Andrea Has Kept a Secret About a Traumatic Childhood Experience

question 21

Multiple Choice

Andrea has kept a secret about a traumatic childhood experience to herself for many years. After years of trying to not think about the experience, she decides to write about it in a diary. She spends an hour each night for several days writing about the experience and her feelings surrounding it. Based on research findings, what are the likely effects of Andrea's writing?

• A) Andrea's health should improve.
• B) Andrea will continue to be bothered by the experience until she shows the diary to someone.
• C) Andrea will become obsessed with the experience, thinking about it more than ever.
• D) Andrea will become depressed and require professional help.

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Definitions:

Varying Amounts

Describes quantities that differ in size, number, or extent, and are not fixed or constant.

Fixed Interval

A schedule of reinforcement where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed, in behavioral psychology.

Fixed Ratio

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses, leading to a high and steady rate of response.

Variable Ratio

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that rewards an action after an unpredictable number of responses.