Q1. Define defense mechanisms. Name three types, giving examples of how an individual may use each.
Defense mechanisms refer to a set of approaches related to psychology which help a person in protecting themselves from undesirable thoughts and feelings like anxiety. There are various mechanisms including denial, projection, and displacement. The denial mechanism is effective in blocking the external events from coming into awareness (Spielman 372). In the case that a situation carries a lot of weight, a person automatically refuses to experience it. For instance, cigarette companies usually indicate that smoking is bad for one’s health and smokers even observe people with complications due to smoking. However, they refuse to admit that they may end up like them. The projection mechanism encompasses the individual attributing individual undesirable thoughts and feelings to other people. For example, a person may hate another, and in consequence, their superego will tell them that this hatred is not acceptable. As a way to solve this issue, they will start believing that the other person is the one with the hate. Finally, the displacement mechanism primarily focuses on the satisfaction of an impulse such as aggression with an alternative option. In the case that a student is angry with their professor, they will kick their pets upon reaching home.
Q2. Discuss the differences among negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, and punishment, and give an example of each.
Notably, a reinforcement refers to a situation where a favorable condition is introduced which increases the chances of the desired behavior occurring or strengthening it. Since the suitable state serves as a reward, reinforcement is conditioning based on rewards. A positive reinforcement pertains something which is pleasant while negative reinforcement concerns an unpleasant thing. In essence, positive reinforcement entails adding a pleasant stimulus to prompt a behavior such as a parent giving a bicycle to a child for good performance at school. On the other hand, in negative reinforcement, a particular stimulus is dealt away with to realize a certain behavior. For instance, children shower to remove the bad smell. The incentive, in this case, is the bad smell and the acceptable behavior it taking a shower. Punishment is different from these whose goal is to reduce the probability of the occurrence of an action (Spielman 197). For instance, a teacher may give a student extra homework since he is always bullying others.
Q3. Discuss two types of eating disorders, their causes, symptoms, and effects.
Eating disorders may be observed through eating habits which are not common. The anorexia nervosa eating disorder is the most common which is usually observed with adolescents or young adults. Also, it is mostly seen with women who are very sensitive to their physical look. People who have anorexia perceive themselves as being overweight, and to solve this problem, they avoid eating foods with calories. Some symptoms include restricted eating patterns, a dominant fear that they will gain weight, and a wrong perception of one's body image. It often leads to extremely low body weight, chest pains, weakened muscles, and in severe cases it may result in heart failure. The bulimia nervosa is the complete opposite and entails an individual eating large amounts of food within a short time (Spielman 340). It occurs typically at the adolescence age. The associated symptoms include regular eating, self-esteem which is determined by a person's body shape and weight, and a constant fear that one will gain weight. It may result in swollen salivary glands, dehydration, and sore throats.
Q4. Fully explain three symptoms of schizophrenic disorders
Schizophrenia comprises a set of problems related to the thinking of a person, their emotions, and behavior. One of the symptoms includes hallucinations which refer to seeing and hearing things which are not real. A person with schizophrenia still retains the full force and influence of a typical experience. While it may occur in any of the senses, it is most familiar with hearing voices which are not there. Second, delusions encompass false beliefs which are not based on reality. Most people start thinking that they are getting attacked or harassed. Such people start believing that they are powerful and can help others although this is false. Third, schizophrenia is characterized by disorganized thinking since communication is significantly impaired. A person will usually utter meaningless words which are incomprehensible.
Work Cited
Spielman, Rosie M. Psychology. Houston: OpenStax, 2017.
