Cognitive Distortions And Stress Quiz

Reviewed by Jennifer DeSetto
Jennifer DeSetto, MSN- Mental Health |
Mental Health Expert
Review Board Member
Jennifer is an ANCC board-certified PMHNP with a decade of experience in mental health. She excels in medication management and evidence-based practices, having worked in private practice, community mental health centers, and inpatient settings. Jennifer earned her MSN in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing from Molloy University and holds a certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Her expertise enriches our quiz review process, ensuring quizzes align with current psychiatric nursing practices and standards.
, MSN- Mental Health
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Cognitive Distortions And Stress Quiz - Quiz

What do you know about cognitive distortions and stress? Here, we have made the cognitive distortions and stress quiz for you. Cognitive distortions are negatively biased errors that occur in thinking, and they are purported to increase vulnerability to depression. Individuals get automatic thoughts in response to events, and these responses, in turn, lead to emotional and behavioral responses. Here are some questions for you to test and expand your knowledge. Go for it!


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    Cognitive distortions are said to especially affect which mental condition?

    • A.

      Schizophrenia

    • B.

      Clinical Depression

    • C.

      Bipolar Disorder

    • D.

      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    • E.

      Anorexia Nervosa

    Correct Answer
    B. Clinical Depression
    Explanation
    Cognitive distortions are thought patterns or biases that can negatively impact a person's perception of themselves, others, and the world around them. Clinical depression is a mental condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. It is often associated with cognitive distortions such as negative thinking, self-blame, and a tendency to focus on the negative aspects of situations. Therefore, clinical depression is especially affected by cognitive distortions.

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  • 2. 

    Choose the distortion that is best exemplified by this statement:"I forgot to put a period in that essay; I will never get a passing grade!"

    • A.

      Magnification

    • B.

      Personalization

    • C.

      Emotional reasoning

    • D.

      Disqualifying the positive

    • E.

      Mind reading

    Correct Answer
    A. Magnification
    Explanation
    The distortion best exemplified by the statement "I forgot to put a period in that essay; I will never get a passing grade!" is magnification. Magnification involves blowing things out of proportion and exaggerating the significance or consequences of a situation. In this case, the person is magnifying the impact of a small mistake by believing that it will result in a failing grade.

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  • 3. 

    Overton, Taggart, and Bagshaw add to Dr. Burns' cognitive distortion theory by offering a hypothetical model for the development of depressive symptoms. The suggested pathway is:

    • A.

      Cognitive distortion> Self-disgust> Depression

    • B.

      Pessimism> Negative thinking> Period of acceptance> Negative thinking> Depression

    • C.

      Self-disgust> Negative interpretive bias> Maintain cognitive distortions> Further cognitive distortions > Negative thinking cycle> Depression

    • D.

      Negative interpretive bias> Cognitive distortions developed> Depression

    • E.

      Negative thinking cycle> Negative interpretive bias> Cognitive distortions> Depression

    Correct Answer
    C. Self-disgust> Negative interpretive bias> Maintain cognitive distortions> Further cognitive distortions > Negative thinking cycle> Depression
    Explanation
    The suggested pathway for the development of depressive symptoms, according to Overton, Taggart, and Bagshaw, starts with self-disgust, which leads to negative interpretive bias. This bias then contributes to maintaining cognitive distortions, which in turn leads to further cognitive distortions. This cycle of distorted thinking eventually leads to negative thinking, which ultimately results in depression.

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  • 4. 

    There are a large number of cognitive distortions associated with perfectionism. These distortions are said to contribute most to which disorder?

    • A.

      Panic Disorder

    • B.

      Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

    • C.

      Bipolar Disorder

    • D.

      Somatization Disorder

    • E.

      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    Correct Answer
    E. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    Explanation
    Perfectionism is often associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) because individuals with OCD often have an intense need for things to be perfect or done in a specific way. They may engage in repetitive behaviors or rituals in order to achieve this perfection, and may experience distress or anxiety if things are not done perfectly. This link between perfectionism and OCD suggests that cognitive distortions associated with perfectionism may contribute most to the development or maintenance of OCD.

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  • 5. 

    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often tied to cognitive distortions. In a study by Rheaume, Freeston, Dugas, Letarte, and Ladouceur, they examined the relationship between OCD and a number of constructs. Which of these constructs was/were found to be moderately related to OCD?

    • A.

      Responsibility

    • B.

      Perfection

    • C.

      Conscientiousness

    • D.

      Both A and C

    • E.

      Both A and B

    Correct Answer
    E. Both A and B
    Explanation
    In the study by Rheaume, Freeston, Dugas, Letarte, and Ladouceur, it was found that both responsibility and perfection were moderately related to OCD. This suggests that individuals with OCD may have a heightened sense of responsibility and a strong desire for perfection, which can contribute to the development and maintenance of their obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These cognitive distortions may lead individuals to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental rituals in an attempt to alleviate their anxiety and prevent perceived negative outcomes.

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  • 6. 

    Multiple cognitive distortions can come into play in one scenario; however, for the following scenario, please choose ONE cognitive distortion that best describes the person's thinking.Damien presented to his Inquiry class. His class was asked to give feedback. Most of the class had very positive things to say, but Terrence voiced some well-founded, slightly more critical comments. For the remainder of the week, Damien obsessed over Terrence's comments and talked about them constantly with his friends. Damien's friends were beginning to get tired of his talking and kept countering with, "But Damien, the rest of the class, loved your presentation!"

    • A.

      Overgeneralization

    • B.

      Mental filter

    • C.

      Magnification

    • D.

      Emotional reasoning

    • E.

      Personalization

    Correct Answer
    B. Mental filter
    Explanation
    Damien's fixation on Terrence's critical comments and his constant discussion about them with his friends suggest that he is selectively focusing on the negative aspect of the feedback. This aligns with the cognitive distortion known as a mental filter, where an individual filters out positive information and only pays attention to the negative aspects of a situation.

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  • 7. 

    Multiple cognitive distortions can come into play in one scenario, but for the following scenario, please choose ONE cognitive distortion that best describes the person's thinking.   Paul was meeting a new group of people that were friends of his current friends. They went out for a couple of hours to watch a basketball game and go bowling. One person from the group commented that Paul was one of the nicest people he had ever met, and everyone agreed. Paul became uncomfortable and kept repeating, "Stop it, you guys. I am not that nice!"

    • A.

      Mental filter

    • B.

      Labeling

    • C.

      Magnification

    • D.

      Minimization

    • E.

      Emotional reasoning

    Correct Answer
    D. Minimization
    Explanation
    In this scenario, Paul is exhibiting the cognitive distortion of minimization. Despite receiving compliments from multiple people about being nice, Paul dismisses their comments and downplays his own positive qualities. He believes that he is not as nice as others perceive him to be, which demonstrates a tendency to minimize or underestimate his own positive attributes.

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  • 8. 

    Multiple cognitive distortions can come into play in one scenario but for the following scenario, please choose ONE cognitive distortion that best describes the person's thinking.Prior to going out one night, Stefan kept thinking, "I must talk to more people. If I don't talk to more people, I can't get them to like me."

    • A.

      Magnification

    • B.

      Minimization

    • C.

      Should statements

    • D.

      Mental filter

    • E.

      Labeling

    Correct Answer
    C. Should statements
    Explanation
    The person in the scenario is engaging in "should statements" cognitive distortion. They are placing unrealistic expectations on themselves by thinking that they must talk to more people in order to be liked. This type of thinking can lead to feelings of pressure and self-criticism.

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  • 9. 

    Multiple cognitive distortions can come into play in one scenario but for the following scenario, please choose ONE cognitive distortion that best describes the person's thinking. Charise was suffering abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. Every time he verbally assaulted her, she thought, "If I was just a better girlfriend and more attentive to him, I wouldn't anger him so much."

    • A.

      Overgeneralization

    • B.

      Personalization

    • C.

      Emotional reasoning

    • D.

      Minimization

    • E.

      Mental filter

    Correct Answer
    B. Personalization
    Explanation
    In this scenario, the cognitive distortion of personalization best describes the person's thinking. Charise is blaming herself for her boyfriend's abusive behavior, thinking that if she was a better girlfriend and more attentive, she wouldn't anger him. This distortion involves taking responsibility for events or situations that are beyond one's control and attributing them to oneself. Charise is internalizing the blame for her boyfriend's actions, which is a common characteristic of personalization.

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  • 10. 

    Stress is defined as:

    • A.

      A state of mind where a person worries excessively.

    • B.

      Physiological response to an acute and harmful situation.

    • C.

      The failure to respond to an event appropriately.

    • D.

      A feeling induced by the inability to cope with cognitive distortions.

    • E.

      The process that organisms go through as they perceive and respond to events that are seen as harmful, threatening, or challenging.

    Correct Answer
    E. The process that organisms go through as they perceive and respond to events that are seen as harmful, threatening, or challenging.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the process that organisms go through as they perceive and respond to events that are seen as harmful, threatening, or challenging. This definition accurately captures the concept of stress as a natural response to perceived threats or challenges. Stress involves both psychological and physiological responses and can vary in intensity and duration. It is a normal part of life and can have both positive and negative effects on an individual's well-being.

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  • 11. 

    The flight or flight response model of stress was suggested by Walter Cannon. He reasoned that exposure to prolonged stress could cause physiological and emotional problems. What biological system did Cannon believe to be responsible for the physiological and emotional responses?

    • A.

      Sympathetic nervous system

    • B.

      Parasympathetic nervous system

    • C.

      Endocrine system

    • D.

      Both A and C

    • E.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    D. Both A and C
    Explanation
    Walter Cannon believed that both the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system are responsible for the physiological and emotional responses in the flight or fight response model of stress. The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's fight or flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and releasing stress hormones. The endocrine system releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which further contribute to the physiological and emotional responses to stress. Therefore, both A (sympathetic nervous system) and C (endocrine system) are believed to be responsible for these responses.

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  • 12. 

    The General Adaptation Syndrome process conceptualized by Hans Selyes has been criticized because:

    • A.

      It does not consider the relationship between environmental factors and physiology.

    • B.

      It is limited in its inclusion of psychological factors.

    • C.

      It fails to explain the non-uniform nature of stress responses between individuals.

    • D.

      Both B and C

    • E.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    D. Both B and C
    Explanation
    The General Adaptation Syndrome process by Hans Selyes has received criticism for not considering the relationship between environmental factors and physiology. It is also limited in its inclusion of psychological factors. Additionally, it fails to explain the non-uniform nature of stress responses between individuals. Therefore, the correct answer is both B and C, as both statements accurately reflect the criticisms of the General Adaptation Syndrome process.

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  • 13. 

    Adrian is a single parent trying to raise 3 children after his wife died last year. He noticed money was getting difficult to budget after his wife's passing and tried to cope by taking on an additional part-time job. Adrian was out of the house from 7:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. when he was working double shifts. He coped well for 6 months by keeping organized and planning his weeks so that he would have one whole day to spend with his children and so that his breaks coordinated with his children's pick-up time from school. Lately, he has been feeling run down and is starting to worry that he won't be able to maintain this lifestyle for much longer. He notices that he is catching a lot more colds this season.Adrian is currently at what stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

    • A.

      Alarm

    • B.

      Resistance

    • C.

      Exhaustion

    • D.

      Adrian currently exhibits all 3 stages

    • E.

      His stressor was acutely induced. Therefore this model is inappropriate

    Correct Answer
    C. Exhaustion
    Explanation
    Adrian is currently at the exhaustion stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome. This is indicated by his feeling run down and worrying about not being able to maintain his current lifestyle. The exhaustion stage occurs when the body's resources are depleted due to prolonged exposure to stressors. Adrian's increased susceptibility to catching colds also suggests that his immune system is weakened, which is a common symptom of the exhaustion stage.

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  • 14. 

    In the Cognitive Transactional Model, there are three kinds of appraisal. In primary appraisal, you can subdivide appraisals into 3 possible meanings. Which of these possible meanings is appropriate to Joan's situation?Joan is delivering flowers to her friend who just had a baby. When she arrives, she is told that the hospital does not allow any plant material into the building in order to remain allergen-free. Joan is unfazed by this information and tosses the bouquet. She whips out her wallet and buys a stuffed animal in the gift shop instead.

    • A.

      Irrelevant

    • B.

      Positive

    • C.

      Stressful

    • D.

      All of the above

    • E.

      None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Irrelevant
    Explanation
    In this situation, the appropriate meaning for Joan's primary appraisal is "irrelevant". This is because the fact that the hospital does not allow plant material does not have any significant impact on Joan's emotional state or her ability to deliver a gift to her friend. Joan remains unfazed by this information and quickly finds an alternative gift, indicating that she does not perceive this situation as stressful or negative. Therefore, the correct answer is "irrelevant".

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  • 15. 

    According to Lazarus and Folkman, the level of stress that a person experiences will depend on:

    • A.

      The effort used to cope with the stress

    • B.

      The level of physiological arousal

    • C.

      The level of psychological arousal

    • D.

      The individual's cognitive appraisal

    • E.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    D. The individual's cognitive appraisal
    Explanation
    According to Lazarus and Folkman, the level of stress that a person experiences will depend on their cognitive appraisal. This means that how a person perceives and interprets a situation will determine the level of stress they experience. The effort used to cope with stress, the level of physiological arousal, and the level of psychological arousal are all factors that can influence a person's cognitive appraisal and ultimately contribute to their experience of stress.

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  • 16. 

    A famous study about stress had college students watching a film that showed gruesome tribal initiation rites. Students were divided into groups before watching the film. One group heard an intellectual anthropological description of the rites. This group experienced significantly less stress than another group that heard a description that emphasized the pain and trauma experienced during the rites.What stress concept is being illustrated by the group differences in this study?

    • A.

      The flight or fight response

    • B.

      Alarm

    • C.

      Primary appraisal

    • D.

      Secondary appraisal

    • E.

      Reappraisal

    Correct Answer
    E. Reappraisal
    Explanation
    The group differences in this study illustrate the concept of reappraisal. Reappraisal refers to the process of reevaluating the meaning of a potentially stressful situation. In this study, the group that heard an intellectual anthropological description of the initiation rites likely engaged in reappraisal by interpreting the events in a more intellectual and detached manner. This allowed them to view the situation as less stressful compared to the group that heard a description emphasizing the pain and trauma, who likely engaged in a more negative appraisal of the situation.

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  • 17. 

    Five thousand years ago, a human hunter walked around a hill and encountered a large wolf feasting on a freshly killed deer. The wolf assumed an aggressive stance. Without the opportunity to flee, the hunter's heart beat faster, his pupils dilated, and his blood pressure rose. The hunter gripped his spear tightly and held it aimed at the wolf. "My ancestors will watch over me," he thought. Suddenly 'the wolf turned and walked away. Perhaps it was intimidated? Relieved, the hunter slumped to the ground in exhaustion.Which of the following was not illustrated by the above vignette?

    • A.

      Walter Cannon's flight or fight response.

    • B.

      The General Adaptation Syndrome's alarm phase.

    • C.

      The General Adaptation Syndrome's exhaustion phase.

    • D.

      The primary appraisal process.

    • E.

      The secondary appraisal process.

    Correct Answer
    C. The General Adaptation Syndrome's exhaustion phase.
    Explanation
    The given vignette describes a situation where a hunter encounters a wolf and experiences physiological responses such as increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and elevated blood pressure. These responses are consistent with Walter Cannon's flight or fight response, which is the body's automatic reaction to a perceived threat. The vignette does not mention any prolonged stress or adaptation to the situation, which is characteristic of the General Adaptation Syndrome's exhaustion phase. The primary and secondary appraisal processes are not directly addressed in the vignette, so it cannot be concluded whether they are illustrated or not.

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  • 18. 

    Selye would like to consider the problems of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, bronchial asthma, and increased risk of infection to be:

    • A.

      Diseases of exhaustion

    • B.

      Diseases of survival

    • C.

      Diseases of adaptation

    • D.

      Diseases of resistance

    • E.

      Diseases of the psyche

    Correct Answer
    A. Diseases of exhaustion
    Explanation
    Selye would consider the problems of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, bronchial asthma, and increased risk of infection to be diseases of exhaustion. This is because Selye's concept of stress and the General Adaptation Syndrome suggests that prolonged exposure to stressors can lead to exhaustion and the breakdown of bodily systems, which can manifest as various diseases.

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  • 19. 

     "Coping consists of efforts, both action-oriented and intrapsychic, to manage environmental and internal demands and conflicts among them."What are the implications of this definition of coping?

    • A.

      The definition encompasses a great many actions and reactions to stressful circumstances.

    • B.

      Coping is an ability that is infrequently possessed by a few individuals who can exert both actions and reactions.

    • C.

      As the phrase "conflicts among them" suggests, the relationship between coping and a stressful event is a dynamic process.

    • D.

      A and C are correct.

    • E.

      All of the above are correct.

    Correct Answer
    D. A and C are correct.
    Explanation
    The definition of coping provided in the question implies that coping involves various efforts, both action-oriented and intrapsychic, to manage both external and internal demands and conflicts. This definition suggests that coping is not limited to a single approach or strategy, but encompasses a wide range of actions and reactions that individuals employ to deal with stressful circumstances. Additionally, the mention of "conflicts among them" indicates that coping is a dynamic process that involves navigating and resolving conflicts that may arise during the coping process. Therefore, options A and C, which highlight the broad scope and dynamic nature of coping, are correct.

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  • 20. 

    Masten wrote that current research about resilience (especially in development) suggests that:

    • A.

      Individuals can be considered resilient if there has never been a significant threat to their development.

    • B.

      Resilience emerges from ordinary processes and adaptive systems, such as good parenting.

    • C.

      Children who overcome adversity are remarkably special.

    • D.

      Options A and B are correct.

    • E.

      Options A and C are correct.

    Correct Answer
    B. Resilience emerges from ordinary processes and adaptive systems, such as good parenting.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Options A and B are correct." This is because the statement "Individuals can be considered resilient if there has never been a significant threat to their development" suggests that resilience can be present even without facing significant threats. Additionally, the statement "Resilience emerges from ordinary processes and adaptive systems, such as good parenting" highlights that resilience can be fostered through everyday processes and supportive environments like good parenting.

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Jennifer DeSetto |MSN- Mental Health |
Mental Health Expert
Jennifer is an ANCC board-certified PMHNP with a decade of experience in mental health. She excels in medication management and evidence-based practices, having worked in private practice, community mental health centers, and inpatient settings. Jennifer earned her MSN in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing from Molloy University and holds a certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Her expertise enriches our quiz review process, ensuring quizzes align with current psychiatric nursing practices and standards.

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  • Mar 06, 2024
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