Question 1

Recent research has related disturbances in the neurotransmitter_____to anxiety disorders.

Accepted Answer

GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and plays a crucial role in regulating anxiety.

Question 2

The anxiety disorder brought on by specific stimuli is

Accepted Answer

The anxiety disorder brought on by specific stimuli is a phobic disorder. This type of disorder involves an intense and irrational fear of specific objects or situations that typically results in avoidance and interference with daily activities. Examples include arachnophobia (fear of spiders) or agoraphobia (fear of leaving one's home or safety zone).

Question 3

The idea that people are biologically prepared by their evolutionary history to acquire some fears more easily than others helps explain why people are more often afraid of having a car accident than are afraid of heights.

Accepted Answer

The idea that people are biologically prepared by their evolutionary history to acquire some fears more easily than others explains why fears of heights, snakes, or spiders are more common, as these posed threats to our ancestors. Fear of car accidents is more related to modern life and personal or societal experiences rather than evolutionary predispositions.

Question 4

Which of the following categories of psychological disorders includes phobic disorders in the DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

Phobic disorders are considered a type of anxiety disorder in the DSM-5. Mood disorders refer to disruptions in a person's emotional state, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a separate category that includes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, while somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.

Question 5

The class of disorders marked by feelings of excessive apprehension and anxiety is called

Accepted Answer

The class of disorders marked by feelings of excessive apprehension and anxiety is called anxiety disorders. Somatoform disorders are marked by physical symptoms without a clear physical cause, affective disorders are marked by disturbances in mood, and phobic disorders are a type of anxiety disorder that involves intense and irrational fears of specific objects or situations.

Question 6

_____are chemicals that carry signals from one neuron to another.

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released at the end of a neuron's axon terminals in response to an action potential, and they carry signals across the synaptic gap to bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron.

Question 7

An unwanted thought that repeatedly intrudes upon an individual's consciousness is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

An unwanted thought that repeatedly intrudes upon an individual's consciousness is called an obsession. Obsessions are one of the key symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Question 8

One common criticism about the DSM-5 is that it

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 has been criticized for expanding the boundaries of mental disorder and labeling everyday behaviors and emotions as medical or mental illnesses. This criticism suggests that the DSM-5 may pathologize normal experiences and lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

Question 9

Jerry is terrified of snakes and refuses to read nature books to his son if there are pictures of snakes. He is probably suffering from

Accepted Answer

Jerry's fear of snakes is excessive and irrational, as it is interfering with his ability to engage in an ordinary activity like reading with his son. This is consistent with the criteria for a phobic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder.

Question 10

The genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders can be characterized as

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders is generally considered to be weak to moderate, indicating that while genetics play a role, environmental factors also significantly contribute to the development of these disorders.

Question 11

Vinnie dislikes leaving his home and has gradually become more fearful whenever he has to go somewhere. Lately, he has decided to have his groceries delivered and do all his work online. Vinnie may be suffering from

Accepted Answer

Vinnie's fear of leaving his home and avoidance of going out suggest he may have agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms or other unpleasant physical symptoms (such as vomiting, losing control of bowel or bladder, or having a seizure).

Question 12

Jenny cannot quit wondering if she unplugged her iron this morning. Jenny is experiencing

Accepted Answer

Jenny is experiencing an obsession, as she cannot stop thinking about whether or not she unplugged her iron. A compulsion would involve a repetitive behavior in response to an obsession, panic ideation would involve intense fear and racing thoughts but not a specific obsession, and a delusion is a false belief that is not based in reality.

Question 13

Research suggests that a(n)_____ temperament in infants is a risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders later in life.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that infants with an inhibited temperament, characterized by shyness, withdrawal, and avoidance of unfamiliar or new situations or people, are at greater risk for developing anxiety disorders later in life.

Question 14

A phobic disorder is a persistent fear when there is a realistic danger.

Accepted Answer

A phobic disorder is an excessive or irrational fear of a specific object or situation, even when there is no immediate danger present.

Question 15

Lila believes that worrying will help her avoid negative events. She will usually find a reason to worry about something - her schoolwork, her boss, her parents, and whether the bus will come on time. Lila may be suffering from

Accepted Answer

Lila's excessive worry and fear about various aspects of her life suggest generalized anxiety disorder. This disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about everyday events and activities, accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, sleep disturbance, and difficulty concentrating. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks, phobic disorder involves persistent fear and avoidance of specific objects or situations, and obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive and repetitive thoughts or behaviors. None of these disorders fully capture Lila's symptoms.

Question 16

Compulsion is to "action", obsession is to

Accepted Answer

Compulsion refers to the action that one feels driven to do, while obsession refers to the persistent and intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that one cannot get rid of.

Question 17

Repetitive handwashing is an example of a common compulsive behavior.

Accepted Answer

Repetitive handwashing is a common compulsive behavior, often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Question 18

A person who checks his alarm clock twenty times before going to sleep is being

Accepted Answer

The answer of A person who checks his alarm clock...

Question 19

The famous industrialist Howard Hughes devised extraordinary rituals to minimize the possibility of being contaminated by germs. For example, he would sometimes spend hours methodically cleaning a telephone. Hughes's behavior exemplifies which of the following disorders?

Accepted Answer

Howard Hughes's behavior is indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which involves repetitive and ritualistic behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing harm. Cleaning a telephone for hours is an example of a compulsion aimed at preventing contamination.

Question 20

Which of the following is an anxiety disorder marked by a chronic, high level of anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat?

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by a chronic, high level of anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat. Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear, while phobic disorder involves excessive and irrational fear of specific objects or situations. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by the presence of obsessions (recurring and unwanted thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive and ritualistic behaviors).

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders