Deck 12: Psychological Disorders

Question 1

Your adolescent child has no interest in a social life, never receives phone calls from friends, and spends most of his free time alone. Because this behavior is __________, you wonder whether your child is having psychological problems.

A)dangerous
B)harmful to self or others
C)bizarre
D)rare or unusual in a teenager

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Little Hermes runs around the house endlessly, needs little sleep, and often has temper tantrums. His mother ponders "I probably did drink too much during my pregnancy with him and caused him brain damage". What perspective of psychological disorders is she demonstrating?

A)the biopsychosocial model
B)the diathesis-stress model
C)the demonological model
D)the medical model

Answer 2

D

Question 3

You are drinking too much, smoking too much, and fighting with your family. You realize that these behaviors are __________ and you decide to seek help.

A)rare
B)self-defeating
C)bizarre
D)persecuting others

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The multiaxial system of assessment in the DSM-IV-TR is used to

A)complicate the diagnostic process.
B)understand overall functioning that influences recovery and treatment.
C)indicate the number of disorders the individual exhibits.
D)rank the severity of the disorders the individual exhibits.

Question 5

Many criteria have been suggested to differentiate normal and abnormal behavior. All of the following are included EXCEPT

A)behaviors that are rare.
B)behaviors that distort reality.
C)risk-taking behaviors.
D)behaviors that impair functioning.

Question 6

The DSM-IV-TR

A)is the most widely used classification system for psychological disorders.
B)is multiaxial.
C)groups mental disorders on the basis of observable behaviors or symptoms.
D)all of these

Question 7

Your neighbor confides that she is worried because she believes that several government agencies have bugged her phone and are out to get her. What does this kind of thinking suggest?

A)ideas of persecution
B)that your neighbor is in real danger
C)hallucinations
D)anxiety

Question 8

Which of the following is a factor that determines whether or not a behavior or feeling is evidence of a psychological disorder?

A)Whether the behavior or feeling is pleasant.
B)Whether the behavior or feeling is appropriate to the situation.
C)Whether or not the behavior is legal.
D)Whether the behavior or feeling is acceptable to family members.

Question 9

The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual provides the most widely used system for __________ psychological disorders.

A)curing
B)classifying
C)treating
D)identifying the causes of

Question 10

A woman has been brought to the emergency room because she says that she has been seeing green ooze coming through the walls of her bedroom. What is she demonstrating?

A)dangerous behavior
B)normal behavior
C)faulty perceptions
D)none of these

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of psychological disorders?

A)a faulty perception or interpretation of reality
B)personal distress
C)socially appropriate behavior
D)self-defeating behavior

Question 12

Without being in any objective danger, you are suddenly overcome with fear and feel like you are having a heart attack because of the chest pains, dizziness, and weakness. After several minutes the episode passes, but you experience several similar unexpected reoccurrences over the next few months. This indicates

A)normal behavior.
B)ideas of persecution.
C)abnormal behavior.
D)hallucinations.

Question 13

Assuming that the behaviors associated with psychological disorders have physical or biological causes that can be identified demonstrates which perspective of psychological disorders?

A)the biopsychosocial model
B)the diathesis-stress model
C)the demonological model
D)the medical model

Question 14

Assuming that the behaviors associated with psychological disorders were caused by possession by the Devil demonstrates which perspective of psychological disorders?

A)the biopsychosocial model
B)the diathesis-stress model
C)the demonological model
D)the medical model

Question 15

Little Geronimo runs around the house endlessly, needs little sleep, and often has temper tantrums. His mother exclaims "I swear that kid is possessed!" What perspective of psychological disorders is she demonstrating?

A)the biopsychosocial model
B)the diathesis-stress model
C)the demonological model
D)the medical model

Question 16

Hockey players who exhibit a high level of aggressive behavior in the rink are considered

A)abnormal.
B)unacceptable.
C)dangerous.
D)normal.

Question 17

The DSM-IV-TR can be used to determine

A)sanity versus insanity.
B)rarity of observable behavior.
C)problems in living.
D)psychological disorders based on presenting behavior patterns.

Question 18

A man spends several hours in front of his mirror each morning in an effort to put every hair on his head in its exact place before leaving for work. This concern for trivial details suggests

A)dangerous behavior.
B)unusual behavior.
C)faulty perceptions.
D)delusional beliefs.

Question 19

The news just reported that a hurricane is headed toward your home. You feel anxious and can't decide what to do first to prepare. What is this response indicative of?

A)unusual behavior
B)normal behavior
C)abnormal behavior
D)faulty behavior

Question 20

A man preparing for his professional licensing examination becomes agitated and threatens to kill himself if he doesn't pass the exam on the first try. He is subsequently admitted for a psychiatric examination, and the doctor learns that the young man has neglected everything because he is terrified of failing his examination. The doctor most likely believes that the man exhibits __________ behavior.

A)eccentric
B)odd
C)self-defeating
D)normal

Question 21

The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual uses __________ to diagnose psychological disorders.

A)causes
B)functioning level
C)observable behavior
D)basic assumptions

Question 22

Claustrophobia is described as a fear of

A)flying.
B)spiders and snakes.
C)aliens.
D)enclosed spaces.

Question 23

Slightly more than ______ of us will experience a psychological disorder in any given year.

A)1/3
B)1/2
C)1/4
D)1/10

Question 24

While anxiety is an appropriate response to a threat, it becomes evidence of a psychological disorder when it

A)feels unpleasant.
B)cannot be concealed.
C)is excessive.
D)cannot be ignored.

Question 25

If a diagnosis of a psychological disorder is valid, then we should be able to predict the course of the disorder. This is called

A)predictive reliability.
B)predictive validity.
C)truth in diagnosis.
D)none of these.

Question 26

The DSM-IV-TR classification system contains information about

A)diseases.
B)illnesses.
C)psychological disorders.
D)medical conditions.

Question 27

A woman has had a series of panic attacks and lives in fear of future attacks. In addition, she is now afraid to leave her home because she is afraid of having an attack in public. She discusses the problem with her doctor. What diagnosis is most likely?

A)panic attack with anxiety.
B)panic disorder with agoraphobia.
C)panic attack with fears of persecution.
D)panic disorder with social phobia.

Question 28

Abrupt attacks of acute anxiety in which the individual may experience shortness of breath, heavy sweating and pounding of the heart that is not triggered by a specific object or situation, is known as

A)a specific phobia.
B)a compulsion.
C)an obsession.
D)a panic disorder.

Question 29

__________ phobias are excessive, irrational fears of objects or situations such as snakes or heights.

A)Disordered
B)Irrational
C)Social
D)Specific

Question 30

Researchers have concerns regarding the _______ and ________ of the DSM-IV-TR.

A)diagnoses, classifications
B)reliability, validity
C)classifications, predictive validity
D)diagnoses, the theoretical orientation of prescribed treatments

Question 31

Amanda can't stand to be in a crowded room, get on an elevator, or sit in the middle of a row. It has interfered with her job performance and prevents her from enjoying leisure activities. What is Amanda exhibiting?

A)agoraphobia
B)claustrophobia
C)acrophobia
D)zoophobia

Question 32

The DSM-IV-TR groups disorders on the basis of

A)observable symptoms.
B)assumptions about their causes.
C)the type of personality associated with each.
D)the theoretical orientation of their prescribed treatments.

Question 33

Eric experiences reoccurring panic attacks. He has become so afraid of having another panic attack he refuses to leave his home. Eric exhibits

A)panic disorder with agoraphobia.
B)panic disorder with acrophobia.
C)panic disorder with social phobia.
D)panic disorder.

Question 34

Katie is excessively fearful of doing something that will be humiliating or embarrassing when in public. What would psychologists be likely to diagnose Katie with?

A)social phobia
B)acrophobia
C)claustrophobia
D)agoraphobia

Question 35

One of the most difficult consequences of agoraphobia is that those who suffer from the disorder are often unable to

A)keep a job.
B)enjoy pets.
C)make casual conversation.
D)use elevators.

Question 36

People experiencing a __________ are often aware of cardiac sensations and often think they are having a heart attack.

A)generalized anxiety disorder
B)specific phobia
C)panic attack
D)delusion

Question 37

A man cancels an important business trip to the mountains because he cannot control his fear of heights. He goes to a doctor to discuss the problem. What diagnosis is the doctor likely to consider?

A)agoraphobia
B)acrophobia
C)social phobia
D)claustrophobia

Question 38

Which of the following would be most debilitating to the work of an acrobat or trapeze artist?

A)fear of public speaking
B)a social phobia
C)agoraphobia
D)acrophobia

Question 39

Ted, a college student, refuses to sign up for speech class because he is afraid that he will do something embarrassing in front of the class. He can't graduate until he completes the course. What is this behavior most likely associated with?

A)agoraphobia
B)specific phobia
C)acrophobia
D)social phobia

Question 40

About one-half of us will meet the criteria for a DSM-VI-TR disorder at some point during our lives. These disorders most often begin in

A)infancy.
B)adulthood.
C)old age.
D)none of these.

Question 41

Sheryl's mom always screamed whenever she saw a spider. Sheryl now has the same reaction to spiders. According to some theorists, Sheryl acquired the behavior pattern by watching her mom, called __________.

A)behaviorism
B)observational learning
C)humanistic interference
D)psychodynamic projection

Question 42

Marsha is a firefighter who witnessed the death of a friend and coworker 6 months ago. She tried to save a child who was trapped in a burning building. Marsha is now having nightmares and keeps reliving the tragedy in her thoughts and dreams. She has been avoiding work and can't stand to hear a siren. Marsha is most likely experiencing

A)generalized anxiety disorder.
B)pyrophobia.
C)panic disorder.
D)post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 43

Lloyd experiences persistent feelings of dread, motor tension, and dry mouth, along with a racing heart, light-headedness, and a tendency to be easily distracted. What would Lloyd's diagnosis likely to be?

A)panic disorder
B)generalized anxiety disorder
C)obsessive-compulsive disorder
D)phobia

Question 44

The argument that feelings of anxiety and helplessness are rooted in one's beliefs is consistent with the __________ view.

A)cognitive
B)learning
C)existential
D)behavioral

Question 45

Gulf War veterans are at risk for feelings of anxiety and helplessness caused by the traumatic experience of the war. They are at risk for which of the following anxiety disorders?

A)obsessive-compulsive disorder
B)generalized anxiety disorder
C)post-traumatic stress disorder
D)panic disorder

Question 46

A woman's preoccupation with the thought of her house burning down makes her become so troubled that she must begin to get ready for work an hour earlier than is necessary. She needs the extra time as she compulsively checks and rechecks all of the electrical appliances and outlets in her home. A doctor is likely to conclude that this behavior warrants a diagnosis of

A)obsessive-compulsive disorder.
B)delusional disorder.
C)neurosis.
D)panic compulsion disorder.

Question 47

Margaret worries about everything all the time. She is very restless and can't sleep at night. She is probably experiencing

A)night phobias.
B)night terrors.
C)generalized anxiety disorder.
D)all of these

Question 48

A recurrent, intrusive thought that causes anxiety and is difficult to control is a(n)

A)compulsion.
B)obsession.
C)disorder.
D)generalization.

Question 49

It is believed that __________ tend to reduce the anxiety connected with obsessions.

A)compulsions
B)phobias
C)stressors
D)physical symptoms

Question 50

How do behaviorists explain phobias?

A)As conditioned fears acquired during early childhood.
B)As imitated or modeled behaviors.
C)As repressed impulses.
D)As unconditioned responses to fears that are species specific.

Question 51

Biological factors appear to play a role in anxiety disorders as research finds

A)they tend to run in families.
B)people with these disorders may be cognitively biased to focus on threats.
C)children tend to imitate the anxieties and fears of their parents.
D)a and c

Question 52

What is free-floating anxiety a feature of?

A)generalized anxiety disorder
B)specific phobias
C)agoraphobia
D)acrophobia

Question 53

Naomi has recurring, anxiety-provoking thoughts that are irrational and beyond her control. These thoughts are so compelling that they disrupt her daily life. What is Naomi experiencing?

A)compulsions
B)panic
C)obsessions
D)depression

Question 54

Kevin keeps thinking he is an evil, unclean person who is capable of committing murder, even though he would never do such a thing. He tries to put the thoughts out of his mind by washing his hands 15 to 20 times a day. Kevin demonstrates

A)generalized anxiety disorder.
B)obsessive-compulsive disorder.
C)acute stress disorder.
D)panic disorder.

Question 55

The central feature of a generalized anxiety disorder is that the anxiety is

A)attached to a specific object or event.
B)persistent.
C)characterized by intermittent attacks.
D)based on childhood trauma.

Question 56

Victims of rape generally experience feelings of anxiety and helplessness within a few weeks of the experience of rape. This kind of anxiety response is diagnosed as

A)acute stress disorder.
B)post-traumatic stress disorder.
C)generalized anxiety.
D)conversion disorder.

Question 57

A woman has difficulty concentrating on her job at work because of her preoccupation with the possibility that she has left the stove on or the iron plugged in at home. She imagines that her house will catch on fire because of her mistake. She confides in her doctor. What diagnosis is the doctor likely to consider?

A)obsessive-compulsive disorder
B)panic disorder
C)specific phobia
D)obsessive-compulsive personality

Question 58

Twin studies reveal __________ rates for anxiety disorders between identical twins than between fraternal twins.

A)higher
B)lower
C)similar
D)unreliable

Question 59

Terry was raped one week ago. She has been overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety and helplessness. Her doctor refers to her condition as

A)acute stress disorder.
B)post-traumatic stress disorder.
C)agoraphobia.
D)panic disorder.

Question 60

Individuals who have experienced severe trauma or victimization may experience debilitating anxiety reactions months and years after the actual traumatic experience. For example, disaster victims or war veterans often have their first symptoms many months after the actual events. These patients are diagnosed as suffering from

A)generalized anxiety.
B)neurosis.
C)post-traumatic stress disorder.
D)acute distress disorder.

Question 61

Jane has blackout periods where she can't remember what she did or where she was. She found clothing in her closet that she would never wear and doesn't know how it got there. When she goes to see the doctor she introduces herself as Suzy. Jane seems to be exhibiting

A)dissociative amnesia.
B)dissociative fugue.
C)dissociative identity disorder.
D)depersonalization disorder.

Question 62

A doctor enters her office and greets her patient, "Good morning, Ted." The patient answers in an unfamiliar voice, "Ted has gone away." The doctor asks, "Would you like to tell me your name?" "I'm Ernie, and I don't like you!" her patient replies. This patient has

A)generalized amnesia.
B)dissociative identity disorder.
C)dissociative fugue.
D)an attitude disorder.

Question 63

Maggie experiences anxiety continually. Her doctor believes that the cause is associated with excessive production of

A)adrenaline.
B)monoamineoxidase.
C)dopamine.
D)GABA.

Question 64

All somatoform disorders involve

A)the conversion of anxiety into a physical form.
B)complaints of physical dysfunction.
C)repressed memories.
D)the transformation of anger into a physical illness.

Question 65

In panic disorder, biological imbalances might initially trigger an attack. However, later feelings of helplessness can increase fear. This description demonstrates the __________ biological and psychological factors in mental disorders.

A)interaction of
B)impossibility of understanding the role of
C)cause-effect relationship of
D)lack of relationship between

Question 66

Sarah was found in New York City by her family. At first, Sarah didn't remember who she was or who they were. When they all returned to their home in Florida, Sarah couldn't remember going to New York but regained her memory of her family. Sarah demonstrates

A)dissociative amnesia.
B)dissociative fugue.
C)dissociative identity disorder.
D)depersonalization disorder.

Question 67

Some people with conversion disorder seem unconcerned with their symptoms, even when they experience considerable disability such as paralysis. This feature of conversion disorder has been called

A)atypical.
B)disturbed.
C)la belle indifference.
D)la joie de vivre.

Question 68

Your boss knows that you are enrolled in a psychology class. He tells you that his mother-in-law has suddenly left home and traveled to another state. When the police found her, she had been living in the new town for six months. She had invented a totally false past and had no memory of her real past life. He wants to know what psychological disorder you think she is likely to be diagnosed with?

A)dissociative amnesia
B)dissociative identity disorder
C)depersonalization disorder
D)dissociative fugue

Question 69

Research has revealed that many of the people who are diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder report __________ during childhood.

A)depression
B)malingering
C)abuse
D)loss of a parent

Question 70

A man witnessed an explosion in which a co-worker died, and afterward his vision failed. After many neurological tests, doctors could find no organic basis for the man's loss of his eyesight. A psychological explanation for this is

A)malingering.
B)conversion disorder.
C)guilt.
D)amnesia.

Question 71

When it comes to explaining anxiety disorders, biological theorists' views are to __________, as learning theorists' views are to __________.

A)GABA; thinking
B)thinking; conditioning
C)conditioning; genetics
D)genetic factors; conditioning

Question 72

Somatoform disorders are characterized by

A)a disturbance in expression of emotions.
B)a complaint of physical problems such as paralysis, pain, or a persistent belief that one has a serious disease when one does not exist.
C)the separation of mental processes such as thoughts, emotions, identity, memory, or consciousness.
D)disturbances in thought and language, perception and attention, motor activity, and mood, as well as withdrawal and absorption in daydreams and fantasy.

Question 73

Who would suggest that humans today are genetically predisposed to fear stimuli that may have posed a threat to their ancestors?

A)cognitive psychologists
B)behavioral psychologists
C)psychodynamic psychologists
D)evolutionary psychologists

Question 74

Patients with persistent complaints that they have physical problems like a serious disease, paralysis, or pain for which no physical cause can be found are exhibiting

A)somatoform disorders.
B)malingering.
C)manipulation.
D)anxiety.

Question 75

A separation of thoughts, emotions, identity, and memory is to __________ disorders, as worrying, fear of the worst, nervousness, and an inability to relax is to __________ disorders.

A)anxiety; mood
B)schizophrenic; anxiety
C)dissociative; anxiety
D)mood; dissociative

Question 76

A man leaves home one day, travels to another location, and loses all memory of his past life. He assumes a new identity that is more outgoing and less inhibited than that of his forgotten past. Time passes, and he recalls and then returns to his former life and identity. The events of the "new life" pursued when he lost his memory are completely forgotten. This man has experienced

A)dissociative fugue.
B)dissociative identity disorder.
C)malingering.
D)depersonalization.

Question 77

Cory was driving the car when an accident occurred that killed his best friend. When Cory woke up the next morning, he couldn't remember where he was or what had happened the night before. He is most likely exhibiting

A)dissociative amnesia.
B)dissociative identity disorder.
C)panic disorder.
D)dissociative fugue.

Question 78

Twin studies and adoption studies are methods to discover the role of __________ factors in the development of psychological disorders.

A)cognitive
B)behavioral
C)psychodynamic
D)biological

Question 79

Preston experienced times when he couldn't remember what he had done. Sometimes he found things in the house that weren't his and mail with someone else's name on it. Preston seems to be experiencing

A)dissociative amnesia.
B)dissociative fugue.
C)dissociative identity disorder.
D)depersonalization disorder.

Question 80

Amnesia is frequently associated with __________ disorders.

A)dissociative
B)somatoform
C)anxiety
D)mood