Tommy Has Obsessions About Cleanliness and Is a Compulsive Hand-Washer

question 82

Multiple Choice

Tommy has obsessions about cleanliness and is a compulsive hand-washer.Which of the following pieces of evidence would support the view that his obsessive-compulsive disorder is related to operant conditioning?

• A) Although Tommy has been punished by his parents for hand-washing many times, he continues to engage in the behavior.
• B) Tommy sees his brother engage in compulsive hand-washing, so he also engages in the behavior.
• C) Tommy experiences a large reduction in anxiety whenever he washes his hands, so he continues the behavior whenever he becomes anxious.
• D) Tommy read a sign saying that hand-washing helps prevent illness.

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Definitions:

Electroconvulsive Therapy

A medical treatment most commonly used for severe depression, involving brief electrical stimulation of the brain under anesthesia.

Severe Depression

A form of depression characterized by intense symptoms such as profound sadness, fatigue, and potential suicidal thoughts that interfere significantly with daily life.

Electrical Current

The passage of electrical current through a conductive path, often expressed in amperes.

Community Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.