Question 1

It is as statistically "abnormal" (unusual)for a person to score above 145 on an IQ test as it is to score below 55.However, only the lower score is regarded as "abnormal" or undesirable.Thus, one disadvantage of using a statistical definition of abnormality is that statistical abnormality

Accepted Answer

Statistical abnormality does not take into account the subjective experience of the individual or the context in which their behavior occurs. It is simply a deviation from the statistical norm, which may or may not be meaningful in terms of diagnosing or treating a mental health condition. Therefore, it does not provide insight into the person's psychological state or the potential causes of their behavior.

Question 2

On which of the following do most people score near the middle of the score range with very few having extremely high or low scores?

Accepted Answer

A normal or bell-shaped curve is characterized by most people scoring near the middle, also known as the mean, with very few having extremely high or low scores. This is because the curve is symmetrical around the mean, with scores becoming progressively rarer as they go further away from the mean in either direction.

Question 3

Of the 38,000 Americans who committed suicide in 2011, what percent had a diagnosable mental disorder?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 90 percent of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death.

Question 4

The direct costs of treating people who seek help for mental illness is approximately how many dollars per a year?

Accepted Answer

The direct costs of treating mental illness in the United States are estimated to be around 60 billion dollars per year.

Question 5

What is one advantage of using statistics to define normality?

Accepted Answer

Statistical descriptions of disorders permit more objective definitions, as they are based on data and measurable criteria, rather than subjective opinions or stigmas.

Question 6

In the United States, a drug abuser or a prostitute would most likely be judged as abnormal based on

Accepted Answer

Social nonconformity refers to behavior that deviates from the accepted norms and values of a particular culture or society. Drug abuse and prostitution are both examples of behaviors that are considered socially deviant and therefore abnormal in American culture.

Question 7

The term psychopathology includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Psychopathology encompasses all of the given options. It refers not only to mental disorders themselves (option C) but also to the scientific study of those disorders (option A) and the negative behavior patterns that can accompany them (option B). Therefore, D ("all of these") is the correct answer.

Question 8

Including the indirect costs, such as lost earnings, what is the total cost of treating people who seek help for mental illness?

Accepted Answer

The total cost of treating people who seek help for mental illness, including indirect costs such as lost earnings, is estimated to be $315 billion. This includes the costs of healthcare, prescription medications, and lost productivity due to time off work or reduced performance at work. It is important to note that this is just an estimate and the actual cost may vary depending on various factors.

Question 9

What percentage of American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20% of American adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. This includes conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia.

Question 10

A psychologist devises a test to measure anxiety.He administers this test to over 1,000 persons and learns how many people show low, medium, or high levels of anxiety.Usually the results of such tests tend to form a(n)

Accepted Answer

The results of psychological tests tend to form a normal or bell-shaped curve, which means that most people score in the middle range and fewer people score in the low and high ranges. This distribution is also known as a Gaussian distribution or a normal distribution, and it is commonly observed in many natural phenomena.

Question 11

Regarding social nonconformity, which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Social nonconformity can indicate a psychological disorder, but it can also be a harmless eccentricity or simply a personal choice to diverge from societal norms. Additionally, not all instances of social nonconformity are accompanied by subjective discomfort, which rules out choice A as the correct answer. Choice C is also incorrect, as social nonconformity does not necessarily indicate any degree of psychological disorder. Choice D is also incorrect, as social nonconformity may involve disobeying societal standards rather than one's own private standards.

Question 12

Herbert's scores are just barely outside of the normal range on a test of his emotions.Thus, which limitation of a statistical definition of abnormality must the examiner confront?

Accepted Answer

This limitation refers to the challenge of determining the cutoff point between normal and abnormal behavior or traits on a statistical test. In Herbert's case, his scores are just outside of the normal range, but it is up to the examiner to decide if this slight deviation is significant enough to label him as abnormal.

Question 13

Which of the following is the scientific term that refers to mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or depression, and to behavior patterns that make people unhappy and impair their personal growth as well as to the study of these disorders?

Accepted Answer

The scientific term for mental disorders and behavior patterns that impair personal growth is psychopathology. Insanity and lunacy are outdated terms that do not have a clear scientific definition. Neuroses refer specifically to anxiety disorders, but do not encompass all mental disorders.

Question 14

Which of the following refers to scoring very high or low on some dimension, such as intelligence, anxiety, or depression?

Accepted Answer

Statistical abnormality refers to scoring very high or low on some dimension, such as intelligence, anxiety, or depression, which deviates significantly from the average or norm of a given population. This criterion is widely used in clinical diagnoses and psychological assessments. Subjective relativity, mental nonconformity, and maladaptive deviations are not as commonly used or well-established concepts in psychology.

Question 15

The scientific study of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders is called

Accepted Answer

Psychopathology is the branch of psychology that deals with the study of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychosis and neurosis are both types of mental disorders but do not refer to the study of them. Neuropathology refers to the study of diseases that affect the nervous system.

Question 16

Margo takes a test that measures the level of several emotions.Using statistical abnormality as the definition of psychopathology, Margo would be considered normal or average if all of her scores fell

Accepted Answer

If Margo's scores fall in the middle of the curve, this would indicate that she has average levels of each emotion compared to the general population. Since statistical abnormality is being used as the definition of psychopathology, Margo would be considered normal in this case. Answer choice A is incorrect because this would indicate that Margo scored higher than average on all emotions, which could be a sign of psychopathology. Answer choice C is incorrect because this would indicate that Margo scored lower than average on all emotions, which could also be a sign of psychopathology. Answer choice D is incorrect because it suggests that Margo would only be considered normal if her scores were outside the curve, which is not a valid interpretation of statistical abnormality.

Question 17

Jansen is an artist who dresses in an offbeat manner, drives a multi-colored VW van, and generally is known as a charming eccentric.Jansen is happy, creative, and generally well adjusted.It is critical to distinguish this type of non-traditional person from others who have not adopted the usual minimum rules for behavior, which is destructive.This example illustrates one of the problems with what definition of abnormality?

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes Jansen, who is considered abnormal because of his social nonconformity, which is deviation from society's norms and expectations for behavior. However, this does not necessarily mean that Jansen has a mental disorder, which is the criterion for abnormality according to the statistical and subjective discomfort definitions. The cultural definition of abnormality involves considering behavior as abnormal based on cultural norms and values, which is not applicable in this case as the scenario does not provide any cultural context.

Question 18

Statistical approaches to abnormality define as "abnormal" those who

Accepted Answer

Statistical approaches to abnormality define abnormal behavior as deviating from the average on an objective measure of behavior. This means that behavior that is rare or uncommon in a particular population is considered abnormal, regardless of whether or not it is associated with clinical distress or impairment. Therefore, options A, B, and D do not accurately reflect the statistical approach to abnormality.

Question 19

Dr.Orazzo is using an objective method of defining abnormality.However, this method will not tell her about the meanings of the deviations she obtained; nor does it tell her where to draw the line between normality and abnormality.The method of defining abnormality that Dr.Orazzo is using is

Accepted Answer

Dr. Orazzo is using the statistical abnormality method, which defines abnormality as a deviation from the statistical norm or average behavior. This method does not consider the cultural, social, or individual context of the behavior, but rather simply looks at how far a behavior deviates from the norm. It also does not provide information about the meaning or context of the behavior.

Question 20

In 2011, approximately how many Americans committed suicide?

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 38,364 suicides in the United States in 2011.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders.

It is as statistically "abnormal" (unusual) for a person to score above 145 on an IQ test as it is to score below 55.However, only the lower score is regarded as "abnormal" or undesirable.Thus, one disadvantage of using a statistical definition of abnormality is that statistical abnormality