Question 1

Psychological disorders characterized by inflexible,enduring,and socially maladaptive behavior patterns are called ________ disorders.

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are characterized by inflexible, enduring, and socially maladaptive behavior patterns. The other choices are not specific to this type of disorder.

Question 2

The widely used system for classifying psychological disorders is known as

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is the most widely used system for classifying psychological disorders. It provides criteria for diagnosing specific disorders and helps clinicians make consistent diagnoses. The other options, epigenetics and the biopsychosocial approach, are related but not the primary system for classifying disorders. The medical model is a general approach for understanding and treating illness, but it is not specific to psychological disorders.

Question 3

Some skeptics have suggested that the role playing of fantasy-prone patients in response to the leading questions of therapists has often contributed to

Accepted Answer

The role playing of fantasy-prone patients in response to leading questions may contribute to the development of dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states, each with its own pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the world. The use of leading questions by therapists may inadvertently suggest the presence of different personalities or identities to vulnerable patients, leading to the development of this disorder. There is no evidence to suggest that this phenomenon contributes to the development of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or bipolar disorder.

Question 4

Evidence that symptoms of dissociative identity disorder are triggered by the suggestions and leading questions of therapists would most clearly point to the importance of ________ in the onset of this disorder.

Accepted Answer

The suggestion and leading questions of therapists can lead individuals to unconsciously role-play different identities, which can trigger symptoms of dissociative identity disorder. This suggests that the disorder may be more related to social and contextual factors, specifically therapeutic practices, rather than underlying psychological processes such as repression or childhood trauma.

Question 5

Several times in the past two months,Petra has experienced an irregular heartbeat,intense fear that something horrible is about to happen,and an inability to breathe.Petra most likely suffers from

Accepted Answer

Petra's symptoms are indicative of panic attacks, which are characterized by an irregular heartbeat, intense fear, and difficulty breathing. Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves persistent, repetitive thoughts and behaviors, whereas phobias are intense and irrational fears of specific things or situations. Social anxiety disorder involves excessive fear of social situations and potential scrutiny from others. However, Petra's symptoms do not seem to specifically relate to social situations.

Question 6

Brian often interrupts his teacher while she is speaking and frequently forgets to complete his homework assignments.He also has difficulty waiting to take turns in playground games with his classmates.Brian most clearly exhibits symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Brian's behaviors are classic symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including interrupting others, forgetfulness, and difficulty waiting his turn.

Question 7

Last week,Becky read that labels can bias perceptions,so she does not support placing diagnostic labels on psychological problems.If you were trying to convince her that these types of labels do have benefits,you might tell her that mental health professionals use labels to

Accepted Answer

Mental health professionals use labels to communicate about their clients, study the underlying causes of psychological problems, and choose the most effective course of treatment. While there are certainly concerns and potential biases associated with diagnostic labels, they can also be an important tool for helping individuals receive the care they need. By providing a clear and consistent way of describing psychological symptoms and behaviors, labels can help clinicians to develop treatment plans that are tailored to each individual's unique needs. Additionally, labels can facilitate communication and collaboration among mental health professionals, which can be especially important in cases where clients are receiving care from multiple providers.

Question 8

The term psychopath refers to an individual with

Accepted Answer

The term psychopath is commonly used to refer to individuals with antisocial personality disorder, which is characterized by a disregard for the rights of others, impulsivity, and a lack of empathy or remorse for their actions. Psychopathy is not the same as psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or dissociative identity disorder.

Question 9

Matthew spends each morning counting every book in his personal library,as well as every kitchen utensil and dish before he will leave for work.He repeats the process when he comes home.He recognizes that this is irrational,but he becomes extremely agitated when he tries to stop.Matthew's behaviors are most likely symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Matthew's behavior of counting and becoming agitated when trying to stop suggests symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is characterized by unwanted and repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).

Question 10

Increased activity in brain areas involved with the control and inhibition of traumatic memories has been linked with the experience of

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder involves disruptions in memory and identity, often linked to traumatic experiences, which may involve increased activity in brain areas controlling and inhibiting traumatic memories.

Question 11

Nora's husband insisted that she go to a mental health clinic when she was unable to explain or remember her frequent absences from home,phone calls from people that she claimed she had never heard of,and check stubs from checks that she couldn't remember writing.At the clinic,Nora admitted there were long stretches of her life that were completely blank to her.Suddenly,using a different voice,facial expression,and demeanor,Nora said to the psychologist,"Don't pay any attention to that old Nora.She's just a bore and I'm a lot more fun to talk to." Nora's symptoms are characteristic of

Accepted Answer

Nora's symptoms are characteristic of dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. The blank periods in her memory suggest dissociation or detachment from reality, and the sudden change in voice and demeanor indicate the presence of multiple distinct personalities.

Question 12

Lenore is unexplainably and continually tense and is plagued by muscle tension,sleeplessness,and an inability to concentrate.Lenore most likely suffers from

Accepted Answer

Lenore's symptoms suggest a persistent and excessive worry or anxiety about a variety of everyday situations and events, which is the hallmark characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder. Phobias are typically specific fears of certain things or situations, panic disorder is characterized by sudden and recurrent episodes of panic and fear, and obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive and unwanted thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors.

Question 13

Exhibiting two or more distinct and alternating personalities is a symptom of a(n)

Accepted Answer

Exhibiting two or more distinct and alternating personalities is a symptom of dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder). Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging, obsessive-compulsive disorder is marked by persistent, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, and antisocial personality disorder is a condition in which a person consistently disregards and violates the rights of others. None of these disorders involves the presence of multiple personalities.

Question 14

Noah's therapist suggests that Noah developed a dissociative identity disorder in order to misbehave without feeling a strong sense of personal shame.The therapist's suggestion most directly reflects a(n)________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The therapist's suggestion that Noah developed a dissociative identity disorder to avoid feeling personal shame is a psychodynamic perspective. Psychodynamic theories suggest that behavior and psychological problems arise from unconscious conflicts and repressed emotions. The therapist's suggestion implies that Noah's behavior is a result of underlying unconscious conflicts and emotions related to shame.

Question 15

Horace keeps to himself at work and seems socially disengaged when he needs to work on group projects.His coworkers have long recognized that he behaves in odd and eccentric ways that impair his ability to function well in social settings.His long-standing maladaptive patterns of social interaction best illustrate

Accepted Answer

Horace's behavior best fits the criteria for a personality disorder, specifically a personality disorder marked by odd or eccentric behavior. Dissociative identity disorder involves a disruption of one's sense of identity, while a psychotic disorder involves a break with reality. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and does not fit Horace's symptoms.

Question 16

Which of the following was eliminated from the American Psychiatric Association's list of psychological disorders in 1973?

Accepted Answer

Homosexuality was removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of psychological disorders in 1973.

Question 17

Teresa displays overly dramatic and shallow expressions of emotion that impair her social relationships.She exaggerates even her smallest disappointments and consistently uses her physical appearance to draw attention to herself.Her maladaptive patterns of interacting with others best illustrate

Accepted Answer

Teresa's behavior is consistent with a personality disorder, which involves consistent and maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that impair social and occupational functioning. Specifically, Teresa's attention-seeking behavior and shallow emotional expressions suggest histrionic personality disorder. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of manic and depressive moods, obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors, and anorexia nervosa involves an intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image.

Question 18

Evidence that many DID patients have suffered abuse as children leads some psychologists to include dissociative disorders under the umbrella of

Accepted Answer

Many DID patients have a history of childhood abuse, which is a common precursor to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, dissociative disorders are often included under the umbrella of PTSD, as they are thought to be a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma.

Question 19

The experience of multiple personalities is most likely to be characterized by

Accepted Answer

Multiple personalities, or dissociative identity disorder, is characterized by a significant dissociation of self from normal consciousness. This can involve feeling like one's identity is split into different personalities or experiencing blackouts where one cannot remember their actions.

Question 20

At one time,disordered people were simply warehoused in asylums.These were replaced with psychiatric hospitals in which attempts were made to diagnose and cure those with psychological disorders.This best illustrates one of the beneficial consequences of

Accepted Answer

The medical model emphasizes the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders as if they were physical illnesses. This led to the development of psychiatric hospitals, which aimed to cure patients rather than simply confine them.

Quiz 13: Psychological Disorders