Question 1

What is an aspect of the character strengths classification scheme that Patterson and Seligman developed as a complement to the DSM?
A) The character strengths classification scheme incorporates a more cognitive approach to understanding mental disorders.
B) By providing a taxonomy of emotional disturbances, the character strengths scheme simplifies diagnosis and treatment.
C) By considering new research findings, therapists are better able to understand and treat mental disorders.
D) The character strengths assessment of characteristics such as wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence are important to assess and consider when working with mental disorders.

Accepted Answer

The character strengths classification scheme developed by Peterson and Seligman (not Patterson) focuses on positive traits and virtues such as wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence, offering a complementary perspective to the pathology-focused DSM.

Question 2

A recent environmental component of the DSM is an in-depth interview to determine the possible impact of ____ on a client's symptoms by asking questions about his or her sources of strength.
A) attitude
B) IQ
C) physical health
D) culture

Accepted Answer

The recent environmental component of the DSM includes an in-depth interview focusing on the impact of culture on a client's symptoms. This approach recognizes the significant role that cultural background and context play in shaping an individual's experiences, including their sources of strength and how they perceive and cope with mental health issues.

Question 3

Dr. Reynolds is an avid feminist. What is her opinion of the proposed condition "premenstrual dysphoric disorder" likely to be?
A) She would argue that it helps reduce the stigma of being a woman with a mental disorder.
B) She will favor its inclusion in future editions of the DSM.
C) She would prefer that it be seen as a physical condition, not a mental disorder.
D) She would prefer that it not be seen as a problem at all.

Accepted Answer

As an avid feminist, Dr. Reynolds is likely to prefer that conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder be seen as physical conditions rather than mental disorders. This perspective aligns with feminist critiques that argue against pathologizing women's reproductive functions and advocate for a more nuanced understanding of women's health issues.

Question 4

Last year Mr. Plimpton, the high school principal, was fired from his job because it came to light that  he had, at one time, been diagnosed with depression. This illustrates ____.
A) the lack of reliability in the diagnostic process
B) that people who are labeled frequently change their own behavior
C) the negative effects of a medical model of diagnosis
D) that labels can cause people to treat individuals differently even when they are able to function normally

Accepted Answer

The situation illustrates that labels, such as a diagnosis of depression, can lead to differential treatment of individuals, in this case, Mr. Plimpton being fired, despite their ability to function normally in their roles.

Question 5

Harold is addicted to cocaine and nicotine. His wife, Janet, is dissatisfied with her physique and has developed a pervasive pattern of bingeing and purging in attempt to lose weight. According to the DSM-5, Janet has ____, whereas Harold ____.
A) a personality disorder; has impulse control disorder
B) somatoform disorder; does not have a mental disorder
C) dissociative disorder; has a personality disorder
D) an eating disorder; has a substance-related and addictive disorder

Accepted Answer

Janet's behavior of bingeing and purging to lose weight aligns with the characteristics of an eating disorder, specifically bulimia nervosa, as categorized in the DSM-5. Harold's addiction to cocaine and nicotine is classified under substance-related and addictive disorders in the DSM-5.

Question 6

A psychologist states that "viewing mental disorders on a continuum will have unexpected consequences in changing of what is deemed normal to pathological." This psychologist ____.
A) is arguing for abandoning all assessment methods
B) tends to ignore the situational causes of mental disorders
C) favors using a categorical system
D) favors a behavioral classification scheme

Accepted Answer

The psychologist's statement suggests a preference for a categorical system over a continuum approach, as they are concerned about the implications of viewing mental disorders on a continuum for what is considered normal versus pathological.

Question 7

Carla sees the psychologist at the mental health center at her college because she is often sad and frequently unable to get out of bed. Although Carla has symptoms of depression, the symptoms are mild. The psychologist is most likely to ____.
A) suggest that Carla keep a journal of her symptoms and return when they worsen
B) make a diagnosis of depression with a lower symptom severity rating
C) make a diagnosis of major depressive disorder
D) tell Carla that she does not have a diagnosable disorder

Accepted Answer

Given Carla's symptoms are present but mild, the psychologist is likely to diagnose her with depression, assigning a lower severity rating to reflect the mild nature of her symptoms. This approach allows for an accurate diagnosis while acknowledging the current impact of the symptoms on her life.

Question 8

Considering the potential of increased diagnoses, why does the affiliations of almost three quarters of the professionals who developed the DSM-5 cause suspicion?
A) The focus on advertisements for more clients
B) The direct ties to pharmaceutical companies that might increase sales
C) The increased media focus on a variety of mental health issues
D) The blurring of the lines that divide normal from abnormal

Accepted Answer

The affiliations of a significant number of the professionals involved in developing the DSM-5 with pharmaceutical companies raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding the possibility that these ties could influence the expansion of diagnostic criteria in ways that might benefit pharmaceutical sales by increasing the number of individuals diagnosed and potentially treated with medication.

Question 9

What is a criticism regarding the decisions concerning diagnostic categories in the DSM-5?
A) They favored a single diagnostic label, eliminating the five-axis concept.
B) They neglected to consider mental disorders that afflict only women.
C) They assumed that stimulus control is the major component in mental disorders.
D) They may have been influenced by pharmaceutical companies.

Accepted Answer

There has been criticism that the DSM-5's decisions on diagnostic categories may have been influenced by pharmaceutical companies, potentially leading to an increase in the number of diagnosable disorders and, consequently, the prescription of medications.

Question 10

A doctor at the National Institute of Mental Health looks at a DSM-5 diagnosis supplied by a clinician. The doctor is likely to think that the diagnosis ____.
A) supplies information that may violate right to privacy
B) relies too heavily on behavioral classifications
C) considers a wide range of diverse symptoms in diagnoses
D) does not provide a precision medicine approach

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5, while comprehensive in categorizing mental health disorders based on symptoms and behaviors, has been critiqued for not incorporating a precision medicine approach, which would tailor treatment to individual genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Question 11

A positive feature of the DSM-5 as compared with previous versions is that it ____.
A) provides dimensional ratings of disorders on a scale, e.g., "severe"
B) relies far less on behavioral criteria for determining diagnoses
C) eliminated about half of the categories for disorders
D) switched to a purely biological model of mental illness

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 introduced dimensional ratings for some disorders, allowing clinicians to specify the severity of the disorder on a scale (e.g., mild, moderate, severe), which is a more nuanced approach to diagnosis compared to the categorical approach of previous versions.

Question 12

A child is diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder. What is one risk of this with a classification system?
A) Classification tends to be highly unreliable.
B) Classification tends to give psychopathology an all-or-nothing quality.
C) Classification is rarely based on empirical research.
D) Classification may create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Accepted Answer

Classification may create a self-fulfilling prophecy by influencing how individuals are treated and perceive themselves, potentially reinforcing the behaviors or characteristics associated with the diagnosis.

Question 13

Angel reports to his psychologist that he feels incredibly depressed. He also admits to drinking enough alcohol to give him some difficulty. According to the DSM-5, Angel's symptoms of depression might be considered ____, and his problem with substance use would be considered ____.
A) severe; severe
B) severe; moderate
C) slight; severe
D) mild; moderate

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 categorizes mental health and substance use disorders with varying levels of severity. Angel's feeling of "incredible depression" suggests a severe level of depression, while admitting to drinking enough alcohol to cause "some difficulty" suggests a moderate problem with substance use, aligning with option B.

Question 14

A continued criticism of the DSM-5 and its predecessors is that the ____.
A) DSM classification system does not assess the positive attributes or strengths of a client
B) DSM continues to move toward a categorical systems approach to disorders
C) DSM does not account for the degree of symptom severity across disorders
D) DSM is not as frequently used as the ICD in the United States

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 and its predecessors have been criticized for focusing primarily on diagnosing mental disorders and symptoms, without considering the positive attributes or strengths of a client.

Question 15

The changes in the DSM-5 have some criticisms, including the belief that using a continuum for some mental disorders could cause ____
A) more individuals to be diagnosed with less severe symptoms
B) pharmaceutical companies to lose money
C) individuals with mental disorders to be prelabeled
D) emphasis to move away from severity of symptoms

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5's use of a continuum for some mental disorders has been criticized for potentially leading to more individuals being diagnosed with less severe symptoms, as it broadens the criteria for diagnosis.

Question 16

Disorders involving the disruption of the normal sexual response cycle, including desire, arousal, or orgasm are considered ____ in the DSM-5 category of disorders.
A) Sexual Dysfunctions
B) Paraphilias
C) Gender Dysphoria
D) Complex Somatic Symptom Disorders

Accepted Answer

Sexual Dysfunctions are categorized in the DSM-5 as disorders that involve a disruption in the normal sexual response cycle, including phases of desire, arousal, or orgasm. Paraphilias involve atypical sexual interests, Gender Dysphoria relates to distress over gender identity, and Complex Somatic Symptom Disorders involve excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to somatic symptoms.

Question 17

Vera has the following cyclical pattern of symptoms. A week before her period, she is persistently angry and anxious, has body aches, and she has marked interpersonal conflicts that interfere with her work and social relationships. According to the DSM-5, what condition might Vera have?
A) a proposed "premenstrual dysphoric disorder"
B) "adjustment disorder"
C) a gynecological disorder called "raging hormones"
D) no diagnosable mental disorder

Accepted Answer

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is recognized in the DSM-5 and is characterized by severe emotional and physical symptoms that occur in the week or two before menstruation and significantly interfere with a woman's ability to function in daily life. Vera's symptoms align with those of PMDD.

Question 18

Ling, a recent immigrant from China, experiences physical and mental fatigue: dizziness, headaches, and problems concentrating, sleeping, and remembering important information. She is also irritable and highly excitable. While her symptoms might be diagnosed as a mood or anxiety disorder, a therapist with a DSM-5 emphasis might consider ____.
A) disorders unique to particular cultural groups
B) a "Not Otherwise Specified" diagnosis
C) causal specifiers to broaden the diagnosis
D) biological causes for her symptoms

Accepted Answer

A therapist with a DSM-5 emphasis might consider disorders unique to particular cultural groups because Ling's symptoms could be indicative of a culture-bound syndrome or be better understood within the context of her cultural background. The DSM-5 includes considerations for cultural aspects of mental health, recognizing that some disorders or symptoms are influenced by cultural factors.

Question 19

A major criticism of classification systems is that they ____.
A) provide too much information to be useful
B) stigmatize people by labeling them with a mental disorder
C) do not provide enough information to help therapists design effective treatment
D) ignore cultural and gender differences

Accepted Answer

Classification systems can lead to stigmatization by labeling individuals with a mental disorder, which can affect how they are perceived and treated by others.

Question 20

Why do some critics point out the risk of looking at mental disorders as biomedical illnesses?
A) Biological causes are few and difficult to determine.
B) Technology to affected brain regions does not exist.
C) Environmental influences are deemphasized.
D) Thought patterns are overly emphasized.

Accepted Answer

Critics argue that viewing mental disorders strictly as biomedical illnesses can lead to an underappreciation of the significant role environmental factors (such as life experiences and social context) play in the development and maintenance of these disorders.

Quiz 3: Assessment and Classification of Mental Disorders

What is an aspect of the character strengths classification scheme that Patterson and Seligman developed as a complement to the DSM?

A recent environmental component of the DSM is an in-depth interview to determine the possible impact of ____ on a client's symptoms by asking questions about his or her sources of strength.

Dr. Reynolds is an avid feminist. What is her opinion of the proposed condition "premenstrual dysphoric disorder" likely to be?

Last year Mr. Plimpton, the high school principal, was fired from his job because it came to light that he had, at one time, been diagnosed with depression. This illustrates ____.

Harold is addicted to cocaine and nicotine. His wife, Janet, is dissatisfied with her physique and has developed a pervasive pattern of bingeing and purging in attempt to lose weight. According to the DSM-5, Janet has , whereas Harold .

A psychologist states that "viewing mental disorders on a continuum will have unexpected consequences in changing of what is deemed normal to pathological." This psychologist ____.

Carla sees the psychologist at the mental health center at her college because she is often sad and frequently unable to get out of bed. Although Carla has symptoms of depression, the symptoms are mild. The psychologist is most likely to ____.

Considering the potential of increased diagnoses, why does the affiliations of almost three quarters of the professionals who developed the DSM-5 cause suspicion?

What is a criticism regarding the decisions concerning diagnostic categories in the DSM-5?

A doctor at the National Institute of Mental Health looks at a DSM-5 diagnosis supplied by a clinician. The doctor is likely to think that the diagnosis ____.

A positive feature of the DSM-5 as compared with previous versions is that it ____.

A child is diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder. What is one risk of this with a classification system?

Angel reports to his psychologist that he feels incredibly depressed. He also admits to drinking enough alcohol to give him some difficulty. According to the DSM-5, Angel's symptoms of depression might be considered , and his problem with substance use would be considered .

A continued criticism of the DSM-5 and its predecessors is that the ____.

The changes in the DSM-5 have some criticisms, including the belief that using a continuum for some mental disorders could cause ____

Disorders involving the disruption of the normal sexual response cycle, including desire, arousal, or orgasm are considered ____ in the DSM-5 category of disorders.

Vera has the following cyclical pattern of symptoms. A week before her period, she is persistently angry and anxious, has body aches, and she has marked interpersonal conflicts that interfere with her work and social relationships. According to the DSM-5, what condition might Vera have?

A major criticism of classification systems is that they ____.

Why do some critics point out the risk of looking at mental disorders as biomedical illnesses?