Title: Chapter 15
Course: Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith Test Bank

Q: According to the authors, what are two common responses that persons of faith often give when asked why individuals become depressed? What do the authors suggest about these responses?

Q: Describe the basic elements of the typical definition provided for psychological disorders. What concerns are raised about this definition by Christians or by people in general?

Q: Christian psychologists Mark Yarhouse and colleagues suggest that we need to consider the whole person in understanding disorders. What do they mean by this concept? Give examples from the chapter and relate them to some of the biblical themes of human nature.

Q: What radical notion does Christian psychologist Don Lindskoog suggest is at the heart of psychological theories? Why do you think this view is still controversial?

Q: Outline at least three specific ways that a faith perspective can help us better understand psychological disorders.

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, persons of faith have historically placed a great deal of emphasis on what?
- The need to care for persons with psychological disorders.
- Our embodiment.
- Human goodness.
- Personal responsibility and free choice.
A: Personal responsibility and free choice.

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, there is a normative feature about creation in that God . . .
- had a certain intention about what he wanted his creation to be like.
- wanted every human being to show similar traits.
- considers as sin any difficulty that inhibits us from fulfilling our tasks.
- intended for people to experience mental disorders in order for his glory to be displayed.
A: had a certain intention about what he wanted his creation to be like.

Q: Which statement would be most consistent with the views of Christian psychologists Yarhouse and colleagues regarding how we should think about those with psychological disorders?
- While many factors contribute to disorders, personal sins are still the biggest issue.
- The imago Dei may be tainted but is never removed.
- Since these conditions are not what God intended, we need to think of these individuals as “other.”
- God demands that we hold people fully responsible and accountable for all the difficulties they experience.
A: The imago Dei may be tainted but is never removed.

Q: What do Christian psychologists Yarhouse and colleagues suggest about the impact of exploring our values or a Christian worldview in understanding disorder?
- This exploration is very effective—almost magical—in curing mental illness.
- It makes the exploration of biological causes unnecessary.
- It can contribute to better coping, healing, and the prevention of symptoms.
- Such explorations are very misguided; they detract from the real issue of biological and environmental causes.
A: It can contribute to better coping, healing, and the prevention of symptoms.

Q: Which of the following statements would not be consistent with the summary thoughts about mental disorders in chapter 15? “Faith perspectives help us to . . .
- see the broader influences on psychological functioning and psychological disorder.”
- appreciate that personal sins and failings contribute almost nothing to psychological disorder; collective sins of a community or culture are what count.”
- better understand the defining features of normative behavior.”
- appreciate the value and humanity of each person.”
A: appreciate that personal sins and failings contribute almost nothing to psychological disorder; collective sins of a community or culture are what count.”

Q: Which of the following is not one of the key elements of psychological disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)?
- Disturbances in behavior, thoughts (cognition), or emotional regulation.
- Significant personal distress or impairment.
- The typical response to a difficult event.
- Having internal dysfunction.
A: The typical response to a difficult event.

Q: What do Christian psychologists Mark Yarhouse and colleagues suggest we need to consider when trying to understand psychological disorders?
- The whole person.
- Our dualistic nature.
- The personal sins of those with disorders—and only this.
- The lack of a prayer life for persons with disorders.
A: The whole person.

Q: A good deal of contemporary research suggests that our environment (i.e., maternal nurturing) influences what about genes?
- Whether genes associated with mental illness are expressed.
- Which genes are selected through “natural selection.”
- Nothing; modern science has verified that genes operate purely through biological mechanisms and are not affected by the environment.
- Our understanding of which genes have been given to us by God.
A: Whether genes associated with mental illness are expressed.

Q: Christian psychologist Don Lindskoog suggested that the radical notion of psychology is that it has captured an aspect of reality . . .
- completely independent from other fields of knowledge.
- with properties that are not fully explained by other aspects of reality.
- that can be completely explained using theological terms alone.
- that can reduce human behavior down to purely mechanical explanations.
A: with properties that are not fully explained by other aspects of reality.

Q: Psychiatrist Thomas Szasz once suggested that mental illness is what?
- One of the most significant social problems humans face.
- A spiritual issue and nothing more.
- A myth.
- Easy to diagnose—once we get the science right.
A: A myth.

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, a more unified approach to understanding psychological disorder would require what?
- Greater emphasis on using brain scans and doing genetic testing.
- Increased focus on the personal sins that can so destroy a person’s life.
- Dealing directly with the mental life of persons.
- Dealing more with family, social, or cultural influences.
A: Dealing directly with the mental life of persons.

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, the terms found in textbook definitions of psychological disorders (i.e., thoughts or actions that are “deviant, distressful, and/or dysfunctional”) are . . .
- very clear and based on purely objective criteria.
- loaded with all sorts of value judgments.
- very unbiblical.
- overly scientific.
A: loaded with all sorts of value judgments.

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, who decides what is deviant, distressing, or dysfunctional?
- Highly trained psychologists or therapists.
- Family members.
- A committee of concerned citizens.
- God.
A: God.