EXAM 1: SAMPLE QUESTIONS
What is the difference between clinical psychologists and psychiatrists? (short
answer)
Which of the following is FALSE? (multiple choice)
A. Freud was not interested in evaluating the outcome of his treatment
B. Smith and Glass’s meta analyses indicated that, in general, therapy works
C. Smith and Glass’s meta analyses indicated that there are negligible differences in
outcomes between different types of therapies
D. In his Consumer Report study, Seligman found significant differences in the
outcomes of clients treated by psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers
E. In his Consumer Report study, Seligman found significant that more sessions were
related to greater improvement
Essay:
Dr. X was a clinical psychologist in private practice. A single woman in her early twenties
consulted him for career and adjustment issues. After working together for six months, the
patient felt that the issues were resolved, the psychologist agreed, and treatment was
terminated. Two years later, the psychologist attended a social gathering and coincidentally
met his former patient. They had a lengthy conversation. Toward the end of the evening she
asked the psychologist if he would be interested in establishing a friendship. He told her he
would enjoy such a relationship, but noted that he was not free to do so because of their preexisting professional one. In explaining the dilemma, he specifically mentioned the
possibility that a social relationship would preclude any future professional consultation with
him. She appeared to understand the issue, waived her right to consult him in the future, and
agreed to accept a referral from him if she desired service in the future.
Dr. Y, a tenured professor in a large psychology department, was having an informal
conversation with a current graduate student, a female of similar age, who was leaving for
her internship within the year. In the course of the conversation, Dr. Y mentioned missing
having a man in her life; she had been widowed some years previously. Some weeks later the
graduate student called Dr. Y at home, reminded her of their conversation, and offered to
introduce her to a man whom she believed Dr. Y would find interesting.