Deck 12: Personality Disorders

Question 1

All of the following are necessary conditions for the diagnosis of a personality disorder EXCEPT

A) patient feelings of distress.
B) distress to the person demonstrating the behaviors or others around them.
C) maladaptive functioning.
D) chronic course of behavior.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Unlike schizophrenia or an eating disorder, personality disorders can be viewed as disorders of

A) biology rather than learning.
B) learning rather than disease.
C) degree rather than kind.
D) functioning rather than disease.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

When someone has a personality disorder,

A) the person may feel that they do not have a problem.
B) the person is always distressed by his/her disorder.
C) the disorder may come and go.
D) the disorder tends to start very suddenly.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following would NOT be an advantage of a dimensional model of personality disorders?

A) Increased information
B) Flexibility
C) Avoiding arbitrary decisions about diagnosis
D) It would clearly categorize people

Question 5

In the U.S., the prevalence of a diagnosable personality disorder is estimated to be around adults.

A) 1 out of every 10
B) 1 out of every 100
C) 50 out of every 1000
D) 75 out of every 1000

Question 6

According to your text, it is likely that future users of the DSM will

A) eliminate personality disorders altogether.
B) emphasize categorical views of personality disorders.
C) incorporate elements of a dimensional approach to personality disorders.
D) reduce the number of personality disorders listed.

Question 7

DSM-5 divides personality disorders into distinct clusters.

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 8

The five-factor model of personality includes all of the following as personality dimensions EXCEPT ______________.

A) extroversion
B) conscientiousness
C) expressiveness
D) emotional stability

Question 9

Some have proposed that the personality disorders be replaced or supplemented by a dimensional model in which individuals would be rated on a series of personality dimensions as well as a categorical diagnosis. It is believed that this would have advantages over a purely categorical system. Which of the following would be such an advantage?

A) It would retain more information about each individual.
B) It would be more flexible.
C) It would avoid arbitrary decisions involved in assignment to a diagnostic category.
D) All of these

Question 10

According to the definition of personality disorder, only individuals who show patterns of maladaptive behavior or emotional distress as a result of their actions should be diagnosed with a personality disorder.

A) suicidal
B) the most severe
C) enduring
D) highly variable

Question 11

The characteristic features of personality disorders tend to develop with

A) rapid onset in late adolescence.
B) gradual onset in adulthood.
C) rapid onset in adulthood.
D) a chronic pattern with onset in childhood.

Question 12

Gender differences observed in the prevalence of many personality disorders (i.e., borderline for women, antisocial for men) may be due to

A) tolerance of behavior in a culture.
B) differences in help-seeking behavior.
C) gender bias on the part of the diagnosing clinician.
D) all of the above

Question 13

A therapist who views personality disorders as a continuum sees these conditions in terms of .

A) dimensions
B) categories
C) attitudes
D) groups

Question 14

Cross-cultural research on the five-factor model of personality suggests that

A) there is no such thing as a universal human personality structure.
B) the five dimensions are generally universal.
C) only two dimensions are universal.
D) Western type personality structure differs from the non-Western type.

Question 15

Max is always sure that others are trying to harm him. His perception that the world is a threatening place impacts most of his life. Most likely, Max would be diagnosed with the personality disorder called .

A) histrionic
B) avoidant
C) paranoid
D) antisocial

Question 16

The cluster approach to categorizing personality disorders is based on .

A) resemblance
B) recognition
C) redundancy
D) repetition

Question 17

Both John and Fred meet the diagnostic criteria for paranoid personality disorder. John's friends are aware of his paranoia although he continues to live a meaningful life. Fred's paranoia is so extreme that he finds it hard to function in society. The DSM-5 diagnosis for these individuals would be

A) exactly the same.
B) categorically different.
C) in the same category but reflect the different levels of pathology.
D) in the same category with different specifiers.

Question 18

Which set of adjective pairs correctly describes the clusters into which DSM-5 personality disorders are grouped?

A) Odd/eccentric, dangerous/inconsistent, and shy/withdrawn
B) Shy/withdrawn, anxious/fearful, and dangerous/inconsistent
C) Shy/withdrawn, dramatic/emotional, and bizarre/thought disordered
D) Odd/eccentric, dramatic/emotional, and anxious/fearful

Question 19

Clinicians who view personality disorders as extremes of normal personality rather than as have historically criticized the way DSM-IV-TR classified personality disorders.

A) medical conditions
B) biologically based traits
C) separate categories of disorders
D) impaired functioning

Question 20

According to your textbook, the main reason that we do not have sufficient research examining the development of personality disorders is that

A) many individuals do not seek treatment in the early phases of these disorders.
B) there is insufficient research funding for these disorders due to relative lack of public awareness.
C) sophisticated research methods are necessary to study disorders that are so ingrained in personality.
D) all of these are correct

Question 21

A person with paranoid personality disorder may

A) mistrust other people.
B) get into arguments with people.
C) be quiet and withdrawn.
D) all of the above

Question 22

Individuals who are socially isolated behave in ways that seem unusual, tend to be suspicious, and have odd beliefs are generally diagnosed with personality disorder.

A) schizotypal
B) schizoid
C) paranoid
D) multiple

Question 23

According to the textbook, a possible cause of schizotypal personality disorder is .

A) genetic
B) environmental
C) brain abnormalities
D) all of the above

Question 24

Theo is quite a loner. He walks to class by himself, does not talk to anyone, and appears indifferent to other people. It is clear that Theo neither desires nor enjoys closeness with others. He does not act in any obviously unusual ways, nor does he appear to possess strange beliefs about the world. Of the following personality disorders, Theo appears to be _.

A) avoidant
B) antisocial
C) schizoid
D) schizotypal

Question 25

As many as 30% to 50% of the individuals with schizotypal personality disorder who request clinical help also meet the criteria for _.

A) obsessive-compulsive disorder
B) substance-related disorder
C) schizophrenia
D) major depressive disorder

Question 26

Hideki has been diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder and has begun psychotherapy. Since he is willing to undergo a combined treatment approach, the result

A) is excellent since most patients seeking treatment eventually are symptom free.
B) may be a reduction in symptoms or postponement of schizophrenia.
C) is excellent only if he is willing to take medication.
D) is poor since most patients go on to develop schizophrenia.

Question 27

The language barrier of refugees from other countries and people with hearing impairments may make these individuals particularly susceptible to personality disorder.

A) histrionic
B) paranoid
C) schizotypal
D) schizoid

Question 28

An individual who goes through life as a loner with no motivation to interact with others but with relatively normal behavior and beliefs is likely to be diagnosed with personality disorder:

A) histrionic
B) narcissistic
C) schizoid
D) paranoid

Question 29

An individual presents for treatment and keeps talking about how gangsters are "out to get him." Before diagnosing paranoid personality disorder, we must determine whether

A) his fears are justified.
B) his family life is stable.
C) he has ever been in trouble with the law.
D) he avoids socialization.

Question 30

One prevalent outcome for individuals with schizoid personality disorder is .

A) homelessness
B) drug abuse
C) eating disorders
D) anxiety

Question 31

A possible contribution to schizoid personality disorder is .

A) childhood shyness
B) childhood abuse and neglect
C) being a parent of an autistic child
D) all of the above

Question 32

Individuals who have "ideas of reference" but who sense that these beliefs are probably unrealistic are generally diagnosed with personality disorder.

A) schizotypal
B) avoidant
C) antisocial
D) histrionic

Question 33

One of the greatest challenges for any therapist treating an individual with paranoid personality disorder is

A) understanding the patient's belief system.
B) getting the patient to trust the therapist.
C) convincing the patient to talk about his beliefs.
D) getting the patient to speak clearly.

Question 34

Research suggests that the combination of medications, therapy, and social skills treatment in schizotypal personality disorders

A) reduces symptoms or delays later development of schizophrenia.
B) increases chances of later development of schizophrenia.
C) is unrelated to schizophrenia risk.
D) alters symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 35

The disorder that shares many similar symptoms with schizophrenia is personality disorder.

A) schizoid
B) paranoid
C) borderline
D) schizotypal

Question 36

Of the following, personality disorder is not found in "Cluster B."

A) antisocial
B) borderline
C) histrionic
D) schizoid

Question 37

Patients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder are usually

A) motivated to begin therapy and generally make progress quickly.
B) motivated to begin therapy but generally make little progress.
C) not motivated to begin therapy and effectiveness is not yet determined.
D) not motivated to begin therapy but generally make progress quickly while in therapy.

Question 38

Cluster B personality disorders tend to be characterized by behavior.

A) dramatic
B) eccentric
C) anxious
D) understated

Question 39

You are waiting to board a plane when you hear that the flight has been delayed due to a passing thunderstorm. The man sitting next to you says, "Passing thunder storm, sure! That's Jim again; he's been doing everything to make me miss this meeting because he's trying to get me fired!" Of the following, this statement would be most consistent with personality disorder.

A) avoidant
B) histrionic
C) borderline
D) paranoid

Question 40

The data regarding treatment outcome for individuals with paranoid personality disorder

A) indicate no evidence for treatment success.
B) suggest that treatment can only be successful if the patient remains in therapy for a minimum of one year.
C) indicate that cognitive therapy is effective in most cases.
D) demonstrate that strict behavioral approaches are effective.

Question 41

Which of the following are the two major theories that have been proposed to explain antisocial personality disorder?

A) Underarousal and fearlessness
B) Underarousal and shamelessness
C) Yerkes-Dodson and underarousal
D) Yerkes-Dodson and shamelessness

Question 42

With which of the following personality disorders is the term psychopath closely associated?

A) Avoidant
B) Borderline
C) Schizotypal
D) Antisocial

Question 43

An adult diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder is most likely to have met the criteria for as a child.

A) autistic disorder
B) conduct disorder
C) learning disabled
D) a developmental disability

Question 44

Steve steals money from his friends and family, lies to get what he wants, and often hurts others with no sign of guilt or remorse. Steve should probably be diagnosed with personality disorder.

A) paranoid
B) histrionic
C) antisocial
D) narcissistic

Question 45

The concept of the fearlessness hypothesis of antisocial personality disorder is that individuals with this disorder

A) learn to avoid punishment.
B) have an underactive cortex.
C) under react to the threat of punishment.
D) have brain damage that inhibits their ability to understand the implications of their actions.

Question 46

If you had absolutely no concept or fear of the consequences of your actions (for yourself or others) and were overly motivated by pleasing yourself, you might behave like a person with personality disorder.

A) antisocial
B) narcissistic
C) histrionic
D) schizotypal

Question 47

A possible brain-based explanation for antisocial personality disorder would be

A) reduced behavioral inhibition and increased reward system activation.
B) increased behavioral inhibition and decreased reward system activation.
C) the absence of fight or flight responses.
D) brain deterioration.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT true about those with antisocial personality disorder?

A) Having a lower IQ is predictive of having run-ins with the law.
B) Some function quite well in fields such as entertainment and politics.
C) They tend to come from families with a history of criminal problems
D) They cannot avoid brushes with the law or learn to function well in society

Question 49

The research examining the cause of antisocial personality disorder suggests that

A) the primary cause is genetics.
B) genetics and the environment interact to cause the disorder.
C) the primary cause is poor parenting.
D) there is no evidence of either a genetic or environmental cause.

Question 50

One difference between a psychopath and a person with antisocial personality disorder is that are used in diagnosing the psychopath, but are used to diagnose antisocial personality disorder.

A) personality traits; observable behaviors
B) observable behaviors; personality traits
C) clinical judgments; objective test scores
D) medical criteria; psychological assessments

Question 51

Which of the following researchers has focused his/her work on identifying the various traits of a psychopathic personality?

A) Werth
B) Ebbinghaus
C) Cleckley
D) Mazza

Question 52

The behavior of those diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder tends to

A) continue to increase throughout the lifespan.
B) increase dramatically at about age 30.
C) decline significantly around age 40.
D) remain stable throughout the lifespan.

Question 53

Researchers conducting endophenotypic research on antisocial personality disorders are searching for

A) the gene that causes antisocial personality disorder.
B) the genes that influence factors characteristic of the disorder such as fearlessness, aggression, and impulsivity.
C) brain damage that causes the disorder.
D) antisocial causes of the disorder.

Question 54

One prominent theory of antisocial personality disorder suggests that the behaviors are caused by an imbalance between the brain's

A) behavioral inhibition system and fight/flight system.
B) fight/flight system and reward system.
C) cortical stimulation system and behavioral inhibition system.
D) behavioral inhibition system and reward system.

Question 55

One of the contributing factors in the developmental history of individuals with antisocial personality disorder appears to be that their parents were more likely to have utilized

A) firm discipline.
B) inconsistent discipline.
C) an overly protective parenting style.
D) physical discipline.

Question 56

Which of the following statements is false?

A) Recent research is refining the search for genes that cause antisocial personality disorder.
B) Recent research on brain damage indicates that brain damage is found in psychopaths.
C) Recent research on neuropsychological tests indicates that psychopaths score equally as well as non- psychopaths.
D) Sine research suggests that those with psychopathy are generally underaroused, and thus engage in actions to compensate for this lack of stimulus input.

Question 57

According to the underarousal hypothesis, individuals with antisocial personality disorder may engage in their characteristic behaviors as a way to

A) deal with their fears.
B) provide a level of stimulation that most of us receive from more typical behaviors.
C) provide a sense of relief from the feelings of depression that they experience when they are not highly aroused.
D) reduce the generally high level of arousal that they feel.

Question 58

Substance abuse is particularly common in people with personality disorder, occurring in 60% of people with this diagnosis.

A) antisocial
B) paranoid
C) schizotypal
D) schizoid

Question 59

Rob is a 15-year-old boy who has been repeatedly arrested for theft and assault. In addition to shoplifting, he has been caught stealing money from his parents' wallets and his younger sister's piggy bank. Rob shows no guilt or remorse for the many ways that he hurts others. Rob's current diagnosis is most likely disorder.

A) antisocial personality
B) attention deficit hyperactivity
C) conduct
D) narcissistic personality

Question 60

Which of the following findings in people with antisocial personality disorder supports the underarousal theory?

A) Low levels of cortical arousal
B) High resting heart rates
C) High measures of skin conductance
D) High fear thresholds

Question 61

Amy quickly becomes the center of attention when she enters a room. She is a tall and attractive young woman who generally wears something striking. Amy is known as a flirt and acts in a seductive manner around men. When Amy speaks, she uses very exaggerated terms, even when describing relatively ordinary situations. Amy's diagnosis is most likely

A) histrionic
B) narcissistic
C) borderline
D) dependent

Question 62

When Axel arrives late for class, he walks in and apologizes to the professor and the students in class. He proceeds to tell them he had every intention of being at class on time, but the traffic was terrible and many accidents occurred, which delayed him. Axel describes this in much detail before he takes his seat. This commonly happens every time he is late, and Axel appears to enjoy being the "center of attention" in those moments. Axel could be diagnosed with which personality disorder?

A) Histrionic
B) Narcissistic
C) Borderline
D) Dependent

Question 63

Lenny is 25 years old and has had multiple arrests for assaults, theft, and drug use. He has hurt strangers, friends, and family and has never shown any remorse or regret. Following his last arrest, Lenny met with a social worker who told him about antisocial personality disorder; he is now convinced that is "what's wrong" with him. Lenny recently went to a local community mental health center and asked to be treated by a psychotherapist. The problem with this story is that

A) individuals with antisocial personality disorder do not generally seek treatment.
B) Lenny has misdiagnosed himself since his behaviors are more typical of conduct disorder.
C) the drug use does not fit the pattern of antisocial personality disorder.
D) the description does not fit any known personality disorder.

Question 64

Nicole has difficulty maintaining relationships because she goes back and forth from being a best friend to hating people in her life quite often. Her romantic relationships are always characterized by incredible loving passion alternating with episodes of horrible fighting, and sometimes she becomes violent. At times Nicole becomes so upset that she cuts herself and reports that this makes her feel better emotionally. Nicole suffers from personality disorder.

A) dependent
B) histrionic
C) borderline
D) narcissistic

Question 65

Regarding the likelihood of successful treatment outcome for individuals with antisocial personality disorder, most clinicians are _.

A) optimistic
B) optimistic only if the patient is willing to work in therapy
C) pessimistic only if the patient is mandated to therapy by the legal system
D) pessimistic

Question 66

Which of the following statements is TRUE about borderline personality disorder?

A) It is observed in every culture and seen in about 5% of the population.
B) Long-term outcomes are discouraging, with many relapsing within five years
C) Emotional dysfunction is one of the best predictors of suicide in this group.
D) A high number, almost 12%, succeed at suicide.

Question 67

It has been suggested that there may be a relationship between personality disorder and personality disorder, with some evidence that each may be gender-typed alternative ways of expressing the same underlying condition.

A) histrionic; narcissistic
B) dependent; histrionic
C) antisocial; histrionic
D) antisocial; dependent

Question 68

All of the following are common disorders that tend to be comorbid with borderline personality disorder EXCEPT ______________.

A) depression
B) substance abuse
C) bulimia nervosa
D) obsessive-compulsive disorder

Question 69

When presented with words projected on a computer screen, individuals with borderline personality disorder are more likely than individuals without the disorder to remember the word .

A) celebrate
B) abandon
C) full
D) charming

Question 70

Which of the following is the most likely model to explain the cause of borderline personality disorder?

A) Biological
B) Early trauma resulting in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms that are not recognized or dealt with during childhood
C) Stressful life events
D) Biological predisposition interacting with life events such as childhood trauma and later life stressors

Question 71

One of the influences associated with the development of borderline personality disorder is

A) history of child abuse or neglect.
B) developmental delay for major milestones (i.e., walking, talking).
C) parental alcoholism.
D) deficits in neurotransmitter circuits involving dopamine.

Question 72

Given what we know about the treatment of antisocial personality disorder, the best way to ensure that a person with this disorder and a history of violence is not a threat to society is .

A) intensive psychotherapy
B) medication
C) behavioral treatment
D) incarceration

Question 73

Childhood trauma as a cause of borderline personality disorder may be too simplistic an explanation because

A) there are too many neurological deficits that are noted in borderline personality disorder patients.
B) individuals with borderline personality disorder tend to respond to SSRI medications.
C) most individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder are female.
D) a significant percentage of individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder do not have a history of childhood trauma.

Question 74

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the treatment of antisocial personality disorder and related antisocial behaviors?

A) Patients are generally willing participants in their therapy.
B) Most patients refer themselves for treatment because they recognize that they have a problem.
C) There has been greater success in reducing antisocial behavior in young children than adults.
D) Therapy is successful in about half of the cases treated.

Question 75

Research regarding psychological treatment for borderline personality disorder suggests that appears to be helpful in improving mood and reducing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors.

A) dialectical behavior therapy
B) cognitive therapy
C) operant conditioning
D) nothing

Question 76

Individuals who overreact to everything and are overly dramatic and vain are most likely to be diagnosed with personality disorder.

A) borderline
B) histrionic
C) narcissistic
D) dependent

Question 77

Criminal behavior by individuals with antisocial personality disorder tends to after the age of 40.

A) decrease
B) increase
C) decrease in frequency but increase in severity
D) increase in frequency but decrease in severity

Question 78

The personality disorder characterized by extreme instability in behavior and emotion, impulsivity, depression, and self-injurious behaviors is personality disorder.

A) narcissistic
B) borderline
C) dependent
D) histrionic

Question 79

The psychological treatment that has been found to have significant effectiveness in helping patients with borderline personality disorder centers around

A) regressing patients to the time in their lives when they experienced trauma.
B) removing the reinforcing attention that patients have received for their disordered behavior in the past.
C) joining a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
D) learning to cope with life stressors in a more effective manner.

Question 80

Which of the following prevention strategies looks promising for children who are at risk for later antisocial personality disorder?

A) A training program for parents of toddlers (ages 1½ to 2½ years)
B) A program for families with a high degree of family dysfunction
C) A program for families where at least one parent has a history of antisocial personality disorder
D) All of the above