Question 1

"My neighbor is suspicious of everyone, always holds grudges, and is hypersensitive to any criticism. He is moody, trusts no one, and he never changes his mind. His wife says he has always been this way." What DSM-5 personality type or personality trait description does this best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The description best fits the characteristics of a paranoid personality disorder, as outlined in the DSM-5. Individuals with this disorder are often suspicious of others, hold grudges, are hypersensitive to criticism, and exhibit trust issues, which aligns with the behaviors described.

Question 2

Which list most characterizes the disinhibition trait domain?

Accepted Answer

The disinhibition trait domain is characterized by behaviors that reflect a lack of restraint or control over one's impulses. This includes impulsivity, distractibility, recklessness, and irresponsibility, all of which are indicative of a person acting without considering the consequences.

Question 3

Dr. Williamson says, "The central feature of this personality disorder is the extreme changes in mood leading to stormy interpersonal relationships. Chronic feelings of emptiness and boredom may lead to suicidal gestures. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men." What disorder is being described?

Accepted Answer

The description provided by Dr. Williamson matches the characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which is known for its pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior, leading to impulsive actions and problems in relationships. The mention of extreme mood changes, stormy interpersonal relationships, chronic feelings of emptiness, and suicidal gestures are hallmark symptoms of BPD. Additionally, it is more commonly diagnosed in women than men.

Question 4

Albert, a 25-year-old, lacks affection and is unwilling to participate in family activities. He has few hobbies other than building model airplanes, surfing the Internet on his computer, and reading. He has been withdrawn-but not depressed-since childhood, not really wanting to be in a relationship with anyone. He has many "strange" ideas, and often engages in "strange" behavior. Albert best illustrates which personality disorder type or personality disorder trait domain description?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Albert, a 25-year-old, lacks affection and is...

Question 5

Research shows the strongest genetic relationship between schizophrenia and which personality disorder type or personality disorder trait domain?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates a strong genetic relationship between schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder. This connection is likely due to shared genetic factors that influence the development of both conditions.

Question 6

Vagueness, digressions, and odd ideas are key symptoms in ____

Accepted Answer

Vagueness, digressions, and odd ideas are key symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder, which is characterized by severe social anxiety, thought disorder, paranoid ideation, derealization, transient psychosis, and often unconventional beliefs.

Question 7

Which statement about borderline personality disorder is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Biological factors, including genetic and brain abnormalities, have been implicated in the emotional volatility and other symptoms observed in individuals with borderline personality disorder. This understanding is supported by research indicating that certain brain areas involved in emotion regulation, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, may function differently in people with this disorder.

Question 8

A psychologist is interviewing a refugee to this country who is unfamiliar with the majority culture here. In his former country, this person was spied on by the government and was the victim of robberies and assaults. He is suspicious of most people in authority and does not trust their motives Which personality disorder might a psychologist suspect of this refugee, given that he did not know the history?

Accepted Answer

Given the refugee's history of being spied on, victimized, and his resulting suspicion of authority figures, a psychologist might suspect paranoid personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, believing that their motives are malevolent.

Question 9

People are often attracted to Christine because she is flamboyant and emotionally very expressive. She rarely, however, develops any long-term relationships, because people experience her as shallow and self-centered. What personality disorder or trait description would mos t fit Christine?

Accepted Answer

Christine's behavior, characterized by being flamboyant and emotionally expressive yet perceived as shallow and self-centered, aligns with traits associated with antagonism. Antagonism can involve behaviors that are attention-seeking, manipulative, or self-serving, which may initially attract others but ultimately hinder the development of deep, lasting relationships.

Question 10

The DSM-5 alternative personality model allows two different routes to diagnosis of personality disorders. One way is through ____.

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorders includes a criterion for diagnosis based on the presence of moderate or greater impairment in personality functioning, specifically in self and interpersonal domains.

Question 11

The DSM-5 alternative diagnosis system for personality disorders looks at four key areas related to personal and interpersonal personality function. What is one of these key areas?

Accepted Answer

Identity is one of the four key areas related to personal and interpersonal functioning assessed in the DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorders.

Question 12

Deena received an "extremely descriptive" rating for the antagonism personality trait domain as identified in the DSM-5. She is attention-seeking and egocentric. She displays little emotion but is charming. What part of Deena's personality profile is unusual ?

Accepted Answer

Antagonism as a personality trait often involves behaviors that are oppositional, deceitful, or manipulative, but it does not inherently include a lack of emotional expression. Therefore, displaying little emotion is unusual for this trait, as individuals with high levels of antagonism might still express a wide range of emotions, particularly those that can be used manipulatively or to assert dominance.

Question 13

Shawn is diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder. Research would suggest that his family ____.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests a potential genetic link between schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia, indicating that individuals with schizotypal personality disorder may have family members with schizophrenia.

Question 14

One longitudinal study by Gao and colleagues (2010) on antisocial personality disorder indicated that children studied at the age of three who showed ____ were more likely to have a criminal record in early adulthood.

Accepted Answer

The study by Gao et al. (2010) found that poor fear conditioning in children as young as three years old was a predictor of antisocial behavior, including criminal activities, in early adulthood. Fear conditioning is a basic form of learning in which individuals learn to associate certain behaviors with negative consequences, and a deficiency in this process can lead to an increased risk of antisocial behavior.

Question 15

The key feature of borderline personality disorder involves ____.

Accepted Answer

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by intense fluctuations in mood, self-image, and interpersonal relationships, leading to instability in these areas.

Question 16

A therapist is looking over a list of typical cognitions associated with antisocial personality disorder. How doe Beck et al. (1990) refer to them?

Accepted Answer

Beck et al. (1990) refer to the typical cognitions associated with antisocial personality disorder as a "predatory strategy," emphasizing the manipulative and exploitative thinking patterns of individuals with this disorder.

Question 17

Two different clinicians diagnosed the same client with two different personality disorders. How does Reed (2010) explain this?

Accepted Answer

Reed (2010) explains that the occurrence of different diagnoses for the same client by different clinicians can be attributed to the overlap of symptoms in different personality disorders. This overlap can make it challenging to distinguish clearly between disorders, leading to varying diagnoses.

Question 18

Dr. Abdul says, "My client has feelings of inferiority that must be denied. Therefore, he devalues others and thinks himself superior to everyone else. Our therapy sessions are monologues where he recounts his successes and everyone else's stupidity. And yet if I interrupt even once, he takes great offense." Dr. Abdul's client is likely to be assessed on a scaled continuum as "extremely descriptive" on which personality disorder trait domain?

Accepted Answer

The client's behaviors, such as devaluing others, feeling superior, and reacting negatively to interruptions, align with traits of antagonism. This domain includes behaviors like grandiosity, attention seeking, and lack of empathy, which are indicative of narcissistic tendencies, fitting the description provided by Dr. Abdul.

Question 19

A man is described as lacking in empathy, exploitative of others, arrogant, exaggerated in his own sense of self-importance, and constantly overestimating his talents and power over others. This description best reflects which personality disorder trait domain?

Accepted Answer

The description provided aligns with the trait domain of antagonism, which is characterized by behaviors such as being exploitative, arrogant, and having an exaggerated sense of self-importance, all of which are indicative of antagonistic personality traits.

Question 20

The treatment of choice for persons suffering from borderline personality disorder is ____.

Accepted Answer

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is specifically designed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder and has been shown to be effective in reducing self-harm behaviors, suicidal ideation, and improving emotional regulation.

Quiz 15: Personality Psychopathology