Question 1

Isabel tells Dr. Paz that the spirits she sees of her dead grandparents are causing her a great deal of anxiety, although they have motivated her to pursue a medical degree Isabel lives in Brazil. If Dr. Paz diagnoses her as having a psychological disorder, he will likely attribute it to which criterion?
A) deviance
B) distress
C) dangerousness
D) dysfunction

Accepted Answer

Isabel's experience causes her significant distress, which is a key criterion for diagnosing psychological disorders. The fact that the visions of her grandparents are causing her anxiety is a clear indication of distress.

Question 2

Psychopathology, or abnormal behavior, results primarily from ____.
A) genetic factors
B) environmental factors
C) sociocultural factors
D) an interaction of many factors

Accepted Answer

Psychopathology is understood to result from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and sociocultural factors, rather than any single cause.

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) even the most enlightened and well-intended mental health professionals may engage in race, gender, and social class bias
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

A) This choice is correct because it acknowledges that despite intentions and awareness, mental health professionals, including clinical psychologists, can still be influenced by biases related to race, gender, and social class. This is a recognized issue within the field that professionals are trained to be mindful of and work to mitigate.

Question 4

One strength in using the deviance criterion is that it ____.
A) uses an objective method of defining abnormal behavior
B) stresses the attainment of realistic goals
C) examines how the individual views his or her own behavior
D) accounts for the complexity of behavior observed in people from different cultures

Accepted Answer

The deviance criterion uses an objective method of defining abnormal behavior by comparing an individual's behavior to societal norms and determining if it deviates significantly.

Question 5

Anita is at the mall. Suddenly she looks around and sees a man with wings flying in the air, when in fact, there is no such man. Anita is likely experiencing ____.
A) a hallucination
B) a delusion
C) disorientation
D) psychosis

Accepted Answer

A hallucination involves seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting something that isn't actually present, which matches the scenario described.

Question 6

Dr. Kohn is a psychoanalyst, Dr. Edwards is a humanistic therapist, Dr. Peterson is a cognitive behavioral therapist, and Dr. James is a Gestalt therapist. Each of them would likely have a different ____ for a client's abnormality.
A) time of onset
B) explanation
C) diagnosis
D) prognosis

Accepted Answer

Each type of therapist has a distinct theoretical orientation that influences how they understand and explain a client's abnormality. Psychoanalysts like Dr. Kohn might focus on unconscious conflicts, humanistic therapists like Dr. Edwards on conditions of worth, cognitive behavioral therapists like Dr. Peterson on maladaptive thought patterns, and Gestalt therapists like Dr. James on present awareness and experience.

Question 7

Clinical psychologists usually have ____ degrees, unlike psychiatrists, who 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 have doctorate degrees (either Ph.D. or Psy.D), while psychiatrists have medical degrees (M.D.) and can prescribe medication.

Question 8

College administrators suspended Lee Loughner after they became concerned about Loughner's potential to commit dangerous behaviors. Why didn't authorities arrest him?
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 did not make any overt threats against anyone.
D) Loughner's behavior was not considered odd in comparison to his peer group.

Accepted Answer

Loughner did not make any overt threats against anyone, which is typically required for legal action or arrest based on concerns about potential dangerous behaviors.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Substance abuse counselors specialize in providing therapy to individuals who have issues with alcohol, drugs, and other substances.

Question 10

Which statement regarding the prediction of abnormal behavior is accurate ?
A) People with deteriorating mental conditions can appear normal.
B) Psychologists are not interested in predicting clients' future behavior.
C) Prediction is unrelated to understanding the cause of abnormality.
D) Psychologists tend to underpredict future violence.

Accepted Answer

People with deteriorating mental conditions can indeed appear normal, making it challenging to predict abnormal behavior based solely on current appearance. This highlights the complexity of mental health issues and the need for comprehensive assessment methods.

Question 11

Dr. Thompson collects information in order to describe and draw inferences about an individual's psychological disorder. Dr. Thompson is engaged in ____.
A) investigative therapy
B) predicting dangerousness
C) psychodiagnosis
D) experimental research

Accepted Answer

Psychodiagnosis involves collecting information to describe and draw inferences about an individual's psychological disorder, which is what Dr. Thompson is doing.

Question 12

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 therapy to improve client behavior

Accepted Answer

Modifying abnormal behavior in psychology typically involves using therapeutic techniques to improve or change the client's behavior for the better, rather than just understanding, restricting, or predicting behavior.

Question 13

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 providing a rationale or reason for Juan's abnormal behavior by suggesting it results from both biological factors and insufficient interpersonal skills, which is an explanation for Juan's problem.

Question 14

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

Harold is described as having a medical degree and the ability to prescribe medication, which are qualifications specific to psychiatrists. Psychiatrists complete medical school and a residency in psychiatry, allowing them to prescribe medication for mental health conditions.

Question 15

A psychologist defined intellectual disability solely on the basis of how far from "normal" an individual's IQ score is. The criterion used is ____.
A) abnormality
B) cultural relativism
C) cultural universality
D) deviance

Accepted Answer

Defining intellectual disability based on how far an individual's IQ score deviates from the norm focuses on deviation from a standard or norm, which aligns with the concept of deviance.

Question 16

Which statement defines psychotherapy most accurately?
A) A program of systematic intervention designed to alter behavior, emotion, or thought
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 is a program of systematic intervention aimed at altering behavior, emotion, or thought patterns, typically to address psychological disorders or distress. It involves therapeutic conversations and interactions between a therapist and a client.

Question 17

A psychologist develops several activities for clients aimed at helping them become more self-disciplined and feel more confident about trying new behaviors. This example illustrates ____.
A) how epidemiological work is done in the field
B) how psychotherapy may be seen as an attempt to modify behavior
C) the function of providing an explanation for abnormal behavior
D) the essential need for accurate psychodiagnosis

Accepted Answer

The activities developed by the psychologist for clients to become more self-disciplined and confident in trying new behaviors are examples of psychotherapy aimed at modifying behavior. This approach is focused on changing specific behaviors and thought patterns to help improve the individual's overall functioning and well-being.

Question 18

Which statement about the field of abnormal psychology is accurate?
A) Abnormal psychology seeks to describe, explain, predict, and modify unusual behaviors.
B) Abnormal psychology is not yet considered a scientific field of research.
C) Abnormal psychology focuses on the study of only the most bizarre behavior.
D) Abnormal psychology is most interested in narrowing a disorder to one behavioral factor.

Accepted Answer

Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with the study of unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which may or may not be understood as precipitating a mental disorder. It aims to describe, explain, predict, and change abnormal patterns of functioning.

Question 19

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, with a Psy.D., is trained specifically in clinical psychology, focusing on providing psychotherapy and assessments rather than medical treatments.

Question 20

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 typically need a master's degree (M.S.) in social work (MSW) to practice, which is distinct from the educational requirements for psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.

Quiz 1: Abnormal Behavior

Psychopathology, or abnormal behavior, results primarily from ____.

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

One strength in using the deviance criterion is that it ____.

Anita is at the mall. Suddenly she looks around and sees a man with wings flying in the air, when in fact, there is no such man. Anita is likely experiencing ____.

Dr. Kohn is a psychoanalyst, Dr. Edwards is a humanistic therapist, Dr. Peterson is a cognitive behavioral therapist, and Dr. James is a Gestalt therapist. Each of them would likely have a different ____ for a client's abnormality.

Clinical psychologists usually have degrees, unlike psychiatrists, who have degrees.

College administrators suspended Lee Loughner after they became concerned about Loughner's potential to commit dangerous behaviors. Why didn't authorities arrest him?

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

Which statement regarding the prediction of abnormal behavior is accurate ?

Dr. Thompson collects information in order to describe and draw inferences about an individual's psychological disorder. Dr. Thompson is engaged in ____.

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

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

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 psychologist defined intellectual disability solely on the basis of how far from "normal" an individual's IQ score is. The criterion used is ____.

Which statement defines psychotherapy most accurately?

A psychologist develops several activities for clients aimed at helping them become more self-disciplined and feel more confident about trying new behaviors. This example illustrates ____.

Which statement about the field of abnormal psychology is accurate?

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 ____.

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