Question 1

Sociological studies in many countries have found that the incidence of schizophrenia is __________.

Accepted Answer

Several studies have found that the incidence of schizophrenia is highest in the lower socioeconomic classes. This may be due to factors such as stress, poverty, and lack of access to mental health resources.

Question 2

Ruth's psychiatrist noticed that Ruth was having more negative symptoms than positive symptoms of schizophrenia. The negative symptoms would be __________.

Accepted Answer

Negative symptoms are a reduction or loss of normal functioning, such as difficulty experiencing pleasure, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and diminished emotional expression. They are often associated with a poorer prognosis for recovery compared to positive symptoms (which include delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking) and are not behaviors that are not observed in nonschizophrenic individuals. A loss of contact with reality is a positive symptom.

Question 3

One feature of schizophrenia is a tendency to withdraw socially and to become more isolated. This may contribute to the progression of schizophrenia symptoms such that the schizophrenic's withdrawal from social contacts __________.

Accepted Answer

Withdrawal from social contacts in schizophrenia may lead to a lack of exposure to normal socializing behavior, which can contribute to an increase in idiosyncrasy or eccentricity of ideas, behaviors, and perceptions. This may exacerbate existing symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations.

Question 4

Studies with schizophrenic twins show that __________.

Accepted Answer

Studies with schizophrenic twins have shown that identical twins have a much higher concordance rate for schizophrenia (around 50-60%) than do fraternal twins (around 10%). This implies that there is a significant genetic component to the development of schizophrenia.

Question 5

While watching the evening news, Stuart frequently believes that the newscaster is sending coded messages specifically to him. These misinterpretations of real events are called __________.

Accepted Answer

Delusions are false beliefs that are held despite contradictory evidence. In this case, Stuart's belief that the newscaster is sending him coded messages is a delusion.

Question 6

Brian was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 22. Home movies of Brian when he was 4 years old reveal that he actually showed less positive emotion than his classmates and that he had some strange hand movements and other unusual motor patterns. These findings are consistent with the neurodevelopmental perspective, which states that __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Brian was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age...

Question 7

Ralph is from an impoverished area of the inner city and has been poor all of his life. Chad has grown up in a wealthy, educated environment his whole life. Research indicates that Ralph will be how many times more likely than Chad to develop schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals from impoverished areas are approximately nine times more likely to develop schizophrenia compared to those from affluent areas.

Question 8

The dopamine hypothesis is based on the idea that schizophrenia results from __________.

Accepted Answer

The dopamine hypothesis proposes that schizophrenia is caused by an overactivity of brain circuits sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine, specifically the mesolimbic pathway. Excess dopamine activity in this pathway is thought to be responsible for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations.

Question 9

Henry has worked as a proofreader for a publishing company. Now that Henry has developed schizophrenia, we can expect that __________.

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia can lead to impairments in attention, memory, and executive functioning, which are essential for proofreading tasks. Therefore, Henry's performance as a proofreader is likely to worsen due to his condition.

Question 10

Steve has had schizophrenia for years and has agreed to allow researchers to examine his brain function while alive, and then study his brain tissue after he dies. If he is like most individuals with schizophrenia, researchers should find that Steve will __________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia tend to have cellular abnormalities in the frontal and temporal lobes, as well as enlarged ventricles, suggesting a loss of brain tissue. Additionally, studies have found low levels of brain metabolism and blood flow in the temporal and frontal lobes of individuals with schizophrenia. Therefore, all of the above options could potentially be found in Steve's brain.

Question 11

Children who will later develop schizophrenia __________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that children who later develop schizophrenia exhibit less positive emotion and more negative emotion than their peers as early as preschool age. They may also display unusual motor patterns, such as clumsiness or a lack of coordination.

Question 12

Some investigators believe that schizophrenia may be a neurodevelopmental disorder. According to this hypothesis, __________.

Accepted Answer

The neurodevelopmental hypothesis suggests that multiple factors may come together to disrupt the development of the brain during childhood, leading to the onset of schizophrenia later in life. These factors may include genetics, prenatal environment, early childhood experiences, and other environmental stressors. This theory suggests that schizophrenia is not solely the result of genetic factors or later environmental stressors, but rather a complex interplay of various factors that disrupt normal brain development.

Question 13

Research regarding the possible genetic bases of schizophrenia reveals that __________.

Accepted Answer

All three statements are accurate and supported by research. The concordance rate (the likelihood that both twins will have schizophrenia) is higher for identical twins than for fraternal twins, indicating a genetic basis. Children born of schizophrenic mothers have a higher likelihood of schizophrenia even if they are adopted by nonschizophrenic mothers, indicating a genetic component that is not solely linked to environmental factors. The incidence of schizophrenia increases the closer one is to a schizophrenic individual, further supporting a genetic basis.

Question 14

Carolyn has schizophrenia. She also has a difficult relationship with her family, with problematic communication patterns, and negative emotions occurring frequently. Research suggests that this association between schizophrenia and problems in the family occurs because __________.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that individuals with schizophrenia can be disturbing to their families due to the nature of their symptoms, and there is also evidence to suggest that there is a genetic component to the disorder, meaning that pathological genes may be shared among family members. This creates a complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental stressors within the family.

Question 15

Both Gavin and Roger have been released from a psychiatric hospital following several weeks of inpatient treatment for schizophrenia. Gavin will be living with his family, whereas Roger will be staying at a halfway house with other recently released psychiatric patients. Which of the following does research support?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that a high level of expressed emotion (EE) within the family, characterized by criticism, hostility, and emotional over-involvement, is associated with a higher risk of relapse in individuals with schizophrenia. Therefore, if Gavin's family environment is hostile and critical, it could increase his risk of relapse compared to Roger, who is in a potentially less emotionally charged environment at a halfway house.

Question 16

While the causes of schizophrenia are complex and not well understood, most researchers recognize that environmental factors must play a role in causing schizophrenia because __________.

Accepted Answer

If schizophrenia was solely caused by genetics, identical twins would have a 100% concordance rate (i.e. both twins would have the disorder). However, studies have shown that the concordance rate between identical twins is only around 50%, which suggests that genetics cannot be the sole cause of schizophrenia.

Question 17

Which class of drug can produce symptoms that resemble the psychosis found in schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Amphetamines can produce symptoms that mimic those found in schizophrenia, such as paranoia, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

Question 18

Drugs that are particularly effective in the treatment of schizophrenia include a class of drugs called __________.

Accepted Answer

Classical antipsychotics, also known as neuroleptics, are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which helps to reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions. Sedatives, MAO inhibitors, and opiates may be used to treat specific symptoms or co-occurring conditions, but they are not considered first-line treatments for schizophrenia.

Question 19

Patricia would like to know what is believed to cause schizophrenia so that she can take steps to reduce the risk of schizophrenia in the children she plans to have in the future. Research suggests that which of the following may contribute to the development of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

While the exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, research suggests that exposure to viral infections during prenatal development may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. However, it is important to note that there is no guaranteed way to prevent schizophrenia and that a combination of genetic and environmental factors likely contribute to its development. Therefore, seeking appropriate prenatal care and maintaining overall good health are always recommended. Inadequate childhood nutrition and childhood vaccinations have not been found to be linked to the development of schizophrenia.

Question 20

After Dan was diagnosed with schizophrenia, his psychiatrist wanted him to start taking antipsychotic medications. These medications would have what effect?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic medications are known to block dopamine receptors in the brain. This can help to reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Quiz 16: Psychopathology