Deck 1: Abnormal Psychology: Historical and Modern Perspectives

Question 1

Juan is a freshman at a local university. He gets up at the same time each day and follows the same pattern: showering and shaving, dressing, and checking his backpack for required books, notebooks, and pens. Early in the first semester, this behavior took approximately 30 minutes. As the semester progressed, Juan spent more and more time checking and rechecking his backpack to make sure he had everything he needed. Toward the end of the semester, Juan was always late for his first class because of his "thoroughness." A psychologist might conclude that Juan's behavior is

A) typical for a conscientious student.
B) dysfunctional even if not distressful.
C) not abnormal because it does not cause problems for others.
D) normal according to the "goodness-of-fit" model.

Answer 1

dysfunctional even if not distressful.

Question 2

The case of James Eagan Holmes described in your text highlights the

A) shift from eccentricity to behaving dangerously.
B) stereotyping of a person with mental illness.
C) importance of early intervention in culture-bound illnesses.
D) influence of the media on defining abnormal behavior.

Answer 2

shift from eccentricity to behaving dangerously.

Question 3

The etiology of a disorder refers to

A) the developmental stage in which a disorder appears.
B) the cultural context of a disorder.
C) how a disorder begins.
D) how a culture impacts a disorder.

Answer 3

how a disorder begins.

Question 4

Which of the following approaches would allow an understanding of how abnormal behavior varies in severity over time, perhaps increasing and decreasing, or how behaviors change from one disorder to another?

A) categorical
B) dimensional
C) orthogonal
D) rational

Question 5

The term "deviance" implies

A) looking different.
B) behaving differently.
C) having a mental illness.
D) engaging in criminal wrongdoing.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about differences found in the rates of psychological disorders in boys and girls at different ages is TRUE?

A) Both boys and girls peak at approximately the same age.
B) Boys peak at age 13 but girls peak much earlier.
C) Boys peak at approximately age 9 or 10 but girls peak in their early 20s.
D) Boys peak around age 10 but girls reach their peak around age 16.

Question 7

William is a well-educated 40-year-old man who suffers from schizophrenic disorder. Originally, he was employed as a computer programmer, but he was fired two months ago because of chronic absenteeism. For the last several weeks he has been homeless. He sleeps at night in a cardboard box behind a Dunkin Donut after closing time. Which of the following terms is used to describe William's current plight?

A) Downward shift
B) Downward drift
C) Downward SES
D) Downward trajectory

Question 8

Which of the following terms is defined as the shared behavioral patterns and lifestyles that differentiate one group of people from another?

A) race
B) ethnicity
C) culture
D) group expectations

Question 9

The concept of "developmental trajectory" expresses the notion that

A) symptoms of a disorder are always most severe in childhood.
B) symptoms of a disorder may vary depending on a person's age.
C) age determines the presence of a disorder but not symptom expression.
D) a person's developmental stage has little bearing on a given diagnosis.

Question 10

Of all disorders reported in the U.S., the most common are major depression and

A) anxiety disorders.
B) alcohol dependence.
C) schizophrenic disorders.
D) personality disorder.

Question 11

In psychology, if the term "abnormal" means "away from normal," what problem does this definition present when categorizing someone as being "abnormal"?

A)It does not measure standard deviations.
B) It does not assume that deviation on both sides of average is negative.
C) It does not assume abnormality is negative.
D) It does not allow for positive deviations.

Question 12

According to your text, abnormal behavior is defined as behavior that is inconsistent with the individual's developmental, cultural, and societal norms, creates emotional distress, or

A) is seen by others as deviant.
B) interferes with daily functioning.
C) is "culturally bound."
D) is aligned with the "goodness-of-fit" model.

Question 13

Except for drug and alcohol abuse, the highest rates of psychological disorders are found among persons with the lowest incomes and

A) least amount of education.
B) highest number of siblings.
C) female gender.
D) suburban places of residence.

Question 14

When using the DSM-5 system to define a behavior as abnormal, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) The person's behavior is assessed both categorically and dimensionally.
B) The person either falls into a category or does not fall into a category.
C) The person's level of dysfunction is not considered.
D) The behavior is not considered within a cultural context.

Question 15

Which statement below is TRUE of the original definition of a culture-bound illness?

A) It is less severe than other forms of mental illness.
B) The abnormal behavior is specific to a particular location or group.
C) It is usually found only in children.
D) The behavior usually requires hospitalization in the home culture.

Question 16

Men are more likely than women to suffer from

A) alcohol and drug abuse.
B) mood disorders and anxiety disorders.
C) alcohol abuse and mood disorders.
D) depression and anxiety disorders.

Question 17

Approximately what total percentage of adults in the U.S. have suffered from a psychological disorder at some time in their lives?

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 38%
D) 47%

Question 18

Gerry is a night watchman who has worked at the same company for 25 years. He is described as very shy and withdrawn around others. While this behavior is not problematic at work, his relatives find him "weird" and tend to shun him at family gatherings. Despite encouragement by his immediate family to mingle, Gerry hardly speaks to others at these events. According to the "goodness-of-fit" concept, Gerry's behavior would

A) not be viewed as a problem at family gatherings.
B) not be viewed as a problem at work but would be viewed as a problem at family gatherings.
C) not be viewed as a problem at all.
D) only be viewed as a problem if it caused difficulty for his immediate family.

Question 19

A study in your text addressing the relationship between SES and the likelihood of developing a psychological disorder among children found that

A) children from different SES groups develop psychological disorders at different rates.
B) children at particular ages develop psychological disorders at different rates.
C) children from all SES groups develop psychological disorders at the same rates.
D) children of middle-income parents have the lowest rates of illness.

Question 20

Trephination, as practiced by ancient cultures, was a process whereby

A) the two halves of the brain were severed.
B) a small opening was made in the eye socket.
C) the inner ear was punctured with a sharp object.
D) certain portions of the skull were cut away.

Question 21

Although Anton Mesmer was criticized for his animal magnetism approach to treatment, he managed to demonstrate the importance of

A) a physician's training.
B) energy flow.
C) humane treatment.
D) the placebo effect.

Question 22

In medieval Europe, mental illness was thought to be caused by

A) retribution from the gods.
B) evil or demonic spirits.
C) a wandering uterus.
D) a dysfunctional family.

Question 23

A recent news story describes an unusual condition found among females at a local high school. After eating frozen yogurt from their cafeteria, a number of girls have begun to "spin wildly" throughout the lunchroom until being restrained by a faculty hall monitor. Immediately after being stopped, each girl reported feeling compelled to "spin" after eating. The number of girls involved in these incidents increased until the yogurt machine was removed from the cafeteria. In all probability, this behavior can be considered an episode of

A) mass-induced mania.
B) mass hysteria.
C) demonic possession.
D) emotional dysplasia.

Question 24

According to Freud's theory, the id is

A) the source of basic drives and of psychic energy.
B) capable of delaying gratification through its conscience.
C) controlled by the superego but not by the ego.
D) located at the conscious level of awareness.

Question 25

Our modern use of the word "bedlam," denoting a chaotic situation, is historically rooted in which of the following practices?

A) Allowing hysterics to act out their beliefs.
B) Warehousing of mentally ill persons.
C) Allowing witch hunters to convict and hang witches.
D) Warehousing entire families believed to be mentally ill.

Question 26

The first physician to adopt a form of occupational therapy for patients was

A) Pinel.
B) Paracelsus.
C) Dix.
D) Hippocrates.

Question 27

During which of the following psychosexual stages does a child experience fantasies about the opposite-sex parent?

A) Genital Stage
B) Anal Stage
C) Oral Stage
D) Phallic Stage

Question 28

The ancient Greek physician Asclepius foreshadowed modern treatment for psychological disorders in that he

A) founded the first pharmacy that prescribed psychoactive medication for patients.
B) based his practice on the idea that trephination, as an early medical intervention, was successful for most disorders.
C) invented the practice of placing patients in cool baths to relieve stress.
D) founded the first sanctuary for mental disorders offering a variety of treatments.

Question 29

Jeffrey's therapist is conducting an initial interview with him. The therapist spends a lot of time asking questions about Jeffrey's parents and his early life experiences. Since he seems to view Jeffrey's parents as the "root cause" of his problems, this therapist is most likely oriented toward ____________.

A) psychoanalysis
B) humanism
C) behaviorism
D) behavioral genetics

Question 30

Emil Kraepelin is best known for his contributions to the study of schizophrenia. He introduced two new diagnostic categories of disordered behavior - dementia praecox and manic-depressive insanity - based on symptom differentiation, _________________, and ________________.

A) etiology; prognosis
B) etiology; physiology
C) prognosis; symptomology
D) prognosis; physiology

Question 31

In ancient Greece, hysteria was believed to be caused by

A) wandering blood.
B) a wandering brain.
C) a wandering uterus.
D) wandering bile.

Question 32

Raul is a college freshman who looks forward to weekend parties at college. He especially likes to play "beer pong" and is known on campus as a champion player. After a recent party, Raul received a DUI citation. Raul's parents have urged him to seek treatment for his "alcohol problem," but Raul refuses. He does not believe he has a drinking problem. In Freud's theory, which of the following defense mechanisms is Raul likely using?

A) Intellectualization
B) Rationalization
C) Denial
D) Repression

Question 33

Which of the following statements about Josef Breuer's approach to the case of Anna O. is TRUE?

A) He recognized that Anna's difficulty moving her legs was due to general paresis, so he treated her with medication.
B) Breuer believed that only psychoanalysis would help cure the hysteria manifested by Anna.
C) He believed that the animal magnetism concept could be effective if the patient had faith in the placebo effect.
D) Breuer believed that hypnosis could have a beneficial effect by allowing Anna to discuss events and experiences relevant to the disorder.

Question 34

Hippocrates identified symptoms of abnormal behavior still recognized today by psychologists. These symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, melancholia, and

A) avoidance.
B) mania.
C) tremors.
D) psychosis.

Question 35

Which of the following is a technique that Freud used for treatment?

A) undoing
B) regression
C) interpretation
D) sublimation

Question 36

Hippocrates believed that maladaptive behaviors were caused by an imbalance in bodily humors that originated either with physical factors or

A) demonic possession.
B) the wrath of the gods.
C) a shifting of lunar tides.
D) a change in the seasons.

Question 37

Darien is 3 years old. He slips off a step, falls, and bruises his knee. Upon picking the crying toddler up, Darien's mother kisses his knee and gives him an M&M. Magically, Darien's pain disappears. This phenomenon would be known as the _____________ in psychology.

A) Mesmer effect
B) talking cure
C) placebo effect
D) classical conditioning effect

Question 38

Emotional contagion is the automatic mimicry and synchronization of expression, vocalizations, postures, and

A) values of another.
B) fantasies of another.
C) word patterns of another.
D) movements of another.

Question 39

William Tuke, a contemporary of Philippe Pinel, proposed that patients live, work, and relax in a compassionate and religious environment. This philosophy was the foundation for

A) community treatment.
B) moral treatment.
C) voluntary commitment.
D) individual treatment.

Question 40

Felicia believes that her cell phone is beginning to control her thoughts. She noticed this after she switched phone plans and thinks the problem began with the new service. This belief would typically be known as a

A) delusion.
B) hallucination.
C) hysterical episode.
D) melancholic thought.

Question 41

In Aaron Beck's model of depression, the cognitive triad consists of

A) past, present, and future expectations.
B) three types of negative thoughts.
C) Freud's id, ego and superego.
D) three levels of the mind.

Question 42

Dr. Pambros returns Abnormal Psychology exams. Juanita, Kevin, and Morgan all receive grades of "C." Juanita is grateful to have passed. Kevin is devastated. Morgan is mildly disappointed but recognizes that there are three remaining exams that could boost his grade. How would the cognitive model explain the different responses of these students to the same event?

A) Thoughts are not as important at the event itself.
B) The event is essentially neutral.
C) Grades are inherently powerful events.
D) Grades are classic negative reinforcers.

Question 43

In Pavlov's experiment with dogs, classical conditioning was demonstrated when

A) the UCS elicited the CR.
B) the UCS elicited the UCR.
C) the CS elicited the CR.
D) the CS was paired with the UCS.

Question 44

Freud and his successor, Carl Jung, had fundamental disagreements about the motivation for behavior. While Freud thought that past events and sexual impulses were important, Jung believed that

A) future goals and spiritual motivators may cause behavior.
B) past events and sexual and spiritual motivators were important.
C) present events and spiritual motivators cause behavior.
D) birth order was the most important determinant.

Question 45

Every time little Jeffrey goes shopping with his mom, there is an incident at the checkout line when he spots candy. Typically, Jeffrey's mom initially refuses his request for a candy bar. When the child throws himself to the floor kicking and screaming, Jeffrey's mom gives in and hands him the candy bar to end the embarrassing scene. In operant conditioning terms, what is maintaining the child's "checkout tantrums"?

A) Negative reinforcement
B) Non-contingent reinforcement
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Vicarious reinforcement

Question 46

Which of the following reinforcers meets the criterion for being "primary"?

A) Money
B) Attention
C) Grades
D) Power

Question 47

Which of the following statements about the viral infection theory as it relates to the development of psychological disorders is TRUE?

A) Viral infections do not cause changes in the brain that lead to later behavioral disturbances.
B) There is no relationship between viral infection and psychological disturbances.
C) Viral infections do not lead to psychological disturbances through immune system suppression.
D) Viral infections may take several pathways in producing disordered behavior.

Question 48

In the classical conditioning paradigm demonstrated by Pavlov through his study of the physiology of dog digestion, what was the UCS?

A) Bell
B) Food powder
C) Pavlov
D) Salivating

Question 49

Derek did not clean the dishes even though it was his turn. As a result, his parents told him he could not go to his friend's house to play. What did his parents engage in?

A)reinforcement
B) punishment
C) vicarious learning
D) shaping

Question 50

Neurons release neurotransmitters into synapses. These neurotransmitters

A) land on the receptor site of the next neuron, causing it to fire.
B) block further messages from being sent to the next neuron.
C) land on an axon, causing it to fire and send an electrical impulse.
D) establish a permanent link between one nerve cell and the next.

Question 51

Whereas the behavioral approach focuses on ________, the cognitive model targets _______ in explaining behavior.

A) external events; mental processes
B) mental processes; external events
C) thought distortions; punishment
D) punishment; thought distortions

Question 52

John B. Watson, the founder of behaviorism, maintained that

A) fear was an instinctive and unlearned response in children.
B) all behaviors were learned through exposure to the environment.
C) inner thoughts were acceptable behaviors for scientific study.
D) behavior was conditioned through operant reinforcement.

Question 53

If a psychologist defines herself as a "scientist-practitioner," what do we automatically know about her through this label?

A) She is focused on pure research and practices sound methodological principles.
B) She relies on the latest research findings in providing quality care and treatment to patients.
C) She takes a behavioral approach, only trying to change dysfunctional behaviors that are observable.
D) She is not focused on the etiology of a disorder but on a research-based treatment approach.

Question 54

In operant conditioning, a reinforcer serves to _______ a behavior it follows.

A) extinguish
B) weaken
C) strengthen
D) diminish

Question 55

Object relations theory proposes that people have a basic drive for

A) dominating others.
B) satisfying sexual instincts.
C) engaging in social interactions.
D) spiritual development.

Question 56

Which of the following statements about reinforcement is TRUE?

A) Reinforcement may increase or decrease a behavior it follows, as it depends on the targeted behavior of the organism.
B) Reinforcement must be primary to have an impact.
C) Reinforcement must be delivered every time a behavior is emitted to strengthen that behavior.
D) Reinforcement for one person may be punishment for another.

Question 57

Which of the following forms of learning explains why television has a profound effect on children's learning?

A) Operant conditioning
B) Vicarious conditioning
C) Classical conditioning
D) Shaping conditioning

Question 58

According to Freud, which of the following was critical to overcoming psychological difficulties?

A) Empathy
B) Hypnosis
C) Insight
D) Regression

Question 59

Dr. Barstow is treating a young man who is afraid of dogs. One method he uses is progressive muscle relaxation using vivid imagery. Once the patient is relaxed, Dr. Barstow introduces the patient to a picture of a dog with instructions to "Breathe deeply and remain calm and relaxed." Which learning principle established by Wolpe is being employed in this example?

A) Mindfulness
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Backward chaining
D) Reciprocal inhibition

Question 60

Biological scarring, as seen in some disorders such as PTSD, demonstrates that

A) the brain is capable of healing itself after a trauma.
B) the brain may change as a result of the disorder.
C) genetics plays a vital role in vulnerability to a disorder.
D) brain plasticity is not possible after trauma.

Question 61

Most people with psychological disorders do not engage in dangerous behavior.

Question 62

The social learning model of behavioral acquisition proposes that

A) only behaviors in a social context are reinforced.
B) punishment is only effective in producing learning in humans.
C) a person does not actually have to do the behavior to learn it.
D) humans are motivated more by primary reinforcers than secondary reinforcers.

Question 63

A message that implies "I will love you if you graduate with honors" is an example of

A) unconditional positive regard.
B) unconditional negative regard.
C) conditional positive regard.
D) conditional negative regard.

Question 64

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Modern psychologists believe that psychopathology is physiologically based.
B) Abnormal behavior may be best understood using a single theoretical framework.
C) Understanding abnormal behaviors requires an integration of models.
D) Sociocultural factors are the best explanation for disordered behavior.

Question 65

Which of the following is a value emphasized by mainstream U.S. teen culture?

A) Collectivism
B) Familism
C) Peer relationships
D) Close living proximity to family

Question 66

In considering whether a behavior is abnormal or normal, one must consider the context in which the behavior occurs.

Question 67

Having a biological predisposition for a disorder means that a person

A) will develop the full syndrome over the life span.
B) has increased vulnerability to developing a disorder.
C) will only develop a partial manifestation of the problem behavior.
D) has a genetic mutation for the disorder.

Question 68

This model of abnormal behavior acknowledges an interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors in the development of mental health disorders.

A) biological model
B) sociocultural model
C) biopsychosocial model
D) psychological model

Question 69

Carl Rogers proposed that phenomenology is critical in understanding an individual. Phenomenology means the

A) difference between what one perceives and what one ought to do.
B) subjective world of the individual.
C) objective world of reality.
D) degree to which objective reality and subjective reality are a fit.

Question 70

The biopsychosocial perspective, compared with the perspectives of Freud, Jung, and Rogers,

A) focuses on early developments as the diathesis.
B) adequately explains all disorders.
C) is broader than the other models.
D) assumes the nature of man to be good.

Question 71

Defining "abnormal" as being "away from normal" is circular.

Question 72

While psychoanalytic and humanistic models assume that abnormality lies within the individual, ________ models assume that abnormal behavior must be understood in a larger context outside of the individual.

A) phenomenological
B) sociocultural
C) sociopathic
D) socioenvironmental

Question 73

Gender roles directly affect the ______ of abnormal behaviors.

A) expression
B) cause
C) severity
D) chronicity

Question 74

Which of the following statements about women and abnormal behavior within a sociocultural context is TRUE?

A) Biological factors affect rates of mental illness for women around the world regardless of contextual factors.
B) Socioeconomic status is unrelated to rates of mental illness for women.
C) Some contextual factors place women at higher risk for psychological disorders.
D) Gender role expectations do not influence the development of abnormal behaviors.

Question 75

Mario has just returned from his third deployment to Iraq. For several months after returning, he is unable to sleep and has difficulty dealing with flashbacks of mortar fire over the compound in which he worked. Using a biopsychosocial model, we might explain his problems as deriving from

A) the stress of deployment alone.
B) a diathesis, as well as the stress of deployment.
C) a lack of social support.
D) a failure in coping alone.

Question 76

The diathesis-stress model of abnormal behavior assumes that

A) a person who has a genetic predisposition for a disorder will exhibit the disorder at some point in time.
B) biological and environmental factors interact to determine the likelihood that a person will exhibit abnormal behavior.
C) a "diathesis" from the environment interacts with biological influences to produce disordered behavior.
D) stress causes physiological changes that lead to disruptions in environmental supports.

Question 77

Familismo, a concept common in Latino culture is defined as:

A) pathological relationships between family members.
B) cold, distance patterns of communication between family members.
C) the centrality of, and obligation to, family over self and peers.
D) traditional family roles where the men hold more power than women.

Question 78

A woman from Ecuador dresses colorfully and makes eye contact with others in church, while another woman from Japan dresses in quieter colors and does not make eye contact. This is an example of culture-bound syndrome.

Question 79

Latino youths born in the U.S. are ________ as likely to attempt suicide as foreign-born Latino youths.

A) two times
B) three times
C) four times
D) five times

Question 80

"I got a B in the course. I'll never get into graduate school." This statement typifies the cognitive distortion known as

A) overgeneralizing.
B) emotional reasoning.
C) catastrophizing.
D) magnifying.