Question 1

_____ disorder is a depressive disorder in which a person experiences at least 2 weeks of depressed mood and a loss of interest in most activities.

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder is characterized by at least two weeks of persistent sadness and a lack of interest in activities, which are key symptoms described in the question.

Question 2

Which of these factors is hypothesized to be a cause of ADHD?

Accepted Answer

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is believed to be linked to brain abnormalities, including differences in brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to attention, impulse control, and executive functioning.

Question 3

_____ disorder is a depressive disorder characterized by a chronic, relatively low-intensity depressed mood that has persisted for at least 2 years.

Accepted Answer

Persistent depressive disorder, previously known as dysthymia, is characterized by a long-term (two years or more) chronic depressed mood that is not as severe as major depressive disorder.

Question 4

Peter believes he is from a distant planet and is on Earth to save humans from alien attacks that most people don't even realize have happened. Peter also believes it is his duty to serve as humankind's protector. What is Peter MOST likely experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Peter is most likely experiencing a delusion, which is a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact. His belief in being from another planet and being a protector against unseen alien attacks is indicative of a delusional thought process, not aligned with reality. Hallucinations involve sensory experiences without external stimuli, flat affect is a severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, and a fugue is a dissociative state, none of which directly describe Peter's beliefs.

Question 5

The BEST definition for a psychological disorder is:

Accepted Answer

A psychological disorder is best defined as a pattern of behavior that causes significant distress or dysfunction in a person's life. This encompasses a wide range of issues, including emotional, cognitive, and behavioral problems, and is not limited to specific areas such as occupational, social, or cognitive functioning alone.

Question 6

Binge eating disorder is defined as a pattern of:

Accepted Answer

Binge eating disorder is characterized by episodes of overeating without the compensatory behaviors (such as purging) that are seen in other eating disorders like bulimia nervosa.

Question 7

Hallucinations are defined as:

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations are false sensations or perceptions, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not present, which can occur in various mental health conditions, including schizophrenia.

Question 8

The psychological disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct personalities is:

Accepted Answer

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within a single individual. These distinct identities may have their own names, ages, histories, and characteristics.

Question 9

The dimensional model of psychopathology states that psychological problems are:

Accepted Answer

The dimensional model of psychopathology suggests that psychological issues exist on a continuum, ranging from mild to severe, rather than being simply present or absent. This approach contrasts with categorical models that classify disorders as either present or not based on specific criteria.

Question 10

The most recent edition of the DSM was published in:

Accepted Answer

The most recent edition of the DSM, the DSM-5, was published in 2013.

Question 11

Dr. Macbeth is a psychiatrist practicing in the United States. Dr. Macbeth uses the _____ to determine the type of psychological disorder his clients have, as well as how common their disorder is and how it develops over time.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals primarily use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose and classify mental disorders. The DSM provides criteria for diagnoses, statistical information on the prevalence of disorders, and details on the development of disorders over time.

Question 12

Dissociative amnesia is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Dissociative amnesia involves the inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

Question 13

_____ is BEST defined as a condition that occurs when a person becomes unable to recall important information from the past.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

Question 14

A practitioner who works with individuals diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder would MOST likely describe _____ as a common personality trait among people who develop these disorders.

Accepted Answer

Perfectionism is a common personality trait among people who develop bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Question 15

Over the past week, Paige has felt highly energized and active. She has slept very little and doesn't feel tired. Without giving it much thought, Paige decided to take a cross-country road trip even though she would miss days of school and important assignments. If Paige has also had periods of depression in the past, Paige would MOST likely be diagnosed with:

Accepted Answer

Paige's symptoms of high energy, little need for sleep, and impulsive behavior suggest a manic episode. When combined with her history of depression, these symptoms align with Bipolar I Disorder, which is characterized by manic episodes that can occur with or without depressive episodes.

Question 16

Ibtisam recently started therapy for anorexia. Ibtisam's therapist believes that her anorexia is the result of several factors. For example, Ibtisam's mother and several other family members have also been diagnosed with anorexia. Ibtisam also tends to think that being slim is the only way she can accept herself and be accepted by others. Ibtisam also lives in a society that glorifies slim women and shames obesity. The therapist's beliefs about the causes of Ibtisam's anorexia corresponds MOST closely to the _____ theory of abnormality.

Accepted Answer

The therapist's beliefs align with the biopsychosocial theory of abnormality, which posits that psychological disorders, including anorexia, are the result of a complex interaction between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. In Ibtisam's case, the biological factor is her family history of anorexia, the psychological factor is her self-perception and acceptance tied to slimness, and the sociocultural factor is the societal pressure and glorification of slimness.

Question 17

Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymia, is characterized by a chronic, relatively low-intensity depressed mood that persists for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in children and adolescents). This distinguishes it from major depressive disorder, which requires a specific duration and intensity of symptoms, and from bipolar disorder, which involves mood swings between high (manic) and low (depressive) states, and from obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and actions.

Question 18

Matilda has been diagnosed with social anxiety. Her therapist's practice aligns closely with the psychological theory of abnormality that focuses on behavioral explanations of psychological disorders. Which explanation is Matilda's therapist MOST likely to give to explain Matilda's social anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral theories focus on how behaviors are learned through conditioning. If Matilda's social interactions led to negative outcomes like embarrassment, she might have learned to associate social situations with negative feelings, leading to social anxiety.

Question 19

Caitlyn grew up in the southern region of the United States. She often uses the word "y'all" to refer to both a single person or a group of people. Caitlyn's friend Max grew up elsewhere and thinks this language is strange. Where Max grew up, no one ever uses the word "y'all." The differences between Caitlyn's and Max's behavior and perceptions BEST demonstrate the concept that _____ can be complicated in determining what is normal and what is abnormal.

Accepted Answer

The differences in language use between Caitlyn and Max best illustrate the concept of deviation from social norms. Social norms, including language and dialect, can vary significantly between different regions or cultures. What is considered normal or typical in one area (like using "y'all" in the southern United States) may be seen as unusual or strange in another, highlighting how social norms influence perceptions of normality and abnormality.

Question 20

Social anxiety disorder is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense and irrational fear of social situations where one might be judged, scrutinized, or embarrassed. This fear can significantly impair daily functioning and social interactions.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders