Question 1

The American Psychiatric Association has published a manual that is the most widely used classification system of psychological disorders. What is this manual called?
A) International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
B) Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR)
C) Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM)
D) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Accepted Answer

The manual published by the American Psychiatric Association that is the most widely used classification system of psychological disorders is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). A is incorrect because the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a classification system used for both physical and mental health disorders. B is incorrect because the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) is a reference guide for prescription drugs. C is incorrect because the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) is an alternative diagnostic manual that emphasizes psychodynamic and relational perspectives on mental health.

Question 2

When psychologists talk about modifying abnormal behavior, they are referring to ____.
A) attempting to understand the underlying cause of that behavior
B) restricting the freedom of dangerous clients
C) attempting to anticipate the future behaviors of clients
D) using psychotherapy to improve a person's behavioral, emotional, or cognitive state

Accepted Answer

Psychologists modify abnormal behavior by using psychotherapy to improve a person's behavioral, emotional, or cognitive state.

Question 3

Suree is studying to be a clinical psychologist from an accredited program. She will learn that, with respect to bias in diagnosing clients, ____.
A) mental health practitioners are not immune from inheriting the prejudicial attitudes and stereotypes of the larger society
B) psychologists are less likely than other mental health professionals to overpathologize clients on the basis of race, gender, or social class
C) clinical psychologists receive better training than other mental health professionals for recognizing their tendency to hold prejudicial attitudes toward clients
D) mental health professionals are more likely to hold prejudicial attitudes and biases against males than against females

Accepted Answer

Mental health practitioners, including clinical psychologists, can inherit prejudicial attitudes and stereotypes from the larger society, which can influence their diagnoses.

Question 4

Which statement about multiculturalism in the United States is correct?
A) The idea of cultural sensitivity is irrelevant to abnormal psychology.
B) White are no longer the numerical majority in the United States.
C) There is little relationship between culture and normal development.
D) There is a need to provide culturally-relevant psychotherapy.

Accepted Answer

There is a recognized need to provide culturally-relevant psychotherapy to address the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of individuals in the United States.

Question 5

College administrators suspended Lee Loughner after they became concerned about Loughner's potential to commit dangerous behaviors. Why didn't authorities pursue a civil commitment?
A) Loughner's therapist did not feel he posed a danger to others.
B) None of the local mental health facilities had space to house him.
C) Loughner's behavior did not rise to the level of justifying a commitment.
D) Loughner's behavior was not considered odd in comparison to his peer group.

Accepted Answer

Loughner's behavior, while concerning, did not meet the legal criteria necessary for civil commitment, which typically requires evidence of being a danger to oneself or others.

Question 6

Which statement about the field of abnormal psychology is accurate?
A) Abnormal psychology seeks to describe, explain, predict, and modify behaviors associated with various mental health conditions.
B) Abnormal psychology is not yet considered a scientific field of research because diagnosis is so subjective.
C) Abnormal psychology focuses on the study of only the most bizarre behavior that creates problems for society.
D) Abnormal psychology is most interested in narrowing a disorder to specific behavioral factors that can be modified.

Accepted Answer

Abnormal psychology aims to understand and treat mental health conditions by describing, explaining, predicting, and modifying behaviors.

Question 7

Mental illness results primarily from ____.
A) genetic factors
B) environmental factors
C) sociocultural factors
D) an interaction of many factors

Accepted Answer

Mental illness is typically the result of a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and sociocultural factors, rather than any single cause.

Question 8

Which statement defines psychotherapy most accurately?
A) Systematic interventions designed to improve behavior, emotion, or cognition
B) The scientific study of abnormal behavior
C) A system of observing abnormal behavior in an attempt to classify it
D) The application of a theoretical model to explain the cause of abnormal behavior

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy involves systematic interventions aimed at improving an individual's behavior, emotions, or cognition, typically through therapeutic techniques and interactions.

Question 9

According to Thomas Szasz, ____.
A) mental illness is a fictional creation by society used to control and change people
B) the causes for most mental disorders will ultimately be found in brain pathology
C) individuals who are suffering from mental illnesses have biological diseases
D) medication is far superior to psychotherapy in the treatment of psychopathology

Accepted Answer

Thomas Szasz argued that mental illness is a social construct used to label and control behavior that deviates from societal norms, rather than a true medical condition.

Question 10

Kunti, a Black slave who works on a Southern plantation in the eighteenth century, tries to escape to freedom. A psychological diagnosis at that time would likely be that Kunti ____.
A) has a normal desire to be free
B) suffers from drapetomania
C) suffers from an anxiety disorder
D) is expressing a statistical anomaly

Accepted Answer

In the 19th century, drapetomania was a pseudoscientific diagnosis used to describe the supposed mental illness that caused enslaved Africans to flee captivity.

Question 11

Harold is a mental health professional who has a medical degree and prescribes antidepressants and antipsychotic medication for his patients. After graduating from medical school, he completed a three-year residency in his field. We can guess that Harold is a ____.
A) social worker
B) psychiatrist
C) clinical psychologist
D) psychoanalyst

Accepted Answer

A psychiatrist is a mental health professional who has a medical degree and is able to prescribe medication. They complete a three-year residency after medical school that focuses specifically on mental health treatment. Social workers, clinical psychologists, and psychoanalysts do not have medical degrees and therefore cannot prescribe medication.

Question 12

Psychiatrists must have an M.D.; clinical psychologists must have a Ph.D. or Psy.D., and psychiatric social workers require ____.
A) a master's (M.S.) degree
B) an M.D
C) only a bachelor's (B.S.) degree
D) a Ph.D.

Accepted Answer

Psychiatric social workers require a master's degree in social work (M.S.W.) with specialized training in the field of mental health.

Question 13

Early research on psychopathology, such as that by Emil Kraepelin, supported which viewpoint about abnormality?
A) social
B) biological
C) psychological
D) psychopathological

Accepted Answer

Emil Kraepelin was a German psychiatrist who is considered one of the founders of modern psychiatry. He developed a system of classifying mental disorders that is still used today. Kraepelin's research focused on the biological causes of mental illness, and he believed that mental disorders were caused by physical abnormalities in the brain.

Question 14

Dr. Thompson collects information in order to describe, assess, and understand an individual's psychological disorder. Dr. Thompson is engaged in ____.
A) investigative therapy
B) systematic sensitization
C) psychodiagnosis
D) experimental research

Accepted Answer

Dr. Thompson is engaged in psychodiagnosis, which involves collecting information to describe, assess, and understand an individual's psychological disorder.

Question 15

Johanna has specialized training, and works with individuals who drink too much or abuse drugs. We can guess that Johanna is a ____.
A) substance abuse counselor
B) school psychologist
C) psychiatric social worker
D) psychiatrist

Accepted Answer

Johanna's work with individuals who drink too much or abuse drugs suggests she is a substance abuse counselor, as they specialize in helping people with addiction issues.

Question 16

Thomas Szasz believed that ____.
A) unusual belief systems are not necessarily wrong
B) abnormal behavior reflects an illness
C) psychologists are better trained than other professionals to diagnose abnormality
D) people who have problems of living are suffering from mental illness

Accepted Answer

Thomas Szasz argued that mental illness is a myth and that what is often labeled as mental illness is actually just a deviation from societal norms or problems in living, not a medical condition.

Question 17

Linda, Jayne, and Sheryl all are called "doctors." All are mental health professionals. However, Linda has a Psy.D., Jayne has an M.D., and Sheryl has a D.S.W. We can predict that ____.
A) Sheryl is a psychiatrist
B) Linda is a social worker
C) Linda is a clinical psychologist
D) Jayne is a clinical psychologist

Accepted Answer

Linda's degree, a Psy.D., stands for Doctor of Psychology, which typically indicates a clinical psychologist. Therefore, Linda is likely a clinical psychologist. Jayne's degree, an M.D., stands for Doctor of Medicine, which typically indicates a psychiatrist. However, we cannot assume that Jayne is a psychiatrist without further information. Sheryl's degree, a D.S.W., stands for Doctor of Social Work, which typically indicates a social worker. However, it is also possible for a D.S.W. to specialize in mental health and work as a licensed therapist. Therefore, we cannot assume Sheryl's specific profession without further information.

Question 18

Clinical psychologists usually have ____ degrees; psychiatrists have ____ degrees.
A) bachelor's (B.S.); medical (M.D.)
B) medical (M.D.); doctorate (Ph.D.)
C) doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D); medical (M.D.)
D) master's (M.S.); doctorate (Ph.D.)

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychologists typically hold a doctorate degree such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D., while psychiatrists are medical doctors with an M.D. degree.

Question 19

A psychologist states that "Juan's abnormal behavior is likely due to a combination of biology and inadequate interpersonal skills." The psychologist is ____.
A) predicting the future symptoms of Juan
B) giving Juan a psychodiagnosis
C) offering an explanation for Juan's problem
D) describing how to control Juan's symptoms

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is offering an explanation for Juan's problem, suggesting that it may be due to both biological factors and a lack of interpersonal skills. The statement is not predicting future symptoms or giving a psychodiagnosis, nor is it describing how to control Juan's symptoms.

Question 20

Dr. Price's client has values and a lifestyle that differ markedly from her own. Dr. Price is more likely to ____.
A) overpathologize her client
B) underpathologize her client
C) increase her cultural sensitivity
D) acquire knowledge about the worldviews of a diverse population

Accepted Answer

Dr. Price is more likely to overpathologize her client because when a therapist's values and lifestyle differ significantly from those of their client, there is a risk of misunderstanding or misinterpreting the client's behavior or experiences as pathological, due to a lack of cultural competence or sensitivity.

Quiz 1: Abnormal Behavior

The American Psychiatric Association has published a manual that is the most widely used classification system of psychological disorders. What is this manual called?

When psychologists talk about modifying abnormal behavior, they are referring to ____.

Suree is studying to be a clinical psychologist from an accredited program. She will learn that, with respect to bias in diagnosing clients, ____.

Which statement about multiculturalism in the United States is correct?

College administrators suspended Lee Loughner after they became concerned about Loughner's potential to commit dangerous behaviors. Why didn't authorities pursue a civil commitment?

Which statement about the field of abnormal psychology is accurate?

Mental illness results primarily from ____.

Which statement defines psychotherapy most accurately?

According to Thomas Szasz, ____.

Kunti, a Black slave who works on a Southern plantation in the eighteenth century, tries to escape to freedom. A psychological diagnosis at that time would likely be that Kunti ____.

Harold is a mental health professional who has a medical degree and prescribes antidepressants and antipsychotic medication for his patients. After graduating from medical school, he completed a three-year residency in his field. We can guess that Harold is a ____.

Psychiatrists must have an M.D.; clinical psychologists must have a Ph.D. or Psy.D., and psychiatric social workers require ____.

Early research on psychopathology, such as that by Emil Kraepelin, supported which viewpoint about abnormality?

Dr. Thompson collects information in order to describe, assess, and understand an individual's psychological disorder. Dr. Thompson is engaged in ____.

Johanna has specialized training, and works with individuals who drink too much or abuse drugs. We can guess that Johanna is a ____.

Thomas Szasz believed that ____.

Linda, Jayne, and Sheryl all are called "doctors." All are mental health professionals. However, Linda has a Psy.D., Jayne has an M.D., and Sheryl has a D.S.W. We can predict that ____.

Clinical psychologists usually have degrees; psychiatrists have degrees.

A psychologist states that "Juan's abnormal behavior is likely due to a combination of biology and inadequate interpersonal skills." The psychologist is ____.

Dr. Price's client has values and a lifestyle that differ markedly from her own. Dr. Price is more likely to ____.