communication is done via electronic mail and chat rooms on the Internet. What advantages and disadvantages do you see with this form of communication?
12. The textbook discusses the importance of empathy in verbal communication. Do you think it's possible for a person to convey empathy toward another individual without actually feeling empathetic? How might you recognize that another person was being deceptively empathetic?
13. The textbook mentions the breadth and depth of self-disclosure. Do you think either of these characteristics is more important than the other in an intimate social relationship. Why?
14. Do you agree with Deborah Tannen’s characterization of contemporary America as “the argument culture?” What kinds of public behavior have you witnessed that would support this claim?
CHAPTER EIGHT
1. There is some controversy over the value of doing scientific research on love. Do you think this is a legitimate or valuable research activity, or do you believe that love is a topic that is better left to poets and songwriters?
2. The textbook discusses the importance of proximity and similarity as factors in interpersonal attraction. Do you think it's possible that these factors go together in the sense that people who live and work near you are likely to be similar to you as well? Can you think of some examples from your own experience that would support this notion?
3. According to your textbook, there seems to be widespread agreement across cultures on what constitutes an attractive face. What kinds of facial features do you think are associated with physical attractiveness? Why do these features make a person more attractive?
4. The expression, “opposites attract” suggests that people who are very different may be attracted to each other. In light of the discussion in your textbook of the importance of similarity in attraction, why do you think it is that opposites may be attracted to each other in some cases?
5. Most people have an idealized picture of the person they want or hope to fall in love with. Think about your own picture--what are the three most crucial qualities that you're looking for? If you are currently involved in a love relationship, does your partner possess these qualities?
6. What do you think of the strategy of playing "hard to get" in a dating relationship? Have you ever used this strategy with another person, or do you think another person has used it on you? Based on your own experience, do you think this is an effective strategy? Why or why not?
7. What are the most important qualities that you tend to look for in a friend? How are these qualities similar to or different from the qualities you look for in a romantic partner?
8. Researchers suggest that the passion in a love relationship tends to peak early in the relationship and then gradually fade. Do you agree with this assessment? Is it consistent with your own experiences with love relationships?
9. The textbook suggests that men tend to be more romantic than women, which is contrary to the traditional stereotype. Do you agree with this conclusion? Is it consistent with your own experience?
10. The textbook suggests that one reason relationships fail is the availability of a more attractive relationship. Does it seem fair to "bide your time" in an unsatisfying relationship until something better comes along? Do you think this is a conscious strategy for many people, or do you think this is something that could happen without one being aware of it?
CHAPTER NINE
1. Do you think humans select a mate in much the same way that other animals do? What do you think of the evolutionary view that suggests that men and women seek a mate that will help maximize their own reproductive fitness? Can you think of specific human behaviors that tend to support this view?
2. It's been suggested that traditional gender roles make marriage a "better deal" for husbands than for wives. Do you agree? Can you think of specific examples in which an individual (husband or wife) can get a "better deal" than the other in a marriage?
3. What do you think are the biggest adjustments a person has to make when entering a marriage? Can you think of any strategies that could be used to minimize the stress associated with these adjustments?
4. According to your textbook, when deviations from homogamy (the tendency to marry someone with similar personal characteristics) occur, it’s usually the husbands who are older and better educated than their wives. Why do you think this is the case? How might evolutionary psychologists explain these findings?
5. Research findings suggest that people whose parents were divorced are more likely than others to experience divorce themselves. In other words, and as your textbook states, marital instability appears to run in families. Why do you think this is the case? How might a behavioral psychologist explain these findings?
6. Why do you think it is that couples that marry relatively young have higher divorce rates?
7. According to your textbook, more and more couples are deciding to remain childless. How might evolutionary psychologists--with their emphasis on reproductive fitness--explain this phenomenon?
8. What do you think of the research findings that suggest that adolescence is a more difficult period for the parents than it is for the adolescents themselves?
9. What do you think are the main factors in our society that have caused the steady increase in divorce rates? Do you foresee a time in the near future when virtually no couples will remain married to each other throughout their lives?
10. What do you think of the idea of using cohabitation as a kind of "trial marriage"? As divorce becomes less stigmatized and easier to accomplish, would you expect the cohabitation rates to decrease?
11. Are marriage contracts a worthwhile idea? If so, what specific issues do you think should be addressed in a marriage contract?
12. How do you think the stereotype of the carefree, swinging single person developed, particularly given the lack of empirical evidence to support this notion?
13. Do you think homosexual marriages should be legally sanctioned? Why or why not?
14. Do you think date rape occurs more often today than it did 20 or 30 years ago, or do you think the increase in reported incidents is due to a clearer understanding of what date rape is?
15. Can you identify any specific films or television shows that seem to promote aggressive behavior toward women? What was/is your reaction to these situations as they are portrayed in the media?
CHAPTER TEN
1. The idea that human females have "maternal instincts" is frequently the topic of heated debate. What do you think of the notion that women are genetically predisposed to be good mothers? Can you think of real-life cases of women who were notoriously bad mothers (e.g., Susan Smith)?
2. According to the notion of androcentrism (i.e., the belief that the male is the norm), our society tends to favor “masculine” characteristics and behavior. Can you think of examples from everyday life that support this notion? How might androcentrism have developed in the first place?
3. What do you think of the importance of biological versus environmental factors in gender differences in behavior? Do you think either one is more influential than the other?
4. Given the availability of computers to today’s school children (both male and female), why is it that males might exhibit more self-confidence about computers than females? Do you think this particular gender difference might disappear as more and more families acquire computers for their homes?
5. According to research findings cited in your textbook, boys tend to engage in more physical aggression than girls, and girls tend to engage in more verbal aggression. How might an evolutionary psychologist explain these differences?
6. According to your textbook, researchers have found that males are more sexually active than females. Do these findings suggest that a gender-based “double standard” for sexual behavior exists? Can you think of examples that support the existence of this double standard?
7. What do you think of the suggestion made in your textbook that gender roles are changing, and will continue to change (if not disappear) in the future? Do you think society would be better off if there were no gender roles at all?
8. At what age does gender-role socialization begin in our society? How are toys for very young children made “gender appropriate”?
9. Can you think of any examples of gender bias from your early days in school? Do you think teachers consciously favor one gender over the other in class discussions, etc.?
10. Can you think of examples of current television commercials that exhibit some degree of gender bias? What kind of reaction do you have when you see one of these commercials?
11. How do you think the women's and men's movements have affected our views of gender?
12. Some theorists have suggested that the world would be a much better place to live (i.e., fewer conflicts, wars) if women held all the positions of leadership. Do you agree? Why or why not?
13. Have you had an experience where you felt you were treated differently simply because you are a certain gender? How did this make you feel? How do you think you would have been treated differently had you been the other gender?
14. In recent years, sexual harassment cases involving elementary school children have been in the news. Do these kinds of cases suggest that perhaps our society has become overly sensitive to the issue of sexual harassment? How do we as a society draw the line between playful teasing and sexual harassment among children?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
1. Would you consider a college student of traditional age (18-22) an adolescent or an adult? What specific features of college life can you use to support your answer?
2. In some cultures, the transition from childhood to adulthood is marked by a specific “rite of passage.” Can you think of any specific events that generally occur to most adolescents in our culture that might be considered a rite of passage?
3. If you have a relative (i.e., younger sibling, niece, nephew) who is an adolescent, have you seen evidence of egocentric thinking in this person? If this individual is an older adolescent, have you seen any evidence that he/she is "outgrowing" this type of thinking?
4. Would you characterize your early adolescence as a "time of turmoil"? Looking back, do you think this period was harder on you or your parents?
5. According to your textbook, recent years have seen an alarming increase in the incidence of psychological (e.g., depression, suicidal behavior) and social problems (e.g., drug and alcohol abuse, chronic delinquency) among adolescents. Why do you think this is the case? What aspects of today’s society might contribute to this increase?
6. Why do you think adolescence is typically characterized by a search for one's identity? By what age do you think most people establish their own identity?
7. In recent years, the number of murders committed by adolescents seems to have increased. What factors do you think have played a role in this trend? Do you believe, as some people have suggested, that the portrayal of violence in the media (television, movies, video games) has something to do with this trend?
8. Can you think of any examples of a social clock governing your behavior? Which do you think is likely to cause more stress, an important life event that occurs too early, or one that occurs too late? Why?
9. According to one study, people in their twenties change jobs every two years on the average. What are some of the possible explanations for this tendency? How might this tendency relate to Erikson’s views of development during adolescence and young adulthood?
10. As your parents and grandparents grow older, what important life events do you see them going through? What do you see as the main challenges currently facing your parents and/or grandparents?
11. Do you think older people are discriminated against because of their age? What kinds of cultural changes might occur in the future as the proportion of older people increases substantially?
12. Retired doctor Jack Kevorkian has been in the news in recent years for his involvement in physician-assisted suicides. Do you think people should have the right to choose death when they are terminally ill or in great pain? Why or why not?
13. Have you devoted any thought to planning ahead for a "good death"? Given a choice, under what circumstances would you choose to die?
CHAPTER TWELVE
1. According to your textbook, the jobs that appeal to people tend to be like those that their parents have. Think about your own preferred occupation. In what ways is it consistent with your parents’ occupations? In what ways is it different?
2. Psychologists agree that it is important to choose an occupation that is compatible with your personality, particularly your dominant traits and values. In thinking about your own personality characteristics, what kinds of jobs do you think you would be most satisfied with?
3. Did you take an occupational interest inventory when you were in high school? Assuming you received feedback from the inventory, did you find the information useful? Did you use this information to make decisions about college major, course selections, etc.?
4. Your textbook suggests that in contemplating career options, you should be cautious about choosing a career solely on the basis of salary. How important is salary in your assessment of potential occupations? What other aspects of a job are equally or more important to you?
5. Which model of career development do you think makes more sense, the trait measurement and matching approach, or the developmental model, and why?
6. Given the increasingly important role of technology in the workplace, do you think colleges and universities place enough emphasis on training in computer literacy and other areas of technology? Have you sought out courses in technological fields to improve your chances of getting a particular job?
7. With the advent of computer technology, more and more people are choosing jobs that allow them to work at home. What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages of working at home?
8. Research indicates a positive correlation between amount of education and income. Do you think this is because there is a direct cause and effect relationship between these two variables, or are there other factors that might influence this relationship (e.g., intelligence, motivation, socioeconomic status)?
9. How do you think the increase in the number of women and minorities entering the workforce has affected the work environment? In other words, do you think this greater diversity is a positive change? Can you think of any negative effects (e.g., more opportunities for discrimination, harassment)?
10. What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action programs as they are used in college admissions and hiring practices?
11. Your textbook discusses some of the common job-related stressors, including the pressure of work deadlines and work overload, perceived inequities, lack of control, etc. Do you think these stressors also apply to the academic work that college students do? Do you think it’s possible for students to suffer from academic burnout?
12. What kinds of strategies have you used to deal with stress you’ve encountered in a job or at school? Which strategies have been the most successful in reducing your stress?
13. Do you think it's possible that increased concern about sexual harassment (and possible legal actions that result) has made people overly tentative in working relationships where there is potential for harassment?
14. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of publicized cases of job-related homicide. Why do you think this is the case? What can companies do, and what might we do as a society, to reduce the likelihood of these situations?
15. According to research, most of the burdens associated with dual-earner households are borne by wives. Why do you think this is the case? In general, do you think most husbands consciously try to "get out of" household responsibilities?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
1. Do you think sex is strictly a biological need, or do you believe that psychological factors play a more important role?
2. Discuss the relationship between male and female gender role stereotypes and the kind of problems that arise in the dating arena and in intimate heterosexual relationships.
3. According to the textbook, a positive body image is related to greater sexual activity and higher sexual satisfaction. Why do you think this is the case? Do you think people who have plastic surgery to enhance their body image tend to experience greater satisfaction in their sexual relationships?
4. Of family, peers, school, and the media, which of these possible sources of gender-role socialization has the greatest influence on the development of your sexual identity? Do you think the answer to this question might be different for people in other cultures? Why or why not?
5. Did you have a sex education program at school when you were in junior high and/or high school? Do you think the program was effective? Why or why not?
6. Which specific television shows do you think have had the greatest impact on emerging sexual values in today’s adolescents? What is it about these shows that makes them so influential?
7. According to your textbook, many books and magazines tend to perpetuate myths about sex and to miseducate young readers. Do you think the same criticism applies to other media-based sources of information (e.g., television, the Internet)? Why or why not?
8. Your textbook suggests that sexual socialization takes different forms in males and females. Why do you think our societal norms encourage females to feel guilty about engaging in sexual activity? Do you think the "double standard" for males and females regarding sexual activity is still in force today?
9. What do you think a gay person would say about the origin of his/her sexual orientation? That is, do you think a gay person would emphasize environmental or biological factors in the development of his/her sexual orientation? If you or a close friend or relative is gay, which factors do you think are more important?
10. Assuming there’s a gay and/or lesbian student organization on your campus, how do the majority of heterosexual students seem to feel about it? Have you noticed any evidence of a homophobic reaction among these students?
11. There seems to be an inconsistency between many people's tendency to avoid talking about sex and the prevalence of sexual activity portrayed in the media (e.g., films, television, books). Why do you think it seems easier for us to read about and watch sex than it is to talk about it?
12. According to your textbook, lust and pleasure are the most popular motives for sex among men, whereas love and emotional reasons were the most popular motives among women. Do you think these gender differences are due primarily to gender-role socialization, or to biological influences?
13. Research findings indicate that most males and females fantasize at least sometime during sexual activities with another person. Do you think this tendency would generally be beneficial or harmful to a relationship?
14. According to your textbook, men often underestimate the importance of kissing and touching during a sexual encounter. Why do you think this is the case?
15. According to the textbook, college students engage in risky (i.e., without the use of contraceptives) sexual practices for a variety of reasons. What do you think is the main reason, and why?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
1. Many of us have tried to change our health-impairing lifestyles only to find ourselves backsliding into our old behavior patterns. Why do you think it so difficult to overcome or avoid self-destructive behavior? Is it even possible to do so?
2. Do you think most people can be easily classified into either the Type A or Type B personality type? Why or why not?
3. Do you know anyone (including yourself) who seems to fit the profile of a Type A personality? Can you identify examples of the three elements of the Type A personality in this individual?
4. Some people report that they seem more likely to contract a viral infection immediately after "surviving" a particularly hectic and/or stressful period (e.g., during a break just after a very busy semester). How do you think this experience relates to the apparent link between stress and immune functioning?
5. Do you think adolescents today are less likely to take up smoking than their parents were? Why or why not?
6. Given the evidence on the dangers associated with second-hand smoke, more and more businesses, restaurants, malls, airlines, etc. have outlawed smoking altogether. Do you think such laws constitute a form of discrimination toward smokers? On the other hand, shouldn't nonsmokers have the right to work, eat, shop in a healthy, smoke-free environment? Do you think there is a way to resolve this issue without infringing on someone's rights?
7. If you’re a smoker, have you ever tried to quit? Why do you think you were unsuccessful? If you previously smoked but managed to quit, what strategies were most effective in your efforts to stop smoking?
8. Research findings indicate that alcohol consumption is particularly prevalent on college campuses. What is it about the college experience that contributes to the high rates of alcohol abuse among students?
9. Do you think people can become "addicted" to food the same way they can be addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs? Why or why not?
10. According to your textbook, nutritional deficiencies in the U.S. are generally due to ignorance and poor motivation. Can you think of specific societal factors that might contribute to the number of people in the U.S. with such deficiencies?
11. Do you exercise on a regular basis? Do you think today’s college students in general exercise more or less frequently than students of a generation ago?
12. According to your textbook, many myths about AIDS persist in spite of extensive efforts to educate the public. Why do you think this is the case?
13. Do you think drug education programs/courses should be mandatory in the schools? Did you have such a course when you were in junior high school or high school? If so, do you think the course was useful? Informative? Effective?
14. Given the prevalence of drug abuse and related problems (e.g., gang violence) in our society, do you think perhaps drugs should be regulated differently? Do you think certain drugs (e.g., marijuana) should be legalized? What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with the decriminalization of drugs?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
1. What do you think of Thomas Szasz’s criticisms of the medical model of psychological disorders? Do you think it makes sense to treat psychological disorders the same way we treat diseases? Why or why not?
2. What do you think of the process of "labeling" people with psychological disorders? Do you think pinning a potentially derogatory label on a person may do more harm than good? Why do you think psychiatrists and psychologists generally support the use of some classification system for psychological disorders?
3. Recent editions of the DSM include everyday problems that are not traditionally thought of as mental illnesses (e.g., developmental coordination disorder, nicotine dependence disorder). Do you think it's appropriate for these kinds of problems to be included among severe psychological disorders such as multiple-personality disorder and schizophrenia?
4. The textbook mentions transvestic fetishism as an example of a deviant behavior. Why do you think it's acceptable in our society for a woman to dress in men's clothing, but not vice versa?
5. If a person does not pose a threat to anyone else and is not unhappy with his or her behavior, but is socially deviant (e.g., a transvestite), should that person be considered abnormal and mentally ill?
6. What do you think of the notion that normality and abnormality exist on a continuum of behavior? Do you think most people view abnormal behavior as quantitatively or qualitatively different from normal behavior?
7. Many people experience some degree of anxiety when they see a snake or a spider, or when they find themselves in high places. What distinguishes this kind of anxiety from a full-fledged phobia? (Note: This question could be combined with question number 3 above in a discussion focusing on normal versus abnormal behavior.)
8. According to your textbook, the vast majority of people who suffer from panic disorder or agoraphobia are women. Why do you think this is the case? How might an evolutionary psychologist explain this difference?
9. Recent research indicates that infants who show evidence of an inhibited temperament may be at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders later in life. This finding suggests that the tendency to develop an anxiety disorder may be inborn. What do you think of this notion? Do you think it’s possible for infants with this temperament to grow into normal, anxiety-free adults?
10. Given that instances of multiple-personality disorder are relatively rare, why do you think it is that this disorder is so frequently portrayed in books and movies?
11. Researchers have suggested that the prevalence of depression is about twice as high in women as it is in men. Why do you think this is the case? Do you think it’s possible that women are simply more likely than men to report instances of depression?
12. According to your textbook, some theorists suggest that inadequate social skills can lead to the development of depression. Do you think it’s possible that poor social skills may be a symptom of depression, rather than a cause? Can you think of a study that could be done that would help resolve this issue?
13. Do you think a person diagnosed with schizophrenia who commits a serious crime (e.g., murder) should be considered not guilty due to “insanity”? Why or why not? Discuss how your view of the insanity plea has been affected by the information you have learned in the course.
14. There is a common misconception that multiple-personality disorder is the same thing as schizophrenia. Can you think of any explanations for this misconception?
15. Some researchers have suggested that eating disorders are particularly common among college women. Why do you think this is the case?
16. Given that cultural values play a predominant role in the prevalence of eating disorders, what steps could we take as a society to reduce the likelihood of young women developing these disorders?
17. It is not uncommon for students in abnormal psychology classes to begin to feel that they have signs of many of the disorders themselves. Did you experience this feeling as you read the material in Chapter 15? Why do you think students tend to have this reaction?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
1. Why do you think men are less willing to seek therapy than women?
2. Why do you think it is that people who are better educated are more likely to seek psychotherapy?
3. If you or someone close to you were going to seek therapy, which type of mental health professional would you seek out (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional)? Why?
4. If you thought you could benefit from therapy but were reluctant to seek it, who would you talk to? Parents? Friends? Clergy?
5. Do you think, as Freud did, that our unconscious conflicts and motives can be uncovered through dream analysis? If so, why do you think these motives and feelings are presented in the form of symbols in our dreams, rather than in a more obvious form that would be easier to interpret?
6. Do you think it's possible that the resistance that psychoanalysts believe is an important element of the therapy process is simply a reluctance to engage in a process (i.e., therapy) that has been stigmatized to a degree by our society?
7. According to your textbook, psychoanalysts often encourage transference such that clients begin to reenact relations with crucial people in the context of therapy. What do you see as the main advantages of this approach? What are the drawbacks?
8. Which of the main approaches to insight therapy (psychoanalysis, client-centered, cognitive, group therapy) do you think is the most reasonable way to deal with psychological problems? Why?
9. If you had a close friend or relative who had a serious problem with anxiety, which of the insight approaches to therapy (psychoanalysis, client-centered, cognitive, group therapy) would you recommend? Why?
10. What are your views concerning the recovered memories controversy? How likely do you think it is for an influential therapist to persuade a person that he/she experienced events that never actually occurred?
11. One of the main assumptions of behavior therapies is that behavior is a product of learning. On the surface, this seems like a straightforward and reasonable assumption, but do you think that some psychological disorders may develop as a result of genetic factors rather than learning? Why or why not?
12. If a therapeutic drug effectively reduces the symptoms of a psychological disorder, but the symptoms reappear when the drug is discontinued, is this a cure? Why or why not?
13. In many cases, the drugs used to treat psychological disorders have a number of fairly unpleasant side effects. If you’ve ever taken a course in human physiology (or even if you haven’t), why do you think such side effects are so common?
14. How do you feel about the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? Do you think that perhaps this is a technique that is simply too primitive and aversive to be used in modern therapy?
15. Assess the pros and cons of the trend towards managed mental health care. On balance, do you believe it has helped or hurt the mental health profession?
16. Assuming that you needed psychotherapy for some reason, would the sex or ethnic background of the therapist be an important consideration for you? Why or why not? Do you think it is better to talk to someone who is like you, or not much like you, in discussing sensitive issues or problems?