Question 1

Julian had been diagnosed with a mental illness.He feels embarrassed and ashamed to let others know.When he does confide in some of his friends,some ridicule him and others stop being his friend.Which phenomenon is being described?

Accepted Answer

The situation described is an example of stigma, which refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that cause people to fear, reject, or discriminate against individuals with mental illness. The person with the mental illness feels ashamed and embarrassed to reveal their condition, and when they do, some of their friends react negatively, either by ridiculing them or by ending the friendship. This illustrates the harmful effects of stigma and the need for greater education and awareness about mental health issues.

Question 2

Etiology refers to the factors that cause or contribute to the development of psychological and medical problems.

Accepted Answer

Etiology is the study of causes or origins, particularly in relation to a disease or abnormality, and as such, it refers to the factors that cause or contribute to the development of psychological and medical problems.

Question 3

There is no accepted clinical definition of insanity.

Accepted Answer

Insanity is a legal term rather than a clinical one, and the definition can vary between jurisdictions. In clinical contexts, mental disorders are diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). However, these diagnoses are not equivalent to an insanity defense in a legal case.

Question 4

A study conducted in European populations between 1920 and 1987 shows the highest lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia in what group of people?

Accepted Answer

The study found that monozygotic twins when one twin has schizophrenia have the highest lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia, compared to the other groups mentioned in the options.

Question 5

In Canada,depression accounts for the majority of all mental hospital admissions.

Accepted Answer

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is among the top three causes of all hospital stays in Canada. It is also a leading cause of mental health-related emergency department visits. However, this statement specifically refers to mental hospital admissions, and in that context, depression does account for the majority of admissions in Canada.

Question 6

Depression,or depression alternating with mania,is classified as a somatoform disorder.

Accepted Answer

Depression, especially when alternating with mania, is actually classified as a mood disorder rather than a somatoform disorder. Somatoform disorders are characterized by physical symptoms without any clear physical cause, such as somatic symptom disorder or conversion disorder.

Question 7

Agoraphobia is an extreme fear of water,to the degree that it interferes with normal adaptive functioning.

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is actually an extreme fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of a panic attack or other distressing symptoms. It is not specifically related to water.

Question 8

Based on the research into genetic factors,what can be concluded about the risk of having schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The risk of schizophrenia is highest when both parents have the disorder, indicating a strong genetic component.

Question 9

The consequences of being labeled as suffering from a mental illness are real.As outlined in the textbook,what were the results of the study conducted on 84 men who had been hospitalized for mental illness?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The consequences of being labeled as suffering...

Question 10

In a study that is described in the textbook,individual male participants within interacting pairs were led to believe the other thought he was either a mental patient or a hospital medical patient.What did the resulting self-fulfilling prophecies illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The resulting self-fulfilling prophecies illustrate the effect of expectations of rejection. The participants who believed their partner thought they were a mental patient were less socially engaged and showed more signs of anxiety, which can be related to the fear of social rejection. This suggests that expectations of rejection can lead to behaviors that reinforce the stigmatization of those with mental health issues.

Question 11

People may develop posttraumatic stress disorder when they have witnessed others being victimized,even when they have not been direct victims themselves.

Accepted Answer

Witnessing others being victimized can lead to a condition called secondary or vicarious traumatization, which can result in symptoms similar to those of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Question 12

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania.

Accepted Answer

Bipolar disorder is indeed characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania. So, option A is correct.

Question 13

Thomas Szasz was responsible for creating the first truly comprehensive classification system of psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Thomas Szasz was a psychiatrist and critic of psychiatry who is known for his work in the area of mental health law and his opposition to involuntary commitment. He did not create a comprehensive classification system for psychological disorders. The first comprehensive classification system for mental disorders was developed by Emil Kraepelin in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was later refined and expanded by the American Psychiatric Association, leading to the development of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Question 14

In 1973,the American Psychiatric Association voted to maintain the distinction between "neurotic" and "psychotic" disorders in the DSM-III.

Accepted Answer

The American Psychiatric Association voted in 1973 to remove homosexuality from the DSM-II, not to maintain the distinction between "neurotic" and "psychotic" disorders in the DSM-III.

Question 15

Although a person may be at risk genetically for schizophrenia because it runs in his or her family,the person may not develop the illness unless environmental stress is high enough.Which term best captures this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress hypothesis proposes that individuals may have a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) for a certain disorder, but environmental stressors are necessary to trigger the expression of the disorder. This hypothesis applies to the example given, where genetic risk for schizophrenia (diathesis) requires environmental stress to manifest as the illness. Options A and B are not relevant to this phenomenon, and option C is not applicable in this context.

Question 16

When researcher Irving Gottesman pooled data from many studies on schizophrenia,what did he discover?

Accepted Answer

Gottesman's research found that the probability that identical twins will both have schizophrenia is about three times greater than the probability for fraternal twins, indicating strong evidence for a genetic basis to the disorder.

Question 17

Tray is a 12 year old who has begun to exhibit the first symptoms of schizophrenia.Based on prospective studies of schizophrenia,how should the parents first respond?

Accepted Answer

According to research, one of the most effective interventions for individuals with schizophrenia is reducing the criticism and hostility within their immediate environment. This can involve educating family members about the illness and teaching more effective communication and problem-solving skills. Therefore, reducing the criticism and hostility within Tray's household would be the best first response for his parents.

Question 18

Which type of schizophrenia is characterized by delusions of persecution,grandeur,or jealousy?

Accepted Answer

Delusions of persecution, grandeur, or jealousy are common symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.

Question 19

Although a woman has suffered from schizophrenia in the past,she currently seems to be free of most of the severe symptoms,although she still suffers from occasional minor symptoms.Which type of schizophrenia is being characterized?

Accepted Answer

Residual schizophrenia is characterized by a past history of severe schizophrenic symptoms but currently experiencing only minor symptoms or a lack of prominent symptoms.

Question 20

Which statement most accurately represents our understanding of the relationship between family factors and schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

While there is some debate about the exact nature of the relationship between family factors and schizophrenia, most researchers agree that family factors can play an important role in an individual's functioning after the onset of symptoms. This can include factors such as family stress, poor communication patterns, and lack of support for the individual with schizophrenia. While there is some evidence to suggest that deviant family patterns may also contribute to the development of schizophrenia, this is not universally accepted and the exact nature of the causal relationship is not well understood. Therefore, option D, which acknowledges the importance of family factors after the onset of symptoms, is the most accurate representation of our current understanding of the relationship between family factors and schizophrenia.

Quiz 15: A: Psychological Disorders