Question 1

Erick is impulsive and unpredictable.His moods seem to be constantly changing and all his interpersonal relationships seem to be very unstable.Which cluster of disorders is most consistent with Erick's symptoms if he has a personality disorder

Accepted Answer

Erick's impulsiveness, mood instability and unstable relationships are common symptoms of the dramatic/impulsive cluster of personality disorders, which include borderline, narcissistic, antisocial and histrionic personality disorders.

Question 2

Jazmine has just returned home after receiving treatment for schizophrenia.The therapist who is supervising her case is aware that Jazmine's family is high in expressed emotion.What should Jazmine's therapist expect under these conditions

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that individuals with schizophrenia who return to families characterized by high levels of expressed emotion have a significantly higher risk of relapse than individuals with schizophrenia who return to low expressed emotion families. This is because high expressed emotion families tend to be critical, hostile, and overinvolved in the lives of their family members with schizophrenia, which can exacerbate symptoms and create a stressful environment. Therefore, Jazmine's therapist should expect a high risk of relapse and take steps to address this risk through medication management, therapy, and family interventions.

Question 3

Chris always expects special treatment,and he seems to be preoccupied with his own success.His interpersonal relationships are generally superficial because he seems to lack the ability to understand how others feel.Which personality disorder is most consistent with Chris's personality

Accepted Answer

Chris's preoccupation with his own success and expectation for special treatment are consistent with symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. Additionally, his superficial interpersonal relationships and lack of understanding of others' feelings align with the diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder.

Question 4

Which brain feature is suggested to have an association with chronic schizophrenic disturbance,based on research with Higher Order scans and MRI scans

Accepted Answer

Research with Higher Order scans and MRI scans suggests that individuals with chronic schizophrenic disturbance often have enlarged brain ventricles, which may indicate a loss of brain tissue. This is thought to be related to the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as cognitive impairment and decreased emotional expression.

Question 5

What is NOT a common characteristic of the antisocial personality

Accepted Answer

Excessive guilt is not a common characteristic of the antisocial personality. Individuals with this condition often lack feelings of remorse or guilt, and may engage in impulsive, selfish, and irresponsible behaviors that harm others. They may also manipulate others for their own benefit and disregard social norms and rules. However, they may also be charming and persuasive, which can make it difficult for others to recognize their true intentions.

Question 6

What does the "vulnerability" model of schizophrenia suggest is the trigger for schizophrenia

Accepted Answer

The vulnerability model of schizophrenia suggests that predisposing factors, such as genetic or biological factors, interact with stressful life events to trigger the onset of schizophrenia. This model emphasizes the importance of both nature and nurture in the development of the disorder. Psychological weakness, genetic-based deficiency of certain neurotransmitters, and inherent physical weakness of the brain are not central to the vulnerability model.

Question 7

Which types of families are associated with the poorest prognosis when patients return to their families after treatment for schizophrenia

Accepted Answer

Patients returning to families with high expressed emotion have been associated with poorer outcomes in the treatment of schizophrenia. This is because such families demonstrate high levels of intrusiveness, criticism, and emotional over involvement, which can negatively impact the patient's recovery process. Therefore, families with high expressed emotion are considered to have the poorest prognosis for patients with schizophrenia.

Question 8

Lukas does not trust anyone.He is convinced that no one around him is truthful,and everything they say to him is a lie.He is extremely suspicious of other people's motives,and he often flies into a jealous rage when his wife speaks to other men.Which cluster of disorders is most consistent with Lukas's symptoms if he has a personality disorder

Accepted Answer

C) odd/eccentric - Lukas's symptoms, including distrust, suspicion, and interpreting others' motives as malevolent, align with the characteristics of the odd/eccentric cluster of personality disorders, particularly paranoid personality disorder.

Question 9

What characterizes personality disorders

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are characterized by extreme and inflexible personality traits that cause distress and problems in relationships and daily functioning. They often persist over time and across different situations. A and D are not correct as personality disorders do not necessarily require hospitalization or involve hallucinations or delusions. B is partially correct, as inconsistent behavior can be a characteristic of some personality disorders, but it is not the defining feature.

Question 10

What happened to mothers of individuals who had an elevated risk of schizophrenia,according to several research studies examining the role of prenatal risk factors for the disease

Accepted Answer

Several research studies examining the role of prenatal risk factors for schizophrenia have found that experiencing extreme stress during the second trimester of pregnancy is associated with an elevated risk of the disease in offspring. There is no evidence to suggest that narcotic drug use, heavy drinking, or high weight gain during pregnancy contribute significantly to the risk of schizophrenia in offspring.

Question 11

Sophia has always been preoccupied with schedules,lists,and trivial details.She plans everything down to the last detail and becomes very upset if things don't work out the way she has planned.Last week,Sophia went in for a psychological assessment,and based on that assessment,she was told that she might have a personality disorder.Which personality disorder is consistent with Sophia's behaviour

Accepted Answer

Sophia's preoccupation with schedules, lists, and details, as well as her distress when things don't go according to plan, are consistent with the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Question 12

If you know that someone has been diagnosed with a personality disorder,what would you predict

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders often have overlapping symptoms, and it is not uncommon for an individual to meet criteria for more than one disorder. Hospitalization may not be necessary for everyone with a personality disorder, and the likelihood of complete remission can vary depending on the specific disorder and individual. While comorbidity with mood disorders is possible, it is not necessarily very high or inevitable.

Question 13

What do the avoidant,dependent,and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders have in common

Accepted Answer

The avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders all involve maladaptive efforts to control anxiety and fear. Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by social inhibition and an exaggerated fear of negative evaluation, dependent personality disorder involves a pervasive need for others to take care of them and make decisions for them, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder involves rigid adherence to rules and order as a way to reduce anxiety.

Question 14

Ellen is self-centred,immature,and excitable.She craves attention,especially from men,with whom she is flirtatious and seductive.Which personality disorder is most consistent with Ellen's personality

Accepted Answer

Ellen's personality is most consistent with histrionic personality disorder, which is characterized by attention-seeking behavior, seductive and flirtatious behavior, and emotional instability. The other options are not as consistent with Ellen's personality traits. Avoidant personality disorder involves sensitivity to rejection and social isolation, dependent personality disorder involves submissiveness and reliance on others, and schizoid personality disorder involves social detachment and emotional coldness.

Question 15

What does the neurodevelopmental hypothesis suggest is a partial cause of schizophrenia

Accepted Answer

The neurodevelopmental hypothesis suggests that disruptions in the normal maturational process of the brain before or at birth are a partial cause of schizophrenia. This would include prenatal or perinatal insults that affect brain development, such as viral infections or malnutrition during pregnancy.

Question 16

What diagnosis is used for a person who does not conform to the accepted norms of morality and behaviour and is impulsive,callous,and manipulative

Accepted Answer

The description given matches the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder which is characterized by a disregard for the rights and feelings of others, impulsivity, lack of empathy, and a tendency to manipulate and exploit others for personal gain. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable moods, impulsive behavior, and unstable self-image. Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by attention-seeking behavior and dramatic emotions. Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by paranoid thoughts and a distrust of others.

Question 17

Nancy withdraws socially because of an intense fear of rejection.Wendy withdraws socially due to a lack of interest in interpersonal intimacy.If both women were diagnosed with personality disorders,what would they be

Accepted Answer

Nancy's fear of rejection and withdrawal from social situations is typical of someone with an avoidant personality disorder, while Wendy's lack of interest in interpersonal intimacy suggests a schizoid personality disorder. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. Choice A (schizoid and paranoid) and choice D (avoidant and paranoid) do not fit Wendy's symptoms, and choice B (dependent and schizotypal) may fit Nancy's symptoms, but not Wendy's.

Question 18

What do the histrionic and borderline personality disorders have in common

Accepted Answer

Both histrionic and borderline personality disorders are characterized by highly impulsive behavior and a tendency to overdramatize events.

Question 19

Renata recently had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scan done.The results showed that her brain has enlarged ventricles and a thalamus that is smaller than normal.If Renata has a psychological disorder,which disorder is most likely given the results of her MRI scan

Accepted Answer

Enlarged ventricles and a smaller than normal thalamus are consistent with the brain abnormalities often found in individuals with schizophrenia. These brain abnormalities are thought to contribute to the cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with this disorder. Dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are not typically associated with these specific structural brain abnormalities.

Question 20

Jillian lets her husband keep all the financial records for the family,and she expects him to make all the decisions that affect the family.She refuses to make any decisions on her own,and if anything unexpected occurs,she calls her husband at work to ask for his advice.Which cluster of disorders is most consistent with Jillian's symptoms if she has a personality disorder

Accepted Answer

Jillian's behavior is most consistent with the anxious/fearful cluster of personality disorders. This cluster includes disorders characterized by pervasive anxiety, fear, and a need for security, which can manifest as dependency and avoidance of decision-making, as seen in Jillian's reliance on her husband for decision-making and her reluctance to handle unexpected situations independently.

Quiz 15: A: Psychological Disorders