Question 1

Various medications have been used to treat antisocial personality disorder.What can we say about their effectiveness?

Accepted Answer

Tranquilizing drugs have shown some effectiveness in reducing antisocial behavior, but individuals with this disorder are unlikely to consistently self-medicate. Additionally, the use of drugs may lead to addiction, which can exacerbate the problem. Antidepressants and stimulant drugs have not been shown to be particularly effective in treating antisocial personality disorder.

Question 2

Gus has been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and is in treatment.His therapist supports Beck's cognitive approach to therapy.We can guess that Gus's therapist ____.

Accepted Answer

Beck's cognitive approach to therapy focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs. In the case of someone with antisocial personality disorder, this might involve getting them to think less about themselves and their own desires and more about the consequences of their actions for others. This approach does not involve punishment or immediate rewards, and it does not seek to redirect thrill-seeking behavior into something constructive. It also does not rely on guilt and shame to change behavior. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 3

The use of a new trait-domain assessment, the removal of five personality types, and the altered definition constituting personality pathology will most likely ____.

Accepted Answer

Any changes to the way personality assessments and pathology are defined and diagnosed are likely to cause considerable upheaval, as they have the potential to affect the way mental health professionals approach and treat personality disorders. The removal of personality types and the introduction of a new assessment tool may also be met with resistance, as some professionals may be skeptical or have concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the new approach.

Question 4

Longitudinal research with antisocial personality disorder shows that ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Longitudinal research with antisocial personality disorder shows...

Question 5

Jerry is normally polite and controlled, but if he gets a wrong-number telephone call, he completely loses control.After shrieking at the caller, he may rip the phone out of the wall and hurl it across the room.Afterward, he is filled with guilt and shame.Which impulse control disorder does Jerry illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Jerry's behavior of completely losing control and exhibiting explosive anger in response to a trigger (in this case, a wrong-number telephone call) is indicative of intermittent explosive disorder, which is characterized by recurrent episodes of impulsive and aggressive behavior. The guilt and shame Jerry experiences afterward also align with this disorder. Pyromania involves a fascination with fire and intentionally setting fires, internet addiction is a behavioral addiction to excessive internet use, and kleptomania is a recurring urge to steal. None of these disorders fit the description of Jerry's behavior.

Question 6

The DSM-V workgroup uses an overarching six-domain trait dimensional diagnostic system for assessing personality disorders.They refer to dimension as ____.

Accepted Answer

The DSM-V workgroup uses an overarching six-domain trait dimensional diagnostic system for assessing personality disorders, which refers to dimension as a scaled continuum that can be used to measure (match) the degree to whether a persona possesses certain traits. This approach seeks to provide a more comprehensive and accurate diagnosis of personality disorders based on a continuum of traits rather than relying on subjective clinical formulations or etiological manifestations.

Question 7

The director of a prison wants to improve the ability of antisocial personality prisoners to learn from their experience.Using research results, the director might ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The director of a prison wants to...

Question 8

The director of a new treatment facility for delinquent youths is thinking about using behavior modification as the chief method of changing behavior.Your advice to the new director might be the following: ____.

Accepted Answer

Behavior modification can be effective in changing behavior, especially if it is skill-based. However, maintaining behavior change requires a support system from peers and family. Simply relying on behavior modification without considering the importance of support systems may not produce lasting change.

Question 9

Individuals with impulse control disorders have three characteristics in common.Which of the following is one of them?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with impulse control disorders feel excitement or release after engaging in the act they cannot resist doing. This is a common characteristic among individuals with impulse control disorders, along with difficulty resisting impulses and a lack of control over their behavior. The other options (A, B, and C) are not necessarily common characteristics of all individuals with impulse control disorders.

Question 10

June suffers from kleptomania.What behaviors would be consistent with her disorder?

Accepted Answer

Kleptomania is the urge to steal items that are not needed for personal use or financial gain. The other options do not relate to kleptomania.

Question 11

Which approach to personality helps researchers and clinicians assess personality disorders as a particular set of personality characteristics and to compare different disorders?

Accepted Answer

The hybrid approach combines categorical and dimensional characteristics to diagnose personality disorders, allowing for the assessment of specific personality characteristics and a comparison of different disorders. This approach is more comprehensive than either the categorical or dimensional approach alone.

Question 12

____ is one of the six DSM-V trait domains characterized by callousness, manipulativeness, grandiose narcissism, and negative feelings and behaviors toward others.

Accepted Answer

The trait domain described in the question is antagonism, which is characterized by callousness, manipulativeness, grandiose narcissism, and negative feelings and behaviors toward others. This is one of the six trait domains in the DSM-V. Compulsivity refers to a tendency toward perfectionism and excessive control, while schizotypy refers to odd or eccentric beliefs and behaviors. Negative emotionality refers to a tendency toward experiencing negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger.

Question 13

According to research by Beck and colleagues, which statement best exemplifies an individual with antisocial personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to research by Beck and colleagues,...

Question 14

Because antisocial personalities exhibit ____ levels of anxiety, traditional treatment approaches, which require the cooperation from the client, have been very ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Because antisocial personalities exhibit ____ levels of...

Question 15

____ disorders are characterized by a failure to resist temptation to engage in an act they know is wrong, coupled with a sense of excitement, gratification, or release after giving in to the temptation.

Accepted Answer

The description is most consistent with impulse control disorders, which are characterized by an inability to resist impulses to engage in behaviors that are harmful to oneself or others. Examples include kleptomania (theft), pyromania (fire-setting), and intermittent explosive disorder (aggressive outbursts). Dissociative disorders involve disturbances in memory, identity, or consciousness, and personality disorders involve enduring patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion that cause impairment or distress. Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear or worry that can interfere with daily life.

Question 16

Research, conceptual, and therapeutic reasons suggest that most personality disorders ____.

Accepted Answer

Research on personality disorders suggests that they are best understood as being on a continuum, rather than having clear-cut categorical boundaries. This means that while individuals may vary in the severity or type of symptoms they experience, there is not a clear distinction between those who have a disorder and those who do not. Conceptual reasons also support this idea, as personality traits are known to be relatively stable over time and to vary along a continuum. Therapeutically, this perspective suggests that interventions should be tailored to each individual's specific needs, rather than assuming that they fit into a specific diagnostic category. While some personality disorders may be challenging to treat, many individuals can benefit from therapy and support, and their symptoms may improve over time with the right treatment approach. There is currently no evidence to suggest that personality disorders are caused by a disease of the brain.

Question 17

Tariq has episodes where he loses control of his aggressive impulses and assaults others.Sabira cannot resist impulses to steal things, even though she does not use or want them.Tariq best illustrates ____; Sabira best illustrates ____.

Accepted Answer

Tariq's behavior fits the criteria for intermittent explosive disorder, which is characterized by recurrent outbursts of aggressive behavior. Sabira's behavior fits the criteria for kleptomania, which involves stealing items not because of their value but due to an irresistible urge. The other options (B and C) include disorders that do not match the specific behaviors described in the scenario.

Question 18

A new impulse control disorder has been proposed for inclusion in the 2012 edition of DSM-V because it involves 15 percent of youth in this country, frequently isolating them from family and friends.This controversial disorder is ____.

Accepted Answer

The proposed disorder that affects 15% of youth and isolates them from family and friends is internet addiction. Choice B (solitude addiction) and C (self-absorption) are not commonly recognized disorders, and while excessive television use can be detrimental, it is not currently proposed as a disorder for the DSM-V.

Question 19

Leshaun is diagnosed with pyromania.He suffers from no other psychological disorders, but gets intense pleasure from watching buildings burn.He has never set a fire to get revenge or for financial gain.What is unusual about Leshaun's case?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Leshaun is diagnosed with pyromania.He suffers from...

Question 20

In the DSM-IV, one of the categorical approach issues in assessing personality psychopathology is diagnostic accuracy.Research indicates excellent reliability in diagnosing whether a person has a personality disorder; however, ____.

Accepted Answer

While reliability in diagnosing personality disorders is high, research has shown lower reliability in classifying the precise type of personality disorder. This means that there may be more inconsistency in determining whether a person has a specific personality disorder, as opposed to just having a personality disorder in general.

Quiz 15: Personality Psychopathology