Question 1

In 2014, approximately how many Americans committed suicide?

Accepted Answer

In 2014, approximately 42,000 Americans committed suicide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Question 2

Which of the following defines actions that would be considered "strange" within a particular culture and are often the first sign that a person has a problem?

Accepted Answer

Social nonconformity refers to behaviors or actions that deviate from the societal norms or expectations of a particular culture, often signaling that an individual may have a problem or is experiencing difficulties.

Question 3

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

The limitation of a statistical definition of abnormality in this context is determining where to draw the line between what is considered normal and abnormal. This is because statistical approaches rely on defining abnormality based on how significantly a behavior or trait deviates from the average, but deciding the exact point at which something becomes abnormal can be arbitrary and challenging.

Question 4

Statistical approaches to abnormality define as "abnormal" those who

Accepted Answer

Statistical approaches to abnormality focus on how much an individual deviates from the average or the norm in terms of behavior or psychological traits. This approach uses statistical measures to define what is considered "normal" and thus considers those significantly deviating from these norms as "abnormal."

Question 5

Which factor in defining abnormality involves judging a behavior as abnormal or nonconforming by considering the behavioral setting or general circumstances under which the behavior was displayed?

Accepted Answer

Situational context refers to evaluating the appropriateness of behavior based on the environment or circumstances in which it occurs. This factor acknowledges that behavior might be considered normal in one context but abnormal in another, emphasizing the importance of considering the setting when defining abnormality.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Approximately 18 percent of American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Question 7

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

Jansen's example illustrates the problem with the definition of abnormality based on social nonconformity. This definition can mistakenly label individuals who simply do not conform to societal norms, like Jansen, as abnormal, even when they are happy, creative, and well-adjusted.

Question 8

The term psychopathology includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The term psychopathology encompasses all the given options: it refers to the scientific study of psychological disorders (A), includes behavior patterns that cause distress or impair functioning (B), and covers mental disorders like depression and schizophrenia (C).

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Social nonconformity can be a sign of a psychological disorder or simply a harmless deviation from societal norms, reflecting the broad spectrum of reasons why individuals might not conform to social expectations.

Question 10

If you heard that a person exposed himself to another person in a place of business, you would probably think that the person was abnormal until you realized the person was exposing himself to his family doctor during the course of a physical examination. This story illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

The story illustrates the importance of situational context, as the appropriateness of the behavior (exposing oneself) is entirely dependent on the context in which it occurs (a medical examination versus a public or inappropriate setting).

Question 11

As part of a class assignment to "find out how it feels to be crazy for a day," students performed some "strange" behaviors in public, such as talking to imaginary people, covering their heads with aluminum foil, or walking around a mall with an open umbrella. The students would most likely to be viewed as abnormal based on

Accepted Answer

The students' behaviors deviate from societal norms and expectations, which is why they would most likely be viewed as abnormal based on social nonconformity. Cultural relativity, depersonalization, and neurotic behavior do not directly apply to the act of deliberately exhibiting unusual behaviors in public for an assignment.

Question 12

Almost any behavior can be judged to be normal or abnormal depending on the specific circumstances present. This qualification for judging whether or not a behavior is abnormal is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Situational context refers to the circumstances or conditions surrounding an event or behavior, which can significantly influence whether that behavior is considered normal or abnormal. It acknowledges that behavior cannot be judged in isolation without considering the context in which it occurs.

Question 13

Of the 42,000 Americans who committed suicide in 2014, what percentage had a diagnosable mental disorder?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 90% of Americans who committed suicide in 2014 had a diagnosable mental disorder, highlighting the strong link between mental health issues and the risk of suicide.

Question 14

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

Psychopathology is the scientific term used to describe mental disorders, including schizophrenia and depression, as well as the study of these disorders. It encompasses both the manifestation of mental distress and the behaviors that impair personal growth.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Psychopathology is the study of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. It encompasses the research, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions.

Question 16

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 distribution of many psychological traits, including test scores measuring things like anxiety, tends to follow a normal or bell-shaped curve. This means that most people will score around the average, with fewer individuals showing extremely low or high levels of the trait being measured.

Question 17

Failure to match one's behavior to widely accepted norms or to the usual minimum rules for social conduct describes what definition of normality?

Accepted Answer

Social nonconformity is defined as the failure to match one's behavior to widely accepted norms or to the usual minimum rules for social conduct.

Question 18

If you heard that a person was barking and jumping around on "all fours," you might think the person abnormal until you found out the person was on stage practicing the part of a "talking dog" in the upcoming student play. This story illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

The story illustrates the importance of situational context because the behavior of the person (barking and jumping around on all fours) is understood differently once the context (practicing for a play) is known. Context helps explain why the behavior is appropriate in this situation.

Question 19

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

Scores in the middle of the curve represent the average range, which is considered normal or average in a statistical sense.

Question 20

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 scores that are significantly higher or lower than the norm on various dimensions, such as intelligence or emotional states, indicating deviation from the average or typical scores.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders