Question 1

When working with a patient diagnosed with dependent personality disorder, what must the therapist be particularly careful about?

Accepted Answer

Patients with dependent personality disorder have a tendency to rely on others for decision making and guidance, including their therapist. Thus, the therapist must be careful to not foster this dependency and to encourage the patient to make decisions and take responsibility for their own life.

Question 2

According to a study by Ford and Widiger (1989), what is most likely the cause of gender differences observed in the prevalence of many personality disorders?

Accepted Answer

The study by Ford and Widiger (1989) suggested that gender bias on the part of the diagnosing clinician is a significant factor in the observed gender differences in the prevalence of personality disorders.

Question 3

Why were passive-aggressive personality disorder and sadistic personality disorder NOT included in the DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

The exclusion of passive-aggressive personality disorder and sadistic personality disorder from the DSM-5 is due to the controversial nature of their existence as distinct personality disorders. While some experts believe that these disorders are distinct, others argue that they are better understood as existing on a continuum with other personality traits. As a result, their inclusion in the DSM-5 was considered too controversial and they were excluded.

Question 4

What is the main reason we do NOT have sufficient research examining the development of personality disorders?

Accepted Answer

Many individuals with personality disorders do not seek treatment in the early phases, making it difficult to study the development of these disorders from the onset. This lack of early treatment-seeking behavior is a significant barrier to conducting longitudinal studies that could provide insights into how these disorders develop over time.

Question 5

According to Lasch, which of the following disorders has been increasing in frequency due to significant cultural changes?

Accepted Answer

Lasch argues that narcissistic personality disorder has been increasing in frequency due to cultural changes such as the rise of consumerism and individualism, which prioritize self-promotion and self-interest over community and empathy for others.

Question 6

Sam goes through life as a loner and is not motivated to interact with others, but he has relatively normal behaviour and beliefs.Which personality disorder is Sam most likely to be diagnosed with?

Accepted Answer

Sam's behavior of being a loner and not being motivated to interact with others is characteristic of schizoid personality disorder. This personality disorder is often marked by a lack of interest in social relationships, emotional detachment, and a limited range of emotional expression. Sam's relatively normal behavior and beliefs indicate that he does not have paranoid or narcissistic personality disorder, and his avoidance of social interaction is not severe enough to suggest avoidant personality disorder.

Question 7

How effective is the treatment of antisocial personality disorder and the related antisocial behaviours?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for antisocial personality disorder and related behaviors has shown more success in children than in adults. Early intervention in childhood can help modify behaviors and develop healthier patterns, whereas changing entrenched behaviors in adults is more challenging.

Question 8

Clinicians who have criticized the way DSM-5 classifies personality disorders view personality disorders as extremes of normal personality rather than as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Critics of the DSM-5's classification of personality disorders often argue that these disorders should be seen as extremes on a continuum of normal personality variation, rather than as distinct categories of disorders. This perspective emphasizes a dimensional rather than a categorical approach to understanding personality disorders.

Question 9

What does research indicate regarding psychopaths and their goal setting patterns?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that psychopaths are more likely to persist in pursuing a goal even if it is unrealistic or unattainable. They may have difficulty regulating their behaviors and emotions, leading them to continue even in the face of repeated failure.

Question 10

What is the relationship between psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

The diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) are indeed more liberal than those for psychopathy, meaning that while all psychopaths are likely to meet the criteria for ASPD, not all individuals with ASPD meet the criteria for psychopathy. Psychopathy is characterized by specific personality traits such as lack of empathy, superficial charm, and manipulativeness, which are not required for an ASPD diagnosis.

Question 11

Josie has extremely unstable behaviour and emotion; she is impulsive, depressed, and often injures herself.What personality disorder does Josie most likely have?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are common in individuals with borderline personality disorder, including unstable emotions, impulsive behavior, self-injurious behavior, and depression. Schizotypal personality disorder involves odd beliefs and behavior, while dependent personality disorder involves an excessive need for others' approval and support, and histrionic personality disorder involves attention-seeking behavior.

Question 12

Which psychotherapy has a growing body of evidence to support its effectiveness in treating borderline personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) has a growing body of evidence to support its effectiveness in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices and has been shown to reduce self-harm, suicidal ideation, and hospitalizations for individuals with BPD.

Question 13

Karen's brother Paul has paranoid personality disorder.She is considering seeking treatment for Paul.What do you tell her based on your knowledge of research on the effects of treatment on paranoid personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Paranoid personality disorder is notoriously difficult to treat because individuals often do not trust therapists and may not believe they need help. Therapy is generally not very effective.

Question 14

What role do genetics play in the development of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

The role of genetics in the development of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is considered moderate. Studies suggest that genetic factors contribute to the risk of developing OCPD, but environmental factors and individual experiences also play significant roles.

Question 15

In Jill's psychotherapy sessions, her therapist has been using systematic desensitization to gradually make her more comfortable with social situations.The therapist has given Jill homework assignments that require her to practice talking to strangers, join informal groups, and speak in front of small groups.Which personality disorder is Jill most likely being treated for?

Accepted Answer

Jill is most likely being treated for avoidant personality disorder, which is characterized by a fear of rejection and social situations. Systematic desensitization is a common treatment for this disorder, and the homework assignments given to Jill align with this approach. Schizoid personality disorder involves a lack of interest in social relationships, while schizotypal personality disorder involves eccentric behaviors and beliefs. Dependent personality disorder involves a strong need for others to take care of you, which is not the primary issue being addressed in Jill's therapy sessions.

Question 16

Dr.Gall is studying a personality characteristic that is NOT a dimension in the five-factor model of personality.What is it?

Accepted Answer

The five-factor model of personality includes extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness to experience, and agreeableness. Therefore, the personality characteristic that Dr. Gall is studying that is NOT a dimension in the five-factor model of personality is expressiveness.

Question 17

Research by Ferguson and Rodway (1994) indicates that a certain therapy can be effective in treating one important aspect of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.What is the therapy and what aspect of the disorder is it for?

Accepted Answer

The therapy mentioned in the question is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and it is effective in treating the aspect of perfectionism in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. This is supported by research conducted by Ferguson and Rodway (1994).

Question 18

Dave and Mike both have antisocial personality disorder.Dave has gotten in trouble with the law whereas Mike has not.If you had to guess what differs between the two men, what would you say?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dave and Mike both have antisocial personality...

Question 19

Why are individuals with narcissistic personality disorder most likely to become depressed?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated sense of self-importance and often hold unrealistic expectations for themselves. When they are unable to achieve these expectations, they may become depressed.

Question 20

Your friend's therapist said that her borderline personality disorder may actually be another disorder.Which disorder was the therapist most likely to be referring to?

Accepted Answer

Borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder share many common symptoms, and it is common for individuals with borderline personality disorder to have experienced trauma. Therefore, it is possible that the therapist may be suggesting that the symptoms being exhibited may be more consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder rather than borderline personality disorder.

Quiz 13: Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders