Question 1

The pattern associated with a personality disorder must be evident in two or more specific domains that include

Accepted Answer

The pattern associated with a personality disorder must be evident in two or more specific domains, which include emotional responses such as impulsivity, anger, anxiety, or avoidant behavior. Motor skills, intelligence, and culture are not domains associated with personality disorders.

Question 2

Temperament refers to

Accepted Answer

Temperament refers to a characteristic style of relating to the world. It is a person's innate or natural predisposition towards certain behaviors or emotional expressions. It can influence one's personality, behavior, and interactions with others.

Question 3

A large part of the justification for defining personality disorders as mental disorders is that they involve

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are often characterized by enduring patterns of behavior and inner experiences that deviate from cultural expectations, leading to social dysfunction.

Question 4

Which of the following plays an important role in justifying the inclusion of personality disorders in DSM?

Accepted Answer

The presence of pathological personality traits in adolescence is associated with the development of other mental disorders, which justifies the inclusion of personality disorders in DSM. This highlights the need for early identification and intervention to prevent the development of other mental disorders. None of the other options listed are true.

Question 5

In personality theory,neuroticism refers to

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism refers to the tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and worry. It is not the same as conscientiousness, bizarre thinking, or low sociability.

Question 6

What is one of the reasons that the category of personality disorders is controversial?

Accepted Answer

One of the reasons that the category of personality disorders is controversial is that these disorders are difficult to identify reliably. The symptoms of personality disorders often overlap and can vary greatly among individuals. Additionally, cultural factors can also influence the expression and perception of personality traits, which can make diagnosing personality disorders even more challenging.

Question 7

During a case conference,one of the staff describes a patient as experiencing an "ego-dystonic" disorder.What is the most likely description of this patient?

Accepted Answer

An ego-dystonic disorder refers to a condition where a person's beliefs, behaviors, or feelings are inconsistent with their self-image or self-esteem, causing significant distress. Therefore, individuals experiencing an ego-dystonic disorder are distressed by their symptoms, making option A the correct answer. Options B, C, and D do not accurately portray an ego-dystonic disorder.

Question 8

In the case of Tom,which is described in your textbook,what were some of the early indications that he would one day grow up to exhibit behaviors that meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Tom's truancy, stealing, and lying are all early indications of conduct disorder, which is often a precursor to antisocial personality disorder. These behaviors involve a disregard for social norms and the rights of others, which are hallmark characteristics of antisocial personality disorder. The other options do not directly relate to the criteria for antisocial personality disorder.

Question 9

Tom's case,as described in your textbook,illustrates which of the following characteristics of personality disorders that would allow a clinician to differentiate his disorder from other disorders that are more episodic in nature?

Accepted Answer

Tom's case illustrates the characteristic of personality disorders that they begin early and are exhibited consistently over an extended period of time. This distinguishes them from other disorders that may be more episodic in nature. Tom's problems with anger, impulsivity, and interpersonal relationships began in adolescence and persisted into adulthood, leading to problematic behaviors and social difficulties.

Question 10

To meet the definition of a personality disorder in DSM-5,one must meet the criteria of

Accepted Answer

The criteria for a personality disorder in DSM-5 includes an enduring pattern of behavior that deviates significantly from cultural norms and expectations. The disorder must also be pervasive and inflexible, causing significant distress or impairment in functioning. The presence of personality traits not seen in normal people or psychotic symptoms are not necessarily part of the diagnostic criteria for personality disorders. Emotional symptoms such as aggression may be present but are not the defining feature of a personality disorder.

Question 11

The plant manager needs to fill a newly created position.He tells the Director of Human Resources that he wants someone who is well organized,reliable,dependable,and punctual.The director intends to screen applicants using scores on the five-factor model of personality.High scores on which factor should mark applicants as having the desired characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness is the factor associated with being well organized, reliable, dependable, and punctual. High scores on conscientiousness indicate that an individual is diligent, responsible, and dependable, which are desirable traits for the newly created position.

Question 12

Which of the following is part of the definition of a person's temperament?

Accepted Answer

Temperament refers to a person's emotional reactivity or tendency to experience certain emotions more intensely or frequently than others. Guilt feelings, ego development, and personality development are not typically included in the definition of temperament.

Question 13

Generally,personality disorders tend to be ego-syntonic in nature,which means that people with personality disorders

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders tend to be ego-syntonic, meaning that the person with the disorder does not typically see their behavior as a problem or significant enough to seek treatment. They may believe that their behavior is simply a part of who they are, rather than something that needs to be changed. This lack of insight can make it challenging for them to recognize the impact their behavior has on themselves and others, and may make treatment difficult.

Question 14

Two of the most important motives for understanding human personality and personality disorders are

Accepted Answer

Affiliation and power are fundamental social motives that drive human behavior and influence personality development and disorders.

Question 15

In his perception of himself and others,Andy displays what a psychologist describes as paranoid beliefs.We can assume that Andy

Accepted Answer

Andy's paranoid beliefs involve a belief that others are trying to exploit or harm him, which indicates a paranoid personality disorder. It does not necessarily mean that he is out of touch with reality or delusional. He may not necessarily feel inferior or weak, but rather suspicious of others. So, the best choice is D.

Question 16

Mental health professionals who are actively involved in treating people with mental disorders view personality disorders as important because personality disorders

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders can interfere with the treatment of other disorders such as depression or anxiety. Therefore, mental health professionals need to address the personality disorder as well as any other co-existing disorders in order to provide effective treatment. Personality disorders are not the most common mental disorders nor are they easier to diagnose than other mental disorders.

Question 17

With regard to the number of basic dimensions of temperament and personality,experts

Accepted Answer

There is no clear consensus among experts about the exact number of basic dimensions of temperament and personality. Different theorists propose different numbers, and there is ongoing debate and discussion in the field.

Question 18

People diagnosed with a personality disorder exhibit behavior that is described as

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders are characterized by inflexible and pervasive behavior patterns that deviate from cultural norms and cause impairment in social and occupational functioning. These patterns persist over time and generally cannot be explained by contextual factors, indicating a more stable and enduring mental health condition. While some personality disorders may present with symptoms of psychosis, this is not a defining feature of personality disorders as a category. The level of impairment associated with personality disorders may vary depending on the specific disorder and individual, but they are not necessarily more impaired than other mental health conditions.

Question 19

A difficult temperament

Accepted Answer

A difficult temperament can be adaptive or maladaptive depending on the social circumstances in which it is exhibited. For example, a child with a difficult temperament may struggle in a highly structured learning environment but thrive in a more flexible and creative setting. It is important to note that temperament is not solely determined by genetics, as environmental factors can also play a role.

Question 20

At a conference,a researcher reports prevalence rates for personality disorders.Several audience members conclude that these figures are lower than those reported in the literature.During a question-and-answer period,which of the following is likely to be viewed as a reason for this discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

Self-report measures rely on individuals' self-awareness and willingness to disclose symptoms or behaviors, which may be limited in individuals with personality disorders. Therefore, prevalence rates based on self-report measures may be lower than those based on other assessment methods, such as clinical interviews or observation.

Quiz 9: Personality Disorders