Question 1

A person who has conversion disorder where the symptom is blindness

Accepted Answer

People with conversion disorder may unconsciously avoid obstacles despite claiming blindness, as their symptoms are not due to actual sensory deficits but rather psychological factors.

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why conversion disorder is a less common diagnosis today than it was historically?

Accepted Answer

Advances in the medical field have improved the ability to identify organic causes for physical symptoms, reducing the number of cases attributed to conversion disorder.

Question 3

Body dysmorphic disorder is thought to be related to

Accepted Answer

Body dysmorphic disorder is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders due to its focus on obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to perceived body flaws.

Question 4

The inability to learn new information is known as

Accepted Answer

Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories after the onset of amnesia.

Question 5

Which of the following disorders was once the most frequently diagnosed disorder amongst soldiers?

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder was historically common among soldiers, especially during World War I, where it was often referred to as "shell shock" or "war neurosis."

Question 6

The current view is that primary gain is ________ and secondary gain is _.

Accepted Answer

Primary gain refers to the internal psychological benefit of a symptom, such as relief from anxiety or stress, while secondary gain refers to external benefits, like attention or avoidance of responsibilities.

Question 7

Kristie is talking to a career counselor at college. She suddenly announces that it is pointless to discuss jobs, when she knows that her face is incredibly hideous due to her huge number of acne scars. The counselor is surprised, because, while she can barely see a couple of scars at Kristie's hairline, they were not noticeable until Kristie pointed them out. It is probable that Kristie suffers from

Accepted Answer

Kristie's preoccupation with her appearance and the belief that her acne scars are much more noticeable than they actually are suggest body dysmorphic disorder, where individuals are excessively concerned about perceived flaws in their appearance.

Question 8

Earl falls at work. The initial medical tests showed no major physical problems. However, Earl calls the next day and tells his boss that he is unable to use his right leg because it is paralyzed. He also informs his boss that he plans to sue the company. Earl most likely

Accepted Answer

Earl's behavior suggests malingering because he is likely exaggerating or feigning his paralysis to gain a benefit, such as suing the company.

Question 9

In what way was Freud's view of conversion disorder consistent with behavioral theories?

Accepted Answer

Freud's view was consistent with behavioral theories in that he believed the symptoms were maintained by the relief from anxiety they provided, similar to how behavioral theories suggest that behaviors are maintained by their consequences.

Question 10

The disorder involving the experience of sudden loss of the sense of self is

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization disorder is characterized by a sudden loss of the sense of self, where individuals feel detached from their own thoughts, feelings, and body.

Question 11

Following the rejection of his latest novel, Jim experienced an inability to make some movements with his right hand. While he was unable to write, he could scratch and make other simple motions with his affected hand. Two weeks later he was able to write again. What is unique about Jim's case of conversion disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Following the rejection of his latest novel,...

Question 12

After learning of her father's death, Sophia felt dazed and confused. When speaking of her response to the news, she said she felt like she was in a movie watching the events happening to her. Despite this strange feeling, she understood what was happening and did the things that she needed to do. What can be said of Sophia's response to her father's death?

Accepted Answer

Derealization is a feeling of being detached from one's surroundings, as if one is watching events happening to someone else. This is a common response to trauma, and it can be a way of coping with the overwhelming emotions that come with loss.

Question 13

A possible causal factor for body dysmorphic disorder is

Accepted Answer

Being criticized for one's appearance when young is a possible causal factor for body dysmorphic disorder.

Question 14

Which of the following is a way to distinguish between someone with conversion disorder and someone who is malingering?

Accepted Answer

People with conversion disorder are typically not aware that their symptoms are not due to a medical condition and are often willing to discuss them, whereas malingerers may be more cautious as they are intentionally feigning symptoms.

Question 15

What do the somatoform and dissociative disorders have in common?

Accepted Answer

Both somatoform and dissociative disorders are believed to be psychological responses to stress or anxiety, serving as mechanisms to cope with or alleviate these feelings.

Question 16

Compulsive checking behaviors are characteristic of individuals with

Accepted Answer

Compulsive checking behaviors are characteristic of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder, where they may repeatedly check their appearance in mirrors or seek reassurance about perceived flaws.

Question 17

Which of the following was once viewed as form of "hysteria?"

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder was historically associated with "hysteria," where psychological distress manifests as physical symptoms.

Question 18

Dissociation

Accepted Answer

Dissociation is a common experience and can occur in everyday situations, such as daydreaming or becoming absorbed in a book, and is not necessarily indicative of a disorder.

Question 19

Although Charlie remembered most of the main issues of the meeting, he had no recollection of the decision to eliminate the department that he headed. Which form of psychogenic amnesia would this be characteristic of?

Accepted Answer

Selective amnesia involves the inability to recall specific information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, while other memories remain intact. Charlie remembers most of the meeting but not the specific decision about his department, indicating selective amnesia.

Question 20

People with body dysmorphic disorder are similar to people with hypochondriasis in that

Accepted Answer

Both individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and hypochondriasis seek reassurance about their perceived symptoms but typically do not feel relieved by the reassurance they receive.

Quiz 7: Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders