Deck 9: Personality Disorders

Question 1

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by hypersensitivity to _____.

A) risk
B) aggression
C) abandonment
D) stress

Answer 1

abandonment

Question 2

Under the DSM-5 approach, the first step in diagnosing a personality disorder is determining:

A) how physiological factors come into play.
B) an individual's level of functioning.
C) whether an individual has any pathological traits.
D) relevant details of family history.

Answer 2

an individual's level of functioning.

Question 3

When an individual fails to develop a sense of self-identity and a capacity for interpersonal functioning that are adaptive in the individual's relationships, he or she may be diagnosed with a(n) _____ disorder.

A) mood
B) anxiety
C) psychotic
D) personality

Answer 3

personality

Question 4

All of the following are personality dimensions recognized in the DSM-5 EXCEPT:

A) detachment.
B) antagonism.
C) disinhibition.
D) creativity.

Question 5

Which of the following symptoms is characteristic of borderline personality disorder?

A) Hallucinations
B) Manic behavior
C) Major depressive episodes
D) Unstable relationships

Question 6

A(n) _____ trait is a complex pattern of behavior, thought, and feeling that is stable across time and across many situations.

A) emotional
B) personality
C) behavioral
D) cognitive

Question 7

The DSM-5 incorporates a continuum based functional assessment tool know as the Levels of Personality Functioning Scale for diagnosing a personality disorder. This scale evaluates functional impairment ranging from 0 to _____.

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Question 8

Jen, a second-year college student, attempted suicide at least 10 times before entering therapy. Her attempts to hurt herself usually followed arguments with her husband about getting a divorce. Which of the following diagnoses is Jen most likely to receive from her therapist?

A) Borderline personality disorder
B) Avoidant personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Schizotypal personality disorder

Question 9

Gina has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Which of the following would best describe Gina's mood?

A) Unstable
B) Rigid
C) Dejected
D) Apprehensive

Question 10

Which of the following statements about borderline personality disorder is NOT true?

A) People diagnosed with this disorder experience instability in their moods, self-concept, and interpersonal relationships.
B) The manifestation of this disorder varies from one person to the next and from one day to the next in any one person.
C) The majority of persons diagnosed with this disorder also meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one other mental disorder.
D) About 30 percent of persons diagnosed with borderline personality disorder experience hallucinations.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a personality disorder recognized by the DSM-5?

A) Multiple personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
D) Antisocial personality disorder

Question 12

The DSM-5 approach to diagnosing personality disorders differs from its approach to other types of disorders in that it explicitly incorporates a _____ perspective into the diagnosis.

A) continuum
B) cluster
C) binary
D) independent

Question 13

Although the DSM-5 uses a continuum-based approach to diagnosing personality disorders, it also includes _____ separate personality disorders.

A) 4
B) 6
C) 8
D) 10

Question 14

In the DSM-5, _____ is a negative characteristic of the disinhibition dimension.

A) impulsivity
B) manipulativeness
C) hostility
D) suspiciousness

Question 15

If an individual does not meet the criteria for any of the DSM-5 personality disorders but still has significant difficulties in his or her sense of self and relationships together with pathological personality traits, a clinician may give a diagnosis of:

A) personality disorder-trait specified.
B) personality complex-trait specified.
C) personality disorder-dimension specified.
D) personality complex-dimension specified.

Question 16

The DSM-IV included _____ separate personality disorders.

A) 4
B) 6
C) 8
D) 10

Question 17

In the DSM-5, _____ is a negative characteristic of the detachment dimension.

A) manipulativeness
B) hostility
C) irresponsibility
D) withdrawal

Question 18

_____ determines all the ways we have of acting, thinking, believing, and feeling that make each of us unique.

A) Personality
B) Temperament
C) Cognition
D) Disposition

Question 19

The DSM-5's approach to personality disorders is a _____ model.

A) strictly dimensional
B) strictly categorical
C) hybrid
D) disintegrated

Question 20

In the DSM-5, the psychoticism dimension includes:

A) drama and high emotional expression.
B) chronic self-doubt.
C) eccentricity.
D) fearful emotions.

Question 21

Studies show that people with borderline personality disorder have greater activation of the _____, which may contribute to the difficulty they have in regulating their moods.

A) thalamus
B) amygdala
C) medulla
D) hippocampus

Question 22

Psychoanalytic theorists, particularly those in the object relations school, suggest that people with borderline personality disorder have:

A) poorly differentiated views of themselves compared to others.
B) a strong desire to be independent and self-sufficient.
C) a tendency to integrate the negative and positive qualities of their self-concept.
D) adapted abilities to deal with abandonment and neglect.

Question 23

All of the following are pathological personality traits associated with borderline personality disorder in the DSM-5 EXCEPT:

A) negative affectivity.
B) disinhibition.
C) antagonism.
D) detachment.

Question 24

According to research, which of the following groups is more likely to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?

A) African Americans
B) European Americans
C) Latinos
D) Asian Americans

Question 25

A nationwide study suggests that approximately _____ percent of the population could be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8

Question 26

In dialectical behavior therapy, clients with borderline personality disorder may learn how to control their _____ behaviors by monitoring situations most likely to lead to such behaviors and learning alternative ways to handle those situations.

A) avoidant
B) obsessive
C) suspicious
D) impulsive

Question 27

_____ uses the relationship between patient and therapist to help patients develop a more realistic and healthy understanding of themselves and their interpersonal relationships.

A) Rational emotive therapy
B) Dialectical behavior therapy
C) STEPPS
D) Transference-focused therapy

Question 28

STEPPS is a _____ therapy treatment for borderline personality disorder.

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

Question 29

Drug treatments for people with borderline personality disorders have focused on reducing:

A) psychotic symptoms.
B) symptoms of anxiety and depression.
C) flat or blunted affect.
D) ideas of reference.

Question 30

Jennifer has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Her therapist noticed that she sees things as either "all good" or "all bad." This process is called _____.

A) tearing
B) detaching
C) separating
D) splitting

Question 31

All of the following are personality traits associated with borderline personality disorder in the DSM-5 EXCEPT:

A) negative affectivity.
B) disinhibition.
C) antagonism.
D) psychoticism.

Question 32

Psychoanalytic theory suggests that the instability in emotions and interpersonal relationships seen in people with borderline personality disorder is due to:

A) a fear of rejection.
B) splitting.
C) confusion about reality.
D) the inability to read environmental cues.

Question 33

According to Linehan, people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder:

A) are often self-reliant in handling difficult situations.
B) possess the self-confidence to ask for help.
C) have deficits in emotional regulation.
D) have a history of being controlled by others.

Question 34

One theory as to why _____ are more likely to receive a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is that stress is more common among this group.

A) Latinos
B) European Americans
C) Asian Americans
D) African Americans

Question 35

_____ is based on the argument that people with borderline personality disorder have fundamental difficulty understanding the mental states of themselves and others because of traumatic experiences in childhood and poor attachment to their caregivers.

A) STEPPS
B) Mentalization-based treatment
C) Dialectical behavior therapy
D) Transference-focused therapy

Question 36

The process of splitting, whereby individuals with borderline personality disorder see themselves and other people as either all good or all bad, was theorized in the _____ school of thought.

A) cognitive
B) behavioral
C) humanistic
D) psychoanalytic

Question 37

Cognitively, people with borderline personality disorder are _____ negative emotional stimuli in the environment.

A) less aware of
B) hyperattentive to
C) avoidant of
D) resistant to

Question 38

_____ is a group intervention for people with borderline personality disorder that combines cognitive techniques challenging irrational and maladaptive cognitions and behavioral techniques addressing self-management and problem solving.

A) Systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS)
B) Rational emotive therapy (RET)
C) Mentalization-based treatment
D) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Question 39

Which of the following psychotherapies for borderline personality disorder focuses on helping clients gain a more realistic and positive sense of self, learn adaptive skills for solving problems and regulating emotions, and correct dichotomous thinking?

A) Transference-focused therapy
B) Rational emotive therapy
C) Mentalization-based treatment
D) Dialectical behavior therapy

Question 40

Which of the following antidepressants has proven most useful in the treatment of borderline personality disorder?

A) MAOIs
B) Aripiprazole
C) Tricyclics
D) Lithium

Question 41

Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder are characterized by _____.

A) arrogance
B) anxiety
C) avoidance
D) indecisiveness

Question 42

Narcissistic personality disorder is most associated with a history of _____ in childhood.

A) criticism
B) achievement
C) failure
D) neglect

Question 43

A nationwide study in the United States found that about _____ percent of women could be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.

A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 9

Question 44

A nationwide study in the United States found about _____ percent of men could be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.

A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8

Question 45

People with avoidant personality disorder:

A) tend to want to connect with others, unlike people with social anxiety disorder.
B) do not view themselves as inadequate and incompetent, unlike people with social anxiety disorder.
C) tend to have more severe and generalized anxiety about social situations than people with social anxiety disorder.
D) are not as impaired by their anxiety about social situations as are people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder.

Question 46

Cognitive theorists have argued that some people with narcissistic personality disorder:

A) do not seek approval from others or consider themselves superior.
B) have hallucinations and suicidal thoughts frequently.
C) develop the belief that they are unique or exceptional as a defense against rejection.
D) develop negative assumptions about their self-worth due to highly critical parenting styles.

Question 47

Under the DSM-5 criteria, which of the following pathological personality traits is associated with avoidant personality disorder?

A) Psychoticism
B) Detachment
C) Disinhibition
D) Antagonism

Question 48

Twin studies have shown that _____ plays a role in avoidant personality disorder.

A) parenting
B) genetics
C) early education
D) physical illness

Question 49

The results of drug treatment studies for borderline personality disorder have been:

A) mixed.
B) mostly negatively.
C) somewhat positive.
D) extremely positive.

Question 50

Which of the following is understood as a subtype of a narcissist?

A) Schizoid narcissist
B) Histrionic narcissist
C) Vulnerable narcissist
D) Anxious narcissist

Question 51

People with avoidant personality disorder:

A) have high-self-esteem.
B) enjoy solitude.
C) are prone to shame.
D) have poor impulse control.

Question 52

Psychodynamically oriented theorists suggest that the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder are:

A) defenses against rejection by others.
B) related to coping with difficulties in social interaction.
C) maladaptive strategies for managing emotions and self-views.
D) the results of indulgence and overvaluation during childhood.

Question 53

Which of the following statements is true about narcissistic personality disorder?

A) This disorder is more frequently diagnosed in women than in men.
B) People with this disorder have no difficulties with self-esteem.
C) People with this disorder are preoccupied with fantasies of power and success.
D) People with this disorder often consider themselves to be inferior but are benevolent.

Question 54

Avoidant personality disorder is:

A) more common among men than women.
B) actually quite different from social anxiety disorder.
C) prevalent in more than 10 percent of the population.
D) associated with rejection in early life of a child.

Question 55

Which of the following personality disorders is more likely to endorse beliefs such as "I don't have to be bound by rules that apply to other people"?

A) Borderline personality disorder
B) Schizotypal personality disorder
C) Avoidant personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder

Question 56

People diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder:

A) are usually oblivious to external threats.
B) tended to be highly sociable as children.
C) shun interactions if there is a possibility of being criticized.
D) tend to be cheerful and satisfied in their solitary professions.

Question 57

Which of the following statements is true about the treatment of narcissistic personality disorder?

A) People with this disorder are often proactive when it comes to seeking treatment for their problems.
B) Once confronted, most people with this disorder are more likely to accept responsibility for their actions.
C) People with this disorder often remain in therapy even after their acute symptoms or problems lessen.
D) Cognitive techniques help these clients develop more realistic expectations of their abilities and more sensitivity to the needs of others.

Question 58

Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder tend to seek _____.

A) dependency
B) admiration
C) solitude
D) stability

Question 59

Under the DSM-5 criteria, which of the following pathological personality traits is associated with narcissistic personality disorder?

A) Psychoticism
B) Detachment
C) Disinhibition
D) Antagonism

Question 60

Aaron Pincus and Mark Lukowitzky maintained that narcissists can be both:

A) grandiose and vulnerable.
B) grandiose and withdrawn.
C) delusional and vulnerable.
D) delusional and withdrawn.

Question 61

Compared to individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, those with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder tend to have:

A) fewer fixations on behavior.
B) fewer concerns over perfection.
C) more physiological symptoms of stress.
D) more general concerns with order.

Question 62

Cognitive theorists suggest that people with avoidant personality disorder:

A) are unperturbed by thoughts of inferiority and avoid social interactions with others because they lack social skills.
B) develop dysfunctional beliefs about being worthless as a result of rejection by important others early in life.
C) tend to dwell on and overemphasize the importance of any positive feedback they receive from others.
D) are not as concerned about living up to other people's expectations as they prefer living up to their own standards.

Question 63

Teresa seems emotionally detached. Most people think that she is a snob. Teresa likes activities where she can be alone. She views relationships with others as unrewarding, messy, and intrusive. She has very few friends outside of her first-degree relatives. Teresa is most likely to be diagnosed with:

A) paranoid personality disorder.
B) antisocial personality disorder.
C) schizotypal personality disorder.
D) dependent personality disorder.

Question 64

A criterion for a diagnosis of _____ personality disorder is a distorted self-concept.

A) schizotypal
B) antisocial
C) borderline
D) paranoid

Question 65

People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:

A) are quite spontaneous in their interactions with others.
B) are often experienced by others as stubborn and stingy.
C) tend to relate well with people of different ranks.
D) tend to be efficient and hence make excellent employees.

Question 66

Under the DSM-5 criteria, which of the following pathological personality traits is associated with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

A) Psychoticism
B) Detachment
C) Disinhibition
D) Negative affectivity

Question 67

_____ therapies have proven most helpful for people with avoidant personality disorder.

A) Cognitive and behavior
B) Psychodynamic and behavior
C) Cognitive and psychodynamic
D) Psychodynamic and humanistic

Question 68

Cognitive theories suggest that people with _____ personality disorder harbor beliefs such as, "Flaws, defects, or mistakes are intolerable."

A) avoidant
B) schizotypal
C) obsessive-compulsive
D) dependent

Question 69

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder tend to be highly:

A) delusional
B) perfectionistic.
C) withdrawn.
D) grandiose.

Question 70

Which personality disorder is characterized by an unstable or disorganized identity and is accompanied with odd beliefs, perceptions, and self-presentations?

A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Schizotypal personality disorder
D) Dependent personality disorder

Question 71

People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:

A) are quite spontaneous in their interactions with others.
B) are often workaholics who see little need for leisure activities.
C) tend to relate well with people of different ranks.
D) tend to be efficient and hence make excellent employees.

Question 72

_____ shown by people with schizotypal personality disorder set them apart from people with other personality disorders.

A) Suspiciousness
B) Oddities in cognition
C) Restricted affectivity
D) Preferences for being alone

Question 73

All of the following are personality traits associated with schizotypal personality disorder in the DSM-5 EXCEPT:

A) negative affectivity.
B) detachment.
C) antagonism.
D) psychoticism.

Question 74

People with schizotypal personality disorder are more likely than others to have unusual beliefs about the:

A) possibility of career success.
B) importance of keeping order.
C) significance of random events.
D) approval of others.

Question 75

Janice's friend invited her to a five-star restaurant. Janice became nervous when she saw the various pieces of silverware placed on the table. She felt that others were scrutinizing her every move and watching to see if she used the cutlery properly. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Janice left the restaurant without eating dinner. Janice would most likely be diagnosed with:

A) avoidant personality disorder.
B) schizotypal personality disorder.
C) borderline personality disorder.
D) dependent personality disorder.

Question 76

Which of the following is widely used in treatment for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

A) Antidepressants
B) Psychodynamic therapy
C) Light therapy
D) Relaxation techniques

Question 77

_____ are sometimes used to reduce the social anxiety of people with avoidant personality disorder.

A) Serotonin reuptake inhibitors
B) Tricyclic antidepressants
C) MAOIs
D) Benzodiazepines

Question 78

Which of the following characterizes schizotypal personality disorder?

A) Blunted or inappropriate affect
B) Highly intense interpersonal relationships
C) Nearly complete loss of touch with reality
D) Bizarre or idiosyncratic worldviews

Question 79

As with avoidant personality disorder, which of the following is characterized by withdrawal from social situations?

A) Schizotypal personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Dependent personality disorder
D) Antisocial personality disorder

Question 80

People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder tend to have slightly greater histories of _____ than people with no personality disorder.

A) physical neglect
B) physical illness
C) developmental delays
D) developmental disabilities