Question 1

According to your textbook, which of the following has not been observed in individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID)?

Accepted Answer

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex psychological condition where an individual exhibits multiple distinct identities or personalities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. Research and clinical observations have documented a wide range of physiological and psychological variations among the different identities in a person with DID. These variations can include differences in hand dominance, allergies, visual acuity, and even menstrual cycles. Such observations support the understanding that DID can involve profound changes in a person's physiological state, which aligns with the choice indicating that all the listed phenomena have been associated with DID.

Question 2

Thirty-year-old Armand feels compelled to save objects that others might throw away. He is afraid that he will discard something he later will need, so his home is filled with old newspapers, empty boxes, worn-out clothing, antiquated computer equipment, and even the seeds from the fruits and vegetables he has eaten. Armand's neighbours have complained to the homeowners' association, because he has been forced to store some things outside his home. He is embarrassed by his need to hoard objects but is overcome by dread if he tries to throw things away. The criteria that govern decisions about abnormality are applicable in this case because

Accepted Answer

Armand's behavior is considered abnormal because it significantly deviates from societal norms and causes him distress, which are key criteria in determining abnormality.

Question 3

According to the research presented in your textbook, how often are suicide attempts preceded by some kind of warning?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that more than half the time, suicide attempts are preceded by some kind of warning, such as verbal hints, changes in behavior, or explicit threats. This suggests the importance of taking any warning signs seriously.

Question 4

Which of the following is not recognized as an eating disorder by the DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

Taste aversion disorder is not recognized as an eating disorder by the DSM-5. The DSM-5 recognizes binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa as eating disorders.

Question 5

Tina has been hyperactive for the past week, buying things she can't afford and painting dozens of pictures. Her thoughts seem to be racing out of control and she is convinced that she is going to be the next Jackson Pollock, even though she has never painted before this week. She has also started a major renovation project at home, and since she's hardly sleeping, she's keeping her neighbours awake with all her pounding and sawing. Tina's symptoms suggest that she

Accepted Answer

Tina's symptoms of hyperactivity, excessive spending, undertaking large projects, inflated self-esteem (believing she will be the next Jackson Pollock), and decreased need for sleep are indicative of a manic episode. These are classic signs of mania, which is characterized by an abnormally elevated mood, energy, or irritability, and often occurs in the context of bipolar disorder.

Question 6

According to Beck, how would someone who was depressed be likely to interpret the causes of their various successes and failures?

Accepted Answer

According to Beck's cognitive theory of depression, individuals who are depressed are likely to interpret their failures as due to personal shortcomings (internal or personal attributions) and their successes to external factors (situational attributions), reinforcing feelings of helplessness and low self-worth.

Question 7

Howie Mandel has a fear of being contaminated by touching others. If we were able to track his brain activity when this obsessive behaviour occurs, the

Accepted Answer

The orbitofrontal-cingulate pathway, involving the prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus, is associated with obsessive-compulsive behaviors, including fears of contamination and the compulsive need to avoid touching others. This pathway is involved in decision-making, anticipation of rewards or punishments, and emotional regulation, all of which are relevant to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms.

Question 8

Which of the following responses reflects the three focal points for the 'depressive cognitive triad of negative thought'?

Accepted Answer

The depressive cognitive triad of negative thought, a concept introduced by Aaron Beck, focuses on negative views about the world, oneself, and the future. These three areas are thought to contribute to the maintenance of depression.

Question 9

Renee is a social worker in an urban community mental health center. After she sees a new client, she usually knows which diagnosis to give, but she still has to look up the exact diagnostic code in the

Accepted Answer

The DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders and provides the diagnostic codes needed for documentation and billing.

Question 10

Your textbook describes a social phobia in which those afflicted are chronically anxious about the possibility of offending others (e.g. by 'emitting offensive odours, blushing, staring inappropriately', etc.). What factor was suggested to be particularly relevant for influencing the development of this particular phobia?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors are particularly relevant for influencing the development of social phobias, including the fear of offending others. These factors can include social learning, where individuals observe and learn from the reactions of others, and direct experiences, such as embarrassing or negative social interactions, which can contribute to the development of social anxiety and phobias.

Question 11

Jason is extremely uncomfortable when he has to confront someone. He is afraid that if he does stand up for his beliefs, people will point to his inadequacies and reject him. As a consequence, he rarely expresses his true feelings or beliefs and, instead, simply goes along with whatever the strongest willed person is doing or saying. He also tends to blame other people when things go wrong because in his experience he has been doing his best to avoid any conflict. If Jason has a personality disorder, it is most likely

Accepted Answer

Jason's behaviors and fears align with avoidant personality disorder, characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Question 12

Killian lets her husband keep all the financial records for the family and refuses to make any decisions on her own. She is so needy that if she encounters even a minor unexpected problem during her day, she calls him at work to ask his advice. This behaviour cuts across all situations, causes problems in her relationships with other people, and seems to be Killian's only real approach to dealing with the world. Killian may have

Accepted Answer

Killian's behavior is indicative of a personality disorder, specifically dependent personality disorder, characterized by excessive dependence on others for emotional and decision-making support, and difficulty functioning independently. This is not indicative of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, conversion disorder, or schizophrenia, which have different primary symptoms.

Question 13

Tyson is uncomfortable when he isn't the center of attention. Those who know him say he acts like he's 'on stage' all the time. When his friends are enjoying his antics, he's happy; but when they tire of his behaviour, he becomes extremely emotional. Though he believes he has many intimate relationships, others think Tyson is shallow, capricious, and theatrical. If he has a personality disorder, it is most likely

Accepted Answer

Tyson's behaviors and characteristics, such as needing to be the center of attention, acting as if he's "on stage," and having shallow relationships, align with narcissistic personality disorder. This disorder involves a long-term pattern of exaggerated self-importance, the need for excessive attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.

Question 14

Which of the following is not true with respect to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Accepted Answer

The underlying differences in neurotransmitter function for those with ADHD are not well understood by researchers, making option C incorrect. While there is evidence suggesting neurotransmitter involvement, the exact mechanisms and differences remain a subject of ongoing research.

Question 15

Imagine that you are playing a game of darts. You're aiming for the 'bullseye' (i.e. the center of the board) but keep missing. All of your darts land closely clustered together, just below the board itself. With respect to reliability and validity, which of the following statements best describes this pattern?

Accepted Answer

The pattern of darts landing closely clustered together, albeit not on the bullseye, indicates high reliability (consistent results) but low validity (not hitting the intended target).

Question 16

When watching "The Return of the King" movie, Jacob noted that Gollum had two distinct personalities. One really wanted the please Frodo but the other came out to protect Gollum. Gollum would most likely be diagnosed with

Accepted Answer

Gollum's portrayal of having two distinct personalities, each with its own desires and motivations, aligns with the characteristics of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). DID involves the presence of two or more distinct identity states that control an individual's behavior at different times, which is reflective of Gollum's behavior in the film.

Question 17

Mireille began having brief episodes of overwhelming anxiety about a year ago. She doesn't know what causes them, but she has had them in the grocery store, at busy restaurants, and once while driving. Her heart pounds, she has difficulty in breathing, and sometimes she feels like her body no longer belongs to her. She is afraid she will go crazy and embarrass herself in front of other people. Based on this information, Mireille may have

Accepted Answer

Mireille's symptoms, including overwhelming anxiety, heart pounding, difficulty breathing, and fear of going crazy in public places, are indicative of panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, intense episodes of fear or discomfort (panic attacks) that occur unexpectedly, which aligns with Mireille's experiences.

Question 18

A medieval man, Irascible, believes that Farmer Spruce, who lives down the road, made a pact with the devil to kill Irascible's crops and animals. Farmer Spruce is an unusually handsome man, and Irascible believes that his wife has been sneaking down to Farmer Spruce's house when Irascible has to go into town for supplies. Citing Farmer Spruce's attractiveness among his "evidence" that Spruce has made a deal with the devil, Irascible accuses him of witchcraft. The town elders arrest Farmer Spruce so they can learn if he is indeed working with the forces of darkness. The model of abnormality being used here is the

Accepted Answer

The demonological model is being used here, as Irascible attributes Farmer Spruce's actions and attractiveness to a pact with the devil, which is consistent with beliefs that abnormal behaviors or occurrences were caused by demonic influences or witchcraft.

Question 19

Elizabeth always has to check that the stove and lights are off at least five times before she could leave for work in the morning. If we were able to track her brain activity when this compulsive behaviour occurs, the

Accepted Answer

Elizabeth's behavior is indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is associated with abnormal activity in the prefrontal caudate-thalamus circuit, including areas such as the orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortex, and the cingulate gyrus.

Question 20

In movies that focus on war (e.g., Born on the Fourth of July, Apocalypse Now, First Blood), soldiers who have returned from the front lines often struggle with overwhelming anxiety, hypervigilance, depression, and flashbacks. In many cases these characters abuse alcohol, are suicidal, and have a strained or angry relationship with their spouses. These characters demonstrate symptoms of:

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, such as overwhelming anxiety, hypervigilance, depression, flashbacks, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, and strained relationships, are characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, such as warfare.

Quiz 16: Psychological Disorders

According to your textbook, which of the following has not been observed in individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID) ?