Question 1

Gwendolyn is a 34-year-old unmarried woman who relies on her parents to take care of her.She refuses to move out because she has an extreme lack of self-confidence and feels that her parents do a better job of structuring her life than anyone else, including herself.Gwendolyn fits the description of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Gwendolyn displays a pattern of dependent behavior and an excessive need to be taken care of, which is characteristic of dependent personality disorder.

Question 2

A person with which personality disorder would have an extremely unstable self-image, would be moody, extremely sensitive to any hint of criticism or rejection by others, and unable to form stable relationships?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described fit those of borderline personality disorder, which is characterized by instability in mood, self-image, and relationships, as well as an extreme fear of abandonment or rejection. People with this disorder may engage in impulsive or self-destructive behavior, and may have difficulty regulating their emotions. The other options (B, C, and D) do not match all of the symptoms described.

Question 3

Abby suffers from extremely low self-confidence and always places everyone else's needs ahead of her own.Abby's behavior fits the description of which type of personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Abby's behavior fits the description of dependent personality disorder, which is characterized by low self-confidence, a fear of being alone, and a pattern of placing others' needs above one's own.

Question 4

A person who demonstrates unhealthy submissiveness and who is clinging is said to have a(n)__________ personality.

Accepted Answer

A dependent personality is characterized by a need for excessive reassurance and advice, a fear of abandonment, and an inability to make decisions without support and approval from others. This can lead to unhealthy submissiveness and clinginess in relationships. Narcissistic, paranoid, and antisocial personalities are not typically associated with these traits.

Question 5

Arnold often daydreams about being a major CEO and being admired by the entire population.He cannot understand why his teachers and fellow students do not see his brilliance and his great potential, but he is sure that "someday, they will tell their grandchildren that they were in class with the great Arnold P." Arnold is exhibiting symptoms of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Arnold is exhibiting symptoms of a narcissistic personality disorder, as he has an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. He is also preoccupied with fantasies of power and success.

Question 6

Because they receive so much attention, celebrities appear more likely than noncelebrities to have which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Celebrities are often praised and adored by the public, which can reinforce their narcissistic tendencies. Therefore, celebrities may appear more likely than noncelebrities to have narcissistic personality disorder.

Question 7

A person who is deeply distrustful and suspicious of others, as well as being guarded and hypersensitive, would be classified as having which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A person who is deeply distrustful and suspicious of others, as well as being guarded and hypersensitive, would be exhibiting symptoms of paranoid personality disorder. People with this disorder often have a pervasive and unwarranted distrust of others, believing that others intend to harm them or deceive them in some way. They may also be guarded and hypersensitive, believing that any criticism or rejection is a personal attack. The other personality disorders listed (dependent, antisocial, and narcissistic) are characterized by different patterns of behavior and thinking.

Question 8

Keelie's parents are concerned about her impulsivity and unpredictability that have persisted beyond her adolescent years.She is extremely sensitive to any hint of criticism and her erratic moods and impulses have ultimately affected any chance of her developing stable relationships or holding a job.Keelie is showing symptoms of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Keelie is exhibiting symptoms of borderline personality disorder including impulsivity, mood instability, and difficulty with relationships.

Question 9

One who is quite concerned with orderliness, perfectionism, and a rigid routine might be classified as having which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the question, such as being concerned with orderliness and perfectionism, are characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Question 10

Blanche is always overly dramatic when discussing her "trouble" to anyone who will listen.She enjoys being the center of attention and being catered to by everyone, especially men.Blanche's behavior fits the description of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Blanche's behavior fits the criteria for histrionic personality disorder, which is characterized by excessive attention-seeking, dramatic or exaggerated emotions, and a desire to be the center of attention.

Question 11

People who think of themselves as wonderful, brilliant, important, and worthy of constant admiration have the characteristics of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

This describes the characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People with this disorder have an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for constant admiration and attention, and a lack of empathy for others. They often have difficulty handling criticism and may become envious of others who they perceive as more successful or talented.

Question 12

Although she is capable of working, Judy has repeatedly lost jobs because of her turbulent relationships with the people she worked with.At times she can be friendly, while at other times she is extremely unpredictable and moody.Judy often reacts with rage or self-loathing to small incidents, such as ordinary criticism or a friend forgetting a lunch date.Judy is showing symptoms of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Judy's symptoms are consistent with borderline personality disorder, including difficulty maintaining stable relationships, mood instability, strong reaction to criticism, and intense emotions. None of the other personality disorders listed match Judy's symptoms as closely.

Question 13

Armand has been in therapy for two months.He has been unable to keep a steady job because he reacts so angrily to ordinary criticism and quits his job only to experience intense self-hatred.He has felt like he was making progress in therapy.However, when the therapist introduces Armand to the therapist that will be taking over her cases while she is on vacation, Armand angrily storms out of the office and takes a brick and breaks the window of his therapist's office.Armand is showing symptoms of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Armand's reaction to normal criticism and his intense self-hatred suggest that he may have borderline personality disorder. Additionally, his extreme reaction to the introduction of a new therapist and his impulsive behavior (breaking the window) are also characteristic of borderline personality disorder.

Question 14

Which of the following personality disorders describes a person who has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, who needs constant admiration, and often fantasizes about power, wealth, brilliance, or beauty?

Accepted Answer

The description given matches the symptoms of a narcissistic personality disorder, in which the individual has an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and fantasies about power and success. Dependent personality disorder involves an excessive need to be taken care of, while histrionic personality disorder involves attention-seeking behavior and emotional volatility. Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by detachment from social relationships and emotional expression.

Question 15

Tom is convinced that he will be a famous rock star.In fact, he is not shy about telling people what a great guitarist he is and how they better get his autograph now.Tom most likely suffers from which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Tom's behavior suggests that he has an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others, which are characteristic traits of narcissistic personality disorder.

Question 16

Edgar constantly seeks attention from everyone, including strangers, by dramatizing his every emotion and action.Edgar would be described as having which type of personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Edgar's behavior is consistent with histrionic personality disorder, which is characterized by excessive attention-seeking behavior and a tendency to over-dramatize emotions and actions in order to gain attention and approval from others.

Question 17

Ray avoids getting too emotionally close to anyone for fear that the person will use information against him.He also views playful teasing as a deliberate insult.Ray is displaying symptoms that are characteristic of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Ray is displaying symptoms of paranoia, which is a characteristic of paranoid personality disorder. This disorder is typified by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, including a tendency to view benign comments or behavior as insulting or threatening. People with paranoid personality disorder are often reluctant to confide in others or form close relationships due to a fear of being exploited or betrayed.

Question 18

A person who has an extreme lack of self-confidence and who allows others to run his or her life is said to have a(n)__________ personality.

Accepted Answer

A person with a dependent personality relies heavily on others to make decisions, lacks self-confidence, and fears separation from those they depend on. This manifests itself in a need for reassurance, difficulty making decisions independently, and a fear of being alone.

Question 19

Which of the following personality disorders describes a person who is dramatic and flamboyant and who exhibits excessive emotional and attention seeking behavior?

Accepted Answer

The personality disorder that describes a person who is dramatic and flamboyant and exhibits excessive emotional and attention seeking behavior is histrionic personality disorder. People with this disorder often use excessive emotions to seek attention, may be manipulative, and have an exaggerated view of their relationships with others.

Question 20

Thomas tends to be so overly suspicious of people's motives that he appears to trust no one.Whenever someone compliments him, Thomas always thinks to himself that they are just "buttering him up for a favor." Thomas fits the description of which personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Thomas displays symptoms of paranoid personality disorder, which is characterized by pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of other people's motives. This is evident in his tendency to believe that others are merely flattering him to gain something from him.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders.