Question 1

Psychosis refers to a cluster of symptoms primarily involving which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Psychosis involves impaired reality testing, which is characterized by a loss of contact with reality and can manifest as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. A lack of emotional attachment, unusual motor activity, and fluctuating moods are not necessarily core symptoms of psychosis.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an example of hallucinations?

Accepted Answer

C) is an example of a delusion, which is a false belief held with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary, not a hallucination. Hallucinations involve sensing things that are not actually present, such as seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting something that doesn't exist in reality.

Question 3

Which of the following is a common criticism of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)?

Accepted Answer

Many critics argue that the DSM has expanded its diagnostic criteria to include normal emotional states and behaviors, which has led to the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of mental disorders. This critique is known as the medicalization of normalcy.

Question 4

Word salad and bizarre behaviour are both examples of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Word salad and bizarre behaviour are both examples of disorganized symptoms, which are characterized by confused or abnormal thinking and behaviour. This is a subtype of schizophrenia and is considered a negative symptom, as it represents a loss or absence of normal functioning.

Question 5

In addition to profound sadness, what is the core symptom of a major depression?

Accepted Answer

Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, is a core symptom of major depression, in addition to feelings of profound sadness. The other options (A, B, C, and E) are symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions, but are not typically seen in major depression.

Question 6

For a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder, what might he or she experience during a manic episode?

Accepted Answer

All of the above are commonly experienced during a manic episode in bipolar disorder. Pressured speech refers to talking quickly and excessively, often interrupting others. Euphoria is an intense feeling of happiness, excitement, or grandiosity. Impulsivity refers to engaging in risky or reckless behaviors without considering the consequences. Distorted thinking can include grandiose beliefs, delusions, or hallucinations.

Question 7

What is the main diagnostic distinction among schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, and brief psychotic disorder?

Accepted Answer

The main diagnostic distinction among schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, and brief psychotic disorder is the length of time the symptoms persist. Schizophrenia requires a minimum of 6 months of persistent symptoms, while schizophreniform disorder requires at least 1 month but less than 6 months of persistent symptoms. Brief psychotic disorder requires symptoms that last for at least 1 day but less than 1 month. Age of onset, severity of symptoms, and number of symptoms are not necessarily distinguishing factors between these disorders. The presence of psychosis is a common feature of all three disorders.

Question 8

In general, studies of inmates find that which of the following major mental disorders is the most common?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In general, studies of inmates find that...

Question 9

What does research suggest about the level of major mental disorder among North American inmates (in comparison to the general public)?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the prevalence of major mental disorders, including mania, depression, and schizophrenia, is higher among North American inmates compared to the general public. This suggests a significant need for mental health services within the prison system.

Question 10

What is the primary methodological advantage of investigating the link between mental disorder and crime in total birth cohorts?

Accepted Answer

Investigating the link between mental disorder and crime in total birth cohorts helps to avoid biased samples because it includes all individuals born during a specific time period, rather than just those who seek treatment or come into contact with the criminal justice system. This increases the representativeness and generalizability of the findings.

Question 11

Swanson and colleagues' (1990) study of the link between mental disorder and violent behaviour using data from the Epidemiological Catchment Area found violence rates were highest for people diagnosed with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Swanson and colleagues' study highlighted that individuals diagnosed with drug and alcohol abuse/dependence had the highest rates of violence, underscoring the significant impact of substance abuse on violent behavior.

Question 12

Which of the following statements accurately describes the extent to which people with mental disorders are involved in criminal offending?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people with mental disorders are no more likely to commit crime than people without mental disorders. However, they are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and imprisoned than others who engage in similar behavior. This is due in part to social stigma and the perception that people with mental disorders are dangerous. It is also because people with mental disorders may have difficulty following rules and regulations or understanding the legal process, which can make them more vulnerable to being caught up in the criminal justice system.

Question 13

What is the transfer of psychiatric patients out of large-scale institutions and into community-based care known as?

Accepted Answer

Deinstitutionalization refers to the transfer of psychiatric patients out of large-scale institutions and into community-based care. Option A (Psychiatric exporting) is not a recognized term, Option B (Institutional depopulation) may refer to a reduction in the number of residents in an institution for reasons other than deinstitutionalization, Option D (Psychiatric down-sizing) is not a recognized term, and Option E (Patient displacement) is not an appropriate term for the transfer of patients from institutions to community-based care.

Question 14

What does the criminalization of mental disorder suggest about the link between mental disorder and crime?

Accepted Answer

There is evidence to suggest that the criminalization of mental disorder is largely due to the fact that people with mental disorder are more likely to be caught, arrested, and prosecuted than people without a mental disorder. This is not to say that there is no link between mental disorder and crime, but rather that the link may be overemphasized due to this factor. It is also important to note that being in the criminal justice system can worsen mental health outcomes, so there may be a cyclical relationship between mental disorder and criminal behavior.

Question 15

The study by Teplin (1984) examining the exercise of police discretion found members of the public presenting signs of mental disorder were more likely to be ________ than those without symptoms of mental disorder.

Accepted Answer

Teplin's study found that individuals with signs of mental disorder were more likely to be arrested by police.

Question 16

Which of the following is one explanation advanced by Teplin (1984) for the results of her study examining the exercise of police discretion in relation to members of the public with and without a mental disorder?

Accepted Answer

Teplin (1984) suggests that signs of mental disorder are often misinterpreted as belligerence and uncooperativeness, leading to increased likelihood of arrest and use of force by police officers.

Question 17

Differences in how police exercise their discretion and manage people with and without a mental disorder appear to be greatest in relation to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Police discretion and management of individuals with mental disorders versus those without mental disorders differ the most in relation to minor offences. This is because police officers are more likely to exercise discretion in these situations, such as referring individuals with mental disorders to mental health services rather than arresting them for minor offenses. In cases of more serious crimes like homicide or sexual offences, the discretion and treatment may be less impacted by an individual's mental condition and more influenced by the severity of the crime committed. Therefore, options A and B are not the best choices. Option D, robbery, may also be a serious offense but not necessarily one where the individual's mental state plays a significant role in police discretion and management.

Question 18

Research showing that offenders with a mental disorder are more likely than those without a disorder to commit crimes in the presence of witnesses, remain at the scene of the crime, and turn themselves into police, is evidence generally supportive of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research showing that offenders with a mental...

Question 19

The actions of someone with erotomania who repeatedly communicates with and approaches another person as part of a romantic relationship he delusionally believes they have together demonstrates which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This behavior is consistent with the symptoms of erotomania, which is a type of delusional disorder where the individual has a false belief that someone is in love with them. Repeatedly communicating and approaching the object of this delusion is a symptom-consistent behavior. The other answer choices are not applicable in this scenario.

Question 20

Research by Douglas et al. (2009) suggests that the relationship between psychosis and violence is strongest for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Positive psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, are associated with an increased risk of violent behavior in individuals with psychosis. This may be because these symptoms can lead to paranoia, fear, and a distorted perception of reality, which can increase the likelihood of violent behavior. Negative symptoms, on the other hand, are associated with a reduced risk of violence, as individuals with these symptoms tend to be more withdrawn and passive.

Quiz 9: Mental Disorder