Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

The term used to describe beliefs that influence the range of affective responses is?

1. Core beliefs

2. Intermediate beliefs

3. Negative beliefs

4. Affective responses

The correct answer is: Core beliefs

The term "core beliefs" refers to deeply held convictions that shape an individual's perceptions and emotional responses. These beliefs are foundational and serve as the lens through which experiences are interpreted, significantly influencing affective responses such as feelings of happiness, sadness, anxiety, or anger. Core beliefs often develop from early life experiences and can encompass fundamental ideas about self-worth, trust in others, and the world at large. These foundational beliefs guide behavior, decision-making, and emotional reactions in a variety of situations. Because core beliefs are essential to a person's identity and worldview, they play a pivotal role in determining how individuals feel and react emotionally to circumstances in their lives. In contrast, intermediate beliefs are more general thoughts and attitudes that arise from core beliefs, and negative beliefs usually refer to a detrimental perspective that can stem from or relate to these deeper beliefs. Affective responses, meanwhile, are simply the emotional reactions themselves and do not encompass the belief systems that give rise to them. Understanding core beliefs allows individuals to recognize the underlying thoughts that influence their emotional and behavioral responses.