Question 1

According to some estimates, as many as __________ people in the general population have some form of personality disorder.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to some estimates, as many as...

Question 2

Which constellation of personality traits describes people who are more likely to suffer from depression?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that high levels of neuroticism (tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and irritability) and low levels of extraversion (tendency to seek out social interaction and engage in activities that provide pleasure and excitement) and conscientiousness (tendency to be responsible and plan ahead) are associated with a greater risk of depression. Therefore, option B, which includes high neuroticism, low extraversion, and low conscientiousness, describes people who are more likely to suffer from depression.

Question 3

A man is __________ times as likely to have a personality disorder in Cluster A (paranoid, schizoid, or schizotypal) than a woman is.

Accepted Answer

Men are approximately 5 times more likely to have a personality disorder in Cluster A compared to women.

Question 4

Which trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 is associated with extreme openness to experience?

Accepted Answer

The trait of psychoticism on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 is associated with extreme openness to experience. This trait includes characteristics such as eccentricity, unusual beliefs, and perceptual distortions, which are all indicative of a high level of openness to new and different experiences.

Question 5

__________ is an intense fear of social situations.

Accepted Answer

Social phobia is an intense fear of social situations, which can result in avoiding social events or interactions. Agoraphobia is a fear of situations where escape may be difficult, while somniphobia is a fear of sleep or falling asleep. Personal phobia is not a recognized term.

Question 6

Why would panic attacks be accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and chills?

Accepted Answer

Physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and chills are the body's natural response to a perceived threat, whether that threat is real or imagined. In the case of panic attacks, the person is experiencing intense fear and anxiety, which triggers the body's "fight or flight" response. This response includes the release of hormones that can cause physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and chills. These same symptoms would be present if the person was actually facing a real threat, so they are a natural response to intense fear and anxiety.

Question 7

Which trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 is associated with extreme low agreeableness?

Accepted Answer

Antagonism is the trait associated with extreme low agreeableness on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5. This trait includes behaviors such as being manipulative, deceitful, callous, and showing a lack of empathy or concern for others.

Question 8

Which trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 is associated with extreme neuroticism?

Accepted Answer

Negative affectivity, also known as emotional instability, is associated with extreme neuroticism. Those with high levels of negative affectivity may experience intense negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger.

Question 9

Compared to a mentally healthy person, a person with dependent personality disorder typically displays __________.

Accepted Answer

People with dependent personality disorder tend to be high in neuroticism, which means they experience more negative emotions and are more sensitive to stress compared to mentally healthy individuals. They may also be lower in extraversion, as they tend to be shy and hesitant in social situations. However, they are typically higher in agreeableness, as they have an excessive need for approval and tend to subjugate their own needs to please others.

Question 10

What pattern of personality traits do almost all people with any personality disorder have?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with personality disorders often exhibit high levels of neuroticism, which includes traits such as anxiety, moodiness, and emotional instability. Additionally, they often score low on agreeableness, which involves traits such as empathy, cooperation, and trustworthiness. Therefore, the best choice is D: high neuroticism and low agreeableness.

Question 11

Compared to a mentally healthy person, a person with schizoid personality disorder typically displays __________.

Accepted Answer

A person with schizoid personality disorder typically displays lower levels of extraversion and agreeableness, and may also have lower levels of openness to experience. They may not experience as much emotional reactivity or warmth in their interpersonal relationships. Higher levels of neuroticism or conscientiousness are generally not characteristic of this disorder.

Question 12

__________ is the trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 associated with extreme introversion.

Accepted Answer

Detachment is the trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 associated with extreme introversion. Negative affectivity is associated with emotional instability, while psychoticism is associated with a lack of empathy and impulsive behavior. Disinhibition is associated with impulsivity and difficulty with impulse control.

Question 13

__________ is the trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 associated with extreme low conscientiousness.

Accepted Answer

Disinhibition is the trait on the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 associated with extreme low conscientiousness. Antagonism is associated with high levels of disagreeableness or hostility, Negative affectivity with emotional instability, and Psychoticism with a mix of both disinhibition and antagonism along with the trait of aberrant perceptions and experiences.

Question 14

How does the likelihood of a man suffering from narcissistic personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder compare to the likelihood for a woman?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that men are more likely to suffer from narcissistic personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder compared to women. It is important to note that this does not mean that all men are more likely to have these disorders than all women, but rather that men as a group are more likely to be diagnosed with these disorders.

Question 15

Which mood disorder features episodes of depressed mood or loss of pleasure in life that last at least 2 weeks?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder features episodes of depressed mood or loss of pleasure in life that last at least 2 weeks. Anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder do not necessarily involve depressive symptoms.

Question 16

How much of the variation in personality disorders is explained by genetics?

Accepted Answer

According to twin studies, the heritability of personality disorders ranges from 40% to 60%, indicating that around half of the variation in personality disorders can be attributed to genetics. Therefore, the best choice is C (50%).

Question 17

Gretchen has suffered from panic attacks in the past, so she has started avoiding the places that trigger those attacks. Now, in addition to her panic disorder, it is likely that Gretchen is suffering from __________.

Accepted Answer

Gretchen's avoidance of places that trigger panic attacks suggests that she may be suffering from agoraphobia, which is a fear of situations or places that might cause panic, helplessness or embarrassment. While generalized anxiety disorder can also involve excessive worrying and fear about a wide range of situations or issues, Gretchen's specific avoidance of certain places points more strongly to agoraphobia. Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder involve primarily mood disturbances rather than anxiety symptoms.

Question 18

Which statement is accurate about generalized anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry and anxiety about a variety of different things, often with no specific trigger or cause. Therefore, it is considered a form of free-floating anxiety not tied to any identifiable stimulus. Option A is incorrect because generalized anxiety disorder is not necessarily the basis for other mood disorders, but it may co-occur with them. Option B is incorrect because the PAINeD model represents five dimensions of pain assessment, not anxiety disorders. Option C is incorrect because other mood disorders, such as major depression and bipolar disorder, can be associated with personality traits as well.

Question 19

Compared to a mentally healthy person, a person with borderline personality disorder typically displays __________.

Accepted Answer

Individuals with borderline personality disorder tend to display higher levels of neuroticism, which is characterized by emotional instability and a tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and mood swings. They also tend to score lower in conscientiousness, which is characterized by being responsible, organized, reliable, and goal-oriented. Finally, they also score lower in agreeableness, which is characterized by being cooperative, empathetic, compassionate, and trusting. These traits can lead to conflicts in their relationships with others.

Question 20

Benito wakes up each morning feeling on edge. He has trouble sleeping because he is consumed by worrying. For more than 6 months he has felt nervous at work, nervous at home, and nervous in most settings. Benito is exhibiting symptoms associated with __________.

Accepted Answer

Benito's symptoms of feeling on edge, trouble sleeping, and constant worrying for more than 6 months are all indicative of generalized anxiety disorder. Social phobia would involve a fear of social situations specifically, bipolar disorder involves mood swings and periods of mania and depression, and agoraphobia involves a fear of leaving one's home or safe place.

Quiz 14: Personality and Mental Health