Question 1

While taking the MMPI, James tried to give himself an unrealistic positive image by falsifying answers and trying to appear as though he had no psychological problems.On which scale(s) would James most likely receive a high score?

Accepted Answer

James's attempts to falsify answers and appear as though he has no psychological problems would likely result in high scores on the L (Lie) and K (Defensiveness) scales, which measure the extent to which an individual is trying to present themselves in a positive light and deny any problems. The F (Infrequency) scale is also likely to be elevated, as James's unusual response patterns may be detected by the test.

Question 2

What is the main difference between neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging techniques?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging techniques is that neuropsychological tests help identify the location of the brain dysfunction, whereas neuroimaging shows us the structure and functioning of the brain. Neuropsychological tests involve assessing an individual's cognitive abilities and behavior to identify any areas of dysfunction, whereas neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, fMRI, CT scan provide an image of the brain's structure and functioning. Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Question 3

Why might a mixed anxiety-depression diagnosis be considered for DSM inclusion?

Accepted Answer

Mixed anxiety-depression is commonly seen in primary-care settings, making it important for clinicians to be able to diagnose and treat this condition. The other options (theoretical soundness, scientific basis, and construct validity) are important considerations for any psychiatric diagnosis, but do not specifically apply to the relevance of including mixed anxiety-depression in the DSM.

Question 4

Using a new diagnostic system, several clinicians interview a patient and independently provide the same diagnosis.What can we assume about the new diagnostic system?

Accepted Answer

The fact that multiple clinicians are able to independently arrive at the same diagnosis suggests that the new diagnostic system is reliable, meaning it consistently produces accurate results. The other answer choices are not necessarily implied by this scenario.

Question 5

What is a limitation of IQ tests?

Accepted Answer

IQ tests measure specific cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, abstract reasoning, and mathematical ability, but they do not assess a person's ability to adapt to new situations or generate creative ideas, which are important factors for success in many domains of life.

Question 6

One of the problems in using neuropsychological tests to detect organic damage and cognitive disorders involves the possibility of false negatives.Which of the following is most likely to result from a false negative?

Accepted Answer

A false negative means that the test fails to detect a problem that actually exists. In this case, a false negative in a neuropsychological test could mean that a patient has organic damage or a cognitive disorder that goes undetected. This could result in a clinician missing an important medical problem that needs to be treated.

Question 7

Which of the following is a problem associated with a false positive result on a psychological test?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a problem...

Question 8

Why was the Comprehensive System for administering and scoring the Rorschach inkblot test developed?

Accepted Answer

The Comprehensive System was developed to address the lack of standardized procedures in administering and scoring the Rorschach test, which could lead to inconsistencies in how test-takers respond and how results are interpreted.

Question 9

What is used to assess results on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)?

Accepted Answer

The MMPI is a standardized test used to assess personality and psychological disorders. The results are compared to the pattern of answers of people diagnosed with specific disorders, such as depression or schizophrenia, to determine the likelihood of the individual having that disorder. Option A is the correct choice as it reflects the way in which results on the MMPI are typically assessed. Options B, C, and D are not accurate descriptions of the assessment process.

Question 10

Which form of assessment measures changes in the nervous system that reflect emotional or psychological events?

Accepted Answer

Psychophysiological assessments measure changes in the nervous system that reflect emotional or psychological events, such as changes in heart rate, skin conductance, or muscle tension. Neuropsychological assessments measure cognitive function, psychological testing assesses personality traits and attitudes, and neuroimaging assesses brain structure and function.

Question 11

What is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders?

Accepted Answer

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly referred to as the DSM, is a classification system used to diagnose and categorize abnormal behavior and mental disorders. It is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is widely used by mental health professionals in the United States and other countries.

Question 12

How do semistructured interviews differ from unstructured interviews?

Accepted Answer

Semistructured interviews use questions that have been tested to elicit useful information in a consistent manner, while unstructured interviews do not have any specific guidelines or questions to follow. Semistructured interviews still allow for some flexibility in the questioning and exploration of topics, but there is a general framework in place to ensure that essential information is gathered.

Question 13

How does the assessment concept known as reliability increase in the MMPI?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the assessment concept known as...

Question 14

Many popular magazines include "psychological" or "personality" tests to help readers better understand themselves or others.How does your textbook view most of these tests?

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, most of these tests found in popular magazines are not reliable, valid, or informative. They are often created by non-professionals and lack scientific evidence to support their claims. Therefore, they are only intended for entertainment purposes.

Question 15

Suppose a clinician creates criteria for a diagnosis that reflects what most experts in the field consider to be a particular prototypical patient.What is the clinician doing?

Accepted Answer

By creating criteria that reflects what most experts in the field consider to be a particular prototypical patient, the clinician is establishing content validity. Content validity is the degree to which a measure represents all facets/elements of a given construct (in this case, the diagnosis) and is established by ensuring that the measure includes a representative sample of items that assess the construct of interest.

Question 16

Why is assessing psychophysiological responding very important in the assessment of many sexual dysfunctions and disorders?

Accepted Answer

Assessing psychophysiological responding is important in the assessment of many sexual dysfunctions and disorders because sometimes the individual is unaware of his or her specific patterns of sexual arousal. Therefore, measuring physiological responses such as genital blood flow or heart rate can provide objective evidence of sexual arousal that may not be apparent to the person. This can help with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Question 17

Dr.Gupta is a psychoanalytic therapist who wants to assess the unconscious thoughts and feelings of a patient.What type of test would Dr.Gupta most likely use?

Accepted Answer

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a projective test in which patients are shown a series of ambiguous pictures and are asked to create a story around them. These stories can reveal unconscious thoughts, feelings, and conflicts that the patient may not be aware of. As a psychoanalytic therapist, Dr.Gupta would most likely use a projective test like the TAT to gain insight into their patient's unconscious mind.

Question 18

If an assessment is shown to measure what it is intended to measure, it can be said to be which of the following?

Accepted Answer

When an assessment is shown to measure what it is intended to measure, it is considered valid. Reliability refers to the consistency of an assessment, sensitive refers to an assessment's ability to detect small changes or differences, and standardized refers to the consistent administration of the assessment. However, none of these concepts address whether the assessment is actually measuring what it is meant to measure, which is the essence of validity.

Question 19

How does the CAT scan neuroimaging technique work?

Accepted Answer

CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) uses X-rays to take multiple images of the brain from different angles. The images are then combined by a computer to create a three-dimensional image of the brain. This technique is useful for detecting brain abnormalities such as tumors or bleeding.

Question 20

What important change was made in the DSM versions that followed DSM-III?

Accepted Answer

The DSM versions that followed DSM-III moved away from a presumed theoretical cause for each disorder, allowing for a more descriptive approach to diagnosis. This is exemplified in the shift from the use of Roman numerals (which implied a theoretical order) to Arabic numerals in DSM-III-R. However, there was still a focus on reliability and validity in these later versions. There was not a change from a dimensional to a categorical system, and there was not a specific inclusion of the humanistic view of pathology.

Quiz 3: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis