Question 1

The ________ refers to the notion that genetic factors put a person at risk for schizophrenia but environmental stress factors trigger the disorder itself.

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress hypothesis proposes that individuals inherit a genetic vulnerability or diathesis for developing schizophrenia, but the actual onset of the disorder is triggered by environmental stress factors, such as trauma or substance abuse. This theory suggests that both nature and nurture play a role in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 2

This disorder affects about one out of five children and is characterized by reading difficulties:

Accepted Answer

Dyslexia is a disorder that affects reading abilities and is estimated to impact around 20% of children. It is a common learning disorder that can also affect writing, spelling, and speaking abilities.

Question 3

A hospital patient was diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia because she was having an impoverished emotional response, and a lack of initiative in taking care of one's daily affairs. What type of symptoms are these?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A hospital patient was diagnosed as suffering...

Question 4

Studies have shown that when medication is properly administered and used in conjunction with behavioral therapy, about ______ of individuals with ADHD may have improvements in attention and show diminished hyperactivity.

Accepted Answer

Studies indicate that approximately 70% of individuals with ADHD show improvements in attention and reduced hyperactivity when medication is properly administered alongside behavioral therapy.

Question 5

As a child psychologist, you are seeing Martin for the first time today. He presents with irritability, has a difficult time sitting still, interrupts both his parents and you during conversation, and cannot focus. It is most likely that Martin suffers from

Accepted Answer

Martin's symptoms are characteristic of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and interrupting others in conversation. None of the other answer options are supported by the symptoms described.

Question 6

People with ______ disorders have an excessively inflexible, maladaptive pattern of behavior and ways of relating to others.

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are characterized by an inflexible pattern of behavior and ways of relating to others, which can cause distress and impairment in various areas of a person's life. This pattern of behavior deviates significantly from the expectations of a person's culture and can manifest in areas such as cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control. Somatic symptom disorders involve physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition, affective disorders involve mood disturbances, depressive disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and dissociative disorders involve disruptions of consciousness, memory, and identity.

Question 7

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and impaired cognitive function. It is not the same thing as split personality, multiple personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder. Schizophrenia typically appears in late adolescence or early adulthood, not in our older years.

Question 8

The diathesis-stress hypothesis of schizophrenia states that

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress hypothesis of schizophrenia proposes that biological factors (diathesis) predispose an individual to develop schizophrenia, but environmental stressors (stress) are necessary to trigger the onset of the disorder. Therefore, both biological and environmental factors are involved in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is TRUE of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one out of every 100 Americans will experience schizophrenia at some point in their lives.

Question 10

Laurie, a 30-year-old homemaker, has been experiencing severe emotional disturbances along with other signs of psychosis. What type of disorder would Laurie likely be diagnosed with?

Accepted Answer

Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by symptoms of both schizophrenia (such as psychosis) and mood disorders (such as severe emotional disturbances).

Question 11

Sal has decreased levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in his frontal lobe areas. Which disorder might he be at risk of experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Decreased levels of dopamine in the frontal lobe areas are associated with schizophrenia.

Question 12

According to family, twin, and adoption studies, a person is at greatest risk for developing schizophrenia

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that if a person has an identical twin diagnosed with schizophrenia, they have a 50% chance of developing the disorder themselves. This is the highest risk factor for developing schizophrenia compared to having a nonidentical twin, adoptive parent, biological parent, or being adopted into a family with two schizophrenic siblings.

Question 13

The primary feature of ______ disorder is a long-standing pattern of social and interpersonal problems.

Accepted Answer

The primary feature of schizotypal personality disorder is a long-standing pattern of social and interpersonal problems. Delusional disorder involves one or more non-bizarre delusions, while schizoaffective disorder is a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and a mood disorder. Phobic disorders involve specific fears and anxiety in response to certain situations or objects, while generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and constant worry and anxiety about a variety of things.

Question 14

A child with autism would be expected to

Accepted Answer

Theory of mind refers to the ability to understand and predict the mental states of oneself and others. Children with autism often have difficulties with theory of mind, leading to challenges with social interactions and communication. While some children with autism may have above-average intelligence or strong musical talents, these abilities are not universal among individuals with autism. Functional language and social interaction skills may also be delayed or impaired in children with autism.

Question 15

__________ symptoms refer to the absence of appropriate and "normal" behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Negative symptoms refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors, such as lack of emotion, motivation, and social withdrawal.

Question 16

A patient in a psychiatric hospital exhibits disorganized thinking, abnormal behavior, and hallucinations. This person is probably suffering from

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described - disorganized thinking, abnormal behavior, and hallucinations - are characteristic of schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that affects a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

Question 17

A person who is confused and experiencing hallucinations and who has bizarre thoughts and blunted emotions is most likely suffering from

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are characteristic of schizophrenia, which is a mental illness that affects thinking, emotions, and behavior. Personen with schizophrenia often experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), have disrupted thinking (having bizarre thoughts), and blunted emotions (having difficulty expressing their feelings).

Question 18

The term schizophrenia involves a

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia involves a disintegration of the personality, including disturbances in thinking, perception, emotion, and behavior. It does not involve multiple personalities or a split in personality. Distortions in self-esteem may be present in some individuals with schizophrenia, but they are not a defining characteristic of the disorder. Therefore, B, C, and E are incorrect choices.

Question 19

Autism is first suspected at about ________ of age, when the child fails to develop language.

Accepted Answer

Autism is usually first suspected between the ages of 1-1/2 to 2 years when the child fails to develop language or doesn't respond to his or her name. However, a diagnosis of autism may not be made until later, up to 3 years old or later. It is important to seek professional evaluation if there are concerns about a child's development.

Question 20

Which of the following supports a biological basis for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

All of the options support a biological basis for schizophrenia. A) indicates that environmental factors alone (such as being raised in a schizophrenic household) do not cause the disorder, suggesting a genetic or biological component. B) and C) both relate to the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in schizophrenia, with B) showing that blocking dopamine receptors can alleviate symptoms and C) showing that stimulating these receptors can induce symptoms, both pointing to the biological underpinnings of the disorder. D) directly supports a biological basis through evidence of brain abnormalities in people with schizophrenia, as found in imaging studies.

Quiz 12: Psychological Disorders