Question 1

A woman demonstrating very stereotypical female traits probably would be diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder.Which of the following would most likely occur if a man demonstrated very stereotypical masculine traits?

Accepted Answer

A man demonstrating very stereotypical masculine traits would not necessarily be diagnosed with a personality disorder as there are no specific personality disorders associated with male or female traits. Gender stereotypes should not be used as criteria for diagnosing a personality disorder.

Question 2

Gary's parents are furious at the psychiatrist for diagnosing him with a second personality disorder. They feel that the psychiatrist is incompetent so they seek a second opinion.What will the second psychiatrist most likely tell them?

Accepted Answer

Multiple diagnoses, including having more than one personality disorder, are common in psychiatric practice. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) acknowledges that individuals can have symptoms that meet the criteria for more than one disorder simultaneously.

Question 3

Theo is a loner.He walks to class by himself,does not talk to anyone,and appears indifferent to other people.It is clear that Theo neither desires nor enjoys closeness with others.He does not act in any obviously unusual ways nor does he appear to possess strange beliefs about the world.Which personality disorder does Theo most likely have?

Accepted Answer

Theo's behavior is indicative of schizoid personality disorder, which is characterized by a preference for social isolation, lack of interest in relationships, and emotional detachment. He does not show any signs of unusual beliefs or paranoia, which are common in schizotypal personality disorder. Avoidant personality disorder involves a fear of rejection and criticism, which Theo does not seem to exhibit. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for others' feelings and rights, which does not seem to apply to Theo's situation.

Question 4

It is possible that teaching children to "trust nobody" and to "be careful all of the time because people want to hurt you" may contribute to the development of a personality disorder.Which personality disorder would it be?

Accepted Answer

Teaching children to be distrustful and wary of others can lead to the development of paranoid personality disorder, which is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others' motives.

Question 5

According to the definition of a personality disorder,what kind of pattern of maladaptive behaviour must an individual show to be diagnosed with a personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A personality disorder is characterized by a relatively permanent pattern of maladaptive behaviour, thoughts, and feelings that deviates from cultural norms and causes significant impairment of functioning or distress in the individual or those around them. The pattern must be pervasive and inflexible and present across different situations and contexts. It cannot be explained by other mental health conditions, such as substance abuse or another medical condition.

Question 6

You are waiting to board a plane when you hear that the flight has been delayed,due to a passing thunderstorm.The man sitting next to you says,"Passing thunderstorm,sure! That's Jim again; he's been doing everything to make me miss this meeting because he's trying to get me fired!" Which of the following personality disorders are his remarks most consistent with?

Accepted Answer

The man's belief that someone is intentionally trying to harm him and his job is consistent with paranoia, which is a hallmark feature of paranoid personality disorder. The other options, schizotypal personality disorder, psychotic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder, do not fit with the man's remarks.

Question 7

What is the main reason we do NOT have sufficient research examining the development of personality disorders?

Accepted Answer

Many individuals with personality disorders do not seek treatment in the early phases, making it difficult to study the development of these disorders from the onset. This lack of early treatment-seeking behavior is a significant barrier to conducting longitudinal studies that could provide insights into how these disorders develop over time.

Question 8

Karen's brother Paul has paranoid personality disorder.She is considering seeking treatment for Paul.What do you tell her based on your knowledge of research on the effects of treatment on paranoid personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Karen's brother Paul has paranoid personality disorder.She...

Question 9

Of the DSM 5 personality disorders,which of the following disorders are relatively rare,occurring in less than 1 percent of the general population?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the DSM 5 personality disorders,which of...

Question 10

Dr.Angleman is having a hard time treating Craig,who has paranoid personality disorder.What problem is Dr.Angleman most likely encountering with Craig?

Accepted Answer

One of the main symptoms of paranoid personality disorder is a pervasive distrust of others, including mental health professionals trying to provide treatment. Therefore, it is likely that Craig does not trust Dr. Angleman, making it difficult for him to treat Craig effectively.

Question 11

Dr.Eso specializes in treating histrionic personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder.Which of the following MOST likely describes her patient population?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr.Eso specializes in treating histrionic personality disorder...

Question 12

What does the cross-cultural research on the five-factor model of personality suggest?

Accepted Answer

The cross-cultural research on the five-factor model of personality suggests that the five dimensions are fairly universal. While some cultural variations have been found, there is evidence to suggest that the five-factor model can be found across a broad range of human cultures.

Question 13

Jack has little interest in social relationships and appears distant and aloof.He seldom shows emotion and seems indifferent to praise and criticism.He is usually wrapped up in abstract ideas and has little time for,or interest in,people.Which personality disorder does Jack most likely have?

Accepted Answer

The description fits schizoid personality disorder, which is characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, emotional aloofness, and a preference for abstract ideas over people. Schizotypal personality disorder involves eccentric behavior and beliefs, avoidant personality disorder is characterized by anxiety and fear of rejection, and antisocial personality disorder involves a disregard for others' rights and a pattern of manipulating and exploiting others.

Question 14

Jennifer is overly sensitive to criticism.She takes offence at the most trivial,real,or imagined slight.She's distrustful,easily angers,and holds grudges.She has few friends and is extremely jealous and possessive of her one boyfriend,whom she is always accusing of "playing around" on her.Which personality disorder does Jennifer most likely have?

Accepted Answer

Jennifer's symptoms of being overly sensitive to criticism, easily angered, holding grudges, and being distrustful are all common traits of paranoid personality disorder. Additionally, her jealousy and possessiveness towards her boyfriend are also indicative of this disorder.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for the diagnosis of a personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Subjective feelings of distress are not a necessary condition for the diagnosis of a personality disorder. In fact, some individuals with personality disorders may not even recognize that their behavior is problematic. The other three conditions listed (maladaptive functioning, pervasive pattern of behavior, chronic pattern) are all necessary for the diagnosis of a personality disorder.

Question 16

According to a study by Ford and Widiger (1989),what is a likely cause of the gender differences observed in the prevalence of many personality disorders?

Accepted Answer

The study by Ford and Widiger (1989) highlighted that gender bias by clinicians could lead to differences in the diagnosis of personality disorders, with clinicians potentially diagnosing disorders based on gender stereotypes rather than symptoms.

Question 17

Unlike schizophrenia or an eating disorder,how can personality disorders be viewed?

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are often seen as disorders of degree rather than kind, meaning they are extreme versions of normal personality traits rather than entirely different or separate conditions.

Question 18

Dr.Gall is studying a personality characteristic that is NOT a dimension in the five-factor model of personality.What is it?

Accepted Answer

Expressiveness is not a dimension in the five-factor model of personality, which includes extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness.

Question 19

An individual presents for treatment and keeps talking about how gangsters are "out to get" him.Before diagnosing paranoid personality disorder,what must we determine?

Accepted Answer

In order to diagnose paranoid personality disorder, it is important to determine whether the individual's fears and suspicions are actually justified or not. If there is no evidence of actual threats or danger, then it may point towards a potential diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder. The other options may also impact the diagnosis, but they are not as critical as determining the validity of the individual's fears.

Question 20

Clinicians who have criticized the way DSM 5 classifies personality disorders view personality disorders as extremes of normal personality rather than as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Critics of the DSM-5's classification of personality disorders often argue that these disorders should be seen as extremes on a continuum of normal personality variation, rather than as distinct categories of disorders. This perspective emphasizes a dimensional rather than a categorical approach to understanding personality disorders.

Quiz 12: Personality Disorders